News from Heroes and Leaders mod

[asl3d]

30. Cannone da 47/32 ATG

This Cannone da 47/32 was the Boehler M1935, designed in Austria, which the Italians produced in several licensed versions. They used it as an AT gun, for infantry support and as pack artillery, while modified versions were used in the M13-M14 tanks and SMV 47/32. One drawback to its design was the lack of a gun shield; another was that those built prior to 1939 lacked a towing eyelet, so had to be manhandled or carried en portee. Overall it was a good gun, but due to the lack of a suitable replacement it had to soldier on long after becoming obsolete. In mid 1940 there were 928 in Italian service (including 127 in Libya); by Sept. 1943 more than 3,000 had been produced.
The Cannone da 47/32 were employed in the divisional AT company generally authorized in each normal and "truckable" (autotrasportabile) infantry, Celere, Black-shirt and Libyan division. Each motorized infantry regiment was authorized a company, as was each Bersaglieri regiment; however, by mid 1941 many of the latter had one company per battalion instead. Since it was planned that 47/32 eventually would replace all 65/17 in the infantry support role, some regiments possessed a 47/32 company instead of their 65/17 battery—and, from early 1942, infantry regiments in North Africa were each authorized twelve 47/32 instead. Since the gun could be pars-dropped, the "Folgore" parachute division used it as divisional artillery—and some of this division's regiments and battalions contained a 47/32 company apiece. A number of 47/32 AT battalions also existed; aside from being used at corps level, by mid 1941 one was generally attached to each armored division. Most divisions sent to Russia contained at least two divisional AT companies. A 47/32 company usually comprised eight guns in four platoons. Apparently no 47/32 were sent to Italian East Africa.

[asl3d]

31 Cañón italiano da 65/17 INF 65*

Este era un cañón de montaña de fabricación italiana que data de 1913. Las unidades Alpini lo usaron en la Primera Guerra Mundial, pero en 1940 había sido relegado principalmente al apoyo de infantería. Un diseño liviano, el cañón de 65 mm fue diseñado para su uso en terrenos difíciles y condiciones climáticas extremas. El cañón tenía una longitud de calibre 17 y estaba diseñado para disparar tiros de baja trayectoria. El carruaje también era de naturaleza simple, y constaba de un solo brazo de arrastre y ruedas de radios de llanta maciza para tiro de caballos. El arma se puede dividir en cinco cargas para su transporte. También se proporcionó un escudo de arma plegable simple en 1935.
El cañón de 65 mm se aceptó por primera vez en servicio con las tropas de montaña italianas en 1913, y sirvió con ellos durante la Primera Guerra Mundial. Se usó en el tanque pesado Fiat 2000 que entró en acción en Libia. Los reemplazos llegaron en la década de 1920 y el arma se transfirió a la infantería regular. Fue muy querido por la infantería debido a su mínimo peso y alta confiabilidad en condiciones adversas. A pesar de su calibre ligero, sirvió durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial con las fuerzas italianas como un arma de apoyo cercano. Fue eficaz también montado en camión, en el norte de África, como artillería antitanque. Los cañones capturados por los alemanes después de la derrota italiana recibieron la designación GebK 246 (i) de 6,5 cm.
A mediados de 1940 había 700 en servicio, incluidos 146 en Libia y 312 en el África oriental italiana. Las legiones de Camisas Negras y los regimientos de infantería de las divisiones de infantería tanto normales como "con capacidad para camiones" (autotrasportabile), tenían cada uno autorizado una batería de cuatro 65/17 (aunque algunos usaron 47/32 en su lugar; ver Nota 5 arriba). En unos pocos casos raros, principalmente en África Oriental, se emplearon 65/17 como artillería divisional. (También habían sido utilizados así por los nacionalistas durante la Guerra Civil Española).

