The M14/40 first saw action in the North Africa. Note as well that at 14 tons, this tank was classed as a Medium by Italy but would have been classed as a light tank by any other army. Note: Italian tanks are named M (for medio – Medium) 14 (weight 14 short tones) / 40 (first year of production). During the 1940s, only Japan and Italy still primarily riveted their tanks. The hull is not cast or welded but riveted. This tank was an evolutionary step from its predecessor the M13/40 utilizing the same chassis but with a slightly more powerful FIAT engine and a new hull design. Only 750 were built and the tank was considered obsolete even when first introduced.Īt the time, there was discussion that the Italians would use the Panzer III in place but the Italian manufacturing sector including Ansaldo and FIAT stopped that plan. Both were produced in Italy by Ansaldo in 19. It was surplanted by the M14/41 also considered a medium tank. This medium tank provided the bulk of the offensive armoured power of the Italian army with over 700 delivered. This vehicle was heavier and put the cannon in the turret and the MGs in the hull. The primary Italian tank of the time was the M13/40. 400 were ordered but only 100 were delivered. The first production tank was the Carro d’Assalto 10t armed with a 37mm gun in a casemate with a small turret carrying 2 8mm MGs. This vehicle acted as a test bed from 1929 to 1937 but never went into production. It was a turretless vehicle armed with a 65mm gun and a machine gun. The first tank was the Carro d’Assalto 9t. Italy’s tank development had been delayed due to a lack of automotive engineering and manufacturing expertise. Italian Medium tank development began with (as with many countries) purchasing and reverse engineering a Vickers-Armstrong 6-ton tank. Italy experimented with light tanks and armoured cars. In 1935, an upgraded CV 35 was produced with 2,800 built and exported to China, Brazil, Bolivia, and Bulgaria. Its first locally produced tank was the Carro Veloce 33 of which 240 were built. Historians have said “Italy had developed the concepts but lacked the materiel to implement them.” Italian FIAT 3000 Carro Veloce 33īetween the wars, Italy built the Renault FT under license and experimented with a Carden-Loyd variant. The chief deficiencies in Italian doctrine was the lack of tactical air support, a lack of radio equipment in the tanks, poor maintenance, and insufficient training. This defined the doctrine of “fuoco da manovra” (fire and maneuver) that called for artillery and antitank guns to be located close to the front line supported by infantry. They planned to utilize medium tanks to assault through the enemy and then exploit with light tanks. The Italians had a well-developed armor doctrine that closely paralleled the Germans’ blitzkrieg. With the attendance at Aquino 2021 of the CFB Borden Museum and their M14/41. Note: Normally, the Vehicle of the Month is a Vehicle from our Museum. Crew: 4 (Driver, Loader, MG Gunner/Radio Operator, Commander/Gunner)Īrmament: 47mm cannon, 4 X 8mm MGs (Co-ax, Anti air, 2 in Hull)Īrmor: 42mm Turret Front to 25mm Hull, sides, and Rear
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