List of Italian Army equipment in World War II

The following is a list of equipment used by the Royal Italian Army (Regio Esercito), Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica), and Royal Italian Navy (Regia Marina) during World War II.

Bayonets

ModelBlade lengthFrom:Comments
M91/38 folding bayonet18 cm1893-
M91/38 standard bayonet30.5 cm1891-

Small arms

Handguns

TypeMakerRoundsCartridgeFrom:WeightNumber builtComment
Beretta Modello 1934Beretta7 (+1).380 ACP193523.28 oz (660 g)1,080,000Remained in service until 1991.
Beretta Modello 1935Beretta8 (+1).32 ACP1937?525,000Was a prized souvenir during the war. Remained in service until 1967.
Glisenti Model 1910Società Siderurgica Glisenti7 (+1)9mm Glisenti191029,00 oz (820 g)100,000Was originally chambered for a 7.65×22mm bottle-neck cartridge, but the Italian Army requested it to be chambered in 9mm.
Bodeo Model 1889 RevolverMany manufacturers610.35mm Ordinanza Italiana188933.05 oz (950 g)?Italian manufacturers include: Societa Siderurgica Glisenti, Castelli of Brescia, Metallurgica Bresciana, Vincenzo Bernardelli of Gardone Val Trompia. During World War I, Spanish manufacturers, Errasti and Arrostegui of Eibar produced the Bodeo for the Italian government.
M1942 Sosso PistolFNA Brescia219×19mm Parabellum1942??Experimental design, was never fully adopted. Only five were manufactured, with four of them going to high-ranking Italian officials such as Vittorio Emanuele III and Benito Mussolini.[1]

Rifles

TypeBase modelMakerRoundsCartridgeFrom:ProducedWeightComment
Carcano M1891Carcano M1891Carcano66.5×52mm Mannlicher–Carcano18922,063,7503.4 kgstandard service rifle
Carcano M1891 Moschetto da Cavalleria (Cavalry Carbine)Carcano M1891Carcano66.5×52mm Mannlicher–Carcano1893?3.4 kgintegral, folding bayonet
Carcano M1891TS Moschetto per Truppe Speciali (Special Troop Carbine)Carcano M1891Carcano66.5×52mm Mannlicher–Carcano1897?3.4 kgwithout bayonet
Carcano M1891/24Carcano M1891Carcano66.5×52mm Mannlicher–Carcano??? kg
Carcano M1891/28Carcano M1891Carcano66.5×52mm Mannlicher–Carcano??? kg
Carcano M1938 carbineCarcano M1938 carbineCarcano67.35×51mm1938?3.6741 kgconverted to higher caliber cartridge
Carcano 91/38 (Modello 91/38) short rifleCarcano M1938 carbineCarcano66.5×52mm Mannlicher–Carcano1940?? kgreverted to original cartridge
Steyr-Mannlicher M1895Steyr-Mannlicher M1895Mannlicher58×50mmR Mannlicher??3.8 kgimported from Austro-Hungaria
Fucile Armaguerra Mod. 39Fucile Armaguerra Mod. 3966.5×52mm Mannlicher–Carcano, 7.35×51mm Carcano19445003.7 kg

Submachine Guns

TypeMakerRoundsCartridgeFrom:Rate of fireWeightComment
Beretta M1918Beretta259 mm Glisenti1918900 rpm7 lb 3 oz (3.3 kg)Spiritual successor to the Villar Perosa.
Beretta Model 38Beretta409×19mm Parabellum1938600 rpm9 lb 4 oz (4.2 kg)Different box magazines had a capacity 10, 20 and 40 cartridges.
FNAB-43FNAB409×19mm Parabellum1944400 rpm8 lb 12 oz (3.9 kg)Magazines of 20 cartridges were also available. Was expensive to produce and so, only 7,000 were ever made.
OVP 1918Officine Villar Perosa259 mm Glisenti1918900 rpm8 lb 0 oz (3,6 kg)Was issued during the early 1920s; was mostly replaced by other models by the end of the war.
TZ-45Fabbrica Fratelli Giandoso409×19mm Parabellum1944800 rpm7 lb 0 oz (3.2 kg)Produced in small numbers (6,000 made between 1944 and 1945), design was later sold to the Burmese Army and produced as the BA-52.

