Semovente 90/53 Self-Propelled AA/AT Gun

The Semovente da 90/53 was the best armed Italian armoured vehicle of WWII. Its design was prompted by a desperate request from the Russian front. The CSIR urgently asked for ’something’ capable of knocking out the Soviet T-34 and KV-1 tanks. Ansaldo industries were asked to mount the 90/53 anti-aircraft gun on an armoured carriage to overcome this problem.

None were ever sent to the Russian Front. 24 Semovente 90/53s did see service against the Allies in the 10° Ragruppamento Semoventi, which was stationed in Sicily.

Semovente 90/53 Self-Propelled AA/AT Gun

Italian soldiers escort British prisoners

The Italians used the 90/53 as a multi-purpose weapon. The most common variant being the Lancia da 90/53, where the gun was mounted on a Lancia 3 RO 6-ton truck for ease of mobility. In this form they could be use for anti-aircraft, as an infantry support weapon or as a devastating anti-tank weapon.