Italian Soft-Skinned Vehicles of the Second World War

Italian Soft-Skinned Vehicles of the Second World War PDF Author: Ralph Riccio
Publisher: Helion
ISBN: 9781804514917
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The importance of land transport vehicles within an armed force is often underestimated by the average reader, attracted by more 'martial' subjects such as tanks and artillery. Nevertheless, it was thanks to motorcycles, cars, trucks and tractors that - since the early years of the twentieth century - men, weapons, ammunition, provisions, fuel, equipment and orders were transported, all elements without which AFVs, guns and infantry are unable to fight. Volume 2 examines medium and heavy trucks, artillery tractors, special purpose vehicles and trailers. The main text is complemented with appendices on vehicle coloring and markings, manufacturers, production facts and further details. It is a common opinion that the Italian Army was beaten above all because of the poor quality of its combat vehicles. Impartial and in-depth studies, made since the end of the war, have revealed that the main problem was the shortage of vehicles, as well as an entirely insufficient logistics chain. The tank crews were able to compensate with bravery and experience for the fact that their tanks were, from a certain point on, inferior to those of their enemies, but the inadequate number of AFVs and other materiel was impossible to remedy. The same problem plagued the entire sector of military soft-skinned vehicles, a sign of Italy's limited industrial capacity (and of procurement of raw materials and components) compared, for example, to its ally Germany. There were too few factories, too few skilled workers, and poor management skills within the armed forces. models of efficient, robust and resistant vehicles were produced, especially in the sector of the so-called 'standardized' motor vehicles. These vehicles allowed the Italian troops to move and fight in the large and difficult territories of North Africa, the Balkans and the Soviet Union and brought home what was left of the defeated soldiers. This is the first English-language study describing the soft-skinned vehicles of the Italian Armed Forces, starting from the 1930s, when Mussolini's Italy faced some colonial conflicts and participated - albeit unofficially - in the Spanish Civil War, and throughout the Second World War. For each vehicle there is a file describing its evolution and the main technical aspects, accompanied by one or more photographs and, for the most significant examples, line drawings. The work is enriched by a historical introduction, various appendices and color profiles.

Italian Soft-Skinned Vehicles of the Second World War

Italian Soft-Skinned Vehicles of the Second World War PDF Author: Ralph Riccio
Publisher: Helion
ISBN: 9781804514917
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The importance of land transport vehicles within an armed force is often underestimated by the average reader, attracted by more 'martial' subjects such as tanks and artillery. Nevertheless, it was thanks to motorcycles, cars, trucks and tractors that - since the early years of the twentieth century - men, weapons, ammunition, provisions, fuel, equipment and orders were transported, all elements without which AFVs, guns and infantry are unable to fight. Volume 2 examines medium and heavy trucks, artillery tractors, special purpose vehicles and trailers. The main text is complemented with appendices on vehicle coloring and markings, manufacturers, production facts and further details. It is a common opinion that the Italian Army was beaten above all because of the poor quality of its combat vehicles. Impartial and in-depth studies, made since the end of the war, have revealed that the main problem was the shortage of vehicles, as well as an entirely insufficient logistics chain. The tank crews were able to compensate with bravery and experience for the fact that their tanks were, from a certain point on, inferior to those of their enemies, but the inadequate number of AFVs and other materiel was impossible to remedy. The same problem plagued the entire sector of military soft-skinned vehicles, a sign of Italy's limited industrial capacity (and of procurement of raw materials and components) compared, for example, to its ally Germany. There were too few factories, too few skilled workers, and poor management skills within the armed forces. models of efficient, robust and resistant vehicles were produced, especially in the sector of the so-called 'standardized' motor vehicles. These vehicles allowed the Italian troops to move and fight in the large and difficult territories of North Africa, the Balkans and the Soviet Union and brought home what was left of the defeated soldiers. This is the first English-language study describing the soft-skinned vehicles of the Italian Armed Forces, starting from the 1930s, when Mussolini's Italy faced some colonial conflicts and participated - albeit unofficially - in the Spanish Civil War, and throughout the Second World War. For each vehicle there is a file describing its evolution and the main technical aspects, accompanied by one or more photographs and, for the most significant examples, line drawings. The work is enriched by a historical introduction, various appendices and color profiles.

