StuG III Ausf. A-E

The Sturmgeschütz III (StuG III) fixed superstructure ('casemate') assault gun was the most-produced German fully tracked armoured fighting vehicle of World War II, with about 10,086 units made in many variants. The type was originally designed for infantry support, but later up-gunned versions served as tank destroyers. This series proved very successful and served on all fronts, from Russia to North Africa and Western Europe to Italy. Many German allies also used this vehicle during the war, including the Finns, Bulgarians, Hungarians, and Italians. Because of their low silhouette, StuG IIIs were easy to camouflage and be hidden and were difficult targets to destroy. StuG and StuH assault guns were cost-effective compared to the heavier German tanks such as the Tiger I and Panther, although as anti-tank guns they were best used defensively as the lack of a traversable turret and its generally-thin armour was a severe disadvantage in the attack role. As the situation for the German military deteriorated further later in the war, their relative ease of production meant that more StuGs were built than tanks. A crew of four operated the vehicle, and it had a top speed of 25 mph. The early Ausf. A-E models were fitted with a howitzer-pattern, low-velocity 7.5 cm StuK 37 L/24 gun. They also had one 7.92 mm MG34 or MG42 machine gun. Germany produced about 817 Ausf A-E models from early 1940 to early 1942, and they saw service in all theaters in which the Wehrmacht operated during these years.