Semovente da 90/53: Difference between revisions
Ken keisel (talk | contribs) updated entry |
Ken keisel (talk | contribs) updated entry |
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==Development== |
==Development== |
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The '''Semovente 90/53''' was a heavy [[Italy|Italian]] [[self-propelled gun]] (a [[tank destroyer]]) |
The '''Semovente 90/53''' was a heavy [[Italy|Italian]] [[self-propelled gun]] (a [[tank destroyer]]) used by the Italian and German Armies during [[World War II]]. It was created by mounting a 90 mm [[Cannone da 90/53]] [[anti-aircraft gun]] on top of an enlarged chassis of a [[Fiat M14/41|M14/41 tank]]. Only 48 of these vehicles were produced, all in 1941. This low production was due to Italy's limited industrial capability at the time, as well as high demand for the 90mm gun for regular anti-aircraft duties. |
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The Semovente 90/53 was primarily developed in response to demands by [[Italian war in Soviet Union, 1941-1943|Italian forces]] on the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]] for a vehicle-mounted anti-tank weapon that could take on Soviet [[T-34]] and [[KV tank]]s. Italian armored forces on the Eastern Front were equipped only with the [[L6/40]] tank and [[Semovente 47/32]] self-propelled gun; neither of these had the firepower to cope with the Soviet medium and heavy tanks. However, no Semovente 90/53 were ever sent to the Eastern Front. |
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| ⚫ | The major drawback of the Semovente 90/53, as with many self-propelled gun types of World War II, was the open top and rear of the gun compartment, which left the gun crew exposed to shrapnel. In addition, the Semovente 90/53 had little or no armor in most areas. Because these vehicles were designed to operate far enough from enemy vehicles to not be subject to incoming fire, this was initially not considered a problem. The small ammunition capacity of the vehicle was also a problem; only six rounds could be carried. This necessitated the creation of special ammunition carriers out of [[Fiat L6/40]] tanks, one accompanying each Semovente 90/53 in the field. The L6 ammunition carriers could carry 26 rounds. The effective range of the gun was about 2000 meters. |
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| ⚫ | The major drawback of the Semovente 90/53, as with many self-propelled gun types of World War II, was the open top and rear of the gun compartment, which left the gun crew exposed to shrapnel and small arms fire. In addition, the Semovente 90/53 had little or no armor in most areas. Because these vehicles were designed to operate far enough away from enemy vehicles to not be subject to incoming fire, this was initially not considered a problem. The small ammunition capacity of the vehicle was also a problem; only six rounds could be carried. This necessitated the creation of special ammunition carriers out of [[Fiat L6/40]] tanks, one accompanying each Semovente 90/53 in the field. The L6 ammunition carriers could carry 26 rounds. The effective range of the gun was about 2000 meters. |
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==In combat== |
==In combat== |
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In its initial appearance in the [[North African Campaign]] the Semovente 90/53 showed good account for itself, being particularly well |
In its initial appearance in the [[North African Campaign]] the Semovente 90/53 showed good account for itself, being particularly well-suited for use in the open spaces of [[North Africa]]. The 90mm cannon proved itself very effective against all allied armor encountered. A few continued to see action during the [[Allied invasion of Sicily]] in 1943. Following the surrender of Italy the few surviving Semovente 90/53 were seized by the German Army, but were of little value in the mountainous terrain of Northern Italy where they operated. As a result, most finished their careers as long-range artillery. |
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=== Bibliography === |
=== Bibliography === |
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Revision as of 18:47, 21 March 2009
| Semovente 90/53 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Place of origin |  Italy |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1941 |
| Used by | Italy, Germany |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Semovente |
| Produced | 1941 |
| No. built | 48 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 17 tonnes (37,478 lbs) |
| Length | 5.205 m (17 ft) |
| Width | 2.20 m (7.21 ft) |
| Height | 2.15 m (7 ft) |
| Crew | 5 (commander, driver, three gun crew) |
| Armor | 40 mm (1.57 in) |
Main armament | 90 mm (3.54 in) Cannone da 90/53 6 rounds |
| Engine | SPA 15-TM-41 eight cylinder gasoline engine 145 hp (114.84 kW) |
| Suspension | vertical volute spring |
Operational range | 200 km (124 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 35.5 km/h (22 mph) |
The Semovente 90/53 was the only heavy tank destroyer produced by Italy during WWII. It was developed by mounting a 90mm anti-aircraft gun on the chassis of the M.14/41 tank.
Development
The Semovente 90/53 was a heavy Italian self-propelled gun (a tank destroyer) used by the Italian and German Armies during World War II. It was created by mounting a 90 mm Cannone da 90/53 anti-aircraft gun on top of an enlarged chassis of a M14/41 tank. Only 48 of these vehicles were produced, all in 1941. This low production was due to Italy's limited industrial capability at the time, as well as high demand for the 90mm gun for regular anti-aircraft duties.
The Semovente 90/53 was primarily developed in response to demands by Italian forces on the Eastern Front for a vehicle-mounted anti-tank weapon that could take on Soviet T-34 and KV tanks. Italian armored forces on the Eastern Front were equipped only with the L6/40 tank and Semovente 47/32 self-propelled gun; neither of these had the firepower to cope with the Soviet medium and heavy tanks. However, no Semovente 90/53 were ever sent to the Eastern Front.
The major drawback of the Semovente 90/53, as with many self-propelled gun types of World War II, was the open top and rear of the gun compartment, which left the gun crew exposed to shrapnel and small arms fire. In addition, the Semovente 90/53 had little or no armor in most areas. Because these vehicles were designed to operate far enough away from enemy vehicles to not be subject to incoming fire, this was initially not considered a problem. The small ammunition capacity of the vehicle was also a problem; only six rounds could be carried. This necessitated the creation of special ammunition carriers out of Fiat L6/40 tanks, one accompanying each Semovente 90/53 in the field. The L6 ammunition carriers could carry 26 rounds. The effective range of the gun was about 2000 meters.
In combat
In its initial appearance in the North African Campaign the Semovente 90/53 showed good account for itself, being particularly well-suited for use in the open spaces of North Africa. The 90mm cannon proved itself very effective against all allied armor encountered. A few continued to see action during the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943. Following the surrender of Italy the few surviving Semovente 90/53 were seized by the German Army, but were of little value in the mountainous terrain of Northern Italy where they operated. As a result, most finished their careers as long-range artillery.
Bibliography
- Trewhitt, Philip (1999). Armored Fighting Vehicles. New York, NY: Amber Books. p. 143. ISBN 0-7607-1260-3.
External links
- Semovente da 90/53 at wwiivehicles.com
- SEMOVENTE da 90/53 at comandosupremo.com
- WWII U.S. Report on Semovente 90/53, June 1943
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