Italian WW2 Trucks
Italian Royal Army WW2 softskin vehicles, trucks and staff cars
The topic of WW2 Italian Trucks (and as developed there, also tractors, staff cars, motorcycles...) thus, softskin vehicles used by the Regio Esercito (Italian Royal Army) is a wide and interesting one, including an array of industrialists and manufacturers, from Giants such as Fiat, or Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Bianchi, Isotta Fraschini or Breda, all located in the Indutrial North. All in all, almost 500,000 vehicles of all kinds, far less than tanks or AFVs, were serviced from 1940 to 1943, some seeing action in axis hands or Italian Republican Forces afterwards. This industry was still there in 1946 to ensure the restarting of Italian cold war Trucks and AFV needs.
The full list:
Autocarro Leggero:
Autocarretta OM
Autocarro Leggero Fiat 618
Autocarro Leggero SPA 36R
Autocarro Leggero SPA TL37
Autocarro Leggero SPA 38R
Autocarro Leggero SPA L39
Autocarro Sahariano A.S.37
Autocarro Medio:
Autocarro Medio Alfa Romeo 430
☍
Autocarro Medio Alfa Romeo 500
Autocarro Medio Bianchi Mediolanum
Autocarro Medio Bianchi Miles
Autocarro Medio Isotta Fraschini D65
Autocarro Pesante:
Autocarro Pesante Isotta Fraschini D80
Autocarro Pesante Alfa Romeo 800
Autocarri Pesanti Lancia Ro
Autocarri Pesanti Lancia 3Ro
Autocarro Pesante Fiat 633
Autocarro Gigante Fiat 634
Autocarro Unificato Bianchi Miles
Autocarro Unificato Fiat 626
Autocarro Unificato Fiat 665
Autocarro Unificato Fiat 666
Autocarri Unificati OM Taurus
Autocarri Unificati OM Ursus
Dovunque (All-Terrain Tractors)
Autocarri Dovunque 33 & 35
Autocarro Dovunque SPA 41
Autoblindato (Armored variants)
Autoprotetto S.37
Autotrasporto blindato SPA Dovunque 35
Fiat 665NM Autoprotetto
Autocannone (Self propelled guns)
Autocannone da 75/27 CK sur Ceirano 50 CMA
Autocannone da 75/27 mod.11 sur TL37
Autocannone da 90/53 sur Lancia 3Ro
Autocannone da 90/53 sur Breda 52
Autocannone da 100/17 sur Lancia 3Ro
Carro (Staff & Liaison cars)
Alfa Romeo 2500 C
Fiat 508M
Fiat 508CM
Fiat 1100
Lancia Aprilia Coloniale
(Artillery Tractors)
Trattore Fiat SPA TL37
Trattore Fiat SPA TM40
Trattore Pavesi
Trattrice Pesante Breda 32
Trattrice Pesante Breda 40
Trattore Cingolato Fiat A40
Trattore Cingolato Fiat OCI 708 CM
Trattore Semicingolato Breda 61
Italian Interwar Trucks
Italian industry giants such as FIAT and Lancia are only the most visible part of the Italian truck and car industry. This story started before WWI obviously. Trucks were the Lancia IZ, Fiat 15ter Ambulance, Fiat 15ter Lorry, Fiat 18BL Lorry for the best known. In 1915 the Italian government created an agency called
Mobilitazione Industriale (Industrial Mobilisation) to manage economic activities and labour relations in wartime. The latter attempted to control social conflict through both repression and new forms of collaboration. Military law was implemented in the factories and unskilled labour progressively replaced those called to the arms.
