German L6/40

system · August 11, 2021, 7:28pm

Italian-built L6/40 light tank in German markings, Balkans, Winter 1944/'45. L6/40 machines joined other second line deployment captured tanks in supporting the extensive German anti-partisan operation in the Balkans when, following the fall of Mussolini, they were appropriated from the Italians. Best regards, JR.

This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.ww2incolor.com/gallery/german-armored-forces-vehicles/35870/german-l640

brummbar · January 21, 2013, 8:31pm

I think these small,light tanks were very well suited for the kind of landscapes the partisans tended to hide in.Bigger tanks would be too cumbersome.

system · August 11, 2021, 7:28pm

_JR · January 22, 2013, 5:59pm

Agreed, brummbar. Taking this particular example, it was always quite a decent light tank; the problem was that because of the deficiencies of Italian medium tanks, it was often used in inappropriate front line duties. In an anti-partisan role, I suspect it was a lot more useful than the relatively well-armoured and armed, but slow and clumsy Char B-bis, for example. Best regards, JR.