Iron Arm (Stackpole Military History Series)

About this book

A detailed study of Italys long-ignored tank force Explores the intersection of technology war and society in Mussolinis Italy Second only to Germany in number of tank divisions first to create an armored corps Though overshadowed by Germanys more famous Afrika Korps Italian tanks formed a large part of the Axis armored 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 mechanized army in the aftermath of World War I. For a time Italy stood near the front of the worlds tank forces--but once war came Mussolinis iron arm failed as an effective military force. This is the story of its rise and fall.