List of Italian Army equipment in World War II
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The following is a list of equipment used by the Royal Italian Army (Regio Esercito), Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica), and Royal Italian Navy (Regia Marina) during World War II.
Bayonets
[edit]Model | Type | From: | |
---|---|---|---|
M91/38 folding bayonet | Bayonet | 1893 | |
M91/38 standard bayonet | Bayonet | 1891 |
Small arms
[edit]Handguns
[edit]Image | Type | Maker | Rounds | Cartridge | From: | Weight | Number built | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Beretta Modello 1934 | Beretta | 7 (+1) | .380 ACP | 1935 | 23.28 oz (660 g) | 1,080,000 | Remained in service until 1991. | |
Beretta Modello 1935 | Beretta | 8 (+1) | .32 ACP | 1937 | 23.5 oz (666 g) | 525,000 | Was a prized souvenir during the war. Remained in service until 1967. | |
Glisenti Model 1910 | Società Siderurgica Glisenti | 7 (+1) | 9mm Glisenti | 1910 | 29,00 oz (820 g) | 100,000 | Was originally chambered for a 7.65×22mm bottle-neck cartridge, but the Italian Army requested it to be chambered in 9mm. | |
Bodeo Model 1889 Revolver | Many manufacturers | 6 | 10.35mm Ordinanza Italiana | 1889 | 33.05 oz (950 g) | ? | Italian manufacturers include: Societa Siderurgica Glisenti, Castelli of Brescia, Metallurgica Bresciana, Vincenzo Bernardelli of Gardone Val Trompia. During World War I, Spanish manufacturers, Errasti and Arrostegui of Eibar produced the Bodeo for the Italian government. | |
- | M1942 Sosso Pistol | FNA Brescia | 21 | 9×19mm Parabellum | 1942 | ? | ? | Experimental design, was never fully adopted. Only five were manufactured, with four of them going to high-ranking Italian officials such as Vittorio Emanuele III and Benito Mussolini.[1] |
Rifles
[edit]Type | Base model | Maker | Rounds | Cartridge | From: | Produced | Weight | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carcano M1891 | Carcano M1891 | Carcano | 6 | 6.5×52mm Mannlicher–Carcano | 1891 | 2,063,750 | 3.4 kg | standard service rifle |
Carcano M1891 Moschetto da Cavalleria (Cavalry Carbine) | Carcano M1891 | Carcano | 6 | 6.5×52mm Mannlicher–Carcano | 1893 | ? | 3.4 kg | integral, folding bayonet |
Carcano M1891TS Moschetto per Truppe Speciali (Special Troop Carbine) | Carcano M1891 | Carcano | 6 | 6.5×52mm Mannlicher–Carcano | 1897 | ? | 3.4 kg | without bayonet |
Carcano M1891/24 | Carcano M1891 | Carcano | 6 | 6.5×52mm Mannlicher–Carcano | 1924 | ? | ? kg | |
Carcano M1891/28 | Carcano M1891 | Carcano | 6 | 6.5×52mm Mannlicher–Carcano | 1928 | ? | ? kg | |
Carcano M1938 carbine | Carcano M1938 carbine | Carcano | 6 | 7.35×51mm | 1938 | ? | 3.6741 kg | converted to higher caliber cartridge |
Carcano 91/38 (Modello 91/38) short rifle | Carcano M1938 carbine | Carcano | 6 | 6.5×52mm Mannlicher–Carcano | 1940 | ? | ? kg | reverted to original cartridge |
Steyr-Mannlicher M1895 | Steyr-Mannlicher M1895 | Mannlicher | 5 | 8×50mmR Mannlicher | ? | ? | 3.8 kg | imported from Austria-Hungary |
M1870/87/15 Vetterli-Vitali | M1870 Italian Vetterli | 6 | 6.5×52mm Mannlicher–Carcano | ? | ? | 4.2 kg | issued to colonial troops in Italian East Africa | |
