Carro Pesante P26/40 Heavy Tank

The Carro Pesante (heavy tank) P26/40 was just starting testing when Italy surrendered to the Allies in September 1943. Germany seized the five prototypes and directed Italian company Ansaldo to produce the tank in german-held territory, designating it as the Panzerkampfwagen P40 737(i). The tank was riveted, not welded, which was a problem because the rivets would turn into shrapnel when the tank was hit. The Americans had the same problem with their M3 Lee/Grant series. About one hundred were built, but because of a shortage of engines, only about 40 were mobile. The rest were dug in as static pillboxes, especially at Anzio. Armed with a 75mm gun and a 8mm machine gun and weighed 26 tons (23.5 metric tons). The tank, while designated a heavy tank, was more comparable to the medium tanks operated by the major western powers. Date Estimated.