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The Semovente da 105/25 was the best Italian armoured vehicle of the Second World War, but it was only just entering service at the time of the Italian armistice. It was based on the M 15-42 medium tank, an improved version of the standard M 13 and M 14 medium tank, with a longer fuselage and more powerful motor. This tank was developed during 1942, but by this time the Italian Army preferred to use self-propelled guns.
The Semovente da 105/25 used the M 15-42 fuselage, but with the turret removed and a 105mm 105/25 gun installed in the centre of the front of the superstructure. It also had heavier armour than the M 15 tank. The vehicle was nicknamed the Bassatto (Dachshund). This chassis was known as the M 43 and was used on a number of other self-propelled guns. The design of the Semovente da 105/25 was standardised on 2 April 1943.
The Italian Army ordered 494 Semovente da 105/25s, but only thirty were completed before the Italian armistice of September 1943. Some had been issued to the 134th Ariette II Armoured Division, which at the time of the armistice was based close to Rome. A further 91 were completed after the armistice and were used by the RSI (army of the rump Fascist state in northern Italy) and by the Germans. Unlike many Italian armoured vehicles taken over by the Germans the Semovente da 105/25 was used against the Allies fighting in Italy rather than against partisans. It was also used in the Balkans. The Germans gave it the designation Sturmgeschutz M43 mit 105/25 853(i).
Weight: 35,274lb
Crew: 3
Armament: One 105mm L/25 gun and one 8mm Breda Model 38 machine gun
Engine: 190hp Fiat SPA 15 TB eight cylinder liquid cooled inline engine
Armour: 14mm-70mm
Speed: 22 miles
Length: 16ft 8.8in
Width: 7ft 10.5in
Height 5ft 10.9in