Fucile Armaguerra Mod. 39 | Fucile Armaguerra Mod. 39 | 6 | 6.5×52mm Mannlicher–Carcano, 7.35×51mm Carcano | 1944 | 500 | 3.7 kg |
Submachine guns
[edit]Type | Maker | Rounds | Cartridge | From: | Rate of fire | Weight | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Beretta M1918/30 | Beretta | 25 | 9 mm Glisenti | 1930s | 900 rpm | 7 lb 3 oz (3.3 kg) | Semi-automatic carbine developed for police use. Issued in limited numbers to Guardia alla Frontiera and Milizia Forestale units. |
Beretta Model 38 | Beretta | 40 | 9×19mm Parabellum | 1938 | 600 rpm | 9 lb 4 oz (4.2 kg) | Different box magazines had a capacity 10, 20 and 40 cartridges. |
FNAB-43 | FNAB | 40 | 9×19mm Parabellum | 1944 | 600-837 rpm [2] | 8 lb 12 oz (3.9 kg) | Magazines of 20 cartridges were also available. Was expensive to produce and so, only 7,000 were ever made. |
OVP 1918 | Officine Villar Perosa | 25 | 9 mm Glisenti | 1918 | 900 rpm | 8 lb 0 oz (3,6 kg) | Was issued during the early 1920s; was mostly replaced by other models by the end of the war. |
TZ-45 | Fabbrica Fratelli Giandoso | 40 | 9×19mm Parabellum | 1944 | 800 rpm | 7 lb 0 oz (3.2 kg) | Produced in small numbers (6,000 made between 1944 and 1945), design was later sold to the Burmese Army and produced as the BA-52. |
Grenades
[edit]Type | Maker | From | Weight | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
SRCM Mod.35 | Società Romana Costruzioni Meccaniche | 1935 | 240 g | impact fuse hand grenade |
OTO Mod.35 | Odero Terni Orlando | 1935 | 150 g | impact fuse hand grenade |
OTO Mod.42 | Odero Terni Orlando | 1942 | 1100 g | Incendiary grenade |
Breda Mod.35 | Breda Meccaniche Bresciane | 1935 | 200 g | impact fuse hand grenade |
Breda Mod.42 | Breda Meccaniche Bresciane | 1942 | 1050 g | Anti-tank grenade |
L Type | Odero Terni Orlando | 1940 | 2040 g | Anti-tank grenade |
P Bomb | Improvised Device | 1941 | 2000g or 1000g | Anti-tank grenade |
Flamethrowers
[edit]Machine guns
[edit]- Breda Mod. 5C 6.5 mm heavy machine gun
- Breda Mod. 5G 6.5 mm light machine gun
- Breda 30 6.5 mm light machine gun
- Breda M31 (licensed copy of the 13.2 mm Hotchkiss machine gun)
- Breda 37 8 mm heavy machine gun
- Breda 38 8 mm tank machine gun
- FM 24/29 (ex-French)
- Fiat–Revelli Modello 1914 6.5 mm machine gun
- Fiat–Revelli Modello 1935 8 mm Breda machine gun
- SIA Mod. 1918 6.5 mm heavy machine gun
- Breda-SAFAT 7.7 mm machine gun
- Breda-SAFAT 12.7 mm machine gun
- Scotti–Isotta Fraschini Modello 1933 12.7 mm machine gun
Artillery
[edit]Infantry mortars
[edit]Model | Caliber | Max. range | From | Produced | Weight, kg | fire rate, RPM | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brixia Model 35 | 45mm | 530 | 1935 | ? | 15.5 | 18 | extremely accurate, 18 mortars per battalion (in 2 platoons) |
Mortaio da 81/14 Modello 35 | 81mm | 1500 | 1935 | ? | 59.56 | 18 | 6 mortars per regiment, extended range (4 km) shell available |
Field artillery
[edit]Italian artillery was usually designated using the calibre and length of the barrel in number of calibre lengths, so "90/53" would mean a weapon with a 90 mm diameter barrel where the length of the barrel was approximately 53 calibre lengths (i.e. 53x90 mm, that is 4.77 m).
