P40 Heavy Tank

Development

Even before they had entered the war in 1940, the Italian army recognized that it would need a new, heavier tank to keep up with foreign designs. At 26 tons, the new tank was planned to be twice as heavy as the M13/40 medium tank about to enter service. Faced with numerous specification changes and no suitable engine, Fiat Ansaldo, the company that designed all Italian tanks, took until late 1942 to complete the prototype.

The new P40 heavy tank matched any tank on the drawing boards in 1941 and was similar to the latest medium tanks in service in late 1942—the M4 Sherman, T-34 and Panzer IV tanks.
Still, with nothing better in sight, full-scale production began in early 1943. Unfortunately the SPA engine factory in Turin had been bombed, and this combined with a shortage of electrical parts and optics, meant that although parts for more than 70 tanks were available when Italy surrendered in September 1943, only 22 tanks had been completed.

Hypothetical Combat Service

With victory in sight at El Alamein, a small pre-production batch of P40 heavy tanks joined the armored divisions in the desert. The first companies of P40 heavy tanks arrived in Africa just in time for the pivotal Second Battle of El Alamein. These were split up to support the medium tanks as they counterattacked the British armored divisions. More of these tanks fought in the Tunisian campaign where they allowed the Italian carristi to take on US and British tankers on equal terms for the first time.

In Flames Of War

Despite its heavy tank label, the P40 is a conventional medium tank. Its 50mm-thick armor and 75mm gun match that of other participants and far outstrips the 30mm armor and 47mm guns of the older Italian medium tanks. With its powerful new motor, it is considerably faster as well.

In German Service

When Italy surrendered, the Germans seized the P40 heavy tanks and ordered another 75. Due to the engine shortage, half of the total were to be delivered without engines. These were mounted in the Gothic Line as bunkers in 1944. The rest were issued to the SS for anti-partisan work.