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Sturmgeschütz (StuG) III

June 1940: A StuG III Ausf. A of 1. SS-Panzer-Division prepares to engage stubborn French defenders in a village in central France during Fall Rot (Plan Red), the conquest of France following the decisive victory in the north.

Country of Origin:

Germany

Manufacturer:

Altmaerkische Kettenfabrik (Alkett); Muhlenbau-Industrie AG (MIAG)

Major Variants:

Ausf. A, B, C, D, E, F, F/8, and G

Role:

Assault gun, tank destroyer

Operated by:

Germany, Rumania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Finland, Syria, Norway, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia.

In Service:

January 1940

Number Built:

10,621

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Overview

The Sturmgeschütz (Assault Gun; StuG) III originated from an initial proposal that Colonel Erich von Manstein submitted to General Beck in 1935 in which he suggested that Sturmartillerie (Assault Artillery) units should be used in a direct-fire support role for infantry divisions. To that end, on June 15, 1936, Daimler-Benz AG received an order to develop an armoured infantry support vehicle capable of mounting a 7.5-cm (2.95-in) artillery piece. The gun was to have a limited traverse of a minimum of 25 degrees and be mounted in a fully enclosed superstructure that provided overhead protection for the crew. The height of the vehicle was not to exceed that of the average man.

Daimler-Benz AG used the chassis and running gear of its recently designed Panzerkampfwagen (Armoured Fighting Vehicle; PzKpfw) III medium tank as a basis for the new vehicle. Prototype manufacture was passed over to Alkett, which in 1937 produced five examples of the experimental O-series StuG based upon the PzKpfw III Ausführung (Model; Ausf.) B. These prototypes featured a mild steel superstructure and Krupp’s short-barreled 7.5-cm Sturmkanone (Assault Cannon; StuK) 37 L/24.

In January 1940, the first production StuG III Ausf. A, based upon the excellent PzKpfw III Ausf. F (with improved suspension and transmission), was accepted into service. The Ausf. B was introduced with some engine and transmission enhancements during June 1940. Thereafter, new StuG models that incorprated minor layout and chassis changes appeared at timely intervals until the Ausf. E was introduced during the autumn of 1941. The Ausf. E was the last model to sport the short-barreled 7.5-cm StuK 37 L/24 and was the first to include a machine gun.

In March 1942, the Ausf. F entered production. This vehicle was meant not only as an assault gun but also as a mobile tank destroyer that could dispatch the newer and heavier Russian T-34s and KV-1s that the Wehrmacht (German armed forces) was encountering in increasing numbers. To meet this threat, early Ausf. Fs were equipped with the 7.5-cm StuK 40 L/43. The last 31 vehicles of the Ausf. F designation received an even longer gun, the 7.5-cm StuK 40 L/48. When Ausf. F production shifted to use the PzKpfw III Ausf. J and L chassis, the type’s designation changed from the Ausf. F to the Ausf. F/8. All Ausf. F/8s were armed with the 7.5-cm Stuk40 L/48.

In early 1943, the StuG III Ausf. G appeared, based on the chassis of the PzKpfw III Ausf. M. The Ausf. G would be manufactured in far greater numbers than all other variants of StuG combined. Among other chassis enhancements, a cupola was added for the commander, a shield for the Maschinengewehr (Machine Gun; MG) 34 was introduced in front of the loader’s hatch, and armour plate was added to protect the front of both panniers. In February 1944, a Saukopf (sow’s head) gun mantlet was introduced on the type, followed shortly by a coaxial machine gun. Over the next few months, the Ausf. G also gained a Nahverteidigungswaffe (Close Combat Defense Weapon) system and a remotely controlled machine gun on the superstructure roof. Most were equipped with Schürzen (aprons) to protect against hollow-charged weapons, and a Zimmerit coating to fend off hand-placed magnetic mines.

Most of the StuG IIIs with long-barreled weapons (sometimes called StuG 40s, after their guns) saw service primarily in a defensive anti-tank role. The need to support infantry units, however, still remained. A new vehicle, the Sturmhaubitze (Assault Howitzer; StuH) 42 Ausf. F, based upon the StuG III Ausf. F, began prototype testing in March 1942. It mounted a 10.5-cm (4.13-in) StuH 42 L/28 and first saw action in November that same year. Later StuH versions were based upon the Ausf. G. This vehicle was used in a purely anti-personnel role and did not fire armor-piercing ammunition, although it was supplied with hollow-charge ammunition to give it some anti-armour capability.