Italian Soft-Skinned Vehicles of the Second World War: Motorcycles, Cars, Trucks, Artillery Tractors 1935-1945

Italian Soft-Skinned Vehicles of the Second World War: Motorcycles, Cars, Trucks, Artillery Tractors 1935-1945 PDF Author: Daniele Guglielmi
Publisher: Helion
ISBN: 9781804513279
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The importance of land transport vehicles within an armed force is often underestimated by the average reader, attracted by more 'martial' subjects such as tanks and artillery. Nevertheless, it was thanks to motorcycles, cars, trucks and tractors that - since the early years of the twentieth century - men, weapons, ammunition, provisions, fuel, equipment, orders were transported, all elements without which AFVs, guns and infantry are unable to fight. In this book we focus on the means of transport in force in the Italian Royal Army (and, in some cases, also in the Italian Royal Air Force and Navy) from the 1930s to the end of the Second World War. Little has been said about them in recent years, even in Italy, with some exceptions such as the Guzzi Alce motorcycle, the Fiat 508 CM car, the Fiat 626/666 and Lancia 3Ro trucks, and a few light and medium tractors. It is common opinion that the Italian Army was beaten above all because of the poor quality of its combat vehicles. Actually, impartial and in-depth studies made since shortly after the end of the war, have revealed that the main problem was the shortage of vehicles, as well as an entirely insufficient logistics chain. The tank crews were able to compensate with bravery and experience for the fact that their tanks were, from a certain point on, inferior to those of their enemies, but the inadequate number of AFVs and other material was impossible to remedy. The same problem plagued the entire sector of military soft-skinned vehicles, a sign of Italy's limited industrial capacity (and rather of procurement of raw materials and components) compared, for example, to its ally Germany. There were too few factories, too few skilled workers and poor management skills within the armed forces. However, if quantity was lacking, the same cannot be said for quality. Many models of efficient, robust and resistant vehicles were produced, especially in the sector of the so-called 'standardized' motor vehicles, such as those mentioned at the beginning and others that we will see. These vehicles allowed the Italian troops to move and fight in the large and difficult territories of North Africa, the Balkans and the Soviet Union and which brought home what was left of the defeated soldiers. This is the first English-language study describing the soft-skinned vehicles of the Italian Armed Forces, starting from the 1930s, in which Mussolini's Italy faced some colonial conflicts and participated - albeit unofficially - in the Spanish Civil War, until throughout the Second World War. For each vehicle there is a file describing its evolution and the main technical aspects, accompanied by one or more photographs and, for the most significant examples, line drawings. The work is enriched by a historical introduction, various appendices and color profiles.

Light Trucks of the Italian Army in WWII

Light Trucks of the Italian Army in WWII PDF Author: Enrico Finazzer
Publisher: MMP
ISBN: 9788365281227
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
This book provides a detailed account of specialized light gun trucks produced by Italian industry in response to a specific request of the Regio Esercito between mid-1942 and mid-1943, known as the AS42 and the AS43, AS standing for Autocarro Speciale or Automezzo Speciale (Special truck), or, more currently, camionette. These vehicles were meant to be used in desert warfare, issued to the unit called the Raggruppamento Sahariano, (Saharan Group), to be used in action against the British Long Range Desert Group, or for special operations behind enemy lines, in force to the Italian special forces designated the X Reggimento Arditi. In point of fact, they came too late and in too small a number to make a real impact in that theater, and after the fall of Africa into Allied hands they were diverted to several different units, as anti-paratroopers companies or anti-bridgehead mobile battalions either in Sicily or in the Italian mainland. After the Italian Armistice, furthermore, they served both with German troops and with the armed forces of the Repubblica Sociale Italiana.."

