Berliet VUDB

The Berliet VUDB was an armoured military vehicle designed between the wars by Berliet, used by the French army in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and French West Africa and later by the Belgian army and gendarmerie. In May 1929 the French army wanted to modernise its forces engaged in Morocco, and Berliet proposed a contact vehicle derived from its VUR cross country liaison car, meant for reconnaissance alongside Panhard armoured cars. To limit costs it had no turret, only loopholes in the armour, and two light machine guns that had to be moved inside the hull to fire. The first engine, a six cylinder MLSB of 2,517 cc, was too weak for a vehicle a tonne heavier than planned, and in 1932 and 1933 the French cars received a four cylinder engine of 3,308 cc. The French army ordered fifty in 1930 and the Belgian army twelve. Crews complained of thin armour, no reverse gear change, weak armament, a high centre of gravity and mechanical weaknesses, but after the changes of late 1932 the cars proved far more satisfactory. Thirty two were in service in September 1939, and some were used in the Tunisian campaign until 1943.