Obice da 75/18 modello 34

The Obice da 75/18 modello 34 was an Italian artillery piece used during World War II.

Obice da 75/14 modello 34
Type	Howitzer
Place of origin	Italy
Service history
In service	1934–1945
Used by	Italy Portugal
Wars	World War II Portuguese Colonial War
Production history
Designer	Sergio Belese
Manufacturer	Ansaldo
No. built	Approx 600 [1]
Specifications
Mass	Mod.34: 1,065 kg (2,348 lb) Travel 780 kg (1,720 lb) Combat Mod.35: 1,832 kg (4,039 lb) Travel 1,050 kg (2,310 lb) Combat
Barrel length	1.557 m (5 ft 1.3 in) L/20.75
Shell	75 x 232.5mmR
Shell weight	6.4 kg (14 lb 2 oz)
Caliber	75 mm (2.95 in)
Carriage	Box trail (Modello 34) Split trail (Modello 35)
Elevation	-10° to +45°
Traverse	50°
Muzzle velocity	425 m/s (1,395 ft/s)
Maximum firing range	9,564 m (10,459 yd)

Obice de 75/18 modello 35 on display at the Musée des Blindés in Saumur

History

The Italian army has always had an interest in mountain artillery due to the mountainous terrain of its borders. By the 1930s much of this artillery was obsolescent and overdue for replacement.^[2]

In 1934, the Italian firm of Ansaldo produced a new mountain howitzer design, the Obice da 75/18 modello 34, designed by Lt. Colonel Sergio Berlese who served in the Italian artillery. The modello 34 could be broken down into eight loads for transport. In the interest of standardization and logistics a version of the 75/18, the modello 35, was also used as the light howitzer component of normal field batteries. The modello 35 did not break down into smaller loads and had a split, rather than box, trail.^[3]

The Modello 34 first saw action in the Spanish Civil War, and later was used in Greece, Yugoslavia, and France. The Modello 35 was mostly used on the Russian Front and in Italy. Weapons captured by Germany were given the designation 7.5cm GeBH-254(i) (for the Modello 34) and 7.5cm FH-255(i) (for the Modello 35). The guns were also used by the Republic of Servia.^[4]

The Italians sold the modello 35 abroad in order to obtain foreign currency. In 1940 a sizable batch was sold to Portugal, and more went to South American countries^[5] in exchange for raw materials.

The Modello 34 was used as the main armament of the Semovente 75/18 self-propelled gun where, due to its "Effetto Pronto" (HEAT) ammunition, it also had a adequate anti-tank capability.^[6]

In 1941 some captured pieces were used against the Germans by the forces of the Commonwealth during the Battle of Crete^[5] and were probably present in the defence of Maleme airfield. Two of them are currently displayed next to the Battle of Crete monument in Heraklion.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Cannone da 75/32 modello 37