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Italian Ariete, Littorio and Centauro armored divisions

Binding: Hardcover

Pages: 208

Recommended Reading selection

Read our review

See also more books on the same topic(s):
   Italy: Armored forces and operations
   Italy: Ground forces, OBs, and TOEs
   Italy: Ground operations and support
   Italy: Ground unit histories
   North Africa campaigns and the Mediterranean, 1940-1943: Forces, OBs, and TOEs
   North Africa campaigns and the Mediterranean, 1940-1943: Unit histories
   Tank operations

See also references to this book:
   Reference in news archive February 2004
   Reference in book review/survey May 2004
   Reference in book review/survey January 2005

Feedback from visitors

Feedback from Ian Bell on Tuesday, 13 July 2004

Rates this book:

Rates our review of this book:

A very worthwhile book on a very neglected area. The author demonstrates that the Italian's were capable of fighting bravely and well, especially when on the defensive. The book covers the technical aspects of Italian armoured development in sufficientdepth to give a proper historical perspective on how the introduction of the Sherman and 6 pounder shifted the balance against the axis forces in North Africa.

I purchased this after reading the Stone & Stone review and found it accurate. Theauthor's favourable bias does come out on a few occassions (such as his suggestion that an Italian Division should really be compared to a British Brigade and blaming the Germans for not knowing the details of the Trobruk defences)but is generally well balanced.

Highly recommended as it is likely to be the standard work on the subject for many years.

Feedback from Dominic Ciocca, Jr. on Friday, 28 October 2011

Rates this book:

Rates our review of this book: Not rated

For the doctrinal development of Italy's Armormed formations and to illuminate their strengths and many weaknesses, read Iron Arm: The Mechanization of Mussolini's Army 1020-1940 by J.J.T. Sweet. Otherwise I mostly concur with Mr.Bell's comments, above.

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20040513

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