Semovente da 105/25
| Industry | Defense, Military vehicles |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Italy |
| Products | Armored fighting vehicles, including Semovente 105/25 M43 |
The Ansaldo 105/25 M43, commonly referred to as the Semovente 105/25, was an Italian self-propelled gun deployed during World War II, developed by Ansaldo. It represented the most potent self-propelled artillery piece produced in quantity by Italy throughout the conflict.
History
In 1942, efforts to create a high-powered self-propelled gun advanced simultaneously at Odera-Terni-Orlando (OTO) and Ansaldo. OTO’s concept involved mounting a 105/25 cannon on the chassis of the P26/40 tank.[1] Meanwhile, Ansaldo opted to adapt the hull of the already mass-produced Semovente M42, enabling it to present a prototype to the Centro Studi della Motorizzazione by February 28, 1943, while OTO’s design was still under development.[1]
The Royal Italian Army approved Ansaldo’s design for production.[1] The finalized model, featuring an enhanced hull and the 105/25 gun, was officially adopted on April 2, 1943, under the designation self-propelled M43 105/25, nicknamed Bassotto ("Dachshund"). The initial units equipped with the Bassotto were assigned to the DCI and DCII groups of the 235th Semoventi Artillery Regiment within the 135ª Armored Division "Ariete II".Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Each group received twelve vehicles, which participated effectively in defending Rome during the days immediately following the armistice of Cassibile enacted on September 8 and 9, 1943.[1] Their performance in combat was commendable.
After Italy’s capitulation, German forces recognized the Semovente 105/25 "Bassotto" as a highly capable vehicle. They seized existing units and produced an additional 91 examples, re-designating them StuG M43 mit 105/25 853 (i), and deployed them against Allied forces.[1]
Additionally, the 105/25 gun found use within bunkers forming part of the defensive Vallo Alpino fortifications.[1]
Features
The Bassotto was developed following the overall blueprint of the M40 and M41 models, incorporating a single M43 hull—a modified version of the M15/42 tank hull that was both widened and lowered. Its front and side armor plates were redesigned and welded rather than bolted.[2] Mounted atop this hull was a fixed casemate, securely attached by bolts and welds, which housed an Ansaldo 105/25 howitzer capable of traversing and elevating between 34° lateral movement and vertical angles ranging from -12° to +22°.[1]
Supporting the primary weaponry was an 8 mm Breda 38 machine gun intended for close-range and anti-aircraft defense, operated by the commander/gunner. Meanwhile, the radio operator managed a Magneti Marelli RF1 CA radio system.[1]
Semovente M43 da 75/34
This variant, engineered by Ansaldo, featured the 75/34 Mod. S.F. cannon also utilized on the semovente 75/34 M42M. The German forces identified it as StuG M43 mit 75/34 (851) (i). Production was limited to twenty-three and twenty-nine units during 1944, with deployment exclusively under German command.[1]
Semovente M43 da 75/46
Template:Main article Conceived by Ansaldo in 1944 and known to the Germans as StuG M43 mit 75/46 (852) (i), this tank destroyer variant was based on a significantly altered hull derived from the M.43 105/25. It holds the distinction of being Italy’s final tank destroyer produced post-armistice and marked the first Italian armored fighting vehicle predominantly constructed using welding instead of bolting. Although there were considerations to incorporate alternative armor materials such as concrete reinforced with gravel, the final design employed conventional construction with notably thicker frontal armor measuring 100 mm compared to other Italian tanks.[1]
Its armament comprised a converted antiaircraft weapon, the 75/46 C.A. Mod. 1934 / Mod. 40, supplied with forty-two rounds. Due to time constraints, a specialized antitank projectile was not developed; instead, a standard delayed fuze round was used to enhance penetration effectiveness.[1] The gun was manually aimed via a spherical mounting, allowing elevation between -12° and +22°, with a horizontal traverse of 34°. Additionally, a Breda 38 machine gun loaded with 500 rounds was included, though it was frequently substituted with a MG 42 offering greater ammunition capacity. The crew consisted of only three members, placing considerable responsibility on the commander who served as gunner; simultaneously, the loader doubled as gunner and radio operator. Production totaled eleven units—eight in 1943 and three in 1944—exclusively utilized by German forces.[1] One or two further vehicles remained incomplete or were possibly finished after Italy’s liberation halted planned manufacturing resumption in 1945.
Gallery
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Photograph illustrating how the M43 105/25 hull (right) is broader and lower than that of the M42 (left).
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Depiction of an M43 75/46.
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Image showing an M43 75/34.
See also
Notes
References
- Gli autoveicoli da combattimento dell'Esercito Italiano, Volume 2 (1940-1945), Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito, Ufficio Storico, Nicola Pignato e Filippo Cappellano, 2002
- I mezzi blindo-corazzati italiani 1923-1943, Storia Militare, Nicola Pignato, 2005
- I reparti corazzati della Repubblica Sociale Italiana 1943/1945, Marvia Edizioni, Paolo Crippa, 2006
External links
- Semovente da 105/25 at wwiivehicles.com
- (in Italian) Semovente 105/25 Bassotto Sourced from Aerei Militari - Forum
- Semovente da 105/25 Extracted from World War II Vehicles, Tanks, Airplanes, and Guns
- SEMOVENTE da 105/25 Derived from Comando Supremo - Italy at war
- http://www.italie1935-45.com/RE/photoscopes/semoventi/semovente105-25.html Archived 2011-09-06 at the Wayback Machine