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The P 40 was
produced in 64-66 examples (plus 38-41 without engine, to be used in fixed position)
after the Italian armistice and was used, as far as it is known, only by German
units.
-10. Pol.Pz.Kp.
received 15 P40 from Panzer-Ausbildungs-Abteilung Süd in December
1944.
-15. Pol.Pz.Kp.
received 14 P40 in mid November 1944.
-24. Waffen-Gebirgs (Karstjager)-Brigade der SS received 14 P40 in October 1944.
-5 P40
had been issued to the Pz.Ausb.Abt. Süd for training.
The fate of the remaining is not clear.
24. Waffen-Gebirgs
(Karstjager)-Brigade der SS
History
The divisional status is only on paper, formed from a battalion
specialised in hard mountain warfare. In action since september
(Pictures from "Panzer units in the operationszone
Adriatisches Kustenland (OZAK) 1943-1945 and the panzer-sicherungs-kompanien in
Italy" Stefano di Giusto, exceptions are mentionned)
1945,February.
The first close-range tank fighting training course for members of the 24.
Waffen-Gebirgs (Karstjager)-Brigade der SS was held in Cividale; this picture
shows a moment of the final demonstration, as a P 40 drives in front of a
lined-up unit.
(Source Sergio CORBATTI, Marco NAVA, KARSTJÄGER)
1945, March, Monte Santo. 3 pictures of the Panzer-Kompanie's P.40 pictured during the Operation Winterende.
The three
platoon commanders of the Karstjager Pz.Kp. (SS-Oberscharfuhrer Cavagna - a
German, despite the name - and SS-Unterscharfuhrer Dufke and Walter) pose in
front of a P 40.
1945, 1st
May, Godia (near Udine). À Ð40 belonging to the Karstjager
Pz.Kp. destroyed by a British anti-tank gun, surrounded by a group of
partisans.