History of the Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G tank destroyer

Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G tank destroyer history

The Germans are behind the concept of assault artillery, which represents a highly armored armored vehicle capable of overcoming fortified points during an offensive phase, following the maneuver. The support needs of the assault artillery originated with the First World War and the German military confirmed its usefulness before the Second World War.

As early as June 15, 1936, the Germans developed through the intermediary of the Daimler-Benz company a tank capable of both destroying a fortified point and being a tanker. In the specifications, the height of the tank must not exceed the height of a standing man in order to reduce his visual signature. In order to do this, Daimler-Benz uses the already existing Panzer III chassis and a 75 mm short-stroke (initially a StuK 37 L/24). After first commitments against the Soviets, it was equipped with a new, faster, more particularly the 75 mm StuK 40 L/48 in the autumn of 1942.

The Sturmgeschütz is used in support of the infantry (in particular with the possibility of accommodating an MG 34 superstructure machine-gun) and in armored counter-attacks. The Sturmgeschütz has a low profile which allows it to be detected belatedly by its Opponents. On some models of the G version, an MG 34 is added in coaxial arming.

The Sturmeschütz (also referred to as “StuG”) cost about 82,500 RM at the time and are fast to build and inexpensive (notably because they do not have turrets). Copies were delivered during the war to Axis forces such as Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, Finland and Romania.

These StuGs participate in the fighting on the east front as well as in the west, especially during the Battle of Normandy where many copies are destroyed by Allied aviation. After the Second World War, reclassified models were used until the 1960s (especially during the Six-Day War in 1967 within the Syrian Army).

Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G tank destroyer specification

Creator/User: Germany
Denomination: Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G
Number produced (StuG III) : 9408

Length: 6,85 m
Width: 2,95 m
Height: 2,16 m
Weight: 23,900 kg
Maximum speed: 40 km/h
Operational range: 155 km

Main armament: one 7,5 cm StuK 40 L/48 gun (54 rounds)
Secondary armament: one 7,92 mm MG 34 machine gun (600 rounds)

Engine: Maybach HL 120 TRM V12, 296 hp (221 kW)
Consumption: 260 liters per 100 kilometers

Crew: 4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader)