47/32 gun (Bersaglieri x2) (IT562)

47/32 gun (Bersaglieri x2) (IT562) Cannone da 47/32 Modello 35 The 47/32 initially started life as an Austrian design produced by Böhler. It quickly found its way onto the export market and was adopted by Italy who produced it under licence. It entered Italian service in 1935.

Two versions were produced, the first with semi-pneumatic disk wheels, and the second (from 1939) with an improved barrel and suspension.

Early attempts to tow the gun were abandoned after the axle construction didn’t prove robust enough. In the field the gun was either moved on foot by its crew or carried portee on a 3-ton truck.

The 47/32 proved an adaptable weapon and was used in a wide variety of roles. It was widely issued as an infantry gun. It was also used by the Alpini as a mountain gun because it could be rapidly broken down into 5 parts for pack loads.

Its most common and effective role was as an anti-tank gun, initially proving itself against the lightly armoured British tanks in the desert. The gun could fire armour piercing and high explosive projectiles.

The high explosive rounds could be fired out to 7,000 meters to provide infantry support. As the armour thickness of tanks increased, the 47/32 increasingly assumed this infantry support role.

In Flames Of War Service with the Bersaglieri found the 47/32 as a Combat Platoon in the Bersaglieri Anti-tank Platoon. They are also in the Motorised Anti-tank Platoons as a Support Platoon choices. Avanti Savoia introduces the Trench Guns special rule; this covers small, light and low guns such as the 47/32 that are hard to spot.

The Solothurn anti-tank rifle, 47/32 gun, and 65/17 gun are Trench Guns. As such they are rated as Infantry teams. However, the weight of the weapons and ammunition make them slower than normal riflemen. They can only move 4”/10cm instead of the normal 6”/15cm.

As Infantry teams, they are not hindered by Difficult or Very Difficult Going. Trench Guns are usually carried in vehicles rather than towed behind them. A transport vehicle can carry Trench Guns as normal passengers.

Trench Guns cannot move to launch an assault, counterattack, or consolidate. The crews stick with their weapons and defend them where they stand. However, having a 4”/10cm movement, they can usually Break Off or Flee to safety if they choose to do so. They have a range 24”/60cm, ROF 3, AT 7, FP 4+. Designed by Karl Crew by Evan Painted by Jeremy