CARRO ARMATO M 11/39 MEDIUM TANK

Directly evolved from the Carro Armato 8ton of 1935 vintage and of similar dimensions, with the same diesel engine and 37mm gun. It differed in having superior sprung bogie suspension, the 37mm gun remaining in the superstructure. Impetus for its adoption came after early operations by Italian-equipped Nationalist forces in the Spanish Civil War in 1936 had shown up the inadequacy of the little CV 35 light tanks. A redesign of the Carro Armato 8ton prototype was ordered, Ansaldo and Fiat being asked to build 100 of the new vehicles under the designation Carro Armato M11(8T). First deliveries were made in early 1939 and were completed by 1940. The M 11/39 was of riveted construction with rear engine, front drive, side access doors, and the manually operated turret was offset to the left. There was a stowage box formed within the hull at the rear. Owing to its very light armour and small size the M 11/39 was obsolescent by the lime it went into action in Libya in 1940. Many vehicles were swiftly knocked out and the type was withdrawn from service early in 1941. 11tons; crew 3; 37mm gun plus 2 MG; armour 6-30 mm; engine (diesel V8) 105hp; 21mph; 15.5ft x 7.08ft x 7.33ft. Other users: Few captured and used temporarily by Australian forces in the Western Desert, early 1941.

CARRO ARMATO M 13/40 MEDIUM TANK

To form the spearhead of the Italian tank force in the rearmament period of 1940 a completely new tank was designed under the direction of General di Feroleto who was appointed Inspector- General of mechanised forces with the specific task of modernising the range of available AFVs. The M 13/40 design was based broadly on the M 11/39 but was bigger, carrying the main gun — a new high velocity 47mm weapon — in the turret, with the secondary MG turret moved to the hull (reverse arrangement to the M 11/39. Thicker armour and other refinements were also incorporated. First deliveries of production vehicles, built by Fiat and Ansaldo, started in mid 1940, 250 vehicles out of the 1,900 initial order being delivered by the end of 1940. First experience with these vehicles in the desert showed the need for added filters and other ‘tropical’ parts. These were duly fitted and the opportunity was taken, with later machines, to substitute an uprated engine. Vehicles so fitted — and all late production vehicles — were known semiofficially as M 14/41 but there were few external differences. However, early vehicles had dust guards only at the front end forward of the turret line while later vehicles had full-length dust guards. The M 13/40 was first in action in December 1940 in Libya and proved to be a very practical design with a good high velocity gun, though it was no match for the heavy British infantry tanks like the Matilda. Subsequent production included a Semovente SP gun on this same chassis which eclipsed the value of the original tank design. The armour of the M 13/40 was inadequate for 1940. A total of 1,960 vehicles were built. 14tons; 47mm gun and 2 MG; armour 9-30mm; engine (diesel) 105hp; 2lmph; 16.18ft x 7.33ft x 7.8ft.

M13/40 Armoured Observation Post: This OP vehicle had a modified turret with a rangefinder and cupola. Early production type is shown — note jerricans on engine cover. Gun was a dummy. Details as for standard vehicle.

CARRO ARMATO M 15/42 MEDIUM TANK

Much revised design based on the late production version of the M 13/40, the M 14/41. Evolved late in 1942, the vehicle featured a petrol engine in place of the diesel engine, increased power, more speed, and a heavier high-velocity 47mm gun (Model 47/40). The hull shape was altered to take the new engine and vents were added on the engine cover plates. The exhaust pipes were given armoured shrouds and the side access door was moved from the left to the right side. Finally electric and hydro-dynamic traverse was provided for the turret. Extra stowage points were welded on the hull sides in various positions to take jerricans, though these were not always fitted. Details otherwise were as for the M 13/40. The M 15/42 was short-lived, however, only 82 being made before production of this class of tank was halted in March I943 in favour of 100 per cent Semovente SP gun production. (The Semovente stayed in production until Italy surrendered in September I943 and was on the same medium type chassis as the tank.)