Model | Caliber | Max. range | From | Number produced | Weight (kg) | fire rate RPM | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cannone da 47/32 M35 | 47mm | 7,000 m (7,700 yd) | 1935 | ? | 315 | 5 | dual-role anti-tank/infantry gun, adopted for many vehicles, licensed version of Böhler gun |
Cannone da 65/17 modello 7 | 65mm | 6800 | 1907 | ? | 650 | 5 | mountain gun |
Cannone da 65/17 modello 13 | 65mm | 6800 | 1913 | ? | 650 | 5 | mountain gun |
Škoda 7 cm K10 | 66mm | 5000 | 1912 | ? | 520 | 10 | naval gun redeployed as coastal artillery |
Skoda 75 mm Model 15 (Obice da 75/13) | 75mm | 8250 | 1918 | ? | 613 | 7 | Austrian-built |
Cannone da 75/27 modello 06 | 75mm | 10000 | 1906 | ? | 1080 | 5 | licensed version of Krupp 1906M gun |
Cannone da 75/27 modello 11 | 75mm | 10240 | 1912 | ? | 1076 | 5 | French-designed |
Cannone da 75/27 modello 12 | 75mm | 10000 | 1912 | ? | 900 | 5 | modification of Cannone da 75/27 modello 06 |
Obice da 75/18 modello 34 | 75mm | 9564 | 1934 | ? | 1832 | 5 | mountain gun |
Obice da 75/18 modello 35 | 75mm | 9564 | 1935 | ? | 1832 | 5 | field gun version of the Obice da 75/18 modello 34 with different carriage |
Cannone da 75/34 modello 37 | 75mm | 12500 | 1937 | 1 | 1250 | 5 | prototype of 75/32 field gun, unmodified 75/34 Mod. S.F. went on as tank gun |
Cannone da 75/32 modello 37 | 75mm | 12500 | 1937 | ? | 1250 | 5 | dual-role anti-tank/field gun |
Cannone da 77/28 modello 5/8 | 76.5mm | 6100 | 1907 | ? | 1065 | 9 | built in Austria-Hungary, bronze barrel |
Obice da 100/17 modello 14 | 100mm | 8180 | 1914 | ? | 1417 | 6 | Austrian-built, in NATO service until 1984 |
Obice da 100/17 modello 16[3] | 100mm | 8180 | 1916 | ? | 1235 | 6 | weight reduction of Obice da 100/17 modello 14 for use as mountain gun |
Škoda 10 cm K10 | 100mm | 15200 | 1910 | ? | 2020 | 10 | dual-purpose gun |
Cannon 102/45 | 102mm | 9300 | 1917 | ? | 2327 | 7 | naval gun converted to anti-aircraft gun |
Cannone da 105/28 modello 12 | 105mm | 8000 (12000) | 1917 | 854 | 2650 | 5 | license-built, kept in reserve until 1939 |
Obice da 105/14 modello 17 | 105mm | 6000 (8100) | 1917 | 120 | 1400 | 5 | used in self-propelled gun |
Cannone da 120/21 | 120mm | 7700 | 1880 | 5 | 4050 | 5 | fortress Krupp gun, used by Italian border guards |
Obice da 149/12 | 149.1mm | 8800 | 1914 | 1500 | 2344 | 3 | Licensed copy of the 15 cm sFH 13 |
Cannone da 149/23 | 149.1mm | 9300 | 1882 | ? | 6050 | 1 | fortress howitzer, most likely did not see combat in World War II |
Obice da 149/12 modello 14 | 149.1mm | 6500 | 1915 | ? | 2700 | 1.5 | Austrian-built Skoda howitzer |
Obice da 149/13 modello 14 | 149.1mm | 8800 | 1915 | 490 | 2765 | 1.5 | Obice da 149/12 modello 14 modified for new ammunition |
Cannone da 149/35 A | 149.1mm | 16500 | 1900 | 895 | 8220 | 1 | No recoil absorber, zero traverse |
Cannone da 149/40 modello 35 | 149.1 mm (5.87 in) | 23,700 m (25,900 yd) | 1940 | 63+? | 11340 | 1-2 | Replacement for Cannone da 149/35A but insufficient numbers built. Split trail |
Obice da 149/19 modello 37 | 149.1mm | 14250 | 1939 | 230 | 5780 | 3 | Italian replacement for all older howitzers |
15 cm/50 K10 Skoda | 149.1mm | 15000 | 1912 | 12 | ? | 6 | removed from Austrian battleship Tegetthoff and used in coastal defense |
Cannone da 152/45 | 152.4mm | 19400 | 1910 | 53 | 16672 | 1 | Naval gun used in counter-battery fire and siege |
Cannone da. 152/37 | 152.4mm | 16000 | 1916 | 44 | 11900 | 1 | built in Austria-Hungary |
190/39 Skoda | 190mm | 20000 | 1904 | 29 | 12700 | 3 | built in Austria-Hungary as naval gun, reused by Italians in coastal defense |
Canon de 19 modèle 1870/93 TAZ | 194mm | 18300 | 1915 | 12 | 65000 | 2 | A French railroad gun in Italian service. |
