Iron Hulls, Iron Hearts: Mussolini's three armoured divisions - Ariete, Littorio and Centauro

It may be unfair but the fact is that the Italian Army of World War II has been saddled with an unfortunate reputation. And not just in the eyes of the Allies, even Rommel’s Afrika Korps said some very unkind things about their Axis comrades at times.

This much-needed book goes a long way to redress the balance.

It is the story of the three Italian armoured divisions,
Ariete,
Littorio and
Centauro
in the North African campaign from their first action through to the end in Tunisia.

Of course the biggest problem the Italians had was their tanks. Even their best model, the M14/41 was poorly built by British, never mind German standards and never carried anything more powerful than a 47mm gun. Yet for all that these tanks were in the thick of the action, right up to the end, and on some occasions did very well. The appearance of the 75mm Semovente was a considerable boost, and quite a shock to the Allies.

Ian W Walker
Hardcover Crowood Press 208 pages 2003 1st Ed

Fine/Fine