M15/42 tank

The Carro Armato M15/42 was an Italian medium tank of World War II. Italy begun production on 1 January 1943. By mid 1943, Italy had made 90 of them prior to the Italian Armistice on 8 September 1943. In connection to that event, Italian formations from the 135th Armoured Division Ariete II fought against German troops moving to disarm them in Rome, M15/42s were among the tanks they used in this battle. After that point, Germany confiscated all remaining M15/42s. Under the Germans an additional 28 incomplete M15/42s were produced. Basic armament was one 47 mm / L40 main gun and four 8 mm Breda 38 machine guns. The official Italian designation was Carro Armato M 15/42. This includes the designation ("armored tank"), the tank classification ("M" for medium tank), the weight in tonnes (15), and the year of adoption (1942).

The M15/42 was developed from the M13/40 and the M14/41. It had a more powerful engine and air filters to cope with the harsh conditions of the desert.

The turret had an improved (compared to the 47 mm / L32 on the M13) 47 mm / L40 main gun with an elevation of +20 degrees and a depression of –10 degrees. The turret operated electrically and could traverse 360 degrees. On top of the turret was an 8 mm Breda 38 machine gun for anti-aircraft defense, two more co-axial machine guns mounted the sides of the main gun and two more in the front of the M15/42.

The Semovente 75/34 self-propelled gun used the same chassis as the M15/42.