Armored vehicles of Germany in the Second World War. Stug Assault Gun
Colonel Erich von Manstein, who became famous as commander of large armored formations during World War II, proposed to create special units of mobile assault artillery in the Wehrmacht structure, which are equipped with self-propelled self-propelled artillery units built on tracked chassis. This idea was supported, and in June of the following year, the German High Command decided to develop mobile armored infantry support vehicles equipped with 1935-millimeter guns. Daimler-Benz companies were instructed to develop an assault artillery mount, and Krupp companies were instructed.
Five experimental zero-series machines left the shop as early as 1937. A slightly modified PzKpfw III Ausf B chassis was used as a base for creating these machines. In a completely closed low-profile fixed combat wheelhouse, a short-barreled StuK 37 L / 24 gun of 75 millimeters was installed. The gun relative to the longitudinal axis of the machine was shifted to the right; therefore, the driver's seat was in the same place. The difference was that the driver’s seat was now in front of the crew compartment. Along its walls were located ammunition which included 44 projectile. A machine gun for firing at infantry was not envisaged. In general, this car had a rather low silhouette and good booking. 250-strong engine "Maybach" HL 108TR allowed to develop ACS speed up to 25 km / h, but for a combat vehicle designed to directly support the infantry, this speed was enough.
Since the cuttings and hulls of the experienced SAUs were made of non-armored steel, the assault guns could not take part in the hostilities, so after completing the comprehensive testing program that took place at the Kummersdorf training ground, they were transferred to an artillery school where they were used as training machines before the start of 1941 year
In February 1940, after some changes were made to the design, the first batch of 30 cars was produced at the Daimler-Benz plant, which differed from the experimental ones mainly in the engine and chassis. As a base for self-propelled guns used Tanks PzKpfw III Ausf E / F, the machine was driven by the Maybach HL 120TR engine, the frontal armor was up to 50 millimeters thick. These self-propelled artillery mounts on March 28, 1940 received the official designation "7.5 cm Strumgeschutz III Ausf A" (abbreviated as StuG III). About a month later, four batteries of assault guns of this modification took part in hostilities in France. According to the results of these battles, the vehicles received the highest ratings from the crews and from the command.
Soon, the mass production of the self-propelled guns of the StuG III was transferred from the Daimler-Benz overloaded with military orders to Almerkish Ketten Fabrik (Alkett). The volume of the monthly issue was 30 machines, which made it possible to introduce the StuG III self-propelled guns into the 1940 series in 184, and to produce 548 units by the end of next year. these highly needed front cars.
Self-propelled artillery StuG III of various modifications were the most massive tracked combat vehicles of the German army during the Second World War. In the 1942 year, after arming 75-mm long-barreled guns, which had high armor-piercing characteristics, they essentially became the main anti-tank weapon of the Wehrmacht. At the same time, the functions of the assault gun were transferred to the StuH 42 assault howitzer developed on that base of the same machine and differing from the ACG StuG III only by the installation of a high-explosive fragmentation gun. In total, from February 1940 to April 1945, more than 10,5 thousand StuH 42 assault howitzers and StuG III guns were manufactured at the MIAG and Alkett factories.
The StuG III assault rifle, like all German tanks produced for a long time, was continuously upgraded in the production process, not only to improve the fighting qualities, but also to reduce the cost and simplify the design. As a result of making a large number of changes to the latter, (changes, as a rule, were not very significant), eight modifications were seen. It makes no sense to list all the innovations, we dwell only on the main ones, which seriously affected the fighting qualities of self-propelled guns.
StuG III Ausf. F 6-th field army of the Wehrmacht moves on the floor of the railway sleepers, which are laid down along the railroad tracks. The assault gun is followed by a German soldier with boxes for machine-gun belts — the number of the machine-gun crew. In the right part of the picture is an officer with binoculars in the form of the tank crew of the 5 th Panzer SS Viking division.
