Advertisements

SdKfz 138 Marder III (Marten III)

Tank Destroyer (TD) [ 1942 ]

A Marder III Auf M - the final incarnation of the Marder series - with gun emplacement moved to the rear.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 04/06/2017 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

GO TO SPECIFICATIONS [+]

Advertisements

Marder III systems was yet another hastily modified conversion model of existing Panzer II tank chassis overstock. With the Panzer II system as a whole virtually obsolete on the changing battlefields of World War 2 and the production lines of the Panzer II chassis still warm and ready to churn out new models, it was seen fit to add a static superstructure to the Panzer 38(t) (Panzer II) chassis to create a formidable mobile heavy gun platform (Panzerjager). The result was yet another capable self-propelled gun and tank destroyer capable of meeting the armor of Allied forces of the time. The Marder III series would be the most-produced model of the Marder family which had the Marder I and Marder II precede it.

Design varied from Marder-class to Marder-class and the Marder III was no different. The III series featured a more refined purpose-driven look with a stable chassis mounting four road wheels to a side. The main gun sat fixed in the superstructure which was opened on top and the rear, exposing the gun crew to grenade attack, small arms, shrapnel and the elements while at the same time saving on weight and improving speed. The Marder III first appeared in March of 1942 as the Panzerjager 38(t) Sd.Kfz 139, Marder III fitted with captured specimens of the Soviet-built 7.62-cm main gun. Some 340 examples of this type were produced. The follow-up version became the Panzerjager 38(t) Sd.Kfz 138, Marder III Ausf H, this one fitted with the 3" 7.5-cm PaK 40 anti-tank gun with a better armored sloping shield superstructure. The final main version became the Panzerjager 38(t) Sd.Kfz 138, Marder III Ausf M. This model saw a major revision to the Marder III's layout in that the engine was moved closer to the middle of the hull and the superstructure was mounted further aft to balance the vehicle out more efficiently. A newer engine provided for a greater output of 150 horsepower over the original types. Production lasted up until 1944 to which over 800 Ausf H and Ausf M models were produced alone to the tune of 1,143 Marder III's altogether. Defensive armament was two 7.92mm MG34 or MG42 machine guns - one in a trainable (yet exposed) mounting in the upper superstructure and the other in a fixed position in the bow.

Advertisements

Like the Marder models before it, the Marder III was primarily concentrated to the East Front, though the weapon could be found everywhere German infantry forces operated. The Marder III's proved just as resilient as her predecessors and the main gun could face off against any of the Allied armor with the exception of the Soviet heavy tank systems. The exposed crew in the tall superstructure and light armoring along the sides meant that the vehicle was not without weakness. An additional factor was that, with the static superstructure being fitted to the chassis, the entire vehicle had to be positioned to the direction of desired fire. This made the Marder III adequate in an ambush role, fixed defensive role or calibrated offensive artillery role from a distance but a liability in a moving or close-in standup fight. In any case, her main armament was respected and feared alike and her proper use and ease of production ensured her a mention in any listing of World War 2 mobile artillery systems.

Specifications

Service Year

1942

Origin

Nazi Germany

Crew

3 or 4
CREWMEN

Production

1,143
UNITS

BMM - Germany

(View other Vehicle-Related Manufacturers)

Nazi Germany

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Tank-vs-Tank
Engage armored vehicles of similar form and function.

Length

15.3 ft
4.65 m

Width

7.7 ft
2.35 m

Height

8.1 ft
2.48 m

Weight

24,251 lb
11,000 kg

Tonnage

12.1 tons
LIGHT

(Showcased structural values pertain to the base SdKfz 138 Marder III (Marten III) production variant. Length typically includes main gun in forward position if applicable to the design)

Powerplant: 1 x Praga in-line 6-cylinder water-cooled gasoline-fueled engine developing 125 horsepower.

Speed

24.9 mph
(40.0 kph)

Range

118.1 mi
(190.0 km)

(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base SdKfz 138 Marder III (Marten III) production variant. Compare this entry against any other in our database)

1 x 7.62-cm Pak 36(r) OR 7.5-cm PaK 40 main gun
1 x 7.92mm MG34 or MG42 machine gun in trainable turret mounting
1 x 7.92mm MG34 or MG42 machine gun in fixed bow mount

Supported Types

Graphical image of a tank cannon armament

Graphical image of a tank medium machine gun

(Not all weapon types may be represented in the showcase above)

Not Available.

Marder I - Tank Destroyer Platforms with superstructure fitted to French-made Lorraine tractor chassis.

Marder II - Improved Marder class tank destroyer; produced also as self-propelled artillery systems; superstructure mated to Panzer II model chassis.

Marder III - Base Series Designation; 7.62-cm PaK 36(r) OR 7.5-cm PaK 40 main guns; production from 1942 into 1944.

Panzerjager 38(t) fur 7.62-cm Pak 36(r) - Formal Designation with Soviet-produced main guns.

Panzerjager 38(t) Ausf H fur 7.5-cm PaK 40/3 - Formal Designation with German PaK 40 series main guns.

Panzerjager 38(t) Ausf M fur 7.5-cm PaK 40/3 - Main gun moved to rear of hull; improved rearward armor protection; 799 examples produced by BMM; production ending May 1944.

Sd.Kfz 139 - Alternate Formal Designation of Panzerjager 38(t) mounting Soviet 76.2mm main gun; 344 examples produced.

Sd.Kfz 138 - Alternate Formal Designation of Panzerjager 38(t) Ausf H fur 7.5-cm PaK 40/3 series.

Military lapel ribbon for the American Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for pioneering aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the Arab-Israeli War

Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of the Bulge

Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Kursk

Military lapel ribbon for the Falklands War

Military lapel ribbon for the Indo-Pak Wars

Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War

Military lapel ribbon for the 1991 Gulf War

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the Soviet-Afghan War

Military lapel ribbon for the Spanish Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for the Ukranian-Russian War

Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Military lapel ribbon for the Yom Kippur War

Military lapel ribbon for experimental military vehicles

Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns / operations.

Images Gallery

1 / 1

Image from the Public Domain.

Advertisements

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2022 US Military Pay Army Ranks Navy Ranks Marine Ranks Air Force Ranks USCG Ranks Compare Ranks (NEW!) DoD Dictionary Military Ribbons Identification Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols American War Deaths French Military Victories Vietnam War Casualties

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), and SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane.

www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-

Land Systems / Battlefield

SdKfz 138 Marder III (Marten III)

Tank Destroyer (TD) [ 1942 ]

A Marder III Auf M - the final incarnation of the Marder series - with gun emplacement moved to the rear.

Specifications

Images Gallery