Semovente da 75/18 After looking at the Tactical markings of the Italian tanks I now move on to the markings of the Semovente 75/18s and look at a little of their history. Left: Semovente da 75/18.

The Semovente 75/18 was produced as an interim armoured fighting vehicle with both heavier armament and armour than the M13/40 or M14/41. The Regio Esercito (Italian Royal Army) had the development of a heavy tank underway, but could see the need for a vehicle to fulfil this gap while waiting for the new tank. Taking an idea developed by the Germans with the Sturmgeschutz, the Italians took their standard M14/41 hull and redesigned the superstructure to mount the 75/18 Ansaldo gun. Combined with the 75mm EP round (Effetto Pronto) made the Semovente 75/18 a quite devastating anti-tank weapon. Right: A semovente of the V Battalion attached to the Ariete Armoured Division.

Left: M41 Carro Comando. The first batteries were sent to Libya in January 1942 where they soon proved their worth, knocking out the Grants and Shermans of the British. The 16 Semoventi and 8 command tanks were assigned to the 132ma Divisione Corazzata Ariete (132nd Ariete Armoured Division) and were part of the divisional artillery regiment. Below right: A rear view of a Semovente from the V Battalion showing the position of the rear hull yellow and black triangle.

Above left: A Semovente of the second Gruppo sent to Libya, you can just make out the smaller yellow and black triangle pointing up.   Organisation Left: In 1942 a Semovente Gruppo (Assault gun battalion) was organised as shown (left). Later in 1943 some Gruppo had 6 Semovente 75/18 per battery.

Markings The Semovente 75/18 did not seem to conform to the same tactical markings system as the Tanks. The first Semovente Gruppo (the V assault gun battalion) of the 132nd Ariete Artillery regiment that went to Libya in 1942 bore a Yellow triangle (pointed down) with a black band to the top and outlined in black. The second Gruppo had a smaller version of the same triangle, but pointed upward. Other Semovente Gruppi used other geometric shapes such as diamonds, while others seemed to have used no special symbol at all.

Another common practice was to name Semovente 75/18 and Carro Comandos after vintage firearms. Some examples: Sparatoria Carabina Moschetto Archibugio Pistola Cannone Fucile Fucile da caccia

Well I hope this gives you a little inspiration to add a some punch to your Italian Force. Wayne P.S. We also have Italian decals!