The Breda 51 was an Italian multi-purpose off-road vehicle developed in the 1930s.

History

The first prototype of a truck suitable for all types of terrain was presented by

Società Italiana Ernesto Breda Società Italiana Ernesto Breda (), more usually referred to simply as Breda, was an Italian mechanical manufacturing company founded by Ernesto Breda in Milan in 1886. History The firm was founded by Ernesto Breda in Milan in 1886. It original ...

to the Studies and Experiences Office in December 1936. The assessments continued until 1938, including tests in

Italian East Africa Italian East Africa (, A.O.I.) was a short-lived colonial possession of Fascist Italy from 1936 to 1941 in the Horn of Africa. It was established following the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, which led to the military occupation of the Ethiopian ...

. The outcome was positive and after some essentially aesthetic modifications, 48 were ordered by the ministry. In parallel, it was adopted by the Royal Army, which used it on all fronts during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

and, after the end of the conflict, by the

Italian Army The Italian Army ( []) is the Army, land force branch of the Italian Armed Forces. The army's history dates back to the Italian unification in the 1850s and 1860s. The army fought in colonial engagements in China and Italo-Turkish War, Libya. It ...

Technology

The configuration is the 3-axle with advanced cab, common to the Dovunque vehicle family, such as the Fiat Dovunque 33, Fiat-SPA Dovunque 35 and SPA Dovunque 41. Traction is 6x4, on the two rear axles with twin wheels. The spare wheels were keyed in neutral between the first and second axles, as on all Dovunque vehicles, to facilitate the overcoming of obstacles.

Versions

The Royal Army adopted it in the version with a reduced and more spartan cabin, the 'Breda 51' 'Colonial', used as a heavy artillery tractor for troops located mainly in

Libya Libya, officially the State of Libya, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to Egypt–Libya border, the east, Sudan to Libya–Sudan border, the southeast, Chad to Chad–L ...

. In 1941 a model was produced with stronger chassis frame, the 'Breda 52', destined to become the basis for the later

trucks A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport freight, carry specialized payloads, or perform other utilitarian work. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, but the vast majority feature body-on-frame construction ...

References

{{reflist World War II vehicles of Italy Military vehicles of Italy

History

Technology

Versions

Related items

References