Alfa Romeo
Before going into the numerous cars used by the military, the "trifoglio" brand used to create more mundane vehicles: ALFA Pioneers in 1906 were the Frenchman Darracq, which created a subsidiary in Italy to produce his models, but in closed its doors three years after, bankrupt, until a group of Italian investors under the acronym ALFA (anonymous car factory of Lombardy) directed by Ugo Stella took it over. The manufacturing plant was at Portello, near Milan, and in it, first valveless models from 2,400 to 4,100 cm3, 4 cylinders, 4 valves were released. Soon ALFA decided it would be interested to chase after races for publicity and created a sports 6,100 cm3 with a 1913 valve engine, which met success. Sales remain modest until ALFA was purchased by Nicola Romeo.
The latter was a motor racing enthusiast with engineering talents and wanted to expand the firm. In 1920-1923 chief engineer Giuseppe Mérosi designed a 6-cylinder 2900 to 3000 cm3. Fist notable model was the 6-cylinder RL sport derived from wiser models with a 3-litre engine, 2 carburettors for 83 hp on the track, such as the Targa Florio and the competition arm of the company was soon headed by Vittorio Jano. Soon, many models were built, always made more famous by competition. Alfa as indeed the Ferrari of the 1930s. In fact one such pilot, Enzo, the founder, created its own brand. The company moslty delivered fast and luxurious cars, which were praised and used by Mussolini's regime, and this led to a staff car, the
Alfa Romeo 2500 Coloniale, of which only 150 were delivered to the Regio Esercito. On was given to Rommel in north africa as a goodwill gesture.
As for trucks, the company soon delivered from 1939 the Alfa Romeo 800, 6.5-ton, 4x2 Heavy Truck. Produced between 1940 and 1943 it served mainly in North Africa, Russia and occupied France, many being captured by the Germans and resued as "Lastkraftwagen 6,5 t Alpha (i) Typ 800 R.E.". Recoignisable to its cab-over-engine design this model was delined into the smaller Alpha 430 with a divided front bumper.
See also on tank encyclopedia
FIAT
During World War II, Fiat produced a range of trucks for military use by the Italian armed forces as well as for other Axis powers. One notable model was the Fiat 626, which was widely used by the Italian Army during the conflict. The Fiat 626 was a 3-ton truck that proved to be reliable and versatile, serving in various roles such as troop transport, cargo transport, and towing artillery pieces.
Additionally, Fiat also produced other trucks and military vehicles during this period, including armored cars and light tanks. These vehicles played significant roles in the various campaigns and battles fought by Axis forces during World War II.
It's worth noting that Fiat's contribution to the Axis war effort extended beyond trucks to include aircraft, engines, and other equipment. After the war, Fiat, like many other companies involved in the Axis war effort, faced challenges in rebuilding its reputation and diversifying its production to civilian needs in the post-war era.
Lancia
Lancia, another prominent Italian automotive manufacturer, produced trucks and other vehicles for military use during World War II. One of the notable models produced by Lancia during this time was the Lancia 3Ro.
The Lancia 3Ro was a medium-duty truck used by the Italian military as well as by Axis forces. It had a 3-ton payload capacity and was employed in various roles such as troop transport, cargo transport, and as a platform for mounting anti-aircraft guns.
Like Fiat, Lancia also contributed to the Axis war effort by producing other military vehicles and equipment. However, Lancia's production during the war was limited compared to Fiat, which was a larger manufacturer with greater industrial capacity.
After the war, Lancia, like many other Italian companies, faced challenges in recovering from the devastation of the conflict and adapting to post-war economic conditions. The company eventually shifted its focus back to producing civilian vehicles, becoming known for its luxury automobiles and innovative engineering.
Read More/Src
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Gli Autoveicoli tattici e logistici del Regio Esercito Italiano fino al 1943, vol. II, Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito, Ufficio Storico, Nicola Pignato e Filippo Cappellano, 2005.
Gli Autoveicoli del Regio Esercito nella Seconda Guerra Mondiale, Nicola Pignato, Storia Militare.
