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The Cannone da 75/32 modello 37 was an Italian field gun used during
The newly born 75/18 howitzers already presented major ballistic limitations, given that their maximum range was about 9 km, when the divisional artillery of the other European armies were not only of greater caliber, but also had significantly higher ranges, therefore the Arms and Ammunition Technical Service requested that a new elongated gun be studied to be mounted on the carriage of the 75/18 Mod 35 howitzer. The increase in the length of the gun, as well as the increase in range as artillery from campaign, was aimed at the use of the new piece in anti- tank function. The piece, designed to have as many parts as possible in common with the 75/18 howitzer, mounted a 34-gauge long barrel, was prepared at the Naples Arsenal and the prototype was presented in 1937 . This model, called 75/34 Mod. SF, was thus adopted by the Royal Army and production was assigned to Ansaldo . This intervened on the muzzle, shortening it and modifying the muzzle brake, thus obtaining the standard version 75/32 Mod. 1937.
The Cannone da 75/32 was designed by Ansaldo and the first examples were produced in 1937.
After Italy surrendered, guns captured by Germany were designated 7.5 cm FK248(i).
This gun was used in Russia with the ARMIR (ARMata Italiana in Russia - Italian Army in Russia) in the "201º Reggimento d'artiglieria motorizzato" and it had good results against the Soviet
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
. The designation indicates that the gun had a 75 mm caliber, the barrel was 32 caliber-lengths long and it was accepted for service in 1937.
History
The newly born 75/18 howitzers already presented major ballistic limitations, given that their maximum range was about 9 km, when the divisional artillery of the other European armies were not only of greater caliber, but also had significantly higher ranges, therefore the Arms and Ammunition Technical Service requested that a new elongated gun be studied to be mounted on the carriage of the 75/18 Mod 35 howitzer. The increase in the length of the gun, as well as the increase in range as artillery from campaign, was aimed at the use of the new piece in anti- tank function. The piece, designed to have as many parts as possible in common with the 75/18 howitzer, mounted a 34-gauge long barrel, was prepared at the Naples Arsenal and the prototype was presented in 1937 . This model, called 75/34 Mod. SF, was thus adopted by the Royal Army and production was assigned to Ansaldo . This intervened on the muzzle, shortening it and modifying the muzzle brake, thus obtaining the standard version 75/32 Mod. 1937.
The Cannone da 75/32 was designed by Ansaldo and the first examples were produced in 1937.
After Italy surrendered, guns captured by Germany were designated 7.5 cm FK248(i).
This gun was used in Russia with the ARMIR (ARMata Italiana in Russia - Italian Army in Russia) in the "201º Reggimento d'artiglieria motorizzato" and it had good results against the Soviet T-34
The T-34 is a Soviet medium tank introduced in 1940. When introduced its 76.2 mm (3 in) tank gun was less powerful than its contemporaries while its 60-degree sloped armour provided good protection against anti-tank weapons. The C ...
tank.
Some were acquired by the Peruvian Army
The Peruvian Army ( es, Ejército del Perú, abbreviated EP) is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with safeguarding the independence, sovereignty and integrity of national territory on land through military force. Additional missi ...
before the Ecuadorian–Peruvian War
The Ecuadorian–Peruvian War, known locally as the War of '41 ( es, link=no, Guerra del 41), was a South American border war fought between 5–31 July 1941. It was the first of three military conflicts between Ecuador and Peru during the 20th ...
of 1941.
Technicalities
The barrel was one piece and in the prototype it was equipped with a muzzle brake. The rifling had a step of 20 calibers. The mount, similar to that of the 75/18 Mod. 1934/1935, had metal spoked wheels, originally in Elektron, an alloy ofMagnesium
Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg and atomic number 12. It is a shiny gray metal having a low density, low melting point and high chemical reactivity. Like the other alkaline earth metals (group 2 of the periodic ta ...
and Aluminium
Aluminium (aluminum in American and Canadian English) is a chemical element with the symbol Al and atomic number 13. Aluminium has a density lower than those of other common metals, at approximately one third that of steel. I ...
, then later it got replaced by sheet steel. The wheels had a diameter of 1,3 meters (3,28 ft) with a semi-pneumatic ring, and an elastic torsion bar suspension. The maximum towing velocity for this piece was 60 km/h (37,2 mph), superior to the one normally used for light artillery. The split-tails could fold in two elements, obtaining a length gear configuration that was quite limited.
The piece was able to shoot both a projected foil on two charges (so on two different muzzle velocities) and a projected foil in one charge. From 1943 onwards it was provided with a 12 mm thick shield and a faster loading system to allow an easier engagement with armored vehicles.
Version
The base of the cannon 75/34 Mod. SF was used for the hard and self-propelled guns, in particular for the type of P 26/40.See also
*Italian Army equipment in World War II
The following is a list of equipment used by the Royal Italian Army (''Regio Esercito''), Italian Air Force (''Regia Aeronautica''), and Royal Italian Navy (''Regia Marina'') during World War II.
Bayonets
Small arms
Handguns
Rifles ...
References
* ''Artillery'' by Chris Chant, published by Amber Books, World War II artillery of Italy 75 mm artillery Gio. Ansaldo & C. artillery Military equipment introduced in the 1930s {{artillery-stub