Italy 1943-45

M4A1 mid production. H Company, 66th Tank Rgt. 2nd US Armored Division. Asuka kit, Star decals. 

M4A1 mid production. H Company, 66th Tank Rgt. 2nd US Armored Division. Asuka kit, Star decals. 

M4A1 mid production. H Company, 66th Tank Rgt. 2nd US Armored Division. Asuka kit, Star decals. 

PzKw IV Aufs G Sicily July 1943 

Italian Semovente M41 da 75/18 self propelled howitzer,Sicily, Italy, Jul. 1943 (Italeri Kit) 

M7 105mm HMC. 2nd Armored Division, Sicily, July 1943. Academy Kit 

Italian Semovente M41 da 75/18 self propelled howitzer,Sicily, Italy, Jul. 1943 (Italeri Kit) 

M7 105mm HMC. 2nd Armored Division, Sicily, July 1943. Academy Kit 

M7 105mm HMC. 2nd Armored Division, Sicily, July 1943. Academy Kit 

Italian Semovente M41 da 75/18 self propelled howitzer,Sicily, Italy, Jul. 1943 (Italeri Kit) 

M7 105mm HMC. 2nd Armored Division, Sicily, July 1943. Academy Kit 

Semovente M42 DA 75/18 SP Howitzer. Sassari Division, Rome, 9 September 1943. (Italeri Kit) 62 Assault guns were produced from Early 1943 to September 1943 on the M15/42 meduim tank chasis. Similar to earlier Semovente models but with improved powerplant (requiring lengthening of hull at rear). It was intednded as interim model while more powerful models were developed (better guns). On September 8th, The Italian Government arrested Mussolini and surrendered to the Allies. This Semovente was part of Italian troops the stood a fought German troops attempting to occupy Rome. 

Semovente M42 DA 75/18 SP Howitzer. Sassari Division, Rome, 9 September 1943. (Italeri Kit) 62 Assault guns were produced from Early 1943 to September 1943 on the M15/42 meduim tank chasis. Similar to earlier Semovente models but with improved powerplant (requiring lengthening of hull at rear). It was intednded as interim model while more powerful models were developed (better guns). On September 8th, The Italian Government arrested Mussolini and surrendered to the Allies. This Semovente was part of Italian troops the stood a fought German troops attempting to occupy Rome. 

M10 Tank Destroyer, 601st TD Battalion, Fall 1943. Tamiya kit, Star decals 

Semovente M42 DA 75/18 SP Howitzer. Sassari Division, Rome, 9 September 1943. (Italeri Kit) 62 Assault guns were produced from Early 1943 to September 1943 on the M15/42 meduim tank chasis. Similar to earlier Semovente models but with improved powerplant (requiring lengthening of hull at rear). It was intednded as interim model while more powerful models were developed (better guns). On September 8th, The Italian Government arrested Mussolini and surrendered to the Allies. This Semovente was part of Italian troops the stood a fought German troops attempting to occupy Rome. 

M10 Tank Destroyer, 601st TD Battalion, Fall 1943. Tamiya kit, Star decals 

M10 Tank Destroyer, 601st TD Battalion, Fall 1943. Tamiya kit, Star decals 

Canadian Sherman V, 3 Rivers, Dec 1943. Ortano 

M8 Greyhound, 1st Armored Recon Battalion, Anzio Front, April 1944. The M8 37mm GMC armored car's combat debut was in Italy in early 1944. These vehicles were issued to Cavalry and Armored Recon battalions as well as Tank Destroyer Recon elements. 

M8 HMC 758th Tank Battalion, attached to the 34th Infantry Div. Monte Casino, Dec 1943. 

M8 Greyhound, 1st Armored Recon Battalion, Anzio Front, April 1944. The M8 37mm GMC armored car's combat debut was in Italy in early 1944. These vehicles were issued to Cavalry and Armored Recon battalions as well as Tank Destroyer Recon elements. 

M8 Greyhound, 1st Armored Recon Battalion, Anzio Front, April 1944. The M8 37mm GMC armored car's combat debut was in Italy in early 1944. These vehicles were issued to Cavalry and Armored Recon battalions as well as Tank Destroyer Recon elements. 

Tiger I mid production, 508th sPzAbt. Anzio Perimeter February 1944. Tamiya Tiger 1 Mid Production kit, Star Decals. 

M5Al light tank, Recon Co., 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion, Italy 1944 

Pzkw 38t sIG 15cm AusF H, Dragon Kit. Italy, unit unknown. These SPG's were typically attached to Panzer Grenadier Regiments (Motorized Infantry) for mobile indirect fire support. 2 Guns per battery, 4 Batteriesper Company. 

Pzkw 38t sIG 15cm AusF H, Dragon Kit. Italy, unit unknown. These SPG's were typically attached to Panzer Grenadier Regiments (Motorized Infantry) for mobile indirect fire support. 2 Guns per battery, 4 Batteriesper Company. 

M4A1 early production (direct vision hoods), North of Rome, Summer 1944, 752nd Tank Battalion. Kit bashed from Asuka and Dragon parts, Star Decals 35-983. 

M4A1 early production (direct vision hoods), North of Rome, Summer 1944, 752nd Tank Battalion. Kit bashed from Asuka and Dragon parts, Star Decals 35-983. 

M4A1 early production (direct vision hoods), North of Rome, Summer 1944, 752nd Tank Battalion. Kit bashed from Asuka and Dragon parts, Star Decals 35-983. 