LA COLLEZIONE DI AUTOCARRI MILITARI ITALIANI DEL REGIO ESERCITO AL MUSEO STORICO ITALIANO DELLA GUERRA
AUTOMEZZI ITALIANI DELLA SECONDA GUERRA MONDIALE
Carri Armati e Veicoli da Combattimento Italiani della Seconda Guerra Mondiale
esercito.difesa.it Museo Storico della Motorizzazione Militare
museostorico.com
esercito.difesa.it
it.wikipedia.org cat
Video Channel
Summary
L. Trucks (Autocarro Leggere)
Breda-32
Breda 40
Breda 41
ОМ 32 Autocarretta da Montagna
ОМ 36DM
Camioneta AS.37 Sahariano
Camioneta AS.43
SPA CL39
SPA ТМ40
Fiat 618
Med. Trucks (Autocarro Medio)
Alfa Romeo 430RE
Alfa Romeo 800RE
Bianchi Miles
Ceirano-50СМ
FIAT-626 NM
Isotta Fraschini D65
Isotta Fraschini D80
SPA Dovunque-35
SPA Dovunque-41
SPA AS.37
SPA 38R
Autocarro Dovunque SPA 41/42
H. Trucks (Autocarro Gigante)
FIAT-633NM
FIAT-634N
FIAT-666
Fiat-661
Lancia Ro
Lancia 3Ro
Lancia EsaRo
ОМ Taurus
ОМ Titano
Autocarreta Mod.35
Autocarri Unificati Ursus
Staff Cars
Alfa Romeo 6С2500 Coloniale
Fiat 508M/CM Ballila
Fiat 1100 (1937) (Balilla-1100 Coloniale)
Lancia Aprilia Coloniale
Bianchi VM 6C
Fiat 2800 CMC
Artillery tractors
-FIAT SPA TL37
-Pavesi P4/100 MODELLO 30A
-Breda TP 32
-SPA TM 40
-Fiat OCI 708 CM
-Breda TP40
-L.3 trattore leggero (hypothetical) for da. 47/32
-Pavesi Р4.31 (L140)
-Fiat 727 half-track artillery tractor
-Semicingolato Breda Tipo 61 (SdKfz-7 under licence)
Motorcycles
-Benelli 500 M36/VLM
-Bianchi Supermil 500
-Gilera 500 LTE
-Moto Guzzi Alce/Trialce
-Volugrafo Aermoto 125
Latest entries
Autocarro Unificato Pesante O.M. URSUS (1939)
22.12.2024
The OM Ursus is a truck produced by Officine Meccaniche (OM) from 1939 to 1941. It equipped the Royal Army and Wehrmacht during the Second World War. It originated in the FIAT (via its subsidiary company OM) medium truck Taurus, declined into a heavy truck, Ursus, both sharing most elements and a fuel injection engine. The chassis was longer on the Ursus, but they had overall an extremely similar aspect. Taurus was the one manufactured in greatest numbers, with a gasoline version produced between 1940 and 1944 and also used by the Italian Royal army and after September 1943, the Wehrmacht. The military version Ursus was produced between 1940 and 1942 and differed in many aspects.
Fiat 634NM (1933)
30.03.2024 The Autocarro Fiat 626NM was an Italian medium truck produced by Fiat Veicoli Industriali as its first Forward Control model. It existed first in the civilian service, and was soon modified and adopted by the Italian Royal Army, with 7000+ produced until 1943 mostly for the army, used on all fronts as well as for the Regia Aeronautica. It was also produced for the Germans on a modified version in 1944-45 and civilian production resumed until 1948 for a grand total over 10,000 made. The Italian army used it until 1954.
FIAT-SPA 36R (1934)
25.09.2024
The SPA-36R light truck was born from the need of the Armed Forces to replace the now obsolete SPA-25 C/10 with studies launched in 1933 for a planned adoption in 1935. It was decided to create a standard declined into two basic models, the popular 38R and the 36R. The difference between the two was a liquid cooled engine for one, and an air-cooled engine for the other. The 36R was supposed to be used in the desert and mountainous areas as it needed air instead of water for the engine to be cooled down. In the first case due to scarcity and in the second, due to frozen water in sub-zero temperatures. It had also a horseshoe radiator grille and redesigned bonnet. However the 36R had little success and was produced in 2500 vehicles from 1934 to 1936, seeing mostly action in Libya in 1940-41, most being lost there.
