The Semovente da 75/46 was an Italian tank destroyer in service during the late World War II. A derivative of the Semovente da 105/25 self-propelled gun, it was produced in very few numbers and used by Nazi Germany in the Italian campaign.
| Semovente da 75/46 Sturmgeschütz M 43 mit 75/46 (852) (i) | |
|---|---|
 The Semovente da 75/46 prototype[1] | |
| Type | Tank destroyer |
| Place of origin | Italian Social Republic |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Nazi Germany |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Ansaldo |
| Produced | 1944-45 |
| No. built | 11–13 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 7.28 m (23 ft 11 in) overall[1] |
| Width | 2.88 m (9 ft 5 in)[1] |
| Crew | 3 (commander/gunner, driver, loader/radio operator) |
| Armour | max 75 mm (3.0 in)[1] |
Main armament | 75 mm (3.0 in) L46 gun[1] |
Secondary armament | 8 mm Breda 38 machine gun with 500 rounds[1] |
| Engine | SPA 15TB M-15 diesel V8 water cooled[1] |
| Payload capacity | 43 rounds[1] |
| Suspension | vertical volute spring |
Development
editAfter the armistice of Cassibile signed in September 1943, Northern and Central Italy fell under German control. In 1944 the progress of the war led them to order a new Italian armoured vehicle for a tank-fighting role, based on the Semovente da 105/25 self-propelled gun. The result was the Semovente da 75/46, which was named Sturmgeschütz M 43 mit 75/46 (852) (i) by the Germans, following their naming convention.[1]
The 75/46 shared the same "M 43" hull of the Semovente da 105/25.[2] However, the 105 mm L25 howitzer was replaced by a long Cannone da 75/46 C.A. modello 34 – originally conceived as an anti-aircraft gun but also used as an anti-tank gun – which gave a higher muzzle velocity (750 m/s instead of 510) and a far greater effective range, being able to fire a 6.5 kg (14 lb 5 oz) shell up to 13,000 m (43,000 ft) away. This gun could be loaded with HE or armour-piercing rounds; when loaded with the latter, it could penetrate up to 90 mm (3.5 in) of armour from 500 m (1,600 ft).[2][3]
The other main difference with its precursor was in the overall increased armour: sloped plates were applied to the casemate and others were added on the sides, above the tracks.[1] Due to these features and despite its origins, the 75/46 is considered a tank destroyer in every respect.[4]
Production
editBetween 1944 and the end of World War II in Italy, Ansaldo managed to assemble only 11[2][4] or 13[1] vehicles, all deployed exclusively by the Wehrmacht. Their standard camouflage, applied just after assembly, was Saharan Khaki background with reddish-brown and gray-green patches.[2]
References
edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Pignato, Nicola (1974), in Bellona Military Vehicle Prints, series 36. Model & Allied Publications LTD., p. 13, 18-20
- ^ a b c d Pignato, Nicola (2004). Italian Armored Vehicles of World War Two. Squadron/Signal publications. ISBN 0-89747-475-9., p. 51
- ^ Cappellano, Filippo; Battistelli, Pier Paolo (2012). Italian Medium Tanks: 1939-45. New Vanguard 195. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. p. 36. ISBN 9781849087759.
- ^ a b Guglielmi, Daniele (2013). Semoventi M 41 & M 42. Model Centrum PROGRES. ISBN 978-83-60672-03-7., p. 64