After 1955, the French army began to modernise its stock of WW2 jeeps by placing orders with Hotchkiss for the Willys MB licence model followed by the M201. There were only a few differences between these and the original MB/GPWs so the army could have simply inserted the necessary changes into its translations of the original U.S. manuals. Instead, they actually chose to consider the M201 as a completely new vehicle. Chapter 2 of the 1994 edition of MAT 1000, which lists all technical manuals in use with the French army, still identified 2 separate series of technical manuals ("MAT") despite five decades of refurbishment during which the old and new parts had become mixed together when the jeeps were rebuilt.

 

Descriptions of the M201 technical manuals.

- MAT 2701 : guide de la voiture de liaison de 1/4 tonne, à 4 roues motrices (Willys-Overland modèle MB, Ford, modèle GPW et HOTCHKISS M201). Operating and maintenance instructions (short version of MAT2835), issued with the jeep and kept in the glove compartment.

- MAT 2835 : notice technique de conduite et d'entretien de la voiture de liaison de 1/4 de tonne - HOTCHKISS type M201 4x4 - 24 volts et 6 volts. Full operating and maintenance instructions.

- MAT 3633/1 : notice technique d'antiparasitage 2e degré de la V.L.T.T. 1/4 de tonne HOTCHKISS type M201 - 24V. Secondary radio interference suppression system for the M201.

- MAT 3633/2 : notice technique d'antiparasitage de la V.L.T.T. 1/4 de tonne HOTCHKISS-WILLYS type M201 - 24V "Saharien". As above but for the 24 volt 'Sahara' model.

- MAT 3633/3 : notice technique d'antiparasitage du véhicule 1/4 de tonne HOTCHKISS-WILLYS 6V type MB Saharien. As above but for the 6 volt 'Sahara' model.

- MAT 3072/1 : adaptation française du TM 9-1803A, manuel de réparation de la voiture de liaison de 1/4 de tonne - HOTCHKISS type M201 4x4.
A translation of TM9-1803A : Maintenance of the engine and its accessories.

- MAT 3072/2 : adaptation française du TM 9-1803B, manuel de réparation de la voiture de liaison de 1/4 de tonne - HOTCHKISS type M201 4x4.
A translation of TM9-1803B : Maintenance of the transmission, body and frame.

- MAT 3072/3 : manuel de réparation de la voiture de liaison de 1/4 de tonne - HOTCHKISS type M201 4x4, 24 volts, équipement électrique. Maintenance of the 24 volt M201 electric system.

- MAT 3310 : catalogue de pièces détachées pour la voiture de liaison de 1/4 de tonne - HOTCHKISS type M201 4x4 - tous modèles, (2 tomes, texte et figures).
Spare parts catalogue for all M201 models.

Please note that both the size and reference numbers of the manuals changed over a period of time. The cross-reference between new and old versions including size and year of issue is as follows:

- MAT 2701 : 135 x 210mm, ex MAT 3152, approved in 1953

- MAT 2835 : 210 x 297mm, ex MAT 3339, NOT 4-584, approved in 1960

- MAT 3072/1 : 210 x 297mm, ex MAT 3422/1, REP 4-584/1, approved in 1959

- MAT 3072/2 : 210 x 297mm, ex MAT 3422/2, REP 4-584/2, approved in 1959

- MAT 3072/3 : 210 x 297mm, ex MAT 3422/3, REP 4-584/3, approved in 1961

- MAT 3310 : 297 x 210mm, ex MAT 3541, CAT 4-584, approved in 1960

The trailer is covered by:

- MAT 3390 : catalogue de la remorque 1/4 de tonne U.S. approved in 1944.
A translation of the original U.S. spare parts catalogue : ORD 7-8-9 SNL G529.

Getting manuals for your M201:

Most, if not all, major work can be carried out using the MB manuals that are available from MB/M201 dealers (see links page). If you have experience of dealing with auto electrics then the 24 volt system should pose you no real problems either. (a circuit diagram can be viewed from the technical index)

Original copies of the French M201 manuals are not easy to obtain - even in France this involves the usual searching at militaria fairs and the like. Reproductions can be obtained from the TANK MUSEUM, Parc du Cinquantenaire 3-B1040-Bruxelles, but you need to give a precise reference.