Line up of Italian Air Force’s reconnaissance planes Caproni Ca.311M of 61st Gruppo Autonomo Osservazione Aerea (Autonomous Aerial Observation Group) on an completely snow covered Russian airfield, perhaps Stalino. Winter 1941-1942. Victor Sierra

The hard Russian winter

Semovente 90/53 Self-Propelled AA/AT Gun

The Semovente da 90/53 was the best armed Italian armoured vehicle of WWII. Its design was prompted by a desperate request from the Russian front. The CSIR urgently asked for ’something’ capable of knocking out the Soviet T-34 and KV-1 tanks. Ansaldo industries were asked to mount the 90/53 anti-aircraft gun on an armoured carriage to overcome this problem.

None were ever sent to the Russian Front. 24 Semovente 90/53s did see service against the Allies in the 10° Ragruppamento Semoventi, which was stationed in Sicily.


Semovente 90/53 Self-Propelled AA/AT Gun [2]

Version II of the P 50, without the 2 pushing engines of the Version I. DVX