M4A1 early production (direct vision hoods), North of Rome, Summer 1944, 752nd Tank Battalion. Kit bashed from Asuka and Dragon parts, Star Decals 35-983. 

M4 75mm Medium Tank, mid production, US Army 756th Tank Battalion, C Company, January 1944, Gustav Line, Rapido River, Italy.

This Tank is the subject of a well-known photo in which it is stuck in a ditch with mud over the running gear. Such were the conditions in the 1943/44 Winter battles along the Gustav Line and the Anzio beach head.

The 756th Independent Tank Battalion was under 5th Army Corp command and typically assigned in direct support of an Infantry Division. The Battalion was one of 9 such units deployed to Italy in 1943-45. It would have consisted of 3 medium tank companies (17 M4 or M4A1 tanks) and 1 light tank company (17 M5A1 tanks).
 

M4 75mm Medium Tank, mid production, US Army 756th Tank Battalion, C Company, January 1944, Gustav Line, Rapido River, Italy.

This Tank is the subject of a well-known photo in which it is stuck in a ditch with mud over the running gear. Such were the conditions in the 1943/44 Winter battles along the Gustav Line and the Anzio beach head.

The 756th Independent Tank Battalion was under 5th Army Corp command and typically assigned in direct support of an Infantry Division. The Battalion was one of 9 such units deployed to Italy in 1943-45. It would have consisted of 3 medium tank companies (17 M4 or M4A1 tanks) and 1 light tank company (17 M5A1 tanks).
 

M4 75mm Medium Tank, mid production, US Army 756th Tank Battalion, C Company, January 1944, Gustav Line, Rapido River, Italy.

This Tank is the subject of a well-known photo in which it is stuck in a ditch with mud over the running gear. Such were the conditions in the 1943/44 Winter battles along the Gustav Line and the Anzio beach head.

The 756th Independent Tank Battalion was under 5th Army Corp command and typically assigned in direct support of an Infantry Division. The Battalion was one of 9 such units deployed to Italy in 1943-45. It would have consisted of 3 medium tank companies (17 M4 or M4A1 tanks) and 1 light tank company (17 M5A1 tanks).
 

M4 75mm Medium Tank, mid production, US Army 756th Tank Battalion, C Company, January 1944, Gustav Line, Rapido River, Italy.

This Tank is the subject of a well-known photo in which it is stuck in a ditch with mud over the running gear. Such were the conditions in the 1943/44 Winter battles along the Gustav Line and the Anzio beach head.

The 756th Independent Tank Battalion was under 5th Army Corp command and typically assigned in direct support of an Infantry Division. The Battalion was one of 9 such units deployed to Italy in 1943-45. It would have consisted of 3 medium tank companies (17 M4 or M4A1 tanks) and 1 light tank company (17 M5A1 tanks).
 

Italian heavy tank, P-40, in German service, Northern Italy, Spring 1945. At the onset of WWII, the Italian Army was struggling to arm itself with contemporary weapons, especially in terms of tanks. Tankettes and light tanks were mandated for narrow roads and mountainous terrain of its bordering neighbors/enemies and Colonial African needs. by 1939, medium tank development was begun resulting in the M39 through M42 series of tanks but after initial battles with British tanks in Libya, the need for something heavier was obviously needed. Designs for the P40 were drawn up in 1940, but this vehicle would not materialize until 1943, by which time it was rather obsolete. With the Italian surrender and subsequent German Occupation thereof, in September 1943, some 100 P40 tanks in various states of assembly were discovered in their factory. Under German supervision, these and a further 50 P40 were completed and put into service. 

Italian heavy tank, P-40, in German service, Northern Italy, Spring 1945. At the onset of WWII, the Italian Army was struggling to arm itself with contemporary weapons, especially in terms of tanks. Tankettes and light tanks were mandated for narrow roads and mountainous terrain of its bordering neighbors/enemies and Colonial African needs. by 1939, medium tank development was begun resulting in the M39 through M42 series of tanks but after initial battles with British tanks in Libya, the need for something heavier was obviously needed. Designs for the P40 were drawn up in 1940, but this vehicle would not materialize until 1943, by which time it was rather obsolete. With the Italian surrender and subsequent German Occupation thereof, in September 1943, some 100 P40 tanks in various states of assembly were discovered in their factory. Under German supervision, these and a further 50 P40 were completed and put into service. 

Italian heavy tank, P-40, in German service, Northern Italy, Spring 1945. At the onset of WWII, the Italian Army was struggling to arm itself with contemporary weapons, especially in terms of tanks. Tankettes and light tanks were mandated for narrow roads and mountainous terrain of its bordering neighbors/enemies and Colonial African needs. by 1939, medium tank development was begun resulting in the M39 through M42 series of tanks but after initial battles with British tanks in Libya, the need for something heavier was obviously needed. Designs for the P40 were drawn up in 1940, but this vehicle would not materialize until 1943, by which time it was rather obsolete. With the Italian surrender and subsequent German Occupation thereof, in September 1943, some 100 P40 tanks in various states of assembly were discovered in their factory. Under German supervision, these and a further 50 P40 were completed and put into service. 

M24 Light tank, US Army, 1st Armored Div. Bologna, Italy, April 1945. I originally built this old Testors/Italeri kit abt. 1995. I recently repaint it. 

M24 Light tank, US Army, 1st Armored Div. Bologna, Italy, April 1945.