Did wespes serve in the italian campaign?

Yes they did. I don't know which units, however.

Nic

Wespe pretty much served everywhere since its introduction. But I am kinda sure it's not in N.Africa, too late for that campaign.

Hi

There's a pretty common picture of a Wespe in a tropical setting with a guy in a pith helmet. That's often been used as evidence some made it to N Africa. I think they were introduced too late for that campaign, and the photo must be from some other place. I haven't seen any kind of order of battle information showing Wespe in North Africa.

I think Wespe would have been used in Italy.

Andy

Wespe entered production in 43 Feb, and made its biggest debut in Kursk. And by the end of 42, the N.African campaign is pretty much over and done with.

So I would guess that Wespe was never used there.

I'm not sure how we got talking about North Africa here, but since the fighting in Tunisia ended in May 1943, I also highly doubt any Wespes could have reached North Africa in time, even if the Germans had decided to keep reinforcing Tunis when they couldn't even evacuate their army there. Also, by the time the Wespe was available, the pith helmet would have been very rare in North Africa. I believe only the first soldiers with the Afrika Korps were sent with pith helmets back in 1941 and they quickly discarded them for the more popular and effective field cap.

Nic

But............ what has been said time and time agin ............. never say never

..................................................never........................................................

Surely Germans would never use Italian camoflage cloth to make uniforms. These guys were by the book every time.

Patrick

...and of course, there is a photo of a guy in a German tropical uniform, with pith helmet, standing next to a Wespe!?!?!?!!!

Andy