On September 20, 1942, The German military ordered 12 self-propelled artillery vehicles mounting a 15-cm (5.91-in) Sturminfanteriegeschütz (Assault Infantry Gun) L/11 howitzer, based upon prototypes manufactured at Christmas time the previous year. These vehicles were based upon StuG III Ausf. E and F/8 chassis and were officially designated the StuIG 33B. They were intended to aid the close-quarter fighting in and around Stalingrad; the 15-cm primary weapon was capable of demolishing a house with two or three rounds. In total, 24 were manufactured and all were sent to the Stalingrad front.

The production run of 30 Ausf. As had equipped Sturmartillerie Batteries (Assault Artillery Batteries) numbered 640, 659, 660, 665, and the 1. SS-Panzer-Division Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler (SS Armoured Division-Adolf Hitler Personal Guard; often called the LSSAH). Each unit controlled six StuGs. A StuG crew consisted of a commander called a Geschützführer (gun leader), gunner, loader and driver. Officially artillerymen, they wore the field-grey uniforms of that branch and not the black of the Panzerbesatzungen (tank crews). They performed well in Holland, Belgium and France, destroying fixed fortifications, anti-tank guns, and machine gun nests.

In August 1940, Sturmartillerie Batteries were organised into Abteilungen (battalions). Each Sturmartillerie Abteilung consisted of three batteries of six guns, 18 StuGs total. In early 1941, the battalions were broken down into their component batteries, renamed Sturmgeschütz Batteries. In April 1941, the complement of StuGs in each battery increased to seven. In 1942, with the introduction of the long-barrelled StuG III Ausf F, Sturmgeschütz Abteilung again reformed. Each battalion now consisted of three batteries; each battery consisted of three platoons; each platoon consisted of three StuGs. That total of 27 StuGs was increased to 28 per battalion, with the extra StuG falling under the direct command of the battalion commander. In November 1942, the number of assault guns per Sturmgeschütz Abteilungen rose to 31 per battalion, allowing three additional StuGs for direct use by battery commanders. This unit of this composition became known as a Sturmgeschütz Brigade, a designation that stuck until the end of the war.

June 1944 saw the invention of the Sturmartillerie Brigade, which incorporated 45 assault guns: 33 long-barrelled StuG IIIs and 12 StuH 42s. Each of the brigade’s three batteries consisted of two platoons of four StuG IIIs and one of four StuH 42s. Each battery commander was also assigned two StuG IIIs for personal use, boosting the strength of each battery to 15 vehicles. In practice, assault gun brigades only rarely achieved full strength, and then only if they were favoured units.

The importance of the StuG III cannot be understated. It was manufactured in far greater numbers than any other German armoured fighting vehicle and was easier, cheaper, and less time-consuming to manufacture than any turreted tank. One StuG III Ausf. G was estimated to cost 82,500 Reich Marks – one quarter the cost of a single Königstiger (King Tiger).

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Variants

Type

Number Built

Remarks

StuG III Ausf. A

30

Based upon the PzKpfw III Ausf. F but with thicker front and rear armour and lacking escape hatches on the hull sides. The 7.5-cm (2.95-in) StuK 37 L/24 was mounted offset to the right in a sloped superstructure. The driver peered through a twin periscope device and pivoting visor while the gunner, besides having an artillery-type periscopic sight for aiming the gun, could see through a direct-vision port in the upper left superstructure. The commander had access to a scissors periscope that rose through the front half of his access hatch.

StuG III Ausf. B

320

Introduced an improvement to the engine ignition. A synchromesh transmission replaced the pre-selective one of the Ausf. A. Some later Ausf Bs introduced a new six-spoke drive sprocket and an eight-spoke idler for use with wider 40-cm (15.75-in) tracks.

StuG III Ausf. C

50

Introduced a newly designed superstructure and eliminated the gunner’s direct-vision port. Instead, the gunner’s roof hatch was redesigned to allow the gunsight to be raised above the closed hatch.

StuG III Ausf. D

150

A number of Ausf. Ds were built as battery commander vehicles by adding an armoured pannier to the right side of the superstructure.

StuG III Ausf. E

272

The extra pannier introduced to some Ausf. Ds was made standard in all Ausf. Es. The slanted armour plates welded to the sides of the superstructure on all previous models were removed. A MG 34 was provided but there was no mount or gun shield and so the weapon was stowed within the vehicle.

StuG III Ausf. F

360

Ausf. F introduced the longer 7.5-cm (2.95-in) StuK 40 L/43 and L/48 assault cannons (the latter gun on the last 31 Ausf. Fs). The superstructure roof held an exhaust fan to remove gun fumes. The heavier cannon necessitated a redesign of the gun mantlet to accommodate the larger recoil mechanism.