Consider first of all the evolution of the weapons SAU StuG III. On the first assault guns, a short-barreled StuK 38 L / 24 gun with a barrel length of only 24 caliber was installed. The main armament of the B, C, D and E modifications was the same. If the task of providing fire support to the infantry was by force, then it almost did not work to destroy the enemy’s tanks. Gun fire was effective only at close distances. After the German attack on the USSR and the collision with the KB-1, KV-2 and T-34 tanks having good defense, the situation deteriorated even more, therefore the StuG III F modification began to install the long-barreled StuK 40 L / 43 gun with greater efficiency. The self-propelled version of the StuG 40 Ausf F / 8 (after this modification, the StuG III was called that way) was installed gun StuK 40 L / 48 has even more power. Self-propelled guns of the latest, most advanced and most massive modification of the Ausf G. were armed with the same weapon. Also, with the start of the production of assault guns that had long guns in service, which fell into the repair of earlier versions of the machine, they also began to re-equip them. The installation of effective anti-armor guns has significantly changed the situation, turning the ACS modifications F, F / 8 and G into a very formidable weapon and the main anti-Wehrmacht. In order to provide the troops with the necessary fire support, they decided to start the production of a new self-propelled artillery installation armed with a suitable for these purposes howitzer leFH 18 L / 28 caliber 105 millimeters. In March 1943, it unfolded. The new self-propelled artillery gun, which received the designation StuH 42, was identical in its design to the modifications F, F / 8, G. The gun ammunition consisted of 36 shots. Until the end of the war, based on the PzKpfw III Ausf G, they released 1299 machines, on the basis of the PzKpfw III Ausf F, also 12.
As the experience of combat showed, in certain situations machine-gun armament for close combat is no less important for SAU than cannons. And if the original machine gun to deal with the enemy's manpower was not provided for, then, starting from modification E, they began to install it. On StuG III modifications F and subsequent modifications of the machine gun carried on the roof. The weapon had a limited firing angle, as it was installed in a protective shield in the slot. But the self-propelled guns of the last series of the G modification were equipped with a circular-rotation machine gun with remote control. This modification, undoubtedly, was a step forward to save many German tankers.
Simultaneously with the improvement of the SAU armament, work was done to increase the armor protection of the machines, as a result of which the thickness of the cutting armor and the frontal part of the hull was increased to the 80 millimeters on the latest, most mass modifications. On already released SAU protection increased by hanging additional armor plates. Also, ACS StuG III, starting with 1943, began to be equipped with onboard screens, which protected the back of the chassis and side from cumulative projectiles, as well as bullets of anti-tank guns. This led to an increase in the mass of the combat vehicle and to a deterioration in maneuverability, which was already unimportant.
The crew of the German SAU "Sturmgeshuts" (StuG.III Ausf.G) commander of the 1-th battery 237-th brigade of assault guns Hauptmann Bodo Spranz (Bodo Spranz). On the gun barrel there is a stylized image of a tank and 33 of white rings, indicating the number of armored vehicles the crew had damaged. In addition, on the Spratz sleeve (1920 — 2007) there are stripes of four personally destroyed armored vehicles.
The remaining changes that were made during the years of mass production concerned, as a rule, the form of cutting, aiming devices, the number of hatches, and so on. Outwardly, the StuG 40 Ausf G assault rifle stood out with the commander's turret that appeared on it and the new cast mask of a cannon (later called the “pig's nose” for its characteristic form), which was installed from November 1943.
The first StuG III Ausf A assault guns received their baptism of fire in 1940, in France, where they immediately proved themselves very well. In a small number of vehicles of modification B participated in the Balkans in the hostilities, however, a truly serious test was waiting for them in the summer of 1941. The last battles in which StuG III Ausf A and B took part were held at Stalingrad in 1942-1943. Only in the training units, several units of assault guns of the first modifications were able to survive to 1944. Modifications C and D on the battlefield appeared in the summer of 1941 g, but by winter their number had decreased significantly, and subsequently they were rearmed with a long-barreled gun. After that, they were used until the end of World War II.
The latest modification of the StuG III Ausf E equipped with a short-barreled 75 mm caliber appeared in the autumn of 1941, although the weakness of such weapons by this time became quite obvious. The creation of this modification was caused by the need for combat special vehicles of the commanders of the assault divisions. To this end, due to the introduction of some structural changes, the internal volume of logging was increased, unlike ACS of modifications C and D, they were not re-equipped and were used as commander and reconnaissance vehicles until the end of the war.