[asl3d]

31_. Italian 20L Fucile Solothurn 18-1000 ATR Team

The Solothurn S18-1000 20 mm was a Swiss anti-tank rifle used during the Second World War. It was a variant of the earlier S-18/100 with modifications for a higher muzzle velocity, as well as a larger cartridge size. The more powerful ammunition resulted in significant recoil, which was problematic for the gunner, and its size made portability difficult. Initially known as Carabina "S" (S carbine), from 1942 it was designated as Fucile anticarro "S" (S anti-tank rifle); employed primarily on vehicles given its size and weight. After the 8 September 1943 it was also used by the National Republican Army of the Italian Social Republic.
Italy received its first batch of 100 Solothurn S 18-1000s in late 1940 and immediately shipped them to their troops serving in the African desert. It was intended to arm every Italian division with an anti-tank company that contained 3 platoons of 4 Solothurns each, but this was not possible, so the S 18-1000s were given to elite units like the Bersaglieri and Compagnie Auto-Avio-Sahariane (Auto-Saharan Companies, long range desert units). More Solothurns started to arrive at the end of 1941/early 1942 and were assigned on the basis of 9 per Bersaglieri to fit in with their intended role as light infantry. The hard-hitting power, coupled with their small silhouette, meant that the weapon could be effectively used against the Commonwealth forces and their lightly armored tanks such as the Light Tank Mk.VI and Cruiser Mk.IV. The weapon also became popular with the Compagnie Auto-Avio-Sahariane, or Auto-Saharan Companies, which were the Italian version of the British Long Range Desert Group (LRDG). When the Camionetta Desertica SPA-Viberti AS.42 arrived in September 1942, several were equipped with the S 18-1000 to help in the company’s mission of hunting down the LRDG. In this role, the S 18-1000 succeeded, as the LRDG operated in similarly open-topped and lightly armored four-wheel vehicles.

[asl3d]

32 Italian Obice da 75/13 ART 75*

The Skoda 7.5cm vz 15 was one of the most successful mountain howitzers ever produced. Many were taken over by the Italians after WW1 and, designated the 75/13, were issued to Alpini units to replace their 65/17. In German service, it was known as the 7.5 cm GebK 15. In mid 1940 the army had 1,187 75/13 in service, including 32 in Italian East Africa.
For transport, the gun could be dismantled into six parts, generally carried in four loads. In addition, there was a Gun shield fitted on some (perhaps many) such guns. A revised version of this gun was released as the Skoda 75 mm Model 1928. The Germans bought some guns during World War I, but used them as infantry guns in direct support of the infantry, as their light weight would allow them to move with the infantry. They complained that the guns were too fragile and didn't have a high enough muzzle velocity to act as an anti-tank gun. Considering that the guns were designed to be disassembled, it's not too surprising that they couldn't stand the abuse moving through the shell-pocketed front lines on the Western Front.
An Alpini regiment, whose structure allowed it to operate independently whenever necessary, often had a 75/13 battalion (gruppo) directly attached, one battery (four guns) of which could in turn be assigned to each of the regiment's battalions. Each of the three Alpini divisions sent to Russia in 1942 contained two 75/13 battalions in its artillery regiment. 75/13 were occasionally used as divisional artillery by other types of divisions as well.

[asl3d]

33 Italian Cannone da 105/28 ART 105

The Cannone da 105/28 was a license-built version of the French Canon de 105 mle 1913 Schneider (also known as the L 13 S). Originally starting life as a design on the drafting board of the Russian Putilov Armaments factory. It proved a popular design and was exported to various countries, Italy among them. After the end of World War I, France sold or gave many Schneider 105 mm guns to various other countries, including Belgium, Italy, Poland, and Yugoslavia. In Italy, the 105 mm was re-designated the Cannone da 105/28 and saw service until 1943. Guns were also produced under license in Italy, starting from September 1914, by Ansaldo.
The Italians used it as corps artillery, though it was also employed at divisional level in place of the 100/17. The Heroes and Leaders mod game piece also represents the Cannone da 105/32, a modified version of the old Skoda 10.4cm vz 15. It was one of the principal Italian long-range guns in World War II and saw service in North Africa, Sicilia and Russia. Those few guns that were captured from the Italians by the Germans after the Italian surrender in 1943 were designated as 10.5 cm Kanone 320(i).
The Cannone da 105/28 was used at corps level. The 105/28 was also used as a corps-level gun in the Spanish Civil War. In mid-1940 there were 956 105/28 and 227 105/32 in Italian service, including the units in Libya and Italian East Africa.