StuG III Ausf. F/8

334

Armed exclusively with the 7.5-cm StuK 40 L/48. Introduced a new hull design based upon the PzKpfw III Ausf. J and L. The rear deck was extended and ventilation improved. An additional 30 mm (1.18 in) of armour was bolted to the front of the hull and superstructure and rear armour thickness was increased to 50 mm (1.97 in). At this time, Alkett ceased production of the PzKpfw III and concentrated solely upon StuG production.

StuG III Ausf. G

7,893

Similar to the Ausf F/8 but with an improved superstructure. A commander’s cupola included periscopes. A shield for the MG 34 machine gun was introduced in front of the loader’s hatch and the roof was altered. Armour plate was added to protect the front of both panniers and both superstructure sides were now slanted. Various other features were added during the production run including a Saukopf (sow’s head) gun mantlet, a coaxial machine gun, a remotely controlled machine gun on the superstructure roof, and a a Nahverteidigungswaffe (Close Combat Defense Weapon).

StuH 42 Ausf. F and Ausf. G

1,212

Mounted the much heavier 10.5-cm (4.13-in) StuH 42 L/28 assault cannon but otherwise essentially the same as the same respective model of StuG III Ausf. F and Ausf. G. Employed a modified gun mount for the obviously bulkier and heavier main weapon. Modifications also made to the ammunition stowage. As improvements were made to the StuG III Ausf. G, so they were also introduced to the StuH 42.

StuIG 33B

24

Designed for the Battle of Staningrad. Mounted a 15-cm (5.91-in) StuIG L/11 howitzer. The superstructure was completely redesigned with extended front, sides, and rear.

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Specifications

Model

StuG III Ausf. A

StuG III Ausf. B

StuG III Ausf. C

Crew

Four: commander, gunner, driver, loader

Four: commander, gunner, driver, loader

Four: commander, gunner, driver, loader

Dimensions

Length

5.38 m (17.65 ft)

5.40 m (17.72 ft)

5.40 m (17.72 ft)

Width

2.92 m (9.58 ft)

2.93 m (9.61 ft)

2.93 m (9.61 ft)

Height

1.95 m (6.40 ft)

1.98 m (6.50 ft)

1.98 m (6.50 ft)

Powerplant

Type

Maybach HL120TR

Maybach HL120TRM

Maybach HL120TRM

Cubic Capacity

11.9 L (726 cu in)

11.9 L (726 cu in)

11.9 L (726 cu in)

Cylinders

12

12

12

Horsepower

300 hp (224 kW)

300 hp (224 kW)

300 hp (224 kW)

Weights and Loads

Weight

19,600 kg (21.6 tons)

20,200 kg (22.3 tons)

20,200 kg (22.3 tons)

Gasoline Capacity

310 L (68 Imp gal)

310 L (68 Imp gal)

310 L (68 Imp gal)

Performance

Maximum Speed

40 km/h (25 mph)

40 km/h (25 mph)

40 km/h (25 mph)

Range

160 km (99 mi)

160 km (99 mi)

160 km (99 mi)

Armament and Equipment

Armament

Hull-mounted: 7.5-cm (2.95-in) StuK 37 L/24 assault cannon.

Hull-mounted: 7.5-cm (2.95-in) StuK 37 L/24 assault cannon.

Hull-mounted: 7.5-cm (2.95-in) StuK 37 L/24 assault cannon.

Armour mm (in) @ degrees to the horizontal

Hull Front:

50 (1.67) @ 21°

50 (1.67) @ 21°

50 (1.67) @ 21°

Hull Sides:

30 (1.18) @ 0°

30 (1.18) @ 0°

30 (1.18) @ 0°

Hull Rear:

30 (1.18) @ 30° & 10°

30 (1.18) @ 30° & 10°

30 (1.18) @ 30° & 10°

Hull Top:

16 (0.63) @ 90°

16 (0.63) @ 90°

16 (0.63) @ 90°

Superstructure Front:

50 (1.67) @ 10°

50 (1.67) @ 10°

50 (1.67) @ 10°

Superstructure Sides:

30 (1.18) @ 0° &
9 (0.35) @ 30°

30 (1.18) @ 0° &
9 (0.35) @ 30°

30 (1.18) @ 0° &
9 (0.35) @ 30°

Superstructure Rear:

30 (1.18) @ 30°

30 (1.18) @ 30°

30 (1.18) @ 30°

Superstructure Top:

11 (0.43) @ 78°-90° &
17 (0.67) @ 85°

11 (0.43) @ 78°-90° &
17 (0.67) @ 85°

11 (0.43) @ 89°-90° &
17 (0.67) @ 85°

Turret Front:

n/a

n/a

n/a

Turret Sides:

n/a

n/a

n/a

Turret Rear:

n/a

n/a

n/a

Turret Top:

n/a

n/a

n/a

Gun Mantlet:

n/a

50 (1.67) @ 15°

50 (1.67) @ 15°

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Specifications Cont.

