Based on the M13/40 tank chassis, the Semovente 75-18 Assault Gun provided support for Italian infantry from mid 1942 to the end of the North African campaign in May 1943.
The first models were issued in 1941 and were much appreciated by both the crews and the infantry, and provided similar support to that supplied by the German StuG III.
Like the Sti=uG it was found that the Semovente and its later variants were also effective in the anti tank role.
In fact with the surrender of Italy in 1943 the remaining Semovente types were taken over by the Germans, and a further 55 were built, under the designation StuG M42 (75mm L18)
A total of nearly 500 were built.