Background on the Semovente da 75/34
The Semovente da 75/34 is an Italian Self-Propelled Gun (SPG) developed in World War Two and saw limited action in Italy and the Balkans. Introduced in late 1942, it entered service on 29 April 1943. This SPG utilized the longer barreled 75 mm L34 gun attached to the M15/42 chassis. Fiat-Ansaldo built a total of 192 of these units. In 1943, the Regio Esercito placed orders for 500 more with the widened M 43 chassis. After the Armistice of 8 September 1943, Germany assumed custody of the remaining Semovente da 75/34’s and utilized them in Rome and the Balkans as the Sturmgeschütz M42. Eighty units were constructed following the armistice.
Semovente da 75/34
Combat Use
The Regio Esercito employed the Semovente 75/34 following the Armistice of Italy in the defense of Rome. Between 08-12 September 1943, the CXXXV Gruppo of the 135th Division Ariete II fought the Germans. A number of these SPG’s were destroyed and the rest fell into German hands. Germany utilized this vehicle in Italy and the Balkans until 1945.
The Semovente 75/34 prototype at the Ansaldo factory in Genoa, Italy, 26 February 1943.
Specifications
| Model | Semovente da 75/34 |
|---|---|
| Crew | 3 Commander, Driver and Loader |
| Horizontal Traverse | 20° |
| Vertical Traverse | -18° to +18° |
| Range | 200 km |
| Weight | 15 tons |
| Armament | 75 mm Cannone da 75/34 (46 rounds) Breda Mod. 38 MG (1104 rounds) |
| Length | 16.53 ft (5.04 m) |
| Width | 7.3 ft (2.23 m) |
| Height | 6.07 ft (1.85 m) |
| Powerplant | SPA 15 TB M42 8 cylinder petrol engine 192 HP |
| Speed | 15-40 km/h |
| Armor | 50 mm/Front 14.5 mm/Sides |
