FIAT 3000 in Danish Service

Kingdom of Denmark (1928-1929)
Light Tank – 1 Purchased

As a neutral bystander, the Danish Army had no hands-on experience with the introduction of the tank on the battlefields in the First World War. This did not mean that the new weapon was ignored in Denmark. However, post-war budgetary constraints meant that no realistic plans for any evaluation of a tank by the Danish Army were in sight. This began to change in the mid-1920s, and in 1926, a Danish delegation attended demonstrations of the FIAT 3000 Modello 21 light tank in Italy. After recommendations that the Army really needed experience with this weapon, a single tank was eventually purchased in 1928.

The FIAT 3000

Beginning in 1917, the Italian Army received four Renault FTs from France, which were used for extensive testing. It was the intention to produce the design under license in Italy, but this was canceled after the war ended. Instead, an improved model was ordered from FIAT and the first prototype was ready in June 1920 and tested for a few months. After a hiatus, testing resumed in November 1921, and, in 1923, the design was finally accepted into service.

As an improved copy of the Renault FT, the iconic design remained very similar. The rear-mounted 6.235-liter FIAT Tipo 304 per Carro Armato 3000, four-cylinder, in-line gasoline engine produced 50 hp at 1,700 rpm. Weighing in at 5.5 tonnes, the two-man tank could reach a respectable speed of over 20 km/h on roads, although average speed was more around 15 km/h.

The turret was armed with two machine guns. The later FIAT 3000 Mod.30 could also be armed with a cannon. In terms of protection, the tank had 16 mm all around, 8 mm on the roof, and 6 mm floor armor plating.

Renewed Interest

Already during the First World War, Denmark began experimenting with the concept of armored vehicles. The design office of the Army Technical Corps [Danish: Hærens tekniske Korps, shortened to HtK], headed by Captain C.H. Rye made a design in 1917, but it went nowhere due to a lack of funds, despite being a promising venture. Another armored car was donated to a civil guards unit in September 1917 but malfunctioned in 1920 and was scrapped three years later.

Meanwhile, most experimental HtK activities were suspended due to the end of the war in 1918 and, for a few years, it solely focused on equipment maintenance, due to a lack of allocated funds. This was not sustainable, and from the mid-1920s, the HtK needed and began expanding its activities again. This included business trips to the United Kingdom and Italy in 1926. Included in their trip to Italy were tests with FIAT tanks.

Tests in Italy

From 13th to 20th October 1926, Colonel C.H. Rye and workshop engineer F. Schmitto made a study trip to Italy. On Thursday 14th October, they visited an area, some 6-7 km from Turin, to observe demonstrations with the FIAT 3000 and Pavesi P4 tractor organized by the FIAT factory. After being shown the Pavesi, it was time for two FIAT 3000s to be demonstrated in the afternoon. These tests were also attended by Lieutenant Colonel O.K. Ovesen.

The Danish delegation found the use of a trailer for transport over roads a better solution than the French way of loading the tanks on a truck. They argued that with a trailer, a smaller truck could be used and that the truck could carry additional equipment and personnel.

During part of the testing, Rye and Schmitto were allowed in the tanks and seated in the turret. While attempting to negotiate a steep sandy slope of more than 45º, one of the tanks lost control and slid to the right. As a result, it leaned heavily to the right and was unable to move under its own power. Fortunately, the other tank came to the rescue, which could easily pull the stuck tank into a better position.

Some wading tests were also done in a shallow part of the Stura River in roughly 30 cm of water. Later, one vehicle performed some tests in a river arm with a strong current and roughly 1 m deep. After the wading tests, the tanks returned to higher ground, showing off their gradient capabilities.

After arriving on the country road from Turin to Lanza, one tank was used to show the maximum speed on favorable terrain, in this case a sandroad. According to the Danish delegation, a speed was reached nearing 25 km/h.

Military Testing in Rome

On 18th October, the delegation attended some tests with the Italian military, held in an area near Rome under the supervision of Colonel Puglieschi. The tests were performed by one tank section consisting of two FIAT 3000s and two 7-tonne trucks with tank trailers.

The first step was to get the tanks off the trailers. Including the start up of the engines, this took 7 minutes. Loading them up the trailers went much quicker, just 2.5 minutes. In the maneuvers, a tank attack was simulated.

Recommendations

After the maneuvers, the delegation wrote down some recommendations. It strongly recommended acquiring a light tank for testing purposes. This way, technical and tactical knowledge could be gained by the Danish Army. A friendly introduction to the tank ought to be much more effective than a hostile one encountered in the field.

Furthermore, they expressed the hope that after these tests, it would be possible to acquire a small number of light tanks to actually be used by the Danish Army, as they thought a light tank was not even that expensive. They could buy a FIAT tank for roughly 30,500 kroner [around £1,600]. However, FIAT was not keen to sell just one tank, most likely due to the small profit margin and responded negatively to the inquiry.