The Second World War Illustrated - The Second Year

The Second World War Illustrated - The Second Year PDF Author: Jack Holroyd
Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
ISBN: 1526757958
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 823

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Book Description
This second volume begins with the account of Mussolini attempting to mirror Hitler in acts of aggression by thrusting towards Egypt and capturing the important artery of the British Empire; the Suez Canal. The Italian initiative failed and when its army was driven back with heavy losses, Mussolini asked for help and Hitler sent Rommel. Beginning in the spring of 1941, Axis forces, under a dynamic General Rommel, pushed the British back to Egypt. In the meantime, Mussolini decided on another easy target to spread his new 'Roman Empire' and invaded Greece. Once again, his superior numbers were repelled and the Greeks sent his army back to its starting point in Albania. Hitler came to the aid of his Axis ally and Churchill sent the British to help Greece, but in doing so, depleted his forces in North Africa. During the Battle of Greece, Greek and British forces in the north of the country were overwhelmed by a rapid German advance. The British embarked for Crete and the Germans promptly captured the island with their much-vaunted Fallschirmjager. Matters were disheartening for the British people following these defeats in North Africa and Greece. However, a morale boost came with the sinking of the Bismarck and the defection of Rudolf Hess, Hitler’s deputy, in an amazing flight to Scotland. Then it came: in June, the German Führer took on his greatest military challenge; the invasion of Soviet Russia. By the end of the second year of the war, the Axis forces were deep into Stalin’s territory. Britain now had a major ally at last.

Partisan tanks

Partisan tanks PDF Author: Paolo Crippa
Publisher: Soldiershop Publishing
ISBN: 8893278545
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 195

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Book Description
For the Italian partisan forces the use of armored vehicles was really sporadic, with the exception of the last moments of the war. Especially in the days of the insurrection, in fact, the Italian partisans were able to take possession of Italian tanks, either by capturing them from Italian and German units, or by taking them directly from the factories, often thanks to the complicity with the Resistance of the workers who worked in these factories. In the agitated moments of the insurrection, conventionally fixed on April 25, 1945, many were the cases of vehicles plundered and reused by the partisan movement or by soldiers of Salò, who even changed hands several times in a very short period of time; of some of them some traces have been preserved, while of others, especially if used by formations of insurgents, nothing is known. A large number of Italian armored vehicles were used by the Yugoslav partisans, who were able to capture them “en masse” following the disbandment of the Royal Army due to the Armistice.

The Second World War

The Second World War PDF Author: Gordon Corrigan
Publisher: Macmillan
ISBN: 1429950560
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 1327

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Book Description
A landmark reassessment of World War II that reconsiders the immense six-year conflict under the lens of the many separate campaigns fought in Europe, Asia, and the Mediterranean. A definitive single-volume military history of World War II, Gordon Corrigan's The Second World War reveals the vastly diverse ways in which each campaign was waged against very different enemies who rarely, if ever, coordinated their efforts. Corrigan, who has developed a scholarly reputation of challenging long-held historical assumptions, examines the agendas of the warring nations and offers fresh and vivid interpretations of how the war was fought and how it was won. In particular, the author dispels myths regarding the effectiveness of the American and British war efforts and brings the contributions of the Russian armies to the forefront. Vast in vision and epic in scope, The Second World War will change forever the way we think about the titanic conflicts that decided the shape of the modern world.

Italian Armoured & Reconnaissance Cars 1911–45

Italian Armoured & Reconnaissance Cars 1911–45 PDF Author: Filippo Cappellano
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472824342
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 104

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Book Description
The first Italian armoured cars were used in the war in Libya in 1911-12 against the Ottoman Empire. With few tanks being developed, the Italians relied instead on the development of more mobile armoured cars like the Ansaldo Lancia 1 Z, during World War I, but post-war the army, focusing on the Alpine battlegrounds of Italy's northern borders, did not consider armoured cars suitable for reconnaissance duties. The experience of the Spanish Civil War would provide the much needed last push for the Italians to develop modern armoured cars. The result were the famous AB 41-43 models, which fought against the British in North Africa and Marshall Tito's forces in Yugoslavia, along with other vehicles such as the AS 36 light armoured car. Using detailed colour plates and contemporary photographs, this book examines the development of the Italian armoured car in the two world wars and the inter-war years, from the deserts of North Africa to the slopes of the Alps.

