Fiat M14/41

Fiat M14/41

Fiat M14/41.
Type Medium tank
Place of origin  Italy
Service history
Used by  Italy
 Australia
 United Kingdom
Nazi Germany Nazi Germany
Wars World War II
Production history
Manufacturer Fiat
Produced 1941-1942
Number built 800
Specifications
Weight 14 t (14 long tons)
Length 4.92 m (16 ft 2 in)
Width 2.20 m (7 ft 3 in)
Height 2.38 m (7 ft 10 in)
Crew 4

Armour 6-42 mm
Main
armament
47 mm / L 32
Secondary
armament
2 × Breda 38 8 mm machine guns (one coaxial, one anti-aircraft)
Engine SPA 15-TM-40 eight-cylinder diesel engine
145 hp
Suspension vertical volute spring
Operational
range
200 km (124 mi)
Speed 32 km/h (22 mph)

The Fiat M14/41 was a four person medium tank that served from 1941 in the Royal Italian Army. The official Italian designation was Carro Armato M 14/41. The tank was first employed in the North African Campaign where its shortcomings quickly became apparent.

History

Development

The M14/41 was a slightly improved version of the earlier Fiat M13/40 with a more powerful diesel engine. It was produced in limited numbers as it was considered already obsolete by the time of its introduction. The M14/41 used the same chassis as the M13/40 but with a redesigned hull with better armour. The M14/41 was manufactured in 1941 and 1942. Nearly 800 were produced by the time production ended.

In combat

Italian M14/41 tanks in depot, September 1943.

The tank was first employed in the North African Campaign where its shortcomings quickly became apparent. The vehicle was unreliable, cramped, and caught fire easily when hit. Following the withdrawal of Italian forces from North Africa the M14/41 was rarely encountered, though many captured vehicles were pressed into service by British and Australian forces to fill the serious shortage of Allied tanks in 1941. These vehicles did not remain in Allied service for long.

Variants

The M14/41 served as the chassis for the far more successful Semovente 90/53 heavy tank destroyer.

Bibliography

  • Trewhitt, Philip (1999). Armored Fighting Vehicles. New York, NY: Amber Books. p. 29. ISBN 0-7607-1260-3.

External links