The Semoventes ("self-propelled") were used*
extensively by the Italian Army as an all-purpose*
armoured vehicle because of necessity.  The*
devastated and resource-depleted Italian factories *
just could not cope with making turreted tanks and*
get them out in any numbers.  There were actually*
moreSemoventes than there were real (turreted)*
tanks, both in number of different types and in total*
number made. The Italians used them in every*
possible role simply by changing the ammo load.
*
The later Semoventes are actually as good as most *
tanks of the period.  Of course, the lack of a turret*
doesn't hurt as much in the game as it would on the*
real battlefield, but their design and armour was*
much better than the regular Italian tanks. The later*
Semoventes were among the best self-propelled guns*
of the times.  Any army would happily use them if*
given the chance. As an example, Germany*
continued production of the Semoventes after Italy*
fell to the Allies.*
The later Semoventes are kept in the OOB post-WWII*
for "What-If WWIII" scenarios.  If the Italians had to*
re-arm for WWIII they most probably would have*
continued their Semovente production .