The Modello 34 howitzer fired a 14lb High-Explosive (HE) projectile of 75mm (2.95") out to a maximum range of 10,500 yards. The projectiles exited the gun tube at 1,400 feet per second.
Beyond its use by mountain troops, the Modello 34 caught the attention of the regular Army which promptly adopted the type as the Modello 35 field howitzer. This variant did not feature the break-down capability of its mountain gun brethren but sported a split-trail carriage assembly. The new model was sold abroad to Italian allies in South America and to Portugal. It was also fitted as the primary weapon of the Semovente 75/18 self-propelled gun vehicle (detailed elsewhere on this site) of the Italian Army. Some forms, captured by the British at Crete, were turned on the Axis during the Battle of Crete (May - June 1941, an Axis Victory).
After the Italian surrender to the Allies in September of 1943, the Germans were quick to take control of existing Italian artillery stocks and what Modello 34/35 series guns could be had now operated under the German Army designation of '7.5cm leFH 255(i)' for the duration of the war.
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