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The development
of this Heavy "Pesante" Tank atarted in 1940, hence
P40. However by the time of the Italian Armistice in
Sept. 1943 only one had been completed. Following the
armistice the Germans occupied Fiat's Genoa factory
and after taking the vehicle to Germany for trials,
decided to continue production for their own use and
to supply the RSI (Republica Sociale Italiana), the
facists who decided to continue fighting the Allies.
Records show
that 101 vehicles were built and supplied to Panzer
units in Italy with 3 being operated by the RSI.
The first known
combat was against British forces in Northern Italy
and some, without their engines, were encountered on
the Gothic Line and on the Tuscan coast. Interestingly
some saw combat in Yugoslavia against the Partizans.
Their last known action was when the 10th Polizei Panzer
Kompanie surrendered fifteen P40's to the Americans
on the Austrian border at the end of the war.
Previously
available in our Premier Range as IT09.
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