Grenades

Type Maker From Weight Comment
SRCM Mod.35 Società Romana Costruzioni Meccaniche 1935 240 g impact fuse hand grenade
OTO Mod.35 Odero Terni Orlando 1935 150 g impact fuse hand grenade
OTO Mod.42 Odero Terni Orlando 1942 1100 g Incendiary grenade
Breda Mod.35 Breda Meccaniche Bresciane 1935 200 g impact fuse hand grenade
Breda Mod.42 Breda Meccaniche Bresciane 1942 1050 g Anti-tank grenade
L Type Odero Terni Orlando 1940 2040 g Anti-tank grenade
P Bomb Improvised Device 1941 2000g or 1000g Anti-tank grenade

Flamethrowers

Machine guns

Artillery

Infantry Mortars

ModelCaliberMax. rangeFromProducedWeight, kgfire rate, RPMComment
Brixia Model 3545mm5301935?15.518extremely accurate, 18 mortars per battalion (in 2 platoons)
Mortaio da 81/14 Modello 3581mm15001935?59.56186 mortars per regiment, extended range (4 km) shell available

Field Artillery

Italian artillery was usually designated using the calibre and length of the barrel in number of calibre lengths, so "90/53" would mean a weapon with a 90 mm diameter barrel where the length of the barrel was approximately 53 calibre lengths (i.e. 53x90 mm, that is 4.77 m).

ModelCaliberMax. rangeFromProducedWeight, kgfire rate, RPMComment
Cannone da 47/32 M3547mm70001935?3155dual-role anti-tank/infantry gun, adopted for many vehicles, licensed version of Böhler gun
Cannone da 65/17 modello 765mm68001907?6505mountain gun
Cannone da 65/17 modello 1365mm68001913?6505mountain gun
Škoda 7 cm K10 66mm 5000 1912 ? 520 10 naval gun redeployed as coastal artillery
Skoda 75 mm Model 15(Obice da 75/13)75mm82501918?6137Austrian-built
Cannone da 75/27 modello 0675mm100001906?10805licensed version of Krupp 1906M gun
Cannone da 75/27 modello 1175mm102401912?10765French-designed
Cannone da 75/27 modello 1275mm100001912?9005modification of Cannone da 75/27 modello 06
Obice da 75/18 modello 3475mm95641934?18325mountain gun
Obice da 75/18 modello 3575mm95641935?18325howitzer and export variant of Obice da 75/18 modello 34
Cannone da 75/34 modello 3775mm125001937112505prototype of 75/32 field gun, unmodified 75/34 went on as tank gun
Cannone da 75/32 modello 3775mm125001937?12505dual-role anti-tank/field gun
Cannone da 77/28 modello 5/876.5mm61001907?10659built in Austria-Hungary, bronze barrel
Obice da 100/17 modello 14100mm81801914?14176Austrian-built, in NATO service until 1984
Obice da 100/17 modello 16100mm81801916?12356weight reduction of Obice da 100/17 modello 14 for use as mountain gun
Škoda 10 cm K10 100mm 15200 1910 ? 2020 10 dual purpose gun
Cannon 102/45 102mm 9300 1917 ? 2327 7 naval gun converted to anti-aircraft gun
Cannone da 105/28 modello 12105mm8000 (12000)191785426505license-built, kept in reserve until 1939
Obice da 105/14 modello 17105mm6000 (8100)191712014005used in self-propelled gun
Cannone da 120/21120mm77001880540505fortress Krupp gun, used by Italian border guards
Obice da 149/12 149.1mm 8800 1914 1500 2344 3 Licensed copy of the 15 cm sFH13
Cannone da 149/23149.1mm93001882?60501fortress howitzer, most likely did not see combat in World War II
Obice da 149/12 modello 14149.1mm65001915?27001.5Austrian-built Skoda howitzer
Obice da 149/13 modello 14149.1mm8800191549027651.5Obice da 149/12 modello 14 modified for new ammunition
Cannone da 149/35 A149.1mm16500190089582201No recoil absorber, zero traverse
Cannone da 149/40 modello 35 149.1 mm (5.87 in) 23,700 metres (25,900 yd) 1940 63+? 11340 1-2 Replacement for Cannone da 149/35A but insufficient numbers built. Split trail
Obice da 149/19 modello 37149.1mm14250193923057803Italian replacement for all older howitzers
15 cm/50 K10 Skoda149.1mm15000191212?6removed from Austrian battleship Tegetthoff and used in coastal defense
Cannone da 152/45152.4mm19400191053166721Naval gun used in counter-battery fire and siege
Cannone da. 152/37152.4mm16000191644119001built in Austria-Hungary
190/39 Skoda190mm20000190429127003built in Austria-Hungary as naval gun, reused by Italians in coastal defense
Canon de 19 modèle 1870/93 TAZ 194mm 18300 1915 12 65000 2 A French railroad gun in Italian service.
7.5"/45 model 1908191mm22000190824137702.6naval gun reused in coastal defense
203/45 modello 1897203.2mm18000189740119002.4built for Giuseppe Garibaldi-class cruisers, used in World War II as siege gun and coastal defense
203/50 modello 24203.2mm30620192426119002.4built for Trento-class cruisers, 1 turret used in coastal defence
Obice da 210/22 modello 35210mm15400193520240001Production continued by Germans after surrender of Italy
Mortaio da 210/8 D.S.210mm84501900?109300.4In Italian fortresses only
Mortario da 210/8 PIAT210mm84501900?109300.4Towed version of Mortaio da 210/8 D.S.
Mortario da 210/8 FROM210mm84501900?109300.4Improved mobility version of Mortario da 210/8 PIAT
Mortaio da 260/9 Modello 16260mm9100 1916 ? 12560 1 round every 12 minutes Italian version of a Schneider design.
Obice da 280280mm116001890?34070? Coastal defense and siege howitzer
Skoda 305 mm Model 1911305mm9600191179208390.18Austro-Hungarian siege howitzer, received by Italy
305 mm /46 Model 1909 305mm 24000 1909 62500 2 naval gun used as coastal artillery
305/50 mod. 1912305mm19000190961999001naval gun used as coastal artillery
Škoda 30.5 cm /45 K10305mm200001911656200003triple-mount Austrian naval gun used as coastal artillery
Cannone navale da 381/40 (coastal)381mm27300191210950001.75naval gun used as coastal artillery
Cannone navale da 381/40 (railroad)381mm30000191272120001.75naval gun used as railroad gun

