Iron Arm: The Mechanization of Mussolini's Army, 1920-40 (Stackpole Military History Series) - Softcover

Sweet, John Joseph Timothy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0811733513 ISBN 13: 9780811733519

Publisher: Stackpole Books, 2007

Synopsis

Though overshadowed by Germany's Afrika Korps, Italian tanks formed a large part of the Axis armored force that the Allies confronted--and ultimately defeated--in North Africa in World War II. Those tanks were the product of two decades of development that put Italy near the fore of the world's tank forces. For a time, it stood second only to Germany in number of tank divisions and was the first to establish an armored corps. Once war came, however, Mussolini's iron arm failed as an effective weapon. This is the story of its rise and fall.

About this title

Review:

"The first detailed study of the subject to see print. Carefully researched from original sources....The story of Iron Arm--Mussolini's name for his armored divisions, is a most worthwhile addition to the historical lore of military mechanization in modern times."-Military Affairs

Synopsis:

Though overshadowed by Germany's more famous Afrika Korps, Italian tanks formed a large part of the Axis armoured force that the Allies confronted - and ultimately defeated - in North Africa in the early years of World War II. Those tanks were the product of two decades of debate and development as the Italian military struggled to produce a modern, mechanised army in the aftermath of World War I. For a time, Italy stood near the front of the world's tank forces - second only to Germany in number of divisions, first to create an armoured corps - but once war came, Mussolini's iron arm failed as an effective military force. This is the story of its rise and fall.

About this edition

• Publisher: Stackpole Books
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0811733513
• ISBN 13: 9780811733519
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224