After the StuG III assault guns were armed with a long-barreled gun, they were turned into effective tank destroyers. In this capacity they were actively used on all fronts until the last days of the war. In the combat biography of StuG III there are many glorious pages. For example, at Stalingrad at the beginning of September 1942, the 244 Battalion of the Assault Artillery battalion (commander chief vakhmist Kurt Pfrendtner) destroyed 20 Soviet tanks for 9 minutes, and the crew commanded by Horst Naumann, who went to 184 battalion bracers, put a marching master battalion. 01.01.1943 destroyed 04.01.1943 Soviet vehicles during the battles of Demyanskom. The most famous ace of assault artillery of the SS troops is considered to be the SS assault gunführer Walter Knip, commander of the Second Assault Artillery Battalion of the tank division "Das Reich". His unit between 12 and 05.07.1943 destroyed the Soviet army’s 17.01.1944 tanks. Perhaps these figures are overestimated, but the fact that when using competent tactics and in the right hands, the assault guns of the ACS of the StuG III, or more precisely the StuG 129 Ausf G, were extremely formidable weapons, is beyond doubt.
Another proof of the combat qualities of the self-propelled guns of the StuG III is that even in the 1950s, the Romanian, Spanish, Egyptian and Syrian armies were in service.
Tactical and technical characteristics of self-propelled artillery installation StuG III:
Base - medium tank PzKpfw III Ausf G;
Classification - assault gun;
Weight - 23900 kg;
Crew - 4 person;
Dimensions:
length - 6770 mm;
width - 2950 mm;
height - 2160 mm;
clearance - 390 mm;
Armor:
The forehead of the body is 80 mm;
Board - 30 mm;
Feed - 30 mm;
Roof - mm xnumx;
Armament:
The gun - StuK 40 L / 48, caliber 75 mm (shotgun 54);
The gun - StuK 40 L / 48, caliber 7,92 mm (ammunition 1200 ammunition);
Powerplant: engine Maybach HL 120TRM, carburetor, power 300 l. with. (220,65 kW);
Obstacle obstacles:
Wade depth - 0,80 m;
The width of the moat - 1,90 m;
Wall height - 0,60 m;
Maximum lift angle - 30 degrees;
Maximum speed on the highway - 40 km / h;
Power reserve on rocade - 95 km;
Cruising on the highway - 155 km.
Five experimental zero-series machines left the shop as early as 1937. A slightly modified PzKpfw III Ausf B chassis was used as a base for creating these machines. In a completely closed low-profile fixed combat wheelhouse, a short-barreled StuK 37 L / 24 gun of 75 millimeters was installed. The gun relative to the longitudinal axis of the machine was shifted to the right; therefore, the driver's seat was in the same place. The difference was that the driver’s seat was now in front of the crew compartment. Along its walls were located ammunition which included 44 projectile. A machine gun for firing at infantry was not envisaged. In general, this car had a rather low silhouette and good booking. 250-strong engine "Maybach" HL 108TR allowed to develop ACS speed up to 25 km / h, but for a combat vehicle designed to directly support the infantry, this speed was enough.
Since the cuttings and hulls of the experienced SAUs were made of non-armored steel, the assault guns could not take part in the hostilities, so after completing the comprehensive testing program that took place at the Kummersdorf training ground, they were transferred to an artillery school where they were used as training machines before the start of 1941 year
In February 1940, after some changes were made to the design, the first batch of 30 cars was produced at the Daimler-Benz plant, which differed from the experimental ones mainly in the engine and chassis. As a base for self-propelled guns used Tanks PzKpfw III Ausf E / F, the machine was driven by the Maybach HL 120TR engine, the frontal armor was up to 50 millimeters thick. These self-propelled artillery mounts on March 28, 1940 received the official designation "7.5 cm Strumgeschutz III Ausf A" (abbreviated as StuG III). About a month later, four batteries of assault guns of this modification took part in hostilities in France. According to the results of these battles, the vehicles received the highest ratings from the crews and from the command.
Soon, the mass production of the self-propelled guns of the StuG III was transferred from the Daimler-Benz overloaded with military orders to Almerkish Ketten Fabrik (Alkett). The volume of the monthly issue was 30 machines, which made it possible to introduce the StuG III self-propelled guns into the 1940 series in 184, and to produce 548 units by the end of next year. these highly needed front cars.
