| M 13/40 |
| M 13/40 Medium Tank Crew: 4 Armament: one 47mm gun, three 8mm MG's Armor: 42mm maximum, 6mm minimum Weight: 14,000 kg Performance: 20 mph road speed, 125 miles range History: Early varients entered service with Italian forces 1939. Phased out 1942-43. The first variant of this Italian medium tank was designated the M 13/39, and entered service in 1939. This model was armed with a 37mm gun, and set the frame work for all future models to follow. In 1940 the M 13/40 was introduced. This model had improved armor and armament, being equipped with a 47mm gun. The M 13/40 would remain the primary tank of the Italian army for the remainder of the war, even though it was outclassed from the start. Many saw service in North Africa, where they were found to be lacking in many ways. Crews quickly learned their vehicles were highly susceptible to the harsh desert climate, and many vehicles broke down. Interestingly, the M 13/40 was forced into equipment starved British and Australian units on several occasions. Succeeding the M 13/40 was the M 13/41 and M 13/42, but these were only minor improvements. The M 13 class tank was slated to be replaced eventually by the P 40, but Italy was forced out of the war before this happened. |
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