SPA AS.37 (1937)
18.05.2024 The SPA AS.37 was an Italian military light truck of World War II. It was developed from 1937 based on the
TL.37 artillery tractor and tailored to carry a crew of three and payload in the North African desert. Compared to the tractor, it had an increased range of 900 km with added water tanks and its total capacity was up to 8 men between its flatbed and cabin. About 802 were manufactured (the Production went from 1938 to 1943), and it was declined into the
Autocarro Protetto 37 light armoured personnel carrier variant (200 built, Balkans-Italy). The AS 37 Sahariano was also declined into an heavily armed vehicle.
Fiat 634NM (1933)
23.03.2024 The Fiat 634NM was an Italian heavy truck ("Gigante") produced by Fiat Veicoli Industriali and nicknamed "Elefante". It existed first in the civilian service, and was soon modified to be adopted by the Italian Royal Army. Thousands were used by the Royal Army in WW2 where they performed a large varieties of duties on the battlefield, from troop to tank transport, supply and declined as self-propelled guns, often rearmed with older Regia Marina guns as portee for the North African Campaign.
Fiat SPA CL-39 (1939)
22.02.2024 The Fiat SPA CL-39 was designed as a more modern light lorry to complement the mountain truck, SPA OM series. It was largely produced and used on all fronts from Russia to the Balkans and North Africa. It's only variant was the Colonial version which had air conditioning, and the option of artillery tyres or regular pneumatics. With 5640 built until 1944 it became the most widespread of light lorries, distributed among mortar, howitzer, antitank and AA companies, used by the Regia Aeronautica as well.
Fiat 508 CM
13.01.2024 As with the Aprilia, the FIAT 508 Torpedo Coloniale also derived from a production car, the 508 C, better known as "Balilla". The 508CM was mainly used as staff car in North Africa. Robust, it was also suitable and used for off-road reconnaissance with higher axle ratio and larger tires (6.00 x 16) slightly longer chassis but greater weight at 1,200 kg. It was an interwar precedessor of true utility 4x4 vehicles such as the Jeep 3 years later. The CM was produced to around 6,000 vehicles and remained in service until 1960.
SPA Dovunque 35
12.12.2023 The SPA 35 was an Italian army light off-road truck by S.P.A., used both by the Royal Italian Army and Regia Aeronautica in the interwar, WW2 as well as postwar. Produced from 1935 to an unknown numbers, until 1948, the last were used in 1950 by the Army, after which it was passed onto civilian service. An extremely reliable, albeut old-fashioned vehicle it was delined into multiple variants, including the Breda SPAA and Blindato APC in 1943.
Autocarreta OM 32/35/36/37 (1929-1942)
07.11.2023 This small 4x4 lorry was asked for by the Italian Royal Army to be usable on the narrow mountain tracks usually used by mules, reflecting the experience of WWI in the Alps. After a competition, the 1929 prototype from Ansaldo was refined as the OM.32 after being transfered to the state O.M. (Officine Meccaniche) of Brescia. It was at first used in Africa, leading to refinements and the OM 35, then the OM 36 and its troop carrier variants, OM 37 and finally a railway truck variant used in WW2 in the Balkans...
Breda TP 32 (1932)
14/10/2023 The Breda TP 32 was a 4x4 artillery tractor made for towing heavy artillery between 1927 and 1934. Although obsolete when WW2 started it was still instrumental as the only suitable tractor for the Cannone da 149/35 and 149/40, howitzers 149/13, 210/22 and 305/17 as well as mortars 260/9. On April 1943 there were still 1,372 in service and it also served with the Hungarian army as only tractor for their 210/22 Ansaldo howitzers. More surprisingly it stayed in service with the Italian Railways until... 1980.