Model

StuG III Ausf D

StuG III Ausf E

StuG III Ausf F

Crew

Four: commander, gunner, driver, loader

Four: commander, gunner, driver, loader

Four: commander, gunner, driver, loader

Dimensions

Length

5.40 m (17.72 ft)

5.40 m (17.72 ft)

6.31 m (20.70 ft)

Width

2.93 m (9.61 ft)

2.93 m (9.61 ft)

2.92 m (9.58 ft)

Height

1.98 m (6.50 ft)

1.98 m (6.50 ft)

2.15 m (7.05 ft)

Powerplant

Type

Maybach HL120TRM

Maybach HL120TRM

Maybach HL120TRM

Cubic Capacity

11.9 L (726 cu in)

11.9 L (726 cu in)

11.9 L (726 cu in)

Cylinders

12

12

12

Horsepower

300 hp (224 kW)

300 hp (224 kW)

300 hp (224 kW)

Weights and Loads

Weight

20,200 kg (22.3 ton)

20,800 kg (22.9 ton)

21,600 kg (23.8 ton)

Gasoline Capacity

310 L (68 Imp gal)

300 L (66 Imp gal)

310 L (68 Imp gal)

Performance

Maximum Speed

40 km/h (25 mph)

40 km/h (25 mph)

40 km/h (25 mph)

Range

160 km (99 mi)

160 km (99 mi)

140 km (87 mi)

Armament and Equipment

Armament

Hull-mounted: 7.5-cm (2.95-in) StuK 37 L/24 assault cannon.

Hull-mounted: 7.5-cm (2.95-in) StuK 37 L/24 assault cannon.

One loose 7.92-mm (0.312-in) MG 34 machine gun.

Hull-mounted: 7.5-cm (2.95-in) StuK 40 L/43 or L/48 assault cannon.

One loose 7.92-mm (0.312-in) MG 34 machine gun.

Armour mm (in) @ degrees to the horizontal

Hull Front:

50 (1.67) @ 21°

50 (1.67) @ 21°

50+30 (1.67+1.18) @ 21°

Hull Sides:

30 (1.18) @ 0°

30 (1.18) @ 0°

30 (1.18) @ 0°

Hull Rear:

30 (1.18) @ 30° & 10°

30 (1.18) @ 30° & 10°

30 (1.18) @ 30° & 10°

Hull Top:

16 (0.63) @ 90°

16 (0.63) @ 90°

16 (0.63) @ 90°

Superstructure Front:

50 (1.67) @ 10°

50 (1.67) @ 10°

50+30 (1.67+1.18) @ 10°

Superstructure Sides:

30 (1.18) @ 0° &
9 (0.35) @ 30°

30 (1.18) @ 0°

30 (1.18) @ 0°

Superstructure Rear:

30 (1.18) @ 30°

30 (1.18) @ 30°

30 (1.18) @ 30°

Superstructure Top:

11 (0.43) @ 89°-90° & 17 (0.67) @ 85°

11 (0.43) @ 78°-90° &
17 (0.67) @ 85°

11 (0.43) @ 78°-90° &
17 (0.67) @ 85°

Turret Front:

n/a

n/a

n/a

Turret Sides:

n/a

n/a

n/a

Turret Rear:

n/a

n/a

n/a

Turret Top:

n/a

n/a

n/a

Gun Mantlet:

50 (1.67) @ 15°

50 (1.67) @ 15°

50 (1.67) @ 0°

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Specifications Cont.

