Pak-43 for italians? (and other AT/AA info)

[Col.Stone]

It was designed for use as a general reference for wargamers/military history enthusiasts

That's what i figured, i like that kind of books

[former user]

thanks HG
did not know it was still for sale
don't remeber how much about other than german railway guns is inside

[Hauptgefreiter]

I've lend it to a friend, otherwise I could give you some details. If you're still interested, I'll inform you, when I get it back..

[former user]

always interested

as I said, I am not on the run
vielen dank!

[Doc Twilight]

Some common Anti-Tank weapons found in the Italian Arsenal. Any AA weapons I mention here were also pressed into service as anti-tank guns.


1939-1943

Solothurn 20mm - Used in an anti-tank rifle form, usually mounted on a pair of small wheels. Also found in vehicle mounts.

20/65 - 20mm ATR adapted for anti-aircraft work. Almost always found on "Autocannoni" during the war.

37/54 - An AA weapon, rarely found in the field, and usually used as a naval  mount. A version of this weapon was used as the primary armament for the M11/39, and was actually a fairly effective piece, though in general the basic 37/54 was not. Maybe the vehicle mount was more stable and hence, had a better trajectory?

47/32 M35 "Elefantino" - Italian copy of the Austrian Bohler. From 1942, supplied with "Effeto Pronto" rounds.

65/17 Field Gun - Older field gun successfully used as an anti-tank piece. Equipped from 1942 with EP rounds. Several of these were mounted on trucks and used as Autocannoni.

75/18 Howitzer - A very good anti-tank gun. Used on the Semovente 75. Occasionally used in field mounts. Equipped from 1942 with EP rounds.

75/34 Howitzer - Modernized version of the above.

77/28 Field Gun - Very commonly found in support of cavalry formations. EP rounds were tested, but I don't know if they were ever actually issued.

88/27 - The German '88'. Obviously an excellent weapon. Not very common. Italian crews preferred their own designs.

90/53  - Excellent weapon. Superior muzzle velocity to that of the 88. Used as an anti-aircraft, anti-tank, and anti-infantry weapon. Found on field mounts, but also used as Autocannoni.

AFTER the Armistice, the Italians received a fairly large number of American 57mm guns (known as the 57/50), and British 17 Pounders, known to the Italians as the 76/55.

The RSI (pro Axis Italian troops) used a mix of Italian and Axis weaponry, and the pro-Allied Italians used their own mix of Allied and Italian designs.

As for the railway gun issue, former user, I must correct myself.

The largest rail gun used by the Italians was the 381/40! (that's right, a 381mm gun!). It was apparently used in long range support roles during the North African and Italian campaigns.

The largest coastal gun to see action was actually the 305/17 Howitzer. Used in both Italy and Sicily.

Hope this is of some use,

Doc

[former user]

thanks

long range support in north africa??
wow
with the few railway lines there quite surprising
but they did not fire over the mediterranean?

the armoured train in North Africa is of even more interest
but I don't want to Hijack the thread - maybe You can PM me some time when You find the book about the NA armoured train? please?

[Col.Stone]

Don't worry about hijacking former user, all info on italian gear is welcome, i even edited the title now  =)

[former user]

ok

do the meat cans labeled AM also count as armour?
or maybe throwing projectiles?