Semovente da 75/34
Italy (1942-43)
SPG - 192 built
Based on the M15/42
The StuG enjoyed great success on the Eastern Front, after it was converted as a tank hunter in 1942. This example quickly gave confidence to the Comando Supremo to devise yet another vehicle based on the same principle as the previous Semovente 75/18. It was, logically, based on the latest chassis produced by FIAT-Ansaldo, the M15/42 medium tank. But, this time, it was planned as a tank-hunter and equipped with a 75 mm (2.95 in) L34 Breda gun, an derivative of a field gun with a longer barrel. The new model was, therefore, named Semovente da 75/34 su Scafo M42. The prototype was ready in the fall of 1942, but it entered service on April, 23, 1943. Initially, an order of 200 was placed. Information is conflicting and, according to some sources, perhaps 36 were ready before Italy surrendered to the Allies.Design
This tank hunter was basically a repeat of the Semovente 75/18 M41 on the M42 chassis. The latter was longer and had a better engine. The SPA M15 gave 190 hp@2300 rpm, and had a 4 forward, 1 reverse gearbox. The power/weight ration was 12.7 hp/t, giving a 40 km/h (25 mph) speed on road, and 15 km/h (9 mph) off-road. However, this extra power was squandered by the lack of a modern suspension. It kept the same two bogies arrangement, each with 4 roadwheels and suspended by leaf springs. The tracks had a ground pressure of 12.2 psi, with a ground clearance of 38 cm and turning radius of 4.5 m. As trials showed, it could climb a 40° slope. Fording capability was 1 m, trench crossing 2 m, and it could overcome a 80 cm vertical obstacle.
Protection was average for 1943, with a frontal mantlet, superstructure and glacis plate of 2 inches (50 mm) made of two 25 mm (1 in) plates. The sides and rear plate were 25 mm (1 in) thick, while the top was 15 and 11 mm (0.59-0.43 in) and the bottom 9 mm (0.35 in). The L34 modello 34 Breda 75 mm had limited traverse (16° left, 16° right) and 42 rounds stored, either Armor Piercing (AP) or High Explosive (HE) shells. This gun had a muzzle velocity of 624 m/sec (2,050 ft/second) and a range of 12,500 m (13,670 yards). However, in order to defend the crew against infantry, a 8 mm (0.31 in) Breda machine-gun was added on a removable roof pintle mount. By mid-1943, it was sought to switch to the new widened M43 chassis, and the Army ordered 500 more units. In fact, only the next Semovente 75/46 was built on this M43 chassis, in small quantities.
German production and service
Because o delayed production, lack of manpower and training time, only a few were used by Italian troops in Italy, before the 8th September armistice. In November, about 36 tanks were confiscated by the Germans. They also ordered a second production run, which lasted until 1944, with 80 more SPGs being turned over. In German service these were called Sturmgeschütz M42 mit 75/34 851(i). These took part in the defense of the central/northern Italy and the Balkans.Semovente M42 da 75/34 specifications | |
| Dimensions (L-W-H) | 5.04 x 2.23 x 1.8 m (16ft 6in x 7ft 4in x 5ft 11in) |
| Total weight, battle ready | 15 tons |
| Crew | 3 (commander/gunner, driver, loader/radioman) |
| Propulsion | SPA M15 (15TB) V8 diesel, 192 hp (143.17 kW), 12.7 hp/ton |
| Suspension | Vertical volute springs |
| Maximum speed (road) | 40 km/h (25 mph) |
| Operational range | 230 km (143 mi) |
| Armament | Main: 75 mm (2.95 in) L34 modello 34, 42 rounds Secondary: 8 mm (0.31 in) Breda 38 machine gun, 1104 rounds |
| Armor | From 25 to 50 mm (1-2 in) |
| Total production | 190 |
Semovente M42 da 75/34 with operational markings in Italy, summer 1943.
Sturmgeschütz M42 mit 75/34 851(i), Balkans, 1944.
Links about the Semovente Da 75/34
The Semovente 75/34 on Wikipedia
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