Tank Destroyer Marder III
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Main Features
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Crew
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4
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Long
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5.68 m (with tube)
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Width
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2,15 m
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Height
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2,40 m
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Mass
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10,5 t
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Armor and armament
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Plating
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11–25 mm
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Main armament
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7.5-cm-Pak 40/3 L/46, 7.62-cm Pak 36 (r)
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Secondary armament
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1 × 7.92 mm MG 34
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Mobility
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Drive
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Praga EPA TZJ
150 PS
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Top speed
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32 km / h (road), 19 km / h (cross)
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Power / weight
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14.3 hp / t
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Range
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210 km (road), 140 km (off-road)
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History
Like all the vehicles Marder series, they were a temporary measure to compensate for the lack of mobile anti-tank weapons.The Marder III was built in three main variants, all based on the chassis of the Panzer 38 (t) based.Marder III Sd.Kfz. 139
In the first series, first as Panzerjäger 38 (t) for 7.62 cm PaK 36 (r) denotes, was captured in large numbers Soviet 7.62-cm field gun F-22 on the tub old armor (t) 38 set, but also partly on new chassis of the Ausf G. The gun barrel has been revamped so that both the 7.62-cm-Russian and the German 75-millimeter ammunition could be used. This required the combustion chamber to be extended. Due to the design the car was very high. The gun crew had. Their position above the engine compartment at the rear, where it was protected only weakly and it up and back was no armor protection Originally designed for the eastern front, the car has been well short of the German Africa Corps delivered. The British troops were from the Marder III so impressed that they believed it with the 8.8-cm Flak to have to do. There are 30 rounds of ammunition were taken.Marder III Sd.Kfz. 138
The later variant Marder III Ausf H was how many Marder II , a German 7.5-cm PaK 40 as a main weapon. The design of protective armor for the gun was designed homogeneous and laterally enlarged considerably. Also could be the battle space down a little deeper. There are 38 rounds of ammunition were taken.For the last production series was specifically designed for the now self-propelled guns redesigned chassis of the Panzer 38 (t) Ausf M used. The engine was moved to the middle of the battle space and on the ground at the rear of the tub. So also the splinter guard for the team has been improved because of the fighting compartment was closed now back up but it was still open. The redesigned front driver also offered better protection against fire. There are 27 rounds of ammunition were taken.
(Other sources speak of 975 pieces with 1143 pieces ) was now Marder III Ausf M vehicle called the most produced version of the Marder series and proved to be in use on all fronts as effective but vulnerable tank destroyer. The production of the Ausf M ran from June 1943 to July 1944, to the production of a more efficient and better armored (t) Jagdpanzer 38 was switched to was also based on the chassis of the Panzer 38 (t).
Specifications
- Armament:
- 7,62-cm-Pak 36 (r) (Sd.Kfz. 139) bzw. 7,5-cm-Pak 40/3 L/46 (Sd.Kfz. 138 Ausf. H und M)
- 7.92-mm MG 37 (t) (up Ausf.H) or 7.92-mm MG 34 (ascending M)
- Engine: six-cylinder in-line engine Praga EPA TZJ with 150 hp
- Radius: 210 km road / 140 km Terrain
- Crew: four
- Armour: 11-25 mm
- Weight: 10.5 t
- Maximum road: 32 km / h
- Maximum area: 19 km / h