Self-propelled artillery StuG III of various modifications were the most massive tracked combat vehicles of the German army during the Second World War. In the 1942 year, after arming 75-mm long-barreled guns, which had high armor-piercing characteristics, they essentially became the main anti-tank weapon of the Wehrmacht. At the same time, the functions of the assault gun were transferred to the StuH 42 assault howitzer developed on that base of the same machine and differing from the ACG StuG III only by the installation of a high-explosive fragmentation gun. In total, from February 1940 to April 1945, more than 10,5 thousand StuH 42 assault howitzers and StuG III guns were manufactured at the MIAG and Alkett factories.
The StuG III assault rifle, like all German tanks produced for a long time, was continuously upgraded in the production process, not only to improve the fighting qualities, but also to reduce the cost and simplify the design. As a result of making a large number of changes to the latter, (changes, as a rule, were not very significant), eight modifications were seen. It makes no sense to list all the innovations, we dwell only on the main ones, which seriously affected the fighting qualities of self-propelled guns.
Column of German assault guns StuG III in Italy. Summer xnumx
SAU StuG III Ausf.F on the city street
Consider first of all the evolution of the weapons SAU StuG III. On the first assault guns, a short-barreled StuK 38 L / 24 gun with a barrel length of only 24 caliber was installed. The main armament of the B, C, D and E modifications was the same. If the task of providing fire support to the infantry was by force, then it almost did not work to destroy the enemy’s tanks. Gun fire was effective only at close distances. After the German attack on the USSR and the collision with the KB-1, KV-2 and T-34 tanks having good defense, the situation deteriorated even more, therefore the StuG III F modification began to install the long-barreled StuK 40 L / 43 gun with greater efficiency. The self-propelled version of the StuG 40 Ausf F / 8 (after this modification, the StuG III was called that way) was installed gun StuK 40 L / 48 has even more power. Self-propelled guns of the latest, most advanced and most massive modification of the Ausf G. were armed with the same weapon. Also, with the start of the production of assault guns that had long guns in service, which fell into the repair of earlier versions of the machine, they also began to re-equip them. The installation of effective anti-armor guns has significantly changed the situation, turning the ACS modifications F, F / 8 and G into a very formidable weapon and the main anti-Wehrmacht. In order to provide the troops with the necessary fire support, they decided to start the production of a new self-propelled artillery installation armed with a suitable for these purposes howitzer leFH 18 L / 28 caliber 105 millimeters. In March 1943, it unfolded. The new self-propelled artillery gun, which received the designation StuH 42, was identical in its design to the modifications F, F / 8, G. The gun ammunition consisted of 36 shots. Until the end of the war, based on the PzKpfw III Ausf G, they released 1299 machines, on the basis of the PzKpfw III Ausf F, also 12.
As the experience of combat showed, in certain situations machine-gun armament for close combat is no less important for SAU than cannons. And if the original machine gun to deal with the enemy's manpower was not provided for, then, starting from modification E, they began to install it. On StuG III modifications F and subsequent modifications of the machine gun carried on the roof. The weapon had a limited firing angle, as it was installed in a protective shield in the slot. But the self-propelled guns of the last series of the G modification were equipped with a circular-rotation machine gun with remote control. This modification, undoubtedly, was a step forward to save many German tankers.
Simultaneously with the improvement of the SAU armament, work was done to increase the armor protection of the machines, as a result of which the thickness of the cutting armor and the frontal part of the hull was increased to the 80 millimeters on the latest, most mass modifications. On already released SAU protection increased by hanging additional armor plates. Also, ACS StuG III, starting with 1943, began to be equipped with onboard screens, which protected the back of the chassis and side from cumulative projectiles, as well as bullets of anti-tank guns. This led to an increase in the mass of the combat vehicle and to a deterioration in maneuverability, which was already unimportant.
Beautiful dynamic photo of the attacking German self-propelled artillery installation of the class of assault guns StuG III Ausf.B
Self-propelled artillery installation StuG III
The remaining changes that were made during the years of mass production concerned, as a rule, the form of cutting, aiming devices, the number of hatches, and so on. Outwardly, the StuG 40 Ausf G assault rifle stood out with the commander's turret that appeared on it and the new cast mask of a cannon (later called the “pig's nose” for its characteristic form), which was installed from November 1943.