7.5"/45 model 1908 | 191mm | 22000 | 1908 | 24 | 13770 | 2.6 | naval gun reused in coastal defense |
203/45 Mod. 1897 | 203.2mm | 18000 | 1897 | 40 | 11900 | 2.4 | built for Giuseppe Garibaldi-class cruisers, used in World War II as siege gun and coastal defense |
203/50 modello 24 | 203.2mm | 30620 | 1924 | 26 | 11900 | 2.4 | built for Trento-class cruisers, 1 turret used in coastal defence |
Obice da 210/22 modello 35 | 210mm | 15400 | 1935 | 20 | 24000 | 1 | Production continued by Germans after surrender of Italy |
Mortaio da 210/8 D.S. | 210mm | 8450 | 1900 | ? | 10930 | 0.4 | In Italian fortresses only |
Mortario da 210/8 PIAT | 210mm | 8450 | 1900 | ? | 10930 | 0.4 | Towed version of Mortaio da 210/8 D.S. |
Mortario da 210/8 FROM | 210mm | 8450 | 1900 | ? | 10930 | 0.4 | Improved mobility version of Mortario da 210/8 PIAT |
Mortaio da 260/9 Modello 16 | 260mm | 9100 | 1916 | ? | 12560 | 1 round every 12 minutes | Italian version of a Schneider design. |
Obice da 280 | 280mm | 11600 | 1890 | ? | 34070 | ? | Coastal defense and siege howitzer |
Skoda 305 mm Model 1911 | 305mm | 9600 | 1911 | 79 | 20839 | 0.18 | Austro-Hungarian siege howitzer, received by Italy |
305 mm /46 Model 1909 | 305mm | 24000 | 1909 | 62500 | 2 | naval gun used as coastal artillery | |
305/50 Mod. 1912 | 305mm | 19000 | 1909 | 6 | 199900 | 1 | naval gun used as coastal artillery |
Škoda 30.5 cm /45 K10 | 305mm | 20000 | 1911 | 65 | 620000 | 3 | triple-mount Austrian naval gun used as coastal artillery |
Cannone navale da 381/40 (coastal) | 381mm | 27300 | 1912 | 10 | 95000 | 1.75 | naval gun used as coastal artillery |
Cannone navale da 381/40 (railroad) | 381mm | 30000 | 1912 | 7 | 212000 | 1.75 | naval gun used as railroad gun |
See also:
- 203 mm /53 Italian naval gun - main gun on Italian cruisers
Anti-tank guns
[edit]Before and during World War II, Italy designed most of their anti-aircraft guns and some its infantry guns to also serve in the anti-tank role. No dedicated anti-tank gun was produced. Listed below is just the guns used in anti-tank role most commonly.
Model | Caliber | Penetration 100m (110yd) | Penetration 500m | Muzzle velocity | Max. range | From | Produced | Weight kg | fire rate RPM | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cannone da 37/54 | 37mm | ? | ? | 700 m/s (2,300 ft/s) | 6,000 m (20,000 ft) | 1934 | ? | 277 | 120 | dual-role anti-tank/anti-aircraft gun |
Cannone controcarro da 37/45 | 37mm | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 735 m/s (2,410 ft/s) | 5,484 m (17,992 ft) | ? | ? | 327 | 13 | Italian variant of the Rheinmetall Pak 36 |
Cannone da 47/32 M35 | 47mm | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 630 m/s (2,100 ft/s) | 7,000 m (23,000 ft) | 1935 | ? | 315 | 5 | dual-role anti-tank/infantry gun, licensed version of Böhler gun |
Cannone da 90/53 mod. 1939 | 90mm | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 850 m/s (2,800 ft/s) | 17,400 m (57,100 ft) | 1939 | 539 | 8950 | 19 | dual-role anti-tank/anti-aircraft gun |
Infantry anti-tank weapons
[edit]- fucile controcarro 35(P) - Wz. 35 anti-tank rifle captured from Poland
- Solothurn S-18/100 anti-tank rifle
- Solothurn S-18/1000 anti-tank rifle
- Solothurn S-18/1100 anti-tank rifle
- Panzerfaust - one-shot disposable recoilless shaped charge launcher imported from Germany
- Lanciabombe Controcarro 60 mm - HEAT rifle grenade capable of penetrating 70 mm RHA at 80 m
Anti-aircraft weapons
[edit]Model | Caliber | Effective altitude | From | Number produced | Weight, kg | fire rate RPM | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Breda mod. 31 | 13.2 mm | 1000 | 1929 | ? | 47.5 | 400 | used on command vehicles, licensed copy of the 13.2 mm Hotchkiss machine gun |
