Breda Model 31 (13.2 mm)

The Breda Model 31 inside of the M14/41 (47/40) machine gunner area

Description

Breda Model 31 on a vessel

The 13.2 mm Breda Model 31 is a heavy machine gun, used by the Italian Army in the Second World War. It was used by the Regia Marina (Navy), Regio Esercito (Army) and Regi Sommergibili (submarines).

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

Ground vehicles

• M14/41 (47/40)

Naval vessels

• Stefano Turr
• RN Dardo
• RN Leone
• RN Da Verazzano
• RN Bartolomeo Colleoni
• RN Bolzano
• RN Trento
• RN Zara
• RN Pola

General info

As a heavy machine gun, the Breda Model 31 is capable of dealing with lightly armoured targets and torpedo boats. The presence of incendiary components in the M14/41 (47/40)'s belt also makes it quite effective against aircraft.

Available ammunition

• Default (M14/41 (47/40)): AP · AP-T
• Universal (Naval vessels): AP-T · AP · T · AP

Comparison with analogues

For the M14/41 (47/40) the ammo count is very low in comparison with other nations' counterparts, like American M4s' M2HB (12.7 mm) heavy machine gun. Compared with the Japanese Type 93 (13.2 mm) heavy machine gun, the Italian one has poor ammo belts choice, with only one option for every vehicle.

Usage in battles

In battle the Breda Model 31 has to be used only against light armoured vehicles, trucks, open top vehicles or motor torpedo boats, since at best it can provide 24/27 mm of penetration. It also needs to be fired carefully to save ammo in the M14/41 (47/40).

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Respectable penetration ability, allowing for effective engagement of moderately armoured targets.

Cons:

• Limited ammunition capacity on M14/41 (47/40), requiring careful ammo management and potential reloads during prolonged engagements.
• The absence of alternative ammo belts limits tactical flexibility and adaptability in different scenarios.

History

During the rebuilding of the Regia Marina, the Italian's anti-air machine gun armament for the ships was the French 13.2 mm Hotchkiss machine gun.^[1] However, a domestic firearms production was desired and so a request was sent by the Italian Navy in 1929 to replace the Hotchkiss with an Italian production model. Breda responded with a license acquired in 1929, with a license-production model beginning production in 1931 as the Model 1931 (Italian full name: Mitragliatrice Antiaerea "Breda" calibro 13.2mm Tipo R. Marina).^[2] However, a shift in naval priorities caused a lack of interest in the 13.2 mm Breda Model 1931, with the Italians opting for armaments chambered in 8 mm or 20 mm, though the Model 1931 still saw use in anti-aircraft mounts in both naval and land applications.

The Regia Marina used the Model 1931 in single or dual mounts of various configurations. On merchant ships or auxiliary cruisers, there was a "lightweight" single, free-swinging mount or a "heavyweight" twin, hand-worked mount for the Model 1931. On submarines, a twin, disappearing, free-swinging mount was available.^[3][4]

The Breda Model 31 saw use on land as vehicle mounts, replacing twin-machine gun mountings on vehicles such as the L3 tankette,^[2] the M14/41 and M15/42 medium tank, or being the primary armament of command tanks.^[5]

Improving the armament caliber, Breda would produce the 20 mm/65 Breda Model 1935 that was derived from the Model 1931 design.^[1][6]

Media

Images

• 

  The Breda Model 31 barrel outside of the M14/41 (47/40)

See also

• Model 1929 Hotchkiss (13.2 mm) Original French version
• Hotchkiss (13.2 mm) German captured version
• Type 93 (13.2 mm) Japanese version built under licence
• Hotchkiss Mle 1930 (13.2 mm) Naval quad mount in ground use

External links

References

Citations

Bibliography

• Campbell, John. 1985. Naval Weapons of World War Two. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press.
• Cappellano, Filippo and Pier Paolo Battistelli. 2012. Italian Medium Tanks 1939-45. Great Britain: Osprey Publishing.
• DiGiulian, Tony. 2016. "20 mm/65 Models 1935, 1939 and 1940 (Breda)." NavWeaps. Last modified October 30, 2016. Website (Archive)
• DiGiulian, Tony. 2021. "13.2 mm/75.7 (0.52") AA MG Model 1931." NavWeaps. Last modified May 18, 2021. Website (Archive)
• Friedman, Norman. 2013. Naval Anti-Aircraft Guns & Gunnery. Great Britain: Seaforth Publishing.
• Popenker, Maxim. n.d. "Breda Modelo 1931 M1931 heavy machine gun (Italy)." Modern Firearms. Accessed March 10, 2022. Website (Archive)