[asl3d]

34 Italian Cannone-mitragliera da 20/65 AA 20L

The Cannone-mitragliera da 20/65 was the standard Italian light AA gun, which the Italians also viewed as a heavy machinegun (mitragliera) and light AT gun. Although the Cannone-mitragliera 20/65 was totally unsuited for its original role of air defense nor, due to its small-bore size, was a suitable AT weapon, but used in the role many Italian officers adapted it to (i.e., as a heavy MG), this particular weapon can serve quite well as a deadly threat. Due primarily to its long range and high firepower, placed on an elevation with a good field of fire, the 20/65 can dominate any route of advance.
Adopted in 1935, it was exported to China in the late 1930s, and about sixty were used in the Spanish Civil War. By mid-1940 there were 1,088 in army service, including 209 in Libya and 24 in Italian East Africa; by Sept. 1942 its total number had increased to 2,788 (including 326 on static mounts). An artillery regiment was normally authorized one battery of 20/65 if in an infantry division, or two batteries in most other types of divisions. By mid-1941 in North Africa, at least some motorized infantry and Bersaglieri regiments contained a 20m battery as well (or instead). All divisions sent to Russia contained two 20/65 batteries—except for the "Vicenza" occupation division, which had none. A squadron of eight 20/65 (two per platoon) was authorized in the RECo (Raggruppamento Esplorante Corazzato; armored recon task force) of armored and motorized divisions. The 1942 armored division was authorized one battery each in its tank and Bersaglieri regiments, and two more (plus an additional section) in its artillery regiment. After 1943 the Germans kept the 20/65 in production for their own use. A 20/65 battery comprised four two-gun sections.

[asl3d]

35 Italian Cannone-aa da 75/46 AA 75L

Showing the influence of contemporary Vickers designs, it was a sound and orthodox design. Design work on this Italian AA gun started in 1926, and it was adopted in 1934. In mid 1940 there were 76 in army service (including 8 in Libya and 24 in Italian East Africa), but by late 1942 only 226 had been produced. This meant that older and obsolete AA guns had to be kept in service even though their efficacy was minimal, and also that its production was parallel to the newer and better performing Cannone da 90/53. In addition to the mobile modello 34 a static mount the Cannone da 75/46 C.A. modello 40 was produced. Once again production was slow and only 45 of the 240 ordered were delivered.
It was also used on the Eastern front and in the Tunisian Campaign as an anti-tank gun (in which capacity it was also fitted to the Semovente da 75/46 self-propelled gun). Its performance was considered good in both roles, especially in the latter, with its AP shell that could pierce 90 millimetres of armor at 500 metres, but it was never available in numbers.
Two 75/46 battalions (gruppi) were included in the CSIR (Corpo Spedizione Italiano in Russia—Italian Expeditionary Corps in Russia) in 1941; on that front in 1942 the 8th Army contained five such battalions. After September 1943 the Germans used a number of 75/46, including on the Eastern Front.
This counter also represents in Heroes and Leader mod the Cannone-aa da 75/39. This was a pre-war Vickers AA gun captured by the Germans during their 1940 campaign in the West. Later they turned over 54 to the Italians who used them as AT guns in Russia, each division in that theater (except for the "Vicenza" occupation division) receiving a battery of six.