Cannone-Mitragliera da 20/77 (Scotti) | 20 mm | 2000 | 1940 | 500 | 227.5 | 250 | designed as aircraft cannon, build by Swiss Oerlikon |
Cannone-Mitragliera da 20/65 modello 35 (Breda) | 20 mm | 2000 | 1935 | ? | 330 | 240 | twin mount, main Italian light AA/AT gun |
Breda 37/54 mod. 32 | 37 mm | 3500 | 1934 | ? | 5000 | 120 | naval gun with stabilizer |
Breda 37/54 mod. 38 | 37 mm | 3500 | 1938 | ? | 4300 | 120 | twin-barreled land version, without stabilizer |
Breda 37/54 mod. 39 | 37 mm | 3500 | 1939 | ? | 1500 | 120 | land version with recoil absorber |
Breda 37/54 mod. 40 | 37 mm | 3500 | 1940 | ? | 312.5 | 120 | re-navalized version with recoil absorber |
QF 2-pounder naval gun (40/39 Vickers-Terni mod. 1915) | 40 mm | 3960 | 1917 | 50+ | 711 | 67 | import and licensed production of "pom-pom" gun |
Ansaldo [4] Cannone da 65/64 modello 39 | 65 mm | 5000 | 1939 | 115 | ? | 20 | |
Cannone da 75/46 C.A. modello 34 | 75 mm | 8500 | 1935 | 318 | 4405 | 15 | used on Semovente 75/46 as anti-tank gun |
Cannone da 75/50 | 75 mm | 9200 | 1939 | ? | 4150 | 15 | Captured from Czech army in 1939 |
76/40 Mod 1916 RM | 76.2 mm | 5500 | 1916 | 492 | 1676 | 14 | used in fixed AA positions from 1933 |
76/45 Mod 1911 RM | 76.2 mm | 6000 | 1911 | 312 | 2204 | 25 | licensed version of "76 mm Mle 1911 Schneider" |
Cannone da 90/53 mod. 1939 | 90 mm | 11300 | 1939 | 539 | 8950 | 19 | used on Semovente 90/53 as anti-tank gun |
Cannone da 90/50[5] mod. 1939 | 90 mm | 10800 | 1939 | 56 | 18750 | 12 | navalized Cannone da 90/53 version |
102/35 mod. 1914 | 101.6 mm | 5700 | 1914 | 110 | 1220 | 7 | used by the navy and on armored trains, and on 102/35 on SPA 9000 SPG |
120/27 OTO 1924[6] | 120 mm | 5500 | 1924 | 5 | ? | 9 | removed from submarines, re-used in Messina AA battery |
All calibers of AA guns were also mounted in portee trucks in dual roles (ground attack and AA).
Vehicles
[edit]The Italian designation system for tanks consisted of a letter (L, M or P; designating light, medium and heavy tanks respectively) followed by two numbers: one giving the approximate weight in tons, the other giving the year it was accepted for service. Thus "M11/39" means the 11 ton medium tank of 1939. The Italian definitions of light, medium and heavy tank differ from other nations at the time. For instance the Italian "medium" tanks are often described as "light" in other sources.
Tankettes
[edit]Model | From | Armor max., mm | Primary armament | Secondary armament | Weight, t | Power, kW | Range, km | Produced | Crew | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carden Loyd Mark VI tankette | 1929 | 9 | 2 × 8 mm machine guns | none | 1.5 | 17 | 160 | 4 | 2 | imported from the UK |
L2/29 (CV-29) | 1929 | 9 | 2 × 8 mm machine guns | none | 1.5 | 17 | 160 | 21 | 2 | minimal modifications of Carden Loyd Mark VI tankette |
L3/33 (CV-33) | 1933 | 14 | Fiat Mod. 14 6.5 mm MG | none | 2.7 | 32 | 110 | 300 | 2 | all previous tankettes were upgraded in 1934 to CV-33 II Mod. 1934 |
L3/33 (CV-33 II Mod. 1934) | 1934 | 14 | 2 × Fiat–Revelli Modello 1935 8 mm MG | none | 2.7 | 32 | 110 | ? | 2 | mass production version |
L3 Lf | 1933 | 14 | Flamethrower | Fiat–Revelli Modello 1935 8 mm MG | 3.3 | 32 | 110 | ? | 2 | flame tank with towed fuel tank |
L3/35 (CV-35) | 1935 | 14 | 2 × Breda 38 8 mm MG | none | 3.2 | 32 | 125 | 2500 | 2 | armor bolted instead of riveted |
L3/35 II | 1935 | 14 | 2 × Breda 38 8 mm MG | none | 3.2 | 32 | 125 | ? | 2 | doors and louvers modified for desert operation |
L3/38 | 1935 | 14 | Madsen machine gun (13.2 mm) | none | 3.2 | 32 | 125 | 24 | 2 | export variant, torsion bar suspension |
The L3 tankette was also a basis for several engineering vehicles.