See also:

Anti-tank guns

Before and during World War II, Italy designed most of their anti-aircraft guns and some its infantry guns to also serve in the anti-tank role. No dedicated anti-tank gun was produced. Listed below is just the guns used in anti-tank role most commonly.

ModelCaliberPenetration 1Penetration 2Muzzle speedMax. rangeFromProducedWeight, kgfire rate, RPMComment
Cannone da 37/5437mm??70060001934?277120dual-role anti-tank/anti-aircraft gun
Cannone controcarro da 37/45 37mm 64mm@100m 31mm@500m 735 5484 ? ? 327 13 Italian variant of the Rheinmetall Pak 36
Cannone da 47/32 M3547mm58mm@100m43mm@500m630 (250)70001935?3155dual-role anti-tank/infantry gun, licensed version of Böhler gun
Cannone da 90/53 mod. 1939 90mm 190mm@500m 850 m/s 17400 1939 539 8950 19 dual-role anti-tank/anti-aircraft gun

Infantry anti-tank weapons

Anti-aircraft weapons

ModelCaliberEff. alt.FromProducedWeight, kgfire rate, RPMComment
Breda mod. 3113.2 mm10001929?47.5400used on command vehicles, licensed copy of the 13.2 mm Hotchkiss machine gun
Cannone-Mitragliera da 20/77 (Scotti)20 mm20001940500227.5250designed as aircraft cannon, build by Swiss Oerlikon
Cannone-Mitragliera da 20/65 modello 35 (Breda)20 mm20001935?330240twin mount, main Italian light AA/AT gun
Breda 37/54 mod. 3237 mm35001934?5000120naval gun with stabilizer
Breda 37/54 mod. 3837 mm35001938?4300120twin-barreled land version, without stabilizer
Breda 37/54 mod. 3937 mm35001939?1500120land version with recoil absorber
Breda 37/54 mod. 4037 mm35001940?312.5120re-navalized version with recoil absorber
QF 2-pounder naval gun (40/39 Vickers-Terni mod. 1915)40 mm3960191750+71167import and licensed production of "pom-pom" gun
Ansaldo Cannone da 65/64 modello 3965 mm50001939115?20
Cannone da 75/46 C.A. modello 3475 mm85001935318440515used on Semovente 75/46 as anti-tank gun
Cannone da 75/5075 mm92001939?415015Captured from Czech army in 1939
76/40 Mod 1916 RM76.2 mm55001916492167614used in fixed AA positions from 1933
76/45 Mod 1911 RM76.2 mm60001911312220425licensed version of "76 mm Mle 1911 Schneider"
Cannone da 90/53 mod. 193990 mm113001939539895019used on Semovente 90/53 as anti-tank gun
Cannone da 90/50 mod. 193990 mm108001939561875012navalized Cannone da 90/53 version
102/35 mod. 1914101.6 mm5700191411012207used by the navy and on armored trains, and on 102/35 on SPA 9000 SPG
120/27 OTO 1924120 mm550019245?9removed from submarines, re-used in Messina AA battery

All calibers of AA guns were also mounted in portee trucks in dual roles (ground attack and AA).

Vehicles

The Italian designation system for tanks consisted of a letter (L, M or P; designating light, medium and heavy tanks respectively) followed by two numbers: one giving the approximate weight in tons, the other giving the year it was accepted for service. Thus "M11/39" means the 11 ton medium tank of 1939. The Italian definitions of light, medium and heavy tank differ from other nations at the time. For instance the Italian "medium" tanks are often described as "light" in other sources.

Tankettes

ModelFromArmor max., mmPrimary armamentSecondary armamentWeight, tPower, kWRange, kmProducedCrewComments
Carden Loyd Mark VI tankette192992 × 8 mm machine gunsNo1.51716042imported from the UK
L2/29 (CV-29)192992 × 8 mm machine gunsNo1.517160212minimal modifications of Carden Loyd Mark VI tankette
L3/33 (CV-33)193314Fiat Mod. 14 6.5 mm MGNo2.7321103002all previous tankettes were upgraded in 1934 to CV-33 II Mod. 1934
L3/33 (CV-33 II Mod. 1934)1934142 × Fiat–Revelli Modello 1935 8 mm MGNo2.732110?2mass production version
L3 Lf193314FlamethrowerFiat–Revelli Modello 1935 8 mm MG3.332110?2flame tank with towed fuel tank
L3/35 (CV-35)1935142 × Breda 38 8 mm MGNo3.23212525002armor bolted instead of riveted
L3/35 II1935142 × Breda 38 8 mm MGNo3.232125?2doors and louvers modified for desert operation
L3/38193514Madsen machine gun (13.2 mm)No3.232125242export variant, torsion bar suspension

The L3 tankette was also a basis for several engineering vehicles.

