Italians in Russia

Luca · Post by **Luca** » Mon May 28, 2007 3:49 am

Hi, the new website special offer a huge selection of Italians. Now I'm woorking on eastern front and starting a western front with american and canadians. I have no intention to make africans for the next 1 or 2 years. But this is not a good reason to wait to make some italians in russia!

I've reed some where that the Italians went in russia with just some tankette and some light tank. Were they the M 13/40 now on sale?

Thank You! L.

ateal · Post by **ateal** » Mon May 28, 2007 9:09 am

The only Italian tanks on the Eastern Front (excluding the Balkans) was in the 3e Divisione Celere, LXVII Battaglion Bersaglieri Corazzato (L6/40 light tanks) and XIII Gruppo Semoventi (one squadron of Semoventi da 47/32).
From Eastern Front Armour Camouflauge and Markings, 1941 to 1945 by Steven Zaloga and James Grandsen.

Also of interest is the order of battle pages:
http://niehorster.orbat.com/019_italy/__italy.htm

Tony

groundlber · Post by **groundlber** » Mon May 28, 2007 9:17 am

Luca - The Italian forces in Russia had light tank battalions as part of their [/i]Celere (mobile) divisions. These divisions had a four company battalion of light tanks. The tanks were L3's until 1942, when they were re-equipped with L6's. This information is from an old issue of The Europa Magazine. Europa was (is?) not a tactical game, but the players included some dedicated order of battle researchers and bayonet counters. Osprey also had a book on Germany's east front allies, someone with access to this might have some more information. Hope this helps.
Groundlber

Mk 1 · Post by **Mk 1** » Mon May 28, 2007 12:52 pm

As the preceeding postings have indicated ... no M13s on the Russian front.

And precious few L6s or Semovente di 47s, either.

If you want an Italian army for the Eastern Front, you need infantry. Lots of infantry. And as much artillery as you can grab. Not that the Italians were rich in artillery, mind you, but at least you can justify having SOME. Oh, and those 47mm (Bohler) AT guns. you need them. They don't help much, but they are better than nothing. Well, not much better than nothing, but...

However, if you are looking at the specials, grab yourself some of the Autoblindas. They served on the Eastern front. Not going to stop any T-34s with them, but at least you'll have something to push around the table as you play duck-and-dodge.

Luca · Post by **Luca** » Mon May 28, 2007 2:32 pm

Sure I buy some Autoblindo! They're great! They were also used by the germans after the september 1943. Thank You all! L.

dnichols · Post by **dnichols** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 9:23 pm

Sure there were no M13s on the Eastern front historically but that doesn't mean that you could not experiment with "what ifs?".

I have played out some scenarios with Italian tanks on the east front and had a good time pushing early war Russian tanks against M13's.

---Daryl