Tanks
[edit]Model | From | Armor max., mm | Primary armament | Secondary armament | Weight, t | Power, kW | Range, km | Produced | Crew | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panzer III Ausf N | 1943 | 70 | 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 | 3 × 7.92 mm MG 34 | 23 | 220 | 155 | 12 | 5 | 12 imported from Germany, can fire HEAT rounds |
Panzer IV Ausf G | 1943 | 88 | 7.5 cm KwK 40 L/48 | 2 × 7.92 mm MG 34 | 25 | 220 | 200 | 12 | 5 | 12 imported from Germany |
T-34/76 | 1941 | 60 | 76.2mm F-34 tank gun | 2 × 7.62 mm DT machine gun | 26.5 | 370 | 400 | 3 | 4 | captured from USSR, used on Eastern front only |
L5/21 | 1921 | 16 | 2x6.5 mm machine guns 3000A | 6.5 mm machine gun | 6 | 38.2 | 100 | 100 | 2 | based on Renault FT, 1st Italian tank |
L5/30 | 1930 | 16 | 37/40 gun | 6.5 mm machine gun | 6 | 38.2 | 100 | 52 | 2 | weapon upgrade of L5/21 |
Carro Armato L6/40 | 1940 | 40 | 20 mm Breda 35 | 8 mm Breda 38 machine gun | 6.8 | 52 | 200 | 283 | 2 | designed for alpine combat, base for Semovente 47/32 SPG, flame tank version Fiat L6-40 LF |
Renault R35 | 1940 | 43 | 37 mm L/21 SA18 | 7.5 mm MAC31 Reibel machine gun | 10.6 | 62 | 130 | 124 | 2 | French tank received via Germany |
Somua S35 | 1941 | 47 | 47 mm SA 35 gun | 7.5 mm Mitrailleuse mle 1931 | 19.5 | 140 | 230 | 32 | 3 | French tank received via Germany, used in Italy for training only |
Carro Armato M11/39 | 1939 | 30 | 37 mm Vickers-Terni L/40 | 2 × 8 mm Breda 38 machine gun | 11.2 | 79 | 200 | 100 | 3 | main cannon mounted in front hull below turret |
Carro Armato M13/40 | 1940 | 42 | 47 mm Cannone da 47/32 M35 | 4 × 8 mm Breda 38 machine gun | 13.5 | 93 | 200 | c.2000 | 4 | main cannon placed in turret, 1 AA machine gun |
Carro Armato M14/41 | 1941 | 42 | 47 mm Cannone da 47/32 M35 | 2 × 8 mm Breda 38 machine gun | 14 | 110 | 200 | 800 | 4 | engine improvement of M13/40, machine guns ball turret removed |
Carro Armato M15/42 | 1943 | 50 | 47 mm Cannone da 47/40 L40 | 4 × 8 mm Breda 38 machine gun | 15.5 | 145 | 200 | 118 | 4 | general improvement of M14/41, base for Semovente 75/34 gun |
Fiat M16/43 ("Sahariano") | 1943 | 50 | 47 mm Cannone da 47/40 L40 | 2 × 8 mm Breda 38 machine gun | 16 | 208 | 300 | 1 | 4 | Christie suspension used for first time in Italy |
Carro Armato P26/40 | 1943 | 50 | 75 mm Cannone da 75/34 | 2 × 8 mm Breda 38 machine gun | 26 | 310 | 280 | 103 | 4 | base for Semovente 149/40 SPG, used by German army only |
Self-propelled guns
[edit]Tank-based
[edit]Name | Chassis | Gun | Developed | Number manufactured | Role |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Semovente 47/32 | Fiat L6/40 | Cannone da 47/32 M35 | 1941 | 300 | self-propelled AT gun |
Semovente M41 75/18 | M14/41 | Obice da 75/18 modello 34 | 1941 | 262 | self-propelled gun |
Semovente 75/34 | M15/42 | 75/34 Mod. S.F. | 1942 | 190 | self-propelled AT gun |
Semovente M43 75/46 | M15/42 | Cannone da 75/46 C.A. modello 34 | 1942 | 15 | self-propelled gun |
Semovente M41M 90/53 | M14/41 | Cannone da 90/53 | 1942 | 30 | self-propelled AT gun |
Semovente M43 105/25 | M15/42 tank | 105mm howitzer | 1943 | 90 | self-propelled gun |
Semovente 149/40 | M14/41 | Cannone da 149/40 modello 35 | 1942 | 1 | self-propelled gun, prototype only |
StuG III Ausf G | Panzer III | 7.5 cm KwK 40 | 1940 | 0 | self-propelled AT gun, 12 received from Germany |
Others
[edit]During World War II, Italy regularly mounted cannons on portee trucks. Also, permanent installation of guns on trucks and armored cars were done on ad-hoc basis, therefore many self-propelled guns had no official name besides descriptive type of truck plus type of cannon. Below is the grossly incomplete list of these self-propelled weapons.
