Fiat L6-40 tank | |
|---|---|
| Country | Italy |
| Type | Light tank |
| In service | 1940–1944, postwar to the early 1950s |
| Built | 402 |
The L6/40 was a light tank used by the Italian army from 1940 through World War II. It was designed by Ansaldo as an export product, and was adopted by the Italian Army when officials learned of the design and expressed interest It was the main tank employed by the Italian forces fighting on the Eastern Front alongside the L6/40-based Semovente 47/32 self-propelled gun. L6/40s were also used in the North African campaign.
Source: Wikipedia
| Fiat L6-40 Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Nino Cogliandro |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 39 |
See also:
General Characteristics and Role
The Fiat L6/40 was the standard light tank of the Italian Royal Army (Regio Esercito) during World War II. Its name follows the standard Italian nomenclature: L for Leggero (Light), 6 for its weight in tonnes, and 40 for its year of adoption. Designed as a significant upgrade to the L3 tankette series, it featured a fully rotating turret and improved armor protection. While a decent design for reconnaissance and mountain warfare due to its narrow width and agility, it was often forced into frontline combat roles against much heavier Allied tanks, for which it was vastly overmatched. Its low silhouette made it difficult to spot in desert or brush terrain, a trait highly valued by reconnaissance crews.
| Property | Typical Value (Fiat L6/40) |
|---|---|
| Type | Light Reconnaissance Tank |
| National Origin | Kingdom of Italy |
| Manufacturer | Fiat-Ansaldo |
| Entered Service | 1941 |
| Crew | 2 (Commander/Gunner and Driver) |
| Weight | 6.8 tonnes |
| Armor | 6 mm to 40 mm (riveted construction) |
Powerplant and Armament
- Engine: 1 x SPA 18D four-cylinder gasoline engine.
- Engine Power: 70 hp (52 kW).
- Maximum Road Speed: 42 km/h (26 mph).
- Operational Range: Approx. 200 km (125 miles) on road.
- Main Armament: 1 x 20 mm Breda Modello 35 autocannon. This weapon was effective against light vehicles and aircraft but struggled against enemy tanks at long range.
- Secondary Armament: 1 x 8 mm Breda 38 coaxial machine gun.
- Ammunition Capacity: 296 rounds of 20 mm and 1,560 rounds of 8 mm.
- Suspension: Torsion bar bogie system, which was quite advanced for its time compared to the leaf springs used on many larger Italian tanks.
Service History and Legacy
- Diverse Fronts: The L6/40 saw service in the Balkans, North Africa, and extensively on the Eastern Front (USSR), where it was the primary Italian tank used by the ARMIR.
- Obsolescence: By the time it was deployed in significant numbers in 1942, it was already outdated by the standards of British Crusaders and American Stuarts.
- Specialized Variants: The L6/40 chassis was highly versatile and served as the basis for the Semovente 47/32 self-propelled gun, the most successful variant of the family.
- German Service: After the 1943 armistice, many L6/40s were seized by German forces (designated Pz.Kpfw. L6/40 733(i)) and used for anti-partisan operations in Italy and the Balkans.
- Post-War: Small numbers remained in service with the Italian Polizia di Stato (State Police) for civil order duties until the early 1950s.
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