The first StuG III Ausf A assault guns received their baptism of fire in 1940, in France, where they immediately proved themselves very well. In a small number of vehicles of modification B participated in the Balkans in the hostilities, however, a truly serious test was waiting for them in the summer of 1941. The last battles in which StuG III Ausf A and B took part were held at Stalingrad in 1942-1943. Only in the training units, several units of assault guns of the first modifications were able to survive to 1944. Modifications C and D on the battlefield appeared in the summer of 1941 g, but by winter their number had decreased significantly, and subsequently they were rearmed with a long-barreled gun. After that, they were used until the end of World War II.
The latest modification of the StuG III Ausf E equipped with a short-barreled 75 mm caliber appeared in the autumn of 1941, although the weakness of such weapons by this time became quite obvious. The creation of this modification was caused by the need for combat special vehicles of the commanders of the assault divisions. To this end, due to the introduction of some structural changes, the internal volume of logging was increased, unlike ACS of modifications C and D, they were not re-equipped and were used as commander and reconnaissance vehicles until the end of the war.
Field Marshal Albert Kesselring conducts reconnaissance of the area with the officers of the SAU StuG IV armor
Column of assault guns StuG 40 in anticipation of the team on the march. In the foreground the assault gun Ausf. G with a direct machine gun shield and additional on-board armor plates, which began to install 1942 on modifications from December. In the background the assault gun Ausf. F / 8, September – October 1942 release early modification
German assault gun (assault howitzer) StuH 42 on the march. StuG III is following her
After the StuG III assault guns were armed with a long-barreled gun, they were turned into effective tank destroyers. In this capacity they were actively used on all fronts until the last days of the war. In the combat biography of StuG III there are many glorious pages. For example, at Stalingrad at the beginning of September 1942, the 244 Battalion of the Assault Artillery battalion (commander chief vakhmist Kurt Pfrendtner) destroyed 20 Soviet tanks for 9 minutes, and the crew commanded by Horst Naumann, who went to 184 battalion bracers, put a marching master battalion. 01.01.1943 destroyed 04.01.1943 Soviet vehicles during the battles of Demyanskom. The most famous ace of assault artillery of the SS troops is considered to be the SS assault gunführer Walter Knip, commander of the Second Assault Artillery Battalion of the tank division "Das Reich". His unit between 12 and 05.07.1943 destroyed the Soviet army’s 17.01.1944 tanks. Perhaps these figures are overestimated, but the fact that when using competent tactics and in the right hands, the assault guns of the ACS of the StuG III, or more precisely the StuG 129 Ausf G, were extremely formidable weapons, is beyond doubt.
Another proof of the combat qualities of the self-propelled guns of the StuG III is that even in the 1950s, the Romanian, Spanish, Egyptian and Syrian armies were in service.
Tactical and technical characteristics of self-propelled artillery installation StuG III:
Base - medium tank PzKpfw III Ausf G;
Classification - assault gun;
Weight - 23900 kg;
Crew - 4 person;
Dimensions:
length - 6770 mm;
width - 2950 mm;
height - 2160 mm;
clearance - 390 mm;
Armor:
The forehead of the body is 80 mm;
Board - 30 mm;
Feed - 30 mm;
Roof - mm xnumx;
Armament:
The gun - StuK 40 L / 48, caliber 75 mm (shotgun 54);
The gun - StuK 40 L / 48, caliber 7,92 mm (ammunition 1200 ammunition);
Powerplant: engine Maybach HL 120TRM, carburetor, power 300 l. with. (220,65 kW);
Obstacle obstacles:
Wade depth - 0,80 m;
The width of the moat - 1,90 m;
Wall height - 0,60 m;
Maximum lift angle - 30 degrees;
Maximum speed on the highway - 40 km / h;
Power reserve on rocade - 95 km;
Cruising on the highway - 155 km.
Column of Finnish assault guns StuG III Ausf. G from the Lagus division on the march in Karelia. Germany has put its allies 59 these SAU
German sappers under cover of the Sturmgeshutz self-propelled guns (StuG III) are heading to the Soviet positions in Stalingrad
The crew of the German assault gun StuG III for lunch
Smoke breaker German self-propelled They are sitting on the StuG IV's undercarriage, the Sd.Kfz armored personnel carrier is visible in the background. 250 and StuG III Assault Gun
German paratroopers (recognizable by the helmets of parachutists) in a trench. In the background is a StuG III assault gun.
