This category focuses on the Italian Tank Destroyer classes of World War Two. Here you will find an overview and specifications of Italian WW2 self-propelled guns and various prototypes. Italian appreciation of the need for well armored and effective tank destroyers came too late and at a great cost. Prior to the late 1930s, the threat to Italy was Germany and Austro-Hungary. A heavy Italian tank destroyer would be useless in the mountainous alpine border separating Italy from these nations. Italian tank destroyers were underpowered, thinly armored and few in number. The various successful engagements by Italian armored divisions are mainly due to the courage of the tank crews in aggressively engaging a superior force. The Semovente da 75/18 and the Semovente da 90/53 are noteworthy tank destroyers used by the Italians during the war.
The Semovente L40 da 47/32 Self Propelled Gun utilized the chassis of the L6/40 tank. It was first put into service in 1942 with approximately 300 built.