Marder II - SdKfz 131 | |
|---|---|
| Země | Německo |
| Typ | Lovec tanků |
| Klíčová slova | Album 67 photos du «Sdkfz.131 – Marder II»> |
Fotogalerie na Sdkfz.131 - Marder II, The