February 1937 saw the enlargement of the CTV into a real fighting force. The tanks were formed into a battalion of 4 companies supported by a company of BERSAGLIERI, ARMOURED CARS AND A BATTERY OF ANTI TANK GUNS. This was the force that saw action at Guadalajara.

STAGE FIVE

The Italians were mauled at Guadalajara. Following the battle, the armour was split, this time into 2 battalions of 2 companies each. The second battalion being supported by one company of Bersaglieri. The armoured cars were allowed to function seperately. All the anti-tank guns were lost.

These units were used in the Santander campaign, but took no part in the actions in Vizcaya or Extremadura. They accompanied Spanish cavalry and infantry in the dashing attack on the Escudo Pass - 15th August 1937 , and took place in other major battles in this campaign finally entering Santander on the 26th of August.

In September, Italian tank Companies assisted the Spanish around Zuera in Aragon.

In October 1937 the CTV took further reinforcements and reorganisation. These units took place in actions such as the ambush on British forces at Calaceite, the flanking movement in the Sierra de Montnegreto mountains and in the offensive from Teruel to Valencia.

STAGE SIX

In December 1936, further reinforcements arrived, allowing the Italian armour to be grouped into a regiment. Spanish crews that had been training in the earlier reserve platoons were now given a full role. Other units were added to give a real attack capability. This role was the successful attack on Catalonia. The CTV lost their last tank on the 3rd February.

A further reorganisation took place on the 28th February, but this saw little action in the final months of the war. By the end of the war the CTV had lost 56 tankettes--almost a third of the vehicles that saw service. Ten Medaglie d'Oro's (Italy's Highest decoration for valour) had been won by its men (8 posthumously); this out of 20 awarded in total to troops serving in Spain.

CTV Armour Regiment, Dec 1938-Feb. 1939
2 Tankette Battalions of 3 companies each (1 Spanish)
1 Bttn HQ CV33
1 Company HQ CV33
1 Company: 3 platoons of 1 CV33 each

3rd Battalion Assault Motorized

HQ: CO+3 figs with 4 trucks and 1 staff car
2 Arditi Companies: 8 figures each
1 Arditi MMG Company: 2 MMGs and crew

4th Battalion

2 companies Bersaglieri: as above
1 company Armoured Car: 3 Lancia IZMs

Anti-Tank Battalion

1 37mm PAK Anti-Tank Battery: 3 37mm A/T Guns 1 65MM Battery: 3 65mm 1 45mm A/T Section: 1 45mm A/T Gun 1 47mm Battery: 3 47mm A/T Guns

Related

Italian Bersaglieri in the SCW
Italian Tanks in Rompan El Fuego
Italian Softskins in the SCW (Models)