While history has recorded that Italian military actions in Ethiopia were a walk-over, the facts are a bit more complicated. The invading Italians faced many challenges, not least of which was the often inhospitable and impassible terrain. While light forces and horse-cavalry could be moved, heavier units, especially artillery and armor, had a difficult time of it. The Italian Army, the
Regio Esercito needed an answer and fast. Fortunately, the Fiat company had a solution: the world's first flying tank.
Il Duce, Benito Mussolini, was ecstatic at this incredible leap in Italian technology. He issued a decree in January, 1936 that would soon become famous.
The new flying tank was just your bog-standard Fiat M9/35 tank with an upgraded turret mounting both a 37 mm gun and a heavy machine gun. However, long wings, a tail and a huge engine & prop were added so this armored nightmare could take to the skies.
The Fiat company undertook strenuous testing of the new wonder weapon under the watchful eyes of officers from both the Italian Army and Air Force (
Regia Aeronautica). Often,
Il Duce himself would show up to see how his new pet project was getting along.
While the flying tank was getting along just fine, the officers from the Air Force and Army weren't. This would bode ill for the future of Italian armor in the air.
The Army insisted it should get the flying tank because, well, it's a tank. The Air Force, with some justification, argued they should get the flying tank because, well, it flies. Soon this inter-service bickering would reach a fever pitch with severe political ramifications.
It soon became apparent the flying tank would never enter service until this argument was solved. Unfortunately, circular reasoning rarely solves arguments. Fiat's chief flying tank engineer had a nervous breakdown over this and finally Mussolini himself had to issue a decision. Unfortunately, he was asked while suffering from an almost-fatal case of hemorrhoids and wasn't in the best of moods. He said since the services couldn't agree, both would get nothing and cancelled the flying tank.
The Fiat flying tank is mostly forgotten today except for a few old posters trumpeting Mussolini's decree which many think is actually an internet hoax despite overwhelming proof of its legitimacy.
Brian da Basher