[asl3d]

36 Italian Cannone-aa da 90/53 AA 90L

The Cannone da 90/53, derived from the naval version, was designed by Ansaldo, with the first prototypes being produced in 1939. By June 1940, 1600 had been ordered but none were yet available. A battery comprised four guns. Unfortunately for the Italians the 90/53 was never available in sufficient quantity, there being only 539 available in July 1943—the majority of which were in static emplacements. None 90/53 were employed in Russia. Italian industry was not up to producing these quantities and by the end of production in July 1943 only 539 guns had been delivered, including 48 converted for use on the Semovente 90/53 heavy tank destroyer; some, owing to delays in producing the adequate mountings, were fitted on makeshift ones or on the flatbed of trucks like the Lancia 3Ro and the Breda 52 and were designated Autocannone Breda 52 da 90/53.
It was an excellent weapon, comparable in many ways to the German "88". Indeed, its maximum range exceeded, and its armor penetration roughly equalled, that of the German gun. Drawing upon the German experience with the comparable 8.8 cm FlaK 18, this gun was also used as field artillery in the indirect fire role or as an anti-tank gun; in the latter role its performance was excellent, with its AP shell being able to pierce 140 millimetres of armour at 500 metres, and 120 millimetres at 1,000 metres, up to 206 millimetres, thus being able to destroy every Allied tank it could face in North Africa and in the mainland.
After Italy's capitulation, the Germans not only seized all the 90/53 they could but also kept it in production for their own use and were designated 9-cm Flak 41(i) or 9-cm Flak 309/1(i). At the end of 1944 they had 315 in service. Some of these guns were used for the air defence of Germany, while others were kept in service in Italy.

[asl3d]

37. Italian Carro Veloce L3/35 BMG Tt

The L3/35 tankette was derived from the Carden-Lyod Mark VI (1933), 25 of which were acquired in 1929. The original model, designated the CV 33 (Carro Veloce; fast tank), carried a single 6.5mm MG, but later versions were equipped with two tandem-mounted 8mm MG (and the older models were thusly retrofitted). In 1935 the CV 35 went into production, featuring a number of minor modifications. In 1938 their designations were changed to L3/33 and L3/35. When Italy entered the war in June 1940, L3 were by far the most common Italian AFV, equipping all but two of the tank battalions in the three Italian armored divisions, the tank battalion allotted to each motorized division, the light tank squadron group (equivalent to a battalion) in each Celere ("rapid"; i.e., cavalry) division, and numerous independent tank battalions. L3 acquired several nicknames, among which were "Scatoletta" (little can) and "Cassa da Morto" (death box).
The Fiat-Ansaldo built version would eventually number 2,500, and see action (in various guises) in virtually every theater in which the Italian army operated: 10/35-4/36 in the conquest of Ethiopia; 2/37-3/39 in Spain (149 were sent); in the Balkans from 1939; 6/40 in France; in North Africa (where in June 1940 about 320 were present, constituting all the armor there at that time); in Italian East Africa (39 were present in June 1940); 9/41-1/42 in Russia (with the 3rd "San Giorgio" Gruppo Squadroni Carri L of the 3rd Celere Division); 7-8/43 in Sicily; and in Italy where after the 9/43 armistice they were used by Italian Fascists and the Germans.
A platoon comprised four vehicles. Italian authorities showed an understandable interest in a small, light AFV suitable for use in mountainous terrain—such as that common along the northern borders. The CV was never meant to be used in lieu of heavier tanks, but was instead designed according to Italian doctrine of the time for security and recon duties and elimination of small pockets of bypassed resistance. However, the outbreak of hostilities earlier than anticipated forced them to be committed as the only AFVs available. More than three-quarters of the "tank formations" encountered by the British in their desert offensives of late 1940 and early 1941 were comprised of L3s, whose armor was not even proof against the armament of British armored cars.

