The P40, with its 75/34 cannon set up on rotating turret and 26 tons, is considered the most powerful tank in effect with all the Italian Army during World War II. The Italian tank of this time, it featured revolutionary characteristics including front and sides primary body angled plates that were nevertheless bolted together as opposed to welded. It had an acceptable speed, about 40 km/h (25 mph). Designs began in 1940 but development was long with difficulties. In 1943, the very first definitive version was ready for manufacturing. Because of the armistice and Northern Italy German occupation, all P40s had been operative utilizing the German Army. About three dozens had been ground buried along the Gothic line as tiny fortress without machines as a result of materials difficulties from the struggling war industry. Three P40 divisions were in effect with the German Army on the Yugoslavian front side and some other people in Austria from the Soviet Army.
