Sturmgeschütz III

File:Stug3g.jpg

StuG III Ausf G

The Sturmgeschütz III (StuG III) assault gun was one of Germany's most produced AFV's during World War II. It was built on the chassis of the Panzer III. Initially intended as a mobile, armoured light gun for infantry support, the StuG was continually modified until, by 1942, it was widely employed as a tank destroyer.

The Sturmgeschütz series is probably best known for its excellent price-to-performance ratio. By the end of the war, over 10,500 had been built.

Variants

StuG III A (1940, 30 produced)
First used in the Battle of France, the StuG III A used the chassis of the Panzer III F and the 75mm StuK 37 gun.

StuG III B (1940-41, 320 produced)
Widened tracks and other minor changes.

StuG III C (1941, 50 produced)
Minor improvements over the StuG B.

File:StugIII at Kursk.jpg

A StuG III G at Kursk

StuG III D (1941, 150 produced)
Minor improvements over the StuG C.

StuG III E (1941-42, 272 produced)
A MG 34 is added to protect the vehicle from enemy infantry. Other minor improvements.

StuG III F (1942, 359 produced)
The first real upgunning of the StuG, this version uses the longer 75mm StuK 40 L/43 gun. This change marked the StuG as being more of a tank destroyer then an infantry support vehicle.

StuG III F/8 (1942, 334 produced)
Another upgunning, the F/8 used 75mm StuK 40 L/48 gun

StuG III G (1942-45, 7,893 produced)
The final, and by far the most common, of the StuG series. The StuG G used the hull of the Panzer III M and post 1944 added a second machine gun. Later versions were fitted with the Saukopf (Pig's Head) gun mantlet, which was more effective than the original box metal structure at deflecting shot.

See also: List of common WWII combat vehicles

External links

• Acthung Panzer!
• AFV Database
• AFV Interiors
• LemaireSoft
• OnWar model specifications: A B C D E F G
• Panzerworld
• WWII Vehicles
• WarGamer