[asl3d]

38. Italian Carro Armato L6/40 T20L:

Designed to replace the L3 in its cavalry and reconnaissance roles, the L6 was based on a much-modified L3 chassis, retaining the latter's two-man crew while providing increased firepower, protection and mobility. The Carro Armato (armored vehicle) L6 (L for Leggera, "light" and 6 for the standard weight, 6-tons in battle order) model 1940 wasn't designed from scratch. Prior to this, the 5-ton Carro D'Assalto modello 1936, based on the previous CV-35 tankette, was tested with a short barrel L26 37 mm gun and coaxial Breda 6.5 mm machine-gun. The suspensions were redesigned, with two bogie arms and one rear independent bogie, similar to that on the previous tankettes. The central superstructure was higher and a small one-man turret fitted. The final prototype was reequipped with the larger turret of the Autoblinda 41, initially sporting a short barrel Vickers-Termi L/21 37 mm and, on production models, a 20 mm Cannone-Mitragliera da 20/65 modello 35 (Breda), with good antitank capabilities, and a coaxial Breda M38 8 mm machine-gun.
It was accepted for service in early 1940, though even in 1939 it would have been a barely adequate recon tank. By the time it went into general use in 1942 it was hopelessly obsolete, so after 283 had been built its production was cancelled in favour of the Semovente LAO 47/32. A flamethrower version of the L6/40 was developed but did not enter service.
L6/40 were authorized in the RECo (Raggruppamento Esplorante Corazzato; armored reconnaissance task force) in the armored and motorized divisions, and were also used in several independent recon units. A total of 72 were sent to North Africa. 55 went to Russia where they equipped the LXVII Battaglione Motocorazzato Bersaglieri in the 3rd Celere Division; they were the heaviest Italian tracked AFV used on that front. In Yugoslavia, L6/40 were employed by the "San Giusto" Gruppo Squadroni Carri L of the 1st Celere Division. Some saw combat in Italy during September 1943, and later were used there by Italian Fascists and the Germans. The latter also employed them in the Balkans, but most of those they seized in September 1943 were exported to Croatia.

[Hellway]

All this thinks are in the last V (6.0) from the link in the fisrst pages please ? Thanks.

[asl3d]

39 Italian Carro Armato M13/40 T47

When it became apparent that the M11/39 did not constitute a satisfactory design, the development of a suitable successor was initiated. The basic hull of the M11 was used, but the rest was much revised and took on a conventional appearance (with a more powerful gun in a fully rotating turret) with horsepower increased from 105 to 125 to compensate for the added weight. The M13/40 was the best known of the Italian tanks used in the war, and along with its improved (a 145-hp engine was installed) version the M14/41, was the standard AFV of their armored divisions. The M13 suffered from frequent mechanical breakdowns in the desert, but in this respect was no worse than British tanks of the period. Its chief deficiencies were slow speed, unreliability, and a two-man turret in which the commander doubled as gunner. Nevertheless, in 1941 it became standard equipment in the growing number of medium tank battalions, and is perhaps the most famous Italian tank of WW2. Used in mass, or against enemy infantry, they can be quite effective however.
It first saw action with the III Battaglione Carri M in the Sollum-Halfaya area of Libya, and later equipped the 132° "Ariete" Divisione Corazzata (132nd "Ram" Armored Division) in North Africa. The M13/40 also saw action with the 131st "Centauro" (Centaur) and 133rd "Littorio" (Bundle of Fasces) Armored Divisions in the Greek-Yugoslav campaigns during January-April 1941. In September 1943, 22 were confiscated by the Germans who subsequently handed them over to the Fascist Italians. Sources conflict as to the total number of M13/40 produced, due to a number later being rebuilt as M14/41; some state as many as 1,049 while others claim only 710, but the figure most often given is 785. An M13/40 (or M14/41) platoon comprised four such tanks until late August 1941 when five were authorized.

[asl3d]

ORIGINAL: Hellway

All this thinks are in the last V (6.0) from the link in the fisrst pages please ? Thanks.

Hi Hellway,

Indeed, everything he publishes here and on other Heroes de Stalingad treads subsequently is published in the "Documents Pack of Heroes and Leaders mod."

However, they are published first on the treads and then in the "Documents Pack." In the case of the Italian Army units, it is still being published on this tread, so you can't find it in the "Documents Pack" yet.

In the next update of the "Documents Pack" will appear the Italian Army, the new Desert Terrains as well as the updated Terrain Chart.

