Existing comment:
Semovente M41M da 90/53 (self-propelled 90mm 53 caliber gun), Italy.
Initial production 1942.
The Italian army sought a gun within its arsenal which could destroy heavily armored Allies tanks. An antiaircraft gun, the 90/53, met that need. This 90mm, 53 caliber gun was as powerful as the dreaded German 88mm gun, which also began as an antiaircraft gun before its tank killing abilities were discovered. Mounted atop a Semovente M14/41 tank chassis, the 90/53 had a radius of action of 124 miles on roads and a top speed of 20 mph. The crew of four could traverse the gun 80 degrees to take on ground targets. The U.S. Army captured this vehicle in Sicily. |