German soldier riding a motorcycle in the snow of the Eastern Front. The temperature could have been as low as minus 40 °C, February 18, 1942.



Iceage  version 1942

Fiat-Ansaldo P 40 "heavy" (in weight terms, medium) tank of Waffen-Gebirgs (Karstjager) Brigade der SS (formerly 24 Waffen-Gebirgsdivision, "Karstjager"),  abandoned in southern Carinthia, June 1945.  The "Karstjager" succession of formations consisted, in the main, of north Italian and Sovenian ethnic Germans, ethnic Germans for other parts of the Balkans, and Slovenes.

Originally designed in 1940, in response for an obvious need for a heavier, more capable Italian tank, the P 40 did not enter production seriously until 1943 - so that most of the production was under German control.  103 units were produced.  

The P 40 incorporated a number of lessons from opposing Allied tanks, including the sloped armour of the T-34, and the capable 75mm Ansaldo L/43 cannon as main armament.   However, it retained the case-hardened, rivetted armour of earlier Italian tanks, which significantly compromised protection.

The P 40 was used by the Germans in a number of secondary, antipartisan units for the most part - as in the case of this vehicle.  Best regards, JR. 

Twilight of the Italian tank ...

German 2 cm FlaK 30 anti-aircraft gun during the Allied Operation Market Garden attack, Arnhem, Netherlands, Sep 1944.

Isn't this a nice one to color wlocho?
greetz,brummbar