Sherman

Sherman PDF Author: Michel Esteve
Publisher: Casemate
ISBN: 1612007406
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 244

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Book Description
“A superbly organized, well-written, detailed history of the Sherman tank” with hundreds of photos and diagrams included (Armor Magazine). The Medium Tank, M4, better known to the British as the Sherman, was the most widely used medium tank by the United States and western Allies in World War II. Reliable, relatively cheap to produce, and easy to maintain, thousands were distributed to the British Commonwealth and the Soviet Union by the Lend-Lease program. It first saw combat in North Africa, where it outclassed lighter German and Italian tanks. By 1944 the M4 was outgunned by the German heavy tanks, but it still contributed to the fight when deployed in numbers and supported by artillery and fighter-bombers. A detailed insight into the development and deployment of the M4, this book covers the design and construction of the chassis, turret, engine, armaments, and munitions, and differences between the variants of the M4. It covers the difficulties facing the crews who fought in this legendary tank, exploring the training they received and the different combat methods perfected by the Allies, including landing from a landing craft, maneuvering in the bocage of Normandy, and fighting in the snow. Fully illustrated with hundreds of contemporary and modern photographs and detailed diagrams, this complete account provides all the technical details of the construction of the M4, its maintenance and repair, and the logistics required to support it in combat. Whether you are a collector, a modeler, or simply passionate about military history, this book will provide you with an unparalleled insight into the M4. “Period photos, preservation shots, interior details, variant schematics, archival excerpts, armament and ammunition drawings, and more . . . Make it your introduction to this legendary tank family.” —Cybermodeler

Italian Fighting Vehicles

Italian Fighting Vehicles PDF Author: Ray Merriam
Publisher: Merriam Press
ISBN: 9781576383896
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 220

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Book Description
Merriam Press World War 2 Album 20 First Edition, 2015. Pictorial album of Italian tanks, tankettes, armored cars, self-propelled guns, reconnaissance vehicles and trucks. Sections with photographs and brief descriptions and data of the following: Fiat 2000 Heavy Tank Fiat 3000 Light Tank Lancia IZM Armored Car Carro Veloce CV33 and L3/33 Tankettes Carro Veloce L3/35 Tankette Fiat L6/40 Light Tank Fiat M11/39 Medium Tank Fiat M13/40 Medium Tank Fiat M14/41 Medium Tank Fiat M16/43 Medium Tank M15/42 Medium Tank Carro Armato P26/40 Heavy Tank Semovente 47/32 Self-Propelled Gun Semovente 75/18 Self-Propelled Gun Semovente 75/34 Self-Propelled Gun Semovente 90/53 Self-Propelled Gun Semovente 105/25 Self-Propelled Gun Semovente da 149/40 Self-Propelled Gun Autoblinda AB40 / AB41 / AB42 / AB43 Armored Cars Autoblinda Lince Armored Car SPA-Viberti AS42 Reconnaissance Vehicle SPA AS37 Light Truck Lancia 3 Ro Heavy Truck TL37 Light Truck Autocarro Blindato Fiat 626 NM Medium Truck 498 photos 5 illustrations 2 side views 2 sectioned view

Magyar Warriors

Magyar Warriors PDF Author: Dénes Bernád
Publisher: Helion and Company
ISBN: 1912174499
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 405

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Book Description
The first book in the comprehensive, two-volume reference covering all aspects of the Hungarian military from the interwar period through WWII. During the First World War, Hungary lost territories containing sizable Magyar ethnic populations. In the years following the war—and especially in the 1930s—the country attempted to regain portions of these territories through a series of border wars. The corresponding buildup of armed forces, with assistance from Italy and Germany, positioned Hungary as a valuable, if secondary, member of the Axis powers. This comprehensive reference provides a complete picture of the Hungarian armed forces between the years 1919–1945. It starts with a brief history of the Magyars, describes the political situation in Hungary before and during WWII, the building of the armed forces, the growth of domestic arms manufacturers, the organization of the armed forces units, and how they changed during the war. The various campaigns of the war are described in great detail, illustrated with more than 500 photographs, as well as numerous tables and maps.