Tanks

ModelFromArmor max., mmPrimary armamentSecondary armamentWeight, tPower, kWRange, kmProducedCrewComments
Panzer III Ausf N1943707.5 cm KwK 37 L/243 × 7.92 mm MG 34232201550512 imported from Germany, can fire HEAT rounds
Panzer IV Ausf G1943887.5 cm KwK 40 L/482 × 7.92 mm MG 34252202000512 imported from Germany
T-34/7619416076.2mm F-34 tank gun2 × 7.62 mm DT machine gun26.537040004captured from USSR, used on Eastern front only
L5/211921162x6.5 mm machine guns 3000A6.5 mm machine gun638.21001002based on Renault FT, 1st Italian tank
L5/3019301637/40 gun6.5 mm machine gun638.2100522weapon upgrade of L5/21
Carro Armato L6/4019404020 mm Breda 358 mm Breda 38 machine gun6.8522002832designed for alpine combat, base for Semovente 47/32 SPG, flame tank version Fiat L6-40 LF
Renault R3519404337 mm L/21 SA187.5 mm MAC31 Reibel machine gun10.6621301242French tank received via Germany
Somua S3519414747 mm SA 35 gun7.5 mm Mitrailleuse mle 193119.5140230323French tank received via Germany, used in Italy for training only
Carro Armato M11/3919393037 mm Vickers-Terni L/402 × 8 mm Breda 38 machine gun11.2792001003main cannon mounted in front hull below turret
Carro Armato M13/4019404247 mm Cannone da 47/32 M354 × 8 mm Breda 38 machine gun13.593200c.20004main cannon placed in turret, 1 AA machine gun
Carro Armato M14/4119414247 mm Cannone da 47/32 M352 × 8 mm Breda 38 machine gun141102008004engine improvement of M13/40, machine guns ball turret removed
Carro Armato M15/4219435047 mm Cannone da 47/32 M354 × 8 mm Breda 38 machine gun15.51452001184general improvement of M14/41, base for Semovente 75/34 gun
Fiat M16/43 ("Sahariano")19435047 mm Cannone da 47/32 M352 × 8 mm Breda 38 machine gun1620830014Christie suspension used for first time in Italy
Carro Armato P26/4019435075 mm Cannone da 75/342 × 8 mm Breda 38 machine gun263102801034base for Semovente 149/40 SPG, used by German army only

Tank-based

NameChassisGunDevelopedManufacturedRole
Semovente 47/32Fiat L6/40Cannone da 47/32 M351941300self-propelled AT gun
Semovente M41 75/18M14/41Obice da 75/18 modello 341942262self-propelled gun
Semovente 75/34M15/4275/34 Mod. S.F.1942190self-propelled AT gun
Semovente M43 75/46M15/42Cannone da 75/46 C.A. modello 34194215self-propelled gun
Semovente M41M 90/53M14/41Cannone da 90/53194230self-propelled AT gun
Semovente M43 105/25M15/42 tank105mm howitzer 194390self-propelled gun
Semovente 149/40M14/41Cannone da 149/40 modello 3519421self-propelled gun, prototype only
StuG III Ausf GPanzer III7.5 cm KwK 4019400self-propelled AT gun,12 received from Germany

    Others

    During World War II, Italy regularly mounted cannons on portee trucks. Also, permanent installation of guns on trucks and armored cars were done on ad-hoc basis, therefore many self-propelled guns had no official name besides descriptive type of truck plus type of cannon. Below is the grossly incomplete list of these self-propelled weapons.

    • Autocannone Sahariana Corta da 75/27 - cannon installed on truck TL 37
    • 102/35 on SPA 9000
    • 102/35 su Fiat 634N
    • Carro Comando Per Reparto Semovente da 75/18
    • Autocannoni da 75
    • Breda Dovunque 90/53
    • Breda Autocannone Blindato Tipo 102 (Breda 501)
    • Autocannone da 90 - Lancia 3 RO Chassis
    • Fiat 611 AT - SP ATG armed with 37mm cannon
    • L.3/Solothurn or L.3/cc (antitank) - changes made on several specimens directly from the operational departments in Italian North Africa in 1941. In place of the twin machine guns an S-18/1000 Solothurn 20 mm anti-tank rifle was mounted, which could penetrate the armor of British armored cars and light tanks.
    • Trubia - experimental version of the Spanish armed with a gun Breda 20/65 Mod 1935 20mm.
    • Chariot anti-tank gun or self-propelled L3 47/32 - prototype self-propelled gun armed with a 47/32 mm; trying "desperately" to adapt to the new demands of war the L3 Chariot had a very similar design to the Panzerjäger I (which was also derived from the most common light tank in the army of adoption, the Panzer I). The hull, superstructure private, had a front antitank gun 47/32 cowl, which was to protect the crew and the rest of the half was equal to the chassis of L .3, although the photo of the prototype seems that the suspensions were a mainspring. Probably would not be successful, since the recoil while content of 47/32 could, in the long run detrimental to the operation of the medium.

