L6/40 tank

Ansaldo
Industry	Defense, Military vehicles
Founded	1853 in Italy
Headquarters	Italy

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The L6/40 served as a light tank within the Italian military from 1940 throughout World War II. Initially conceived by Ansaldo for export markets, the Italian Army adopted the design after expressing interest upon learning of it. This vehicle was predominantly deployed by Italian forces on the Eastern Front, operating alongside the L6/40-based Semovente 47/32 self-propelled gun. Additionally, L6/40 tanks saw action during the North African campaign.

The formal Italian name for this vehicle was Carro Armato ("armored vehicle" or "tank") L6/40. The designation breaks down as follows: "L" stands for Leggero ("light"), "6" indicates the approximate weight in tons, and "40" represents the year it was introduced (1940).

Design and development

The L6/40 featured a traditional light tank layout constructed primarily through riveted armor plates. Its turret, positioned centrally and operated by a single crew member, housed a 20 mm Breda Modello 35 main cannon accompanied by an 8 mm Breda 38 coaxial machine gun. The driver's station was located at the front right side of the hull. Armor thickness ranged from six to forty millimeters, comparable to that found on contemporary Allied light tanks.

Unlike earlier Italian light tank efforts from the early 1930s—such as the Carro D'Assalto 1936 and Carro Cannone Modello 1936 models derived from the L3/33 tankettes—the L6/40 was developed as an entirely new design. Throughout the late 1930s, several prototypes were tested; the initial versions were armed solely with twin 8 mm machine guns. The finalized production model, designated Carro Armato L6/40, entered manufacturing in 1939 with a total output of 419 units.

Variants

One variant of the L6 was the L6 Lf (Lancia fiamme) flame tank, which replaced the main cannon with a flamethrower equipped with a 200-litre fuel tank. Another version served as a command vehicle, featuring additional radio equipment and an open-topped turret.

Among the various L6 models, the Semovente 47/32 was the most effective. This design removed the turret entirely and mounted a 47 mm antitank gun within an open hull.

A late-war adaptation functioned as an ammunition carrier, armed solely with a single 8 mm Breda machine gun. It supported the Semovente 90/53 by transporting 26 extra rounds of 90 mm ammunition, supplementing the limited eight rounds carried by the Semovente 90/53 itself.

Combat use

The L6/40 light tanks saw action in multiple theaters, including the Balkans Campaign, the conflict against Soviet forces on the Eastern Front, the closing phases of the North African campaign, and during the defense of both Sicily and mainland Italy.

On the Eastern Front, the L6/40 was Italy’s primary armored vehicle. It operated alongside its derivative, the Semovente 47/32 self-propelled gun, which was based on the same chassis.

While it represented an advancement over earlier Italian tankettes and was a competent light tank for its size, by its introduction it was already outdated. Its low profile—just slightly taller than an average person—made it suitable for reconnaissance missions, and its weaponry was adequate against light enemy vehicles. Nevertheless, due to Italy’s shortage of an appropriate medium tank, the L6 was frequently deployed in combat roles beyond its intended scope.

The German Army also utilized captured L6 tanks. In 1943, 26 units were seized and incorporated into service by the Hrvatsko domobranstvo of the Independent State of Croatia. Postwar, the Polizia di Stato continued using the L6/40 until it was gradually retired in the early 1950s.

Surviving examples

There are three known surviving L6/40 tanks: one is preserved near the "Cadorna" barracks in Legnano, another is held at the Kubinka Tank Museum, and a third is displayed in the Arms Museum located within the castle of Gjirokastër in Albania.

Additionally, an L6 hull used during Operation Rösselsprung is exhibited as a war memorial in Drvar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Extended specifications

Maximum water fording depth: 0.8 m (2 ft 8 in)
Maximum gradient climb: 60%
Highest vertical obstacle clearance: 0.7 m (2 ft 4 in)
Maximum trench crossing capability: 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in)
Elevation and traverse range: from -12° to +20°, allowing full 360° rotation

Photo Gallery

Fiat-Ansaldo L6/40, circa 1940

Fiat-Ansaldo L6/40, circa 1940
L6/40 bearing German insignia moving past German troops in occupied Albania, September 1943

L6/40 bearing German insignia moving past German troops in occupied Albania, September 1943
Ammunition carrier variant of the L6/40

Ammunition carrier variant of the L6/40

References

Bishop, Chris (editor) 1998, The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Barnes & Noble, New York. ISBN 0-7607-1022-8

External links

L6/40 Light Tanks at wwiivehicles.com
L6/40 at onwar.com

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