1. [ Prototype ]
2. [ StuG III Ausf A-B ]
3. [ StuG III Ausf C-D ]
4. [ StuG III Ausf E ]
5. [ StuG III Ausf F ]
6. [ StuG 40 Ausf G ]
7. [ StuG IV ]
Tables
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1. [ Prototype ]
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In June 1936, the German supreme Headquarter has accepted the decision on the beginning of manufacture of mobile armored machines of support, armed 75-mm guns. In manufacturing of a chassis and armored body Daimler Benz firm has engaged, and 75-mm a short-barrel gun with a mask was prodused by Krupp.
The first 5 machines were ready already in 1937. They were constructed on the chassis of PzKpfw III Ausf B. Instead of a turret on the tank have put a unrotative cabin with 75-mm gun StuK 37 L/24 and 40 shells ammo.
Because these pilot models were built of mild steel, they were not be used in combat, and were in service in artillery school.
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In February 1940 in firm Daimler-Benz was assembled 30 assault ïãòs. They differed from the prototype by a design the chassis and engine.
At their manufacturing the engine and chassis of the tank PzKpfw III Ausf E/F was used. The armour of the machine in a forward part had thikness of 50 mm. On March 28 the assault guns were accepted on a service and have received the name " Gepanzerte Selbstfahrlafette fur Sturmgeschutz 7,5 cm Kanone (SdKfz 142), later - StuG III ausf A. 4 batteries of StuG III ausf A's saw service during the invasion of France in May, 1940.
Soon the manufacture of StuG III was handed to firm Alkett and the assault guns was modified. So there was the updating Ausf B, which did not almost differ from Ausf A, produced by Daimler-Benz.
Stug III Ausf B in a few have accepted participation in battles on the Balkan, but the main battles waited for them in Russia, where some of them have reached up to Stalingrad.
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In early 1941, a new model of the StuG III was introdused.
This was the Ausf C. In this modification gunners sight placed on roof and not needed hole in front armor plate.
It has improved durability of the frontal armour and has simplified manufacture of a body.
StuG III Ausf C made till May 1941. Then has appeared StuG III Ausf D. This machine was almost identical with previous, but carried mechanisms of the tank PzKpfw III Ausf H. Even the German documents frequently name these machines as one name StuG III Ausf C/D.
Battle debut these machines have accepted in the summer 1941, but already by winter them remained some. After a beginning of issue of assault guns, armed with a long-barrel cannon, Ausf C-D have too begun to re-equip and used in battles up to 1945. |
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The last updating of StuG III, armed by short-barrel 75-mm gun, was born in the autumn 1941. A German head-quarters has decided to make the special machine for commanders of assault battalions. To put the additional equipment in a self-propelled gun have added armored box for additional radiostation on the right fender.
But the new machine has appeared cheaper, than the predcessors, and increased volume of battle branch allowed to carry the greater ammunition. StuG III Ausf E have accepted on a service and for the ordinaries battle machines. Some StuG III Ausf E were used in battles up to the end of war.
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Sturmgeschutz 40 Ausf F |
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In the autumn 1941 German army was required a plenty of mobile Anti-tank means. On September 28 the Hitler has required to create Anti-tank SPs. Best for this purpose approached distributed StuG III. Vehicle has received a new gun StuK 40 with a barrel of length of 43 calibres, developed by firm "Rheinmetall". After tests the new battle vehicle has received an index StuG 40 Ausf F (SdKfz 142/1) and in March 1942 was accepted to a service of German army. |
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The last model - " Sturmgeschutz 40, Ausf G ", has appeared in 1943 and serially was made up to the end of war. It armed with a gun with length of a barrel of 48 calibres and was very simple in manufacturing. By summer 1943 the frontal armour of a vehicle was increased up to 80 mm.
Many vehicles have added by additional armour sheets for protection against hollow-charge shells and bullets of anti-tank rifles. From summer 1943 to hull StuG 40 Ausf G have begun to render a special covering - "zimmerit".
In 1944 in army have begun to come StuG 40 with the new form of a gun mantlet. For characteristic contours this mantlet has received the name "Saukopfblende ("pork dug"). |
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In the autumn 1943 after a mass bombing of factories "Alkett" in Germany the manufacture of assault guns has stopped and to their issue firm "Krupp" was connected.
Have here developed a new vehicle, by adapting a cabin from StuG 40 Ausf G for the chassis of the tank PzKpfw IV Ausf G. So it was possible to reduce creation of a new self-propelled gun and to begin its mass manufacture. The new vehicle has received the name " Sturmgeschutz IV (SdKfz 163) ".
The vehicle has appeared more expensive and more hardly, than StuG 40, but carried greater AMMO.
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