Best regards,

[asl3d]

40 Italian Semovente M41 da 75/18 B75*:

The Semovente M41 da 75/18 B75 was inspired by the German Sturmgeschuetz III. The Italians designed a similar AFV in early 1941 using the M13/40 hull and chassis with a box-shaped super-structure and 75/18 howitzer. Apparently 60 were built before production was switched in the latter half of that year to the same vehicle based on the M14/41 tank, of which 162 were ordered. Unlike the StuG III, the SMV 75/18 was intended to provide support and flank protection for medium tank units. In addition, it was often pressed into service as a TD, since compared to the M13 and M14 its armor was somewhat thicker and its gun had a longer effective range. Two SMV 75/18 battalions (Gruppi Semovemi 75/18) were assigned to the artillery regiment of each armored division, and several independent gruppi existed as well. Each contained two (sometimes three, in 1943) batteries of four (sometimes six) SMV each.
The last model of the SMV 75/18, ordered in October 1942, was based on the M15/42 tank and originally was intended to carry the new 75/34 gun. However, by March 1943 this gun was still in development so it was decided to install the 75/18 howitzer in the interim. Instead of equipping only Gruppi Semoventi, some SMV M42 75/18 were issued to tank battalions pursuant to a change in the tables of organization of these units at the end of 1942; whereas the old organization had consisted of three medium tank companies, the new TO&E comprised one such company plus two companies of SMV 75/18. In September 1943, SMV M42 75/18 saw action in Italy against the Germans who subsequently confiscated a number of them. The exact number of SMV 75/18 produced is unknown, but 250 (inclusive of those built during the German occupation of Italy) is a generally accepted approximation.

[asl3d]

41 Italian Semovente M42 da 75/32 B75

The Italians were in major part very satisfied with the anti-tank behavior of Semovente da 75/18 M40 or M41 but made the decision however to improve it by replacing the gun da 75/18 by the gun 75/34 in June 1941. However it was decided to install on the chassis of Semovente M41 the gun 75/32 modello 37. In October 1942 the Regio Esercito ordered to Ansaldo to mount the gun 75/34 on the hull of Semovente M42 (similar to Semovente da 75/18 M40 or M41 but based on the chassis of the medium tank M15/42). The Semovente da 75/34 M42M (M for Modificato) was accepted on April 29, 1943 and an order of 280 specimens had placed. The first vehicles left the lines of assembly in May 1943. In July 1943,93 specimens had been produced and 60 already delivered to their units. The Germans continued its manufacture, with 116 eventually being built, plus another 11 using the chassis of the StuG105/25(i). The StuG 75/18(i) and StuG 74/34(i) were the most common Italian AFV in German service in both Italy and the Balkans. In December 1943 they were in service with six infantry divisions, two panzer divisions, three Panzergrenadier divisions and one Gebirgsdivision in Italy and the Balkans. By 1944 most were supporting Infantry, Gebirgs, Jäger or Fallschirmjäger Divisions. The gun of 75 mm L/34 had a muzzle velocity of 557 m/sec and a maximum range of 12500 m.
In mid 1943 about 25 SMV M42 were equipped with a version of the 75/32 field gun. In September of that year they saw combat in the Rome area as part of the 135th "Ariete II" Armored Division. Subsequently, a number of those confiscated by the Germans were turned over to the Fascist Italians—as were some SMV 75/34.

[asl3d]

