The prototype of the Laffly W 15 T was presented in 1938. Due to problems, production was started by Hotchkiss first in 1940. The Laffly/Hotchkiss W 15 T was based on the Laffly S 15 T.
Altogether 80 exemplars of the Hotchkiss W 15 T were made in 1940. The unit sign with the inscription Bodensee could be a variant of the division sign of 305. Infanterie Division.