A German soldier armed with an StG 44 assault rifle lights a gun at the self-propelled gun from the crew of the assault gun StuG IV (armored cap-cab of a driver with two periscopes, a form of frontal armor corps)
StuG III Ausf. G with onboard anti-cumulative screens
German tanker firing a MG-34 machine gun mounted on a self-propelled artillery mount (assault gun) StuG III Ausf. G
SAU StuG III overcomes the ford
Column of German assault guns StuG III on the march to the Caucasus
Tank assault of sappers-bomber (sturmpionieren) from the SS division "Das Reich" on the armor of the assault gun StuG III Ausf F
German self-propelled artillery mounts StuG III Ausf.B. For this machine, the PzKpfw III Ausf G tank chassis was used, it was armed with an 75-mm short-barreled gun. A total of 320 ACS of this modification was released, the last of them were used in combat operations near Stalingrad (autumn 1942)
German SAU "Sturmgeshütz" (StuG III Ausf. G, Sd.Kfz 142 / 1), shot down during the fighting for the liberation of France
Padded German self-propelled gun StuG III on the Boulevard of Liberation in Belgrade. Picture taken 18 October 1944 year - this is the height of the fighting for the city. However, on the street and at the wrecked car is full of curious civilians, including children. Far away are the domes of St. Mark's Cathedral.
[Center]The column of German assault guns Stug III, destroyed by the Soviet aviation
Part of the 2-th tank group of the Wehrmacht are forwarded through the water barrier. In the foreground is the StuG III Ausf.C / D assault gun from the 177 th assault gun battalion (Sturmgeschütz-Abt. 177), in the background there is the Bussing-Nag G31 car with the emblem of the 2 tank group (“G” - Guderian) on the right wing. End of October 1941[/ Center]A Soviet soldier inspects StuG III Ausf.F, a padded German assault rifle. A breach in armor allows you to look inside the self-propelled gun
The StuG 40 Ausf.G assault rifle exploded as a result of an armor-piercing projectile. On the left you can see the roof of the cabin, thrown off by an explosion. The ACS is remarkable: concrete pillows were fixed on the frontal armor of the cabin, and the crew additionally booked all vertical surfaces of the vehicle with tracks from the T-34 tank. The number of the Soviet trophy team "6". Lake Balaton District
Soviet assault gun destroyed by StuG III Ausf A assault rifle, Kiev district, summer of 1941
German SAU StuG 40 in the lobby of the Allied-destroyed Hotel Continental in Cassino. Italy
Troop German SAU "Sturmgeshuts" (StuG III Ausf.G) with concrete reinforcement on top of armor plates of the 104-th Infantry Division of the 1-US Army. Crew members, (right) Sergeant Clau Barton (Cloy Barton) and Bruce Coltrane (Bruce Coultrane) armed with a German assault rifle StG-44
The soldiers of the 3 of the Ukrainian Front are considering a shell of the captured German self-propelled gun StuG III Ausf. G on the road to Nikopol. The car has a winter camouflage, on the surviving caterpillar are visible anti-slip teeth (Mittelstollen), used to improve road performance on ice or solid snow
Captured by Soviet troops in the city of Szekesfehervarvar German tanks and self-propelled guns, abandoned due to lack of fuel. In the right corner is partially visible Pz.Kpfw. VI "Tiger", further located two medium tanks Pz.Kpfw. IV and SAG StuG 40
Captured by Soviet troops Finnish self-propelled artillery installation of a class of assault guns StuG III German production
A brigade of repair tankers arriving from the front to study captured StuG III (from the 192 division of assault guns) in the courtyard of the Moscow elevator plant where repair base No. XXNX was located
Soviet tankers master the StuG III Ausf self-propelled artillery system captured from the Germans. B (as opposed to later modifications, armed with a short-barreled gun). Presumably belonged to the 214-th Division assault guns. 14 was captured on May 1942 by the tank crews of the 5 Guards Tank Brigade. Southwest Front, May 1942
Soviet tankers on captured German armored vehicles. This is a separate company of captured tanks, Western Front, March 1942, in the foreground - the Pz.III medium tank, then - the StuG III assault guns
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