Contact with the Netherlands

As the Netherlands was in a similar position to Denmark, Rye inquired into any Dutch developments. He received the answer that the Dutch Army had bought a single older Renault FT from France, which was projected to arrive in July 1927. Rye and Schmitto were not in favor of this decision, due to the Renault FT’s low speed of just 8 km/h. As evidenced by the demonstrations, the FIAT 3000 was well able to reach over 20 km/h in appropriate terrain conditions. Although the General Staff liked the Dutch way of a cheap French Renault, the HtK convinced them to acquire the superior FIAT 3000, as it would provide a more accurate understanding of the latest capabilities of the tank.

Choice for the FIAT 3000

With these factors in mind, Denmark remained eager to acquire a FIAT 3000. Finally, in early 1928, FIAT agreed. On 18th April 1928, engineer Kornbeck from the Tøjhuset (Arsenal) was dispatched to Italy to receive the appropriate technical introduction.

In June 1928, the new tank arrived in Copenhagen. The HtK immediately set to work to replace the Italian armament with two regular issue Madsen machine guns. Meanwhile, the Danish General Command was very excited about this new piece of equipment. The procurement had been kept relatively secret so, to many, it came as a surprise to have this new technology in the country. A program was made to arrange for a demonstration tour around the garrisons in Denmark, but most importantly, the tank was to participate in the autumn maneuvers of 1928.

There was one slight problem. The trailer that had been bought with the tank, for 5,000 DK, had not yet arrived. There were no trucks available that were powerful enough to move the tank around. As a stopgap solution, the HtK modified another trailer to carry the tank, which worked. Therefore, the demonstration plans could be carried out as planned.

Changed Armament

As the Danish Army did not field any Italian machine guns, they were replaced with two Danish Madsen M1924 8 mm light machine guns, chambered to fire 8×58 mmR cartridges. This Danish machine gun design was quite popular and already in development since the late 19th century. The first Machine guns had been adopted by the Danish Army in 1902. It was fed with a top-mounted magazine.

Disappointments

The demonstrations and autumn maneuvers turned out to be less successful. During these, the Army keenly looked at the tank, but had no idea what to do with it. Tactically, no insights were gained whatsoever.

Technically, there also was a problem. The running engine created a high temperature, which made it almost impossible to get in or out the tank. The driver, Officiant (rank equal to 2nd Lieutenant) N.E. Sørensen managed to set himself on fire, destroying his clothes and boots due to burning hot oil.

Therefore, when the autumn maneuvers of 1929 grew nearer, the General Staff concluded that the tank would not partake in these, unless the maneuvers were to be attended by royalty. In that case, the Army would gladly show off this weapon. But they did not attend, so the tank was put in storage.

1932

In 1932, the FIAT was shortly reactivated. This was in light of the new armored vehicle program, preparations for which began in 1930 and in 1931. A testing unit was established. In 1932, the Danish Army managed to arrange tests with the newly developed Vickers-Carden-Loyd Light Patrol Car. It arrived in August and was tested for six weeks.

In light of the testing with this light tank, the FIAT was requested to be reactivated to compare both vehicles. However, technically, the tank was in a bad state. Due to wear and tear of the vehicle, the HtK only allowed a minimal use of the FIAT, so much so that it was only driven at HtK’s own practice area. This short appearance had little impact, but it would be the last time that it was seen. Some sources claim that it ended up as a range target after this.

Conclusion

Few tank trials were probably as useless as those of the FIAT 3000 in Denmark. Although specific details are unavailable, the fact that no one knew what to do with it is remarkable. Especially when the situation is compared to the Netherlands who, in a very similar situation, had bought the old French Renault FT, but set up an extensive testing program which brought lots of insights into what even an old tank was capable of.

Therefore, the Danish testing of the FIAT 3000 can be seen as a failure, even so that they had to reinvent the wheel within just four years when the Light Patrol Car was tested in 1932. Indeed, in the end, the FIAT was not just more than something that was looked at, admired, and then safely stored away to not be touched again.

FIAT 3000 Specifications
Dimensions (lwh)	4.17 x 1.64 x 2.19 m
Weight	5.5 tonnes
Crew	2 (commander, driver)
Propulsion	FIAT 304 petrol, 50 hp
Average speed	15 km/h
Max. road speed	20-22 km/h
Range	95 km
Fuel	90 l
Ground clearance	0.35 m
Track width	0.28 m
Gradient	45-51°
Trench	1.5-1.8 m
Obstacle	0.6 m
Wading depth	1.1 m
Armor	16 mm all-round, 8 mm roof, 6 mm floor
Armament	2x Madsen M1924 8 mm light machine guns
Number acquired	1

Sources

Drostrup, Ole. Panser i Danmark. Træk af vort panservåbens historie 1918-1978, Lindhart og Ringhof, 1980 (2021 eBook version), ISBN: 978-8726582529.

Danish Army Vehicles Homepage. “FIAT M3000B.” Accessed December 29, 2023. https://www.armyvehicles.dk/fiatm3000.htm.

Danish Army Vehicles Homepage. “FWD Model B.” Accessed December 29, 2023. https://www.armyvehicles.dk/fwdmodelb.htm.

With many special thanks to Bas Slaats, who shared a file from the Dutch National Archives: Aan het Technische Korps van het Leger. Rapport No.7. over een dienstreis naar Italië van den 13/10 tot 20/10 1926. Proeven met Fiat-Vechtwagen Model 3000. Order: Brieven van het Korps K2521 en K2523 van 8/10 1926.