The ''Camionetta Desertica'' Model 42 (also known as the SPA-Viberti AS.42 or ''Sahariana'') was an Italian reconnaissance car of

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 AS.42 (Africa Settentrionale = North Africa) was developed by SPA- Viberti using the same chassis as the

AB 41 The Autoblindo 40, 41 and 43 (abbreviated AB 40, 41 and 43) were Italian armoured cars produced by Fiat-Ansaldo and which saw service mainly during World War II. Most ''autoblinde'' were armed with a 20 mm Breda 35 autocannon and a coaxia ...

armoured car, including its four-wheel steering, but with a 2x4 transmission specifically for desert operations, primarily in a reconnaissance role. Its origins trace back to requests stemming from units operating on the North African front for a long range, highly maneuverable vehicle, similar to those widely used by the highly successful British reconnaissance and raiding force, the

Long Range Desert Group The Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) was a reconnaissance and raiding unit of the British Army during the Second World War. Originally called the Long Range Patrol (LRP), the unit was founded in Egypt in June 1940 by Major Ralph Alger Bagnold, acti ...

(LRDG).

Design

The AS.42 was a 4x2 unarmored vehicle with a boat hull based on the chassis of the

armored car, but with a 2x4 transmission. The SPA ABM 3 6 cylinder petrol engine was located in the rear which gave enough space in the middle of the hull to accommodate up to five fully equipped men and weapons, though the mission crew seldom exceeded three or four. The open compartment's only overhead protection was a waterproof canvas sheet. Besides the driver’s seat, the crew that served the on board weapons were seated on four folding seats on the sides. The AS 42 had internal fuel tanks of 145 liters with an additional 20 jerrycans externally mounted on both sides between the wheels plus 4 on the front fenders, holding a total of 80 liters of water and 400 liters of fuel. A full fuel tank and the additional fuel canisters allowed a maximum range of . A second model, called ''Camionetta'' II or ''Metropolitana'', entered service in Italy in 1943. It differed from the first model by the absence of the two upper side rows of petrol jerrycans, replaced by two large caissons for ammunition, and the presence of a canvas top. In addition, this version was fitted with new Pirelli Artiglio, Sigillo Verde or Raiflex tires adapted to mud and snow of the mainland, unlike the previous Pirelli Tipo Libia or Superflex sand tires.

Armament

The vehicles were fitted with a main weapon that was a

Breda Model 35 The Breda 20/65 mod.35 (''"Breda 20 mm L/65 model 1935"''), also simply known as 20 mm Breda or Breda Model 35, among other variations, was an Italian anti-aircraft gun produced by the Società Italiana Ernesto Breda of Brescia company ...

autocannon or a 20 mm

Solothurn S-18/1000 The Solothurn S18-1000 20 mm was a Swiss anti-tank rifle used during the Second World War. It was a variant of the earlier S-18/100 with modifications for a higher muzzle velocity, as well as a larger cartridge size. The more powerful am ...

anti-tank rifle or, for heavier firepower, a Breda M35. The second model did not make use of the S-18/1000. In addition, they were fitted with one or two 8 mm Breda model 37 machine-guns.

Service

The AS 42 ''Sahariana'''s performance was very good . From September to November 1942, the first batch of 14 vehicles was delivered to the Regio Esercito. The unit that gave the AS 42 its baptism of fire in November 1942 was the “''Raggruppamento Sahariano AS''”. The good results achieved by the “Raggruppamento Sahariano AS” quickly led to the formation of at least four more “''Compagnia Arditi Camionettisti''”: the 103rd, 112th, 113th, and 123rd. The Sahariana was operated solely by desert raiding parties operating against the

. Its low profile allowed it to hide behind the dunes and wait for the arrival of the enemy unseen, and its great capacity for autonomous action allowed it to chase enemy forces for long periods. The AS.42 participated in the final stages of the Libyan campaign and the entire campaign in Tunisia. It was mainly assigned to aviation companies of the Auto-Saharan Company and the 103rd Battalion. Surviving vehicles were later used by the 2nd Battalion of the 10th Regiment in the defense of

Sicily (man) it, Siciliana (woman) , population_note = , population_blank1_title = , population_blank1 = , demographics_type1 = Ethnicity , demographics1_footnotes = , demographi ...

and southern Italy. The same unit and the Motorized Assault Battalion employed the “Sahariana” and “Metropolitana” models in the defence of Rome on 8 September 1943. After that, a few Saharianas stayed in Northern Italy with Mussolini’s Italian Social Republic. Seven vehicles fought on the Eastern Front as part of the 2. ''Fallschirmjäger'' Division. They were in service throughout 1944 and 1945 as reconnaissance vehicles on the Eastern Front, in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. In 1943 the Polizia dell’Africa Italiana, including the “Barbarigo” battalion of the Xª MAS Flotilla. On June 4, 1944 an AS.42 stumbled across an

M4 Sherman } The M4 Sherman, officially Medium Tank, M4, was the most widely used medium tank by the United States and Western Allies in World War II. The M4 Sherman proved to be reliable, relatively cheap to produce, and available in great numbers. It ...

that sent a shell through the vehicle, destroying both front and rear spare tires. The end of the war didn't mean the end of the AS 42’s service, as a dozen of these vehicles were supplied to the

Polizia di Stato The ''Polizia di Stato'' (State Police or P.S.) is one of the national police forces of Italy. Alongside the Carabinieri, it is the main police force for providing police duties, primarily to cities and large towns, and with its child agencie ...

and, modified by the removal of weapons, pioneering tools, and Jerry cans, were painted amaranth red. They were used in Udine and Bologna until 1954. Some were produced (number unknown) specifically for the Italian State Police in 1946.

Notes

References

*Vanderveen, Beard: ''The Observer's Fighting Vehicles directory (World War II)'' * * *

External links