M14/41 tank
| Fiat M14/41 | |
|---|---|
 Destroyed Fiat M14/41 used by Germans during the Warsaw Uprising. | |
| Type | Medium tank |
| Place of origin |  Italy |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Italy Australia United Kingdom Nazi Germany |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Fiat |
| No. built | 1800 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 14 tonnes |
| Length | 4.92 m |
| Width | 2.20 m (7.21 ft) |
| Height | 2.38 m |
| Crew | 4 |
| Armor | 6-42 mm |
Main armament | 47 mm gun |
Secondary armament | 2 X Modello 38 8mm machine guns (one coaxial, one anti-aircraft) |
| Engine | SPA 15-TM-40 eight cylinder gasoline engine 125 hp (114.84 kW) |
| Suspension | vertical volute spring |
Operational range | 200 km (124 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 32 km/h (22 mph) |
The Fiat M14/41 was a four person medium tank that served from 1941 in the Royal Italian Army. The official Italian designation was Carro Armato M 14/41. The tank was first employed in the North African Campaign where its shortcomings quickly became apparent.
History
Development
The M14/41 was a slightly improved version of the earlier Fiat M13/40 with a more powerful diesel engine. It was produced in limited numbers as it was considered already obsolete by the time of its introduction. The M14/41 used the same chassis as the M13/40 but with a redesigned hull with better armor. The M14/41 was manufactured in 1941 and 1942. Nearly 800 were produced by the time production ended.
In combat
The tank was first employed in the North African Campaign where its shortcomings quickly became apparent. The vehicle was unreliable, cramped, and caught fire easily when hit. Following the withdrawal of Italian forces from North Africa the M14/41 was rarely encountered, though many captured vehicles were pressed into service by British and Australian forces to fill the serious shortage of allied tanks in 1941. These vehicles did not remain in Allied service for long.
Variants
The M14/41 served as the chassis for the far more successful Semovente 90/53 heavy tank destroyer.
Bibliography
- Trewhitt, Philip (1999). Armored Fighting Vehicles. New York, NY: Amber Books. p. 29. ISBN 0-7607-1260-3.
External links
- M13/40, M14/41 Medium Tanks at wwiivehicles.com
- Polish site about Fiat M14/41 with many pictures