SdKfz 142 StuG III (Sturmgeshutz III) Assault Gun (1940)
The StuG III series proved a pivotal battlefield element for the German Army, up through the closing months of World War 2.
The StuG III entered production in January of 1940. The system mounted a powerful 75mm (7.5cm) StuK 40 L/48 main gun into what was essentially a turretless, all-hull assault gun / tank destroyer design. While some may wonder why the 75mm gun was not simply installed into existing Panzer III tanks, the reality was that the selected 75mm gun was simply too long to fit into Panzer III turrets, these being originally designed to house the smaller 37mm main gun series (though progressively upgraded to 50mm and 75mm in later models). However, this combination of existing gun/hull materials cut down on production costs and time. The major drawback of such a design was of course the lack of a traversing turret - this forcing the crew to maneuver the entire tank in the direction of the enemy. Later models would add a self-defense 7.92mm machine guns for crew protection. Crew accommodations amounted to four personnel. Externally, the design of the StuG III was characterized by the small six road wheels and, in some models from 1943 onwards, side skirt armor for additional point protection.
The StuG III appeared in a few variants with earlier ones mounting the StuK 37 L-24 main gun. The definitive StuG III came in the form of the Ausf F model which sported an StuK 40 L/43 main gun. This models designation changed slightly to showcase the difference from previous ones and became the SdKfz 142/1 and would sometimes be known as the StuG 40 from that point on. Additionally frontal armor protection was further addressed and continued to be so in future variants.
Production of the StuG series numbered in the thousands with a majority of production facilities concentrating on StuG IIIs by war's end. The system proved so effective and vital that even captured Soviet versions turned up with the Red Army sporting a variety of Soviet main armaments. Finland was also the other major user of the StuG III. Easy to build and relatively inexpensive when compared to other German systems, the StuG III series became a pivotal battlefield component of the German Army up through the closing months of the world conflict. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
SdKfz 142 StuG III (Sturmgeshutz III)
Assault Gun
Country of Origin: Nazi Germany
Manufacturer: Daimler-Benz / Alkett - Germany
Initial Year of Service: 1940
Production: 9,642
Focus Model: SdKfz 142 StuG III Ausf. A
Crew: 4
Overall Length: 17.75ft (5.41m)
Width: 9.65ft (2.94m)
Height: 6.40ft (1.95m)
Weight: 24.5 US Short Tons (22,226kg; 49,000lbs)
Powerplant: 1 x Maybach HL 120 TRM V-12 water-cooled gasoline engine delivering 300hp.
Maximum Speed: 25mph (40.23 km/h)
Maximum Range: 85 miles (137 km)
NBC Protection: None
Nightvision: None
Armament:
1 x 75mm StuK 37 L/24 main gun
2 x 7.92mm machine guns
Ammunition:
44 x 75mm projectiles
600 x 7.92mm ammunition
Variants:
StuG III Ausf A - 30 examples produced; fitted with L/24 main gun.
StuG III Ausf B - 320 examples produced; fitted with L/24 main gun.
StuG III Ausf C - 50 examples produced.
StuG III Ausf D - 150 examples produced.
StuG III Ausf E - 272 examples produced.
StuG III Ausf F - Assault Gun / Tank Destroyer Designation; fitted with L/43 main gun; later models with L/48 type main gun; improved armor protection and commander visibility.
StuG IV (StuG 40) - Based on the Panzer IV tank with a 75mm StuK 40 L/48 main gun.
StuG 40 Ausf G - SdKfz 142/1 designation; StuK 40 L/48 main gun.
"Sturmhaubitze 42" - 4.1in howitzer mated to the existing StuG III hull design.
SU-76 - Soviet modified assault guns of captured StuG IIIs; fitted with Soviet 76.2mm main gun.
SG122A - Soviet modified assault guns of captured StuG IIIs; fitted with 122mm main gun.
Operators: Nazi Germany; Finland; Soviet Union
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