- Autocannone Sahariana Corta da 75/27 - cannon installed on truck TL 37
- 102/35 on SPA 9000
- 102/35 su Fiat 634N
- Carro Comando Per Reparto Semovente da 75/18
- Autocannoni da 75
- Breda Dovunque 90/53
- Breda Autocannone Blindato Tipo 102 (Breda 501 )
- Autocannone da 90 - Lancia 3 RO Chassis
- Fiat 611 AT - SP ATG armed with 37mm cannon
- L.3/Solothurn or L.3/cc (antitank) - changes made on several specimens directly from the operational departments in Italian North Africa in 1941. In place of the twin machine guns an S-18/1000 Solothurn 20 mm anti-tank rifle was mounted, which could penetrate the armor of British armored cars and light tanks.
- Trubia - experimental version of the Spanish armed with a gun Breda 20/65 Mod 1935 20mm.
- Chariot anti-tank gun or self-propelled L3 47/32 - prototype self-propelled gun armed with a 47/32 mm; trying "desperately" to adapt to the new demands of war the L3 Chariot had a very similar design to the Panzerjäger I (which was also derived from the most common light tank in the army of adoption, the Panzer I). The hull, superstructure private, had a front antitank gun 47/32 cowl, which was to protect the crew and the rest of the half was equal to the chassis of L .3, although the photo of the prototype seems that the suspensions were a mainspring. Probably would not be successful, since the recoil while content of 47/32 could, in the long run detrimental to the operation of the medium.
Armoured cars
[edit]Model | Maker | Developed | Produced | Armament | comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fiat 611 w/o gun | Fiat | 1933 | 46 | 3 × Breda Mod. 5C 6.5 mm machine gun | had mobility and maintenance problems |
Fiat 611 w gun | Fiat | 1933 | ? | 2 × Breda Mod. 5C 6.5 mm machine gun and 1 x cannone Vickers-Terni da 37/40 Mod.30 | considered unsuccessful because was unable to fire forward with machine gun |
Lancia IZM (Lancia IZ) | Lancia | 1915 | 120 | 2 × 6.5 mm Maxim gun | all machine guns are detachable |
Morris CS9 | Morris Commercial Cars | 1936 | - | 14.3mm Boys anti-tank rifle and 7.7 mm Bren light machine gun | some vehicles captured from British forces from 1940. equipped with radio, good mobility, |
Lince | Lancia & Ansaldo | 1942 | 263 | Breda 38 8 mm machine gun | copy of British Daimler Dingo |
Autoblindo 40 (AB 40) | Fiat&Ansaldo | 1940 | 24 | 2 × Breda 38 8 mm machine gun | developed from Fiat-SPA TM40 , most AB 40 upgraded to AB 41 |
Autoblindo 41 (AB 41) | Fiat & Ansaldo | 1941 | 600 | Breda Model 35 20mm gun | firepower improvement of Autoblindo 40 (AB 40) |
Autoblindo 43 (AB 43) | Fiat & Ansaldo | 1943 | 1 | 47mm 47/32 Mod. 1935 | more powerful engine and armor added |
SPA-Viberti AS.42 "Sahariano" | SPA-Viberti | 1942 | ? | 47mm 47/32 Mod. 1935 gun | scout car based on AB 41 |
Engineering and command
[edit]- L.3/r - command tank with radio inside, deployed in all tankette units
- L.3 carro recupero - experimental version for the recovery of damaged vehicles.
