The Sturmgeschütz III (StuG III) assault gun was Germany’s second most-produced armoured fighting vehicle during World War II

The Sturmgeschütz III (StuG III) assault gun was Germany’s second most-produced armoured fighting vehicle during World War II after the Sd.Kfz. 251 half-track. Developed in 1940 by Daimler-Benz on the basis of the medium tank T-3. 10500 units of various modifications were made. A crew – 4 persons. Armament: a cannon (75 mm). Armor – 50-30 mm. Power – 300 hp. The speed is 40 km / h.

Daimler-Benz AG used the chassis and running gear of its recent Panzer III medium tank as a basis for the new vehicle. Prototype manufacture was passed over to Alkett, which produced five prototypes in 1937 on Panzer III Ausf. B chassis. These prototypes featured a mild steel superstructure and a Krupp short-barrelled, howitzer-like in appearance, 7.5 cm StuK 37 L/24 cannon. Production vehicles with this gun were known as Gepanzerte Selbstfahrlafette für Sturmgeschütz 7.5 cm Kanone Ausführung A bis D (Sd.Kfz.142).

Museum of the Victory, Moscow

Manufacturers: Alkett, MIAG

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