Sturmgeschuetz III fuer 10.5cm Sturmhaubitze 42 Ausfuehrung G1-6
Ausf.G: General
Date of first production March 1943 Total acceptances 1211
Manufacturer Altmaerkische Kettenwerk, GmbH Crew
4 men:
  • Commander in hull left rear
  • Gunner in hull left center
  • Loader in hull right rear
  • Driver in hull left front
Ausf.G: Dimensions
Combat weight 52,700lbs
23,900kg		 Height 85.04"
216.0cm
Hull length 212.6"
540.0cm		 Howitzer overhang forward 23.6"
60.0cm
Width 116.1"
295.0cm		 Tread 98.82"
251.0cm
Ground clearance 15.4"
39.0cm		 Fire height 61.02"
155.0cm
Ground pressure, zero penetration 14psi
1.0kg/cm²
Ausf.G: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
10.5cm StuH 42 L/28 Superstructure front 36 rounds 20°
(10° left and right;
manual)		 +20° to -6°
(manual)
7.92mm M.G.34 Loose 600 rounds Manual Manual
Ausf.G: Armor
Assembly
Welding and bolting
Hull
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Upper front 2.0" + 1.2"
5.0cm + 3.0cm		 10°
Lower front 2.0" + 1.2"
5.0cm + 3.0cm		 21°
Upper sides 1.2"
3.0cm		 11°
Lower sides 1.2"
3.0cm		 0°
Upper rear 1.2"
3.0cm		 0°
Lower rear 2.0"
5.0cm		 10°
Top .43" to .67"
1.1cm to 1.7cm		 75° to 90°
Floor .63"
1.6cm		 90°
Gun mantlet 2.0"
5.0cm		 0°
Ausf.G: Automotive
Engine Maybach HL120TRM; 12 cylinder, 60° vee gasoline
Horsepower 300@3000rpm Fuel capacity 81.9gal
310L
Transmission ZF SSG 77 Aphon, 6 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Daimler-Benz/Wilson clutch-brake, steering levers
Brakes Hydraulic, inner shoe
Ausf.G: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Torsion bar 6 individually sprung dual/track 3 dual/track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
21-tooth front drive Dual adjustable at rear of track On first and last road wheels/track
Ausf.G: Track
Kgs 61/400/120
Center guide, single pin, steel
Width 15.7"
40.0cm		 Pitch 4.72"
12.0cm		 Shoes/track 93 Ground contact length 112.6"
286.0cm
Ausf.G: Performance
Max level road speed 25mph
40kph		 Max trench 102.4"
260.0cm
Max grade 58% Max vertical obstacle 23.6"
60.0cm
Min turning diameter 19.2'
5.85m		 Max fording depth 31.5"
80.0cm
Cruising range ~95mi, roads
~155km, roads


With the later models of the assault guns being armed with the long 7.5cm guns, they were essentially transformed into tank destroyers. The 10.5cm StuH 42, derived from the leichte feldhaubitze 18, was mounted in the chassis of the StuG Ausf.G to enhance its capability in engaging unarmored targets. The resulting vehicle (Sd.Kfz.142/2) had the improvements made to the StuG Ausf.G grafted onto it since the vehicles were produced before it was decided whether they would be armed with the assault cannon or howitzer. Early assault howitzers were produced from October 1942 by modifying damaged earlier-model assault guns, but new production on the Ausf.G chassis started in March 1943. The double-baffle muzzle brake originally fitted to the assault howitzers was eliminated in September 1944, and assault howitzers were also fitted with the cast mantlets beginning in 1944.

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References

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

  2. ---. Panzer III & 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! 16 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. 16 Mar 2002 <http://www.wwiivehicles.com/html/germany/sturmgeschutz.html>.



Last updated 4 Dec 2002.

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© Copyright 2002 Chris Conners