    Armoured Cars

    MakerDevelopedProducedArmamentModelcomments
    Fiat1933463 × Breda mod. 5C 6.5 mm machine gunFiat 611 w/o gunhad mobility and maintenance problems
    Fiat1933?2 × Breda mod. 5C 6.5 mm machine gun and 1 x cannone Vickers-Terni da 37/40 Mod.30Fiat 611 w gunconsidered unsuccessful because was unable to fire forward with machine gun
    Lancia19151202 × 6.5 mm Maxim gunLancia IZM (Lancia IZ)all machine guns are detachable
    Morris Motors193610014.3mm Boys anti-tank rifle and 7.7 mm Bren light machine gunMorris CS9equipped with radio, good mobility, some captured vehicles available after 1940
    Lancia&Ansaldo1942263Breda 38 8 mm machine gunLincecopy of British Daimler Dingo
    Fiat&Ansaldo1940242 × Breda 38 8 mm machine gunAutoblindo 40 (AB 40)developed from SPA-TM40, most AB 40 upgraded to AB 41
    Fiat&Ansaldo1941600Breda Model 35 20mm gunAutoblindo 41 (AB 41)firepower improvement of Autoblindo 40 (AB 40)
    Fiat&Ansaldo1943147mm 47/32 Mod. 1935 gunAutoblindo 43 (AB 43)more powerful engine and armor added
    SPA-Viberti1942?47mm 47/32 Mod. 1935 gunSPA-Viberti AS.42 "Sahariano"scout car based on AB 41

    Engineering and command

    • L.3/r - command tank with radio inside, deployed in all tankette units
    • L.3 carro recupero - experimental version for the recovery of damaged vehicles.
    • L.3 da demolizione - radio-controlled prototype for the destruction of the minefields.
    • L6/40 ammunition carrier
    • L6/40 command tank

    Light trucks

    • Breda-32
    • Breda-40
    • Breda-41
    • ОМ-32 Autocarretta da Montagna
    • ОМ-36DM
    • SPA TL.37
    • SPA CL39
    • SPA ТМ40

    Medium trucks

    Heavy Trucks

    Passenger cars

    • Alfa Romeo 6С2500 Coloniale
    • Fiat 508CM
    • Fiat 1100 (1937) (Balilla-1100 Coloniale)
    • Lancia Aprilia Coloniale
    • Bianchi VM 6C
    • Fiat 2800 CMC

    Motorcycles

    • Benelli 500 M36
    • Benelli 500 VLM
    • Bianchi Supermil 500
    • Gilera 500 LTE
    • Moto Guzzi Alce
    • Moto Guzzi Trialce
    • Volugrafo Aermoto 125

    Tractors and prime movers

    • L.3 trattore leggero - hypothetical version for towing the gun da. 47/32
    • Pavesi Р4.31 (L140)
    • Fiat 727 - half-track artillery tractor
    • SPA TM40 - wheeled artillery tractor
    • Breda 61 - half-track artillery tractor, a licensed copy of the German Sd.Kfz. 7

    Miscellaneous vehicles

    • Carro Veloce 29 (armored car) - may be misspelled or fictitious (most likely this is the CV-29 tankette by the same name)

    Aircraft

    Radars

    The Italy was late on the radar development; At the date of the armistice in 1943, 84 of 85 radars in operation were German-built. Italian Army and Navy have deployed a network of radar detectors and jammers though.

    • ARGO - domestically developed air warning radar in Pratica di Mare Air Base
    • FREYA - sold by Germans 1 July 1942, later transported to Sicily
    • RTD Arghetto or Vespa - prototype of airborne 300 MHz radar

    See also: Armi avanzate della Seconda Guerra Mondiale/Appendix 4 (wikibook)

    Cartridges and shells

    See also

    Further reading

    • Jowett, Phillip S. (2000). The Italian Army 1940–45 (1): Europe 1940–43. Oxford, United Kingdom: Osprey. ISBN 978-1-85532-864-8.
    • Jowett, Philip (2001). The Italian Army 1940–45 (2): Africa 1940–43. Oxford, United Kingdom: Osprey. ISBN 9781855328655.

    References

    1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-04-06. Retrieved 2017-03-06.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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