42 Italian Semovente M43 da 105/25 B105

Nicknamed the "Bassotto" (Dachshund), the Ansaldo Semovente da 105/25 M43 was the most potent Italian-designed AFV of WW2. Originally it was to be built on the hull and chassis of the P26/40 heavy tank but, due to delays in the development of the latter, a much-modified version of the M15/42 was utilized instead. It was envisioned that, once the newest AFV types were available in numbers, SMV 75/34 would be used as TD while SMV 105/25 would provide close support for P26/40 tank units. The SMV 105/25 would also be used for counterbattery fire, while the older (and shorter-ranged) SMV 75/18 would be relegated to infantry support. It was the most heavily armed SPG in Italian service, presented a low silhouette, and was well protected and reliable and the crews generally liked it.
Only 5 gruppi (DC, DCIst, DCIInd, DCIVth and DCVth gruppi) of 12 Semoventi could be formed before armistice of September 8, 1943. Only DCIst and DCIInd based at Nettunia had their complete equipment. The Semovente M43 da 105/25 was used with the DCI Gruppo Semoventi in the 235th AT/SPA Regiment of the 135th "Ariete II" Armored Division during the defense of Rome. A battery of SMV 105/25 comprised four such AFV. About three dozen were built prior to the armistice. 26 Semovente M43 105/25 were confiscated from the Italian Army in Sept. 1943 and the Germans subsequently continued its manufacture under the name StuG M43 mit 75/34 (851) (i), with 91 more being built in 1943-44. They were used only in Italy and the Balkans. The Bassotto will also furnish strength of Squadrone Comando of the gruppo corazzato Leoncello between February and April 1945 in Polpenazze.

[asl3d]

43 Italian Semovente L40 da 47/32 TD B47

The Semovente L40 da 47/32 was developed by Ansaldo and built by FIAT between 1942 and 1944. It was created by mounting a Cannone da 47/32 anti-tank gun in an open-topped, box-like superstructure on a L 6/40 light tank chassis in order to increase the mobility of the 47mm gun. It was employed mainly as a TD in SMV 47/32 battalions (Gruppi Semoventi 47/32), but was usually relegated to infantry support due to its mediocre AT performance.
It was designed to allow the Bersaglieri regiments, assault infantry units of the Regio Esercito Italiano to provide direct fire support from the Cannone da 47/32 during infantry assaults without having to tow them and, secondly, to provide the Italian armored divisions with a vehicle with anti-tank performance. These self-propelled guns were used from 1942 to 1945 by Italy and Germany, as well as by the Independent State of Croatia. In total, 402 vehicles in different variants were built from 1941 onward.
A squadron of nine units was authorized in the RECo (Raggruppamento Esplorante Corazzato; armored reconnaissance task force) in the armored and motorized divisions, as were two platoons in the NEC (Nucleo Esplorante Celere; fast recon group) of certain 1943-type infantry divisions. It saw action in Russia (19 vehicles in the XIII Gruppo Semoventi 47/32 of the 3rd Celere Division), Tunisia, Sicily and Italy. At least 78 were confiscated by the Germans, who retained a small number for themselves, handed over some to the Fascist Italians, and exported the rest to Croatia. The German designation was StuG L6 47/32 630(i). A platoon comprised four such AFV (two, in an NEC). The Semovente da 47/32 was the most heavily armed Italian armoured fighting vehicle used on the Eastern Front.

[asl3d]

44 Italian Autosahariana AS 42 T20L

The SPA-Viberti AS.42 Sahariana, or Camionetta Desertica Model 42 (AS stands for Autosahariana) was derived from the AB 41 armored car including its four-wheel steering, but with a 2x4 transmission specifically for desert operations but, unlike the latter, was unarmored and lacked a rear driving position. Designed specifically for long-range reconnaissance in North Africa, it had an excellent cross-country range of almost 500 miles. It was also known as the Camionetta Desertica mod. 42 (Desert Weapons Carrier model 1942), and was nicknamed la Sahariana (the Saharan). The 100 horsepower SPA ABM 3 6 cylinder petrol engine was located in the rear which gave enough space in the middle of the hull to accommodate up to five fully equipped men and weapons, though the mission crew seldom exceeded three or four. The open compartment's only overhead protection was a waterproof canvas sheet. Besides the driver’s seat, the crew that served the on board weapons were seated on four folding seats on the sides. The AS 42 had internal fuel tanks of 145 litres with an additional 20 jerrycans externally mounted on both sides between the wheels plus 4 on the front fenders, holding a total of 80 litres of water and 400 litres of fuel. A full fuel tank and the additional fuel canisters allowed a maximum range of 1,500 km.
The Autosahariana was a specialized towing vehicle for artillery pieces, Italian leaders considered it a valuable asset in mobile situations. It has, however, two real drawbacks—a low infantry transport capacity, and a speed not too high (making off-road travel, with or without a gun in tow, was a slow proposition). Due to these limitations, beyond providing a tow for any on-board guns, many times it was used to transport infantry teams (HS/crews) and their heavy SW (dismantled HMGs or MTRs).
AS 42 saw action in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. Its low profile allowed it to hide behind the dunes and wait for the arrival of the enemy unseen, and its great capacity for autonomous action allowed it to chase enemy forces for long periods. After the armistice some were used by the Fascist Italians, and by the Germans (including on the Eastern Front and in the Battle of the Bulge). In all, about 200 were built.

