The L6/40 Italian Light Tank – Tactical Suggestions

By Benny Christiansen

Background:

Having had access to the Italian Avanti book for some time now, I have had some great fun with trying different things out. One choice keeps coming back to my lists, is the L6/40 Light Tank Platoon. It has a front of 3, which is very nice in MW. It also has Spearhead, making it possible to dash forward and establish a forward position in several missions. Scout makes it hard to hit. The only place where I really find it lacking is in the weaponry. I’m sure that is also the main reason why many players choose not to field them.

Common Tactics

General Tactics for recon/light tanks seems to be to take one unit, due to the Spearhead ability. But then, it seems to me, that the general use of the unit is limited.

The Spearhead move is how it is possible to make a move in the deployment phase. After making the move, the unit then creates a 20cm sphere around each team, where other units can deploy within.

This is relevant in missions like Dust Up, Contact, Bridgehead, Counterattack, Encounter, Free-For-All and Hasty Attack. I might have missed a mission or two, where it is also relevant, but in all the mentioned missions, a Spearhead move can be of use.

The L60/40s can then be used to provide defensive fire for a unit that has gone forward or to pin AT units. The front armor of 3 protects them from small arms fire and requires the opponent to spend a “real” AT unit or tank unit to shoot at them, in order to take them out. For me, if I can make a unit of three Shermans or Lees shoot at my L6/40 platoon, it means I have played well.

Tactical Suggestion 1

In recent games, I have had great success with making a L6/40 formation. This is possible due to the Command Cards, of which there are two for the L6/40.

The L6/40 Light Tank Company card is the first one. It makes the tanks Fearless, but they lose their Spearhead and Scout special rules (and thus also lose the 5+ counterattack problem). This makes for a very cheap assaulting force.

Join up with your HQ if you feel like going above 5 assaulting tanks. I have yet to find myself in a situation where this is possible and relevant, but it is possible. For me, I field HQ and 2 combat choices with 4 tanks in each platoon/HQ. This is an extremely cheap and mobile formation.

The problem with the L6/40 is normally that it has a counterattack value of 5+, making it hard to count on to push the enemy away from the objective. Using this Command Card, however, will make it possible for you to use these fast and cheap units in a new and very aggressive way. In the description, it gives a hint about where else the L6/40 can be used (Spoiler: Russia).

Tactical Suggestion 2

The L6/40 Scout Tank Company is the second Command Card that may change the way you use these Light Tanks. In this case, you retain the Scout and Spearhead special rules, making it possible for you to be sneaky and annoying at a low cost.

If you compare the L6/40 to the AB41, the front armor and the distance it can travel is of interest to me. The relatively small difference in weaponry is hardly worth saving the points for.

The L6/40 does have a slightly better counterattack, but at 5+ instead of 6+, it is also of little use as anything but a mental note for assaults. So why, you might ask, is it that I am so happy with these formations.

I can always take two choices as support, I hear you say.

In this game, they went up and around the flank of the enemy

True! But imagine the swarm of light tanks that you, as an Axis player, can field. A formation with up to 14 Light Tanks, at the price of 14 points (its less than 2 Shermans!), add to that 10 more either L6/40 or AB41s at the same price.

When all of that Recce drives around and positions itself, your opponent’s infantry, gun team and many tanks of the opponent’s potential lists, will now be worried. You have only spent 24 points, but you field a staggering 24 Light Tanks, with the Scout ability, for the price of a Sherman Armoured Troop with 2 Shermans and 1 Grant.

The L6/40 does not provide you with much in regards to take out the Shermans or Grants. Against lists such as the Crusaders, however, you might have enough AT 5 shots to at least be intimidating.

It is worth noting that you can, in this formation, also add a Rifle Platoon (only 5 teams allowed), a 47mm AT platoon and a 20mm Autocanonne AA platoon. This adds to the durability of this formation and is worth remembering.

Conclusion

The L6/40 Light Tank is not the most obvious choice for many players. But with the front of 3, Spearhead, Scout and with the use of the Command Cards, it is a unit, that once you buy it and field it, you can be certain that most players will need to give them more attention than they’d like. It has the potential to be a harassment unit, as well as a light assault force or a 5 point (maximum) pain in the b..

I do hope you enjoy it 🙂