- L.3 da demolizione - radio-controlled prototype for the destruction of the minefields.
- L6/40 ammunition carrier
- L6/40 command tank
Trucks
[edit]Light trucks
[edit]Medium trucks
[edit]- Alfa Romeo 430RE
- Alfa Romeo 800RE
- Breda Dovunque-41
- Bianchi Miles
- Ceirano 50 CM
- FIAT-626 NM
- Isotta Fraschini D65
- Isotta Fraschini D80
- SPA Dovunque-35
- SPA Dovunque 41
- SPA AS.37
- Fiat-SPA 38R
Heavy trucks
[edit]- FIAT-633NM
- FIAT-634N
- FIAT-666
- Fiat 661
- Lancia Ro
- Lancia 3Ro
- Lancia EsaRo
- ОМ Taurus
- ОМ Titano
Passenger cars
[edit]- Alfa Romeo 6С2500 Coloniale
- Fiat 508CM
- Fiat 1100 (1937) (Balilla-1100 Coloniale)
- Lancia Aprilia Coloniale
- Bianchi VM 6C
- Fiat 2800 CMC
Motorcycles
[edit]- Benelli 500 M36
- Benelli 500 VLM
- Bianchi Supermil 500
- Gilera 500 LTE
- Moto Guzzi Alce
- Moto Guzzi Trialce
- Volugrafo Aermoto 125
Tractors and prime movers
[edit]- L.3 trattore leggero - hypothetical version for towing the gun da. 47/32
- Pavesi P4 - wheeled artillery tractor
- Fiat 727 - half-track artillery tractor
- SPA TM40 - wheeled artillery tractor
- Breda 61 - half-track artillery tractor, a licensed copy of the German Sd.Kfz. 7
Miscellaneous vehicles
[edit]- Carro Veloce 29 (armored car) - may be misspelled or fictitious (most likely this is the CV-29 tankette by the same name)
Navy ships and war vessels
[edit]Aircraft
[edit]Radars
[edit]Italy was late on the radar development; At the date of the armistice in 1943, 84 of 85 radars in operation were German-built. Italian Army and Navy have deployed a network of radar detectors and jammers though.
- ARGO - domestically developed air warning radar in Pratica di Mare Air Base
- FREYA - sold by Germans 1 July 1942, later transported to Sicily
- RTD Arghetto or Vespa - prototype of airborne 300 MHz radar
See also: Armi avanzate della Seconda Guerra Mondiale/Appendix 4 (wikibook)
Cartridges and shells
[edit]See also
[edit]- Military history of Italy during World War II
- Military equipment of Germany's allies on the Balkan and Russian fronts (1941–45)
- Regio Esercito
- List of Regia Aeronautica aircraft used in World War II
References
[edit]- ^ "Sosso 1941 Italian Prototype Pistol". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2017-04-06. Retrieved 2017-03-06.
- ^ "The Italian FNAB-43 submachine gun – LAI Publications". Retrieved 2024-06-08.
- ^ "Vecio.it - la storia degli Alpini nel web - Obice Skoda 100/17 mod.14 e 16". www.vecio.it. Archived from the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ "Armi avanzate della Seconda Guerra Mondiale/Appendice 6 - Wikibooks, manuali e libri di testo liberi". it.wikibooks.org.
- ^ Tony DiGiulian. "Italy 90 mm/50 (3.5") Ansaldo Model 1938, OTO Model 1939". NavWeaps. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
- ^ Tony DiGiulian. "Italy Miscellaneous 120 mm (4.7") Guns". NavWeaps. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
Further reading
[edit]- Jowett, Phillip S. (2000). The Italian Army 1940–45 (1): Europe 1940–43. Oxford, United Kingdom: Osprey. ISBN 978-1-85532-864-8.
- Jowett, Philip (2001). The Italian Army 1940–45 (2): Africa 1940–43. Oxford, United Kingdom: Osprey. ISBN 9781855328655.
External links
[edit]- "Italian Half Track & Support Vehicles". Archived from the original on 2012-10-06.
- "Breda Type 61". Archived from the original on 2010-06-30.
- "Breda Type 61".