The Semovente 90/53 was a heavy Italian
self-propelled gun and tank destroyer, used by the Italian and German Armies
during World War II.
It was created by mounting a 90 mm Cannone
da 90/53 anti-aircraft gun on top of an enlarged chassis of a M14/41 tank. Only
48 of these vehicles were produced, all in 1941. This low production was due to
Italy's limited industrial capability at the time, as well as high demand for
the 90 mm gun for regular anti-aircraft duties.
The Semovente 90/53 was primarily developed
in response to demands by Italian forces on the Eastern Front for a
vehicle-mounted anti-tank weapon that could take on Soviet T-34 and KV tanks.
Italian armored forces on the Eastern Front were equipped only with the L6/40
tank and Semovente 47/32 self-propelled gun; neither of these had the firepower
to cope with the Soviet medium and heavy tanks. However, no Semovente 90/53
were ever sent to the Eastern Front.
The major drawback of the Semovente 90/53,
as with many self-propelled gun types of World War II, was the open top and
rear of the gun compartment, which left the gun crew exposed to shrapnel and
small arms fire. In addition, the Semovente 90/53 had little or no armor in
most areas. Because these vehicles were designed to operate far enough away
from enemy vehicles to not be subject to incoming fire, this was initially not
considered a problem. The small ammunition capacity of the vehicle was also a
problem; only six rounds could be carried. This necessitated the creation of
special ammunition carriers out of Fiat L6/40 tanks, one accompanying each
Semovente 90/53 in the field. The L6 ammunition carrier itself carried 26
rounds along with an additional 40 rounds in a towed trailer. It fired Effetto
Pronto, or HEAT rounds, which could pierce 70 mm armor plating at a range of
2,200 meters.
None were ever sent to the Russian Front.
In the North African Campaign, the Semovente 90/53 proved to be an effective
weapon and its long range was well suited to the flat and open desert terrain.
24 Semovente 90/53s saw service against the Allies in the 10° Ragruppamento
Semoventi, which was stationed in Sicily during the Allied invasion in 1943.
Following the surrender of Italy in September 1943, the few surviving Semovente
90/53 were seized by the German Army, but were of little value in the
mountainous terrain of Northern Italy where they operated. As a result, most
finished their careers as long-range artillery.
Had Hitler waited until the (Mussolini/Hitler) agreed upon year of 1945 to begin the war, when weapons like the Semovente 90/53, and other Italian weapons of all branches, would have been ready in great numbers with well trained crews, things would've turned out differently for the Rome/Berlin-Axis. But, as we all now know, Hitler knew all!... and he and his "Our enemies are nothing but worms" attitude lost the war for the Axis. Of course, invading the USSR was a brilliant move as well... With their seemingly endless manpower the Soviets could have beaten Germany with sticks and rocks!
ReplyDelete