[asl3d]

45 Italian Autoblindo Fiat 611B T37 AC

Designed by Ansaldo in 1932 around the Fiat 611 truck, it was adopted the following year by the Public Security Guard Corps. At the outbreak of the Abyssinian war, it was requisitioned by the Regio Esercito and sent to Somalia with the autonomous section of special armored cars, where it operated together with the older Lancia 1Z and the CV33 fast wagons. It was then used in Italian East Africa during the Second World War until the end of hostilities, with little success given the difficulty of finding spare parts and an intrinsic obsolescence of the project. The 611A had two MG in the front of the turret, while the 611B carried a medium-velocity 37mm gun instead. Both types had a MG in the rear of the turret and another in the rear hull. A total of 46 were built.
It is based on the chassis of the Fiat 611 C truck, a 6-wheel chassis with 4 twin driving rear wheels and the first 2 single, idle and directives. The spare wheels are placed in neutral between the first and second axles, in order to facilitate the overcoming of obstacles. It is characterized by the double driving position, front and rear, in order to speed up the disengagement in the event of an ambush. The armor is made of 15 mm thick steel plates. The combat compartment, equipped with slits on the sides for firing with individual weapons, is accessed by two side doors. At the rear, on the left, a window, also with an armored door, is available to the machine gunner-second conductor for driving in reverse. On the right, on the busway, 1 or 2 machine guns are installed (depending on the version) to cover the rear sector. Two armored skirts protect the rear wheels.
The crew consisted of 4-5 people: commander and cannon servant or machine gunner in the turret, a front conductor flanked by a servant-mechanic and a rear conductor-machine gunner who also activated the "fleeing" machine guns .

[asl3d]

46 Italian Autoblindo AB 41 T20L AC

These two automotive advanced designs filled the requirement for modern Armored Car in the Italian Army. They featured a 4 x 4 layout with four-wheel steering and fully independent suspension, freely rotating spare wheels (midway along the sides of the hull) to help prevent "bellying" when crossing obstacles, and a rear driving position. The AB 40 carried two coaxial MG in the turret and a third MG in the rear of the superstructure; the AB 41 had a 20mm gun in place of one turret MG, as well as an increase in engine horsepower. 24 AB 40 and about 560 AB 41 were built. Made with an all-riveted construction, the AB 41 had spare wheels fitted to its sides were free to rotate, thus helping the vehicle over rough terrain and allowing it to drive over higher obstacles. It could also be fitted with wheels that would allow it to run on railway tracks and some were modified further to better serve in this role, with the addition of sand boxes and rail guards to deflect objects from the rails.
They were issued to the reconnaissance units of armored, motorized and cavalry divisions, and were also used in independent recon companies and platoons. An AB platoon comprised four such vehicles. The AB 40 was apparently used only in North Africa, while the AB 41 saw action on all major fronts (including 30 sent to Russia). The AB 41 was operated in North Africa, Yugoslavia, Italy, Hungary, and on the Eastern Front.
The Germans confiscated 37 completed AB 41 plus another 20 in production. They also seized prototypes of the AB 43, a new model with a larger turret, 47mm gun and more powerful engine. After ordering certain modifications (including a reversion to the 20mm gun), they had 102 of this type built for them, which they designated AB 41/43.