Model

StuG III Ausf. F/8

StuG III Ausf. G

StuH 42 Ausf. F and G

Crew

Four: commander, gunner, driver, loader

Four: commander, gunner, driver, loader

Four: commander, gunner, driver, loader

Dimensions

Length

6.77 m (22.21 ft)

6.77 m (22.21 ft)

6.14 m (20.14 ft)

Width

2.92 m (9.58 ft)

2.95 m (9.68 ft)

2.95 m (9.68 ft)

Height

2.15 m (7.05 ft)

2.16 m (7.09 ft)

2.16 m (7.09 ft)

Powerplant

Type

Maybach HL120TRM

Maybach HL120TRM

Maybach HL120TRM

Cubic Capacity

11.9 L (726 cu in)

11.9 L (726 cu in)

11.9 L (726 cu in)

Cylinders

12

12

12

Horsepower

300 hp (224 kW)

300 hp (224 kW)

300 hp (224 kW)

Weights and Loads

Weight

23,200 kg (25.6 tons)

23,900 kg (26.3 tons)

24,000 kg (26.5 tons)

Gasoline Capacity

310 L (68 Imp gal)

310 L (68 Imp gal)

310 L (68 Imp gal)

Performance

Maximum Speed

40 km/h (25 mph)

40 km/h (25 mph)

40 km/h (25 mph)

Range

140 km (87 mi)

155 km (96 mi)

155 km (96 mi)

Armament and Equipment

Armament

Hull-mounted: 7.5-cm (2.95-in) StuK 40 L/48 assault cannon.

One loose 7.92-mm (0.312-in) MG 34 machine gun.

Hull-mounted: 7.5-cm (2.95-in) StuK40 L/48 assault cannon and one coaxial mount 7.92-mm (0.312-in) MG 34 on later production models.

One loose 7.92-mm MG 34 machine gun.

One remote controlled 7.92-mm MG 34 on later production models.

Hull-mounted: 10.5-cm (4.13-in) StuH42 L/28 assault cannon and one coaxial mount 7.92-mm (0.312-in) MG 34 on later production models.

One loose 7.92-mm MG 34 machine gun.

Armour mm (in) @ degrees to the horizontal

Hull Front:

50+30 (1.67+1.18) @ 21°

80 (3.15) @ 21°

80 (3.15) @ 21°

Hull Sides:

30 (1.18) @ 0°

30 (1.18) @ 0°

30 (1.18) @ 0°

Hull Rear:

30 (1.18) @ 30° & 10°

50 (1.67) @ 10°

50 (1.67) @ 10°

Hull Top:

16 (0.63) @ 90°

16 (0.63) @ 90°

16 (0.63) @ 90°

Superstructure Front:

50+30 (1.67+1.18) @ 10°

80 (3.15) @ 10°

80 (3.15) @ 10°

Superstructure Sides:

30 (1.18) @ 0°

30 (1.18) @ 11°

30 (1.18) @ 11°

Superstructure Rear:

30 (1.18) @ 30°

30 (1.18) @ 0°

30 (1.18) @ 0°

Superstructure Top:

11 (0.43) @ 78°-90° &
17 (0.67) @ 85°

11-17 (0.43-0.67) @ 75°-90°

11-17 (0.43-0.67) @ 75°-90°

Turret Front:

n/a

n/a

n/a

Turret Sides:

n/a

n/a

n/a

Turret Rear:

n/a

n/a

n/a

Turret Top:

n/a

n/a

n/a

Gun Mantlet:

50 (1.67) @ 0°

80 (3.15) @ 0°

80 (3.15) @ 0°

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Specifications Cont.

Model

StuIG33B

Crew

Four: commander, gunner, driver, loader

Dimensions

Length

5.4 m (17.72 ft)

Width

2.9 m (9.51 ft)

Height

2.3 m (7.55 ft)

Powerplant

Type

Maybach HL120TRM

Cubic Capacity

11.9 L (726 cu in)

Cylinders

12

Horsepower

300 hp (224 kW)

Weights and Loads

Weight

21,000 kg (23.1 tons)

Gasoline Capacity

310 L (68 Imp gal)

Performance

Maximum Speed

20 km/h (12 mph)

Range

110 km (68 mi)

Armament and Equipment

Armament

Hull-mounted: 15-cm (5.91-in) StuIG L/11 howitzer.

One loose 7.92-mm (0.312-in) MG 34 machine gun.

Armour mm (in) @ degrees to the horizontal

Hull Front:

50+30 (1.67+1.18) @ 21°

Hull Sides:

30 (1.18) @ 0°

Hull Rear:

30 (1.18) @ 10°

Hull Top:

16 (0.63) @ 90°

Superstructure Front:

80 (3.15) @ 10°

Superstructure Sides:

50 (1.67) @ 25°

Superstructure Rear:

15 (0.59) @ 0°

Superstructure Top:

10 (0.39) @ 90°

Turret Front:

n/a

Turret Sides:

n/a

Turret Rear:

n/a

Turret Top:

n/a

Gun Mantlet:

30 (1.18) @ 10°

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