Steel Centurions

Forged on the battlefields of France, Greece and North Africa, the Italian Army's armoured units fought effectively despite inferior weapons and equipment and the challenging conditions experienced. Steel Centurions: Italian Armoured Formations of the Second World War 1940-43 chronicles the formation and battle performance of the major armoured divisions such as the Ariete, Littorio and Centauro together with lesser known special forces such as the motorized X Arditi Regiment and the Raggruppamenti Esploranti or special reconnaissance unit. It traces their development during the 1930s before focusing on combat experience in France, Greece, Albania, Yugoslavia, East Africa, North Africa, and Sicily. Finally, the book also describes the establishment of the 1. Divisione Corazzata M. Camicie Nere (M Blackshirts Armoured Division) of 1943 which was fully equipped with German supplied tanks and self- propelled guns. Steel Centurions is based on official histories, contemporary war diaries and other rare archival documents. Illustrated throughout with wartime photographs and maps, it is a welcome addition to both specialist and enthusiast alike. 

"....If you have any interest in North Africa during World War II, then this book is a must have. Buy it, you won’t be disappointed." hamsterwrangler.com

"....[Paolo Morisi] provides an in-depth overview of the origins and evolution of Mussolini's armored weapon until the armistice of September 1943." VaeVictus Magazine, No 173 (translated from French)

"...Taking information from many sources, war diaries, personal recollections, this is an Italian 
perspective of WW2 armoured warfare. This book gives a more up-to-date evaluation of WW2 Italian armoured forces.  Recommended." Tracklink Magazine Issue 119, 2024; Tankette Magazine 59:4, 2024; Model Military International 223, 2024

"...If you want to know the truth about the Italian Armored formations during WWII and not just read the usual pap, then I suggest you pick up this book to find out for yourself. Thank you, Mr. Morisi, for another excellent book on what some people would call the obscure parts of the world wars." A Wargamers Needful Things Blog