Fiat 618 C/MC Lorry (1935)
07.09.2023 The FIAT 618 was a 4x2 lorry with 1.2ton payload built by the thousands by FIAT SPA, with over 5,000 for the civilian market and some 4,000 for the military, declined into the C for "Coloniale" used in Ethiopia from 1935 and East Africa in WW2. Denied the Libyan theater, they were repatriated home but also soldiered in Spain (some 2,000 sent) and declined into multiple variants, AA trucks, artillery towers, ambulances, workshops, recovery, tankers, and in several services including the Regia Aeronautica. It was also mass produced in Poland by Poslki-Fiat as the PF 618 Grom, seeing action also in many variants in WW2.
Autocarro leggero FIAT SPA 38R (1933)
13.02.2022 The Fiat SPA 38R was a light 4x2 truck manufactured by S.P.A., a subsidiary of Fiat between 1933 and 1944, developed in parallel with the air-cooled powered SPA 36R. But the SPA 38R proved soon far more reliable and became the standard Italian light truck of WW2. It was so successful that France in emergency ordered 500 vehicles, 400 delivered before Italy declared war. The SPA 38R was declined into ten main versions, active on all fronts until the end of the war and post-war until 1948 with over 17,000 produced, until 1948 and only retired from 1953.
FIAT SPA TL.37 (1938)
15.11.2022 The TL.37 was an Italian artillery tractor manufactured by Società Piemontese Automobili (SPA), a subsidiary of Fiat. They were praised (even by the Aussies that captured them!) for their good off-road performances due to a torky Fiat engine and very large wheels, customary of Italian artillery tractors since WW1. The SPA TL 37 soldiered in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia and Russia, many captured by Germany after September 1943. It was used by the Italian Army until 1948 with a total production averaging 3,500 vehicles, conversions included, which were many.
Bianchi Miles (1938)
11.05.2022 The Bianchi Miles was a medium pure military truck built in very large quantity as the sole Milanese company model from 1939 to 1943. It derived from the 1935 Bianchi Mediolanum, and had a differently shaped cab. A turdy and popular model, it was largely used in Tunisia, Italy, and Russia, since it used a battery-driven starter. 10,000 were produced until production was taken over by Germany until late 1944. The Bianchi Civis was its peacetime, postwar variant produced in to the late 1950s.
Lancia 3Ro
05/05/2021
The Lancia 3Ro, or Autocarro Pesante Unificato Lancia 3Ro was an attempt to equip the Italian Army with a single, universal heavy truck to take on any purposes, including carrying tanks. It became by its mass production indeed the standard heavy truck of the Regio Esercito and took on other roles as self propelled guns as well or command vehicles. Production was also continued by the Germans after September 1943, and the vehicle was still used by the Italian Army until 1963.
Sources
on wikipedia.it
The 36R wiki
Italian WW2 trucks, the full picture
on wikipedia.fr
www.centoventesimo.com
centoventesimo.com (generic on Italian trucks)
On kfzderwehrmacht.de
On o5m6.de
Bianchi trucks
On min.news/en
On scalemates
On italie1935-45.com
Video HISTORICAL MONOGRAPH - Italian military truck Bianchi Miles (WW II)
Wiki EN
On https://www.o5m6.de
Wiki FR
Wiki IT
On kfzderwehrmacht.de
On asphm.com, rare video of the Pontiere.
On ww2db.com
Walkaround photos
On milweb.net
On armedconflicts.com
Video of the vehicle on muddy ground
Various kits on scalemates
lancia 3ro wikipedia.it
Hungarian use, in Polish
Web archive (V. Bourguignon)
On O5M6
In french (archive)
On the 90/53 portee
In french italie1935-45.com
Lancia forum
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