Sturmgeschuetz IV fuer 7.5cm Sturmkanone 40 (L/48), early production1-7
StuG IV: General
Date of first production December 1943 Total acceptances 1108 + 30 converted from Pz.Kpfw.IV
Manufacturer Krupp-Grusonwerk AG Crew
4 men:
  • Commander in hull left rear
  • Gunner in hull left center
  • Loader in hull right rear
  • Driver in hull left front
StuG IV: Dimensions
Combat weight 51,000lbs
23,000kg		 Height 86.61"
220.0cm
Hull length 233.1"
592.0cm		 Gun overhang forward 30.71"
78.00cm
Width 116.1"
295.0cm		 Tread 96.46"
245.0cm
Ground clearance 15.7"
40.0cm		 Fire height 61.02"
155.0cm
Ground pressure, zero penetration 11psi
.80kg/cm²
StuG IV: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
7.5cm Stuk 40 L/48 Superstructure front 63 rounds 20°
(10° left and right;
manual)		 +20° to -6°
(manual)
7.92mm M.G.34 Loose 600 rounds Manual Manual
StuG IV: Armor
Assembly
Welding and bolting
Hull
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Upper front 3.1"
8.0cm		 10°
Lower front 3.1"
8.0cm		 14°
Upper sides 1.2"
3.0cm		 11°
Lower sides 1.2"
3.0cm		 0°
Upper rear 1.2"
3.0cm		 0°
Lower rear .79"
2.0cm		 10°
Top .43"
1.1cm		 75° to 90°
Floor .40"
1.0cm		 90°
Gun mantlet 2.0"
5.0cm		 0°
StuG IV: Automotive
Engine Maybach HL120TRM; 12 cylinder, 60° vee gasoline
Horsepower 300@3000rpm Fuel capacity 110gal
430L
Transmission ZF SSG 76 Aphon, 6 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Krupp-Wilson clutch-brake, steering levers
Brakes Mechanical, external contracting
StuG IV: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Leaf spring 4 bogies/track;
2 dual/bogie		 4 dual/track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
19-tooth front drive Dual adjustable at rear of track None
StuG IV: Track
Kgs 61/400/120
Center guide, single pin, steel
Width 15.7"
40.0cm		 Pitch 4.72"
12.0cm		 Shoes/track 99 Ground contact length 138.6"
352.0cm
StuG IV: Performance
Max level road speed 24mph
38kph		 Max trench 86.61"
220.0cm
Max grade 58% Max vertical obstacle 23.6"
60.0cm
Min turning diameter 19.4'
5.92m		 Max fording depth 47.24"
120.0cm
Cruising range ~200mi, roads
~320km, roads


The Pz.Kpfw.IV was also converted to an assault gun (Sd.Kfz.167) after a bombing raid severely damaged the ALKETT plant producing the StuG III. The turret and superstructure from the Pz.Kpfw.IV was replaced by a modified StuG III Ausf.G superstructure. Since the Pz.Kpfw.IV hull was longer than that of the Pz.Kpfw.III, it was necessary to create a new driver's position by extending the left side of the superstructure front forward. This new driver's position was topped by a pair of periscopes and an access hatch. The cast gun mantlet was introduced in February 1944. Later production vehicles were also fitted with the naehverteidigunswaffe close-in defense weapon, and starting in December 1944 some StuG IV were only fitted with three track return rollers per side. Other modifications to the Pz.Kpfw.IV and StuG III Ausf.G were also grafted onto StuG IV, like the Pz.Kpfw.IV's flash suppressing mufflers and the remote-control external machine gun mount.

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References

  1. Spielberger, Walter J. Sturmgeschütz & Its Variants. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., 1993.

  2. ---. Panzer IV & Its Variants. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., 1993.

  3. Chamberlain, Peter, and Hilary Doyle. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two. Technical ed. Thomas L. Jentz. London: Cassell & Co., 2000.

  4. Hogg, Ian V. The Greenhill Armoured Fighting Vehicles Data Book. London: Greenhill Books, 2000.

  5. Parada, George. "Achtung Panzer! - Sturmgeschütz III/IV." Achtung Panzer! 9 Mar 2002 <http://www.achtungpanzer.com/stug.htm>. Achtung Panzer!

  6. Siemers, Cary. "Germany's SturmGeschütz Self Propelled Guns." World War II Tanks & Vehicles and Advanced Squad Leader. 23 Mar 2002 <http://www.wwiivehicles.com/html/germany/sturmgeschutz.html>.

  7. Zuljan, Ralph. "StuG IV." Second World War Armor. 16 Mar 2000. 23 Mar 2002 <http://www.onwar.com/tanks/germany/fstug4.htm>. Second World War Armor



Last updated 1 Aug 2002.

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© Copyright 2002 Chris Conners