Italian P40 Heavy Tank (German PzKfw P40 737(i))
The development of this Heavy "Pesante" Tank started in 1940, hence P40. However by the time of the Italian Armistice in Sept. 1943 on 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 Republica Sociale Italiana, the fascists 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 15 P40s to the Americans on the Austrian border at the end of the war.
The Breda MG shown on the vehicle in one picture is from our Italian Solothurn S1100 Anti-Tank Gun & Breda 8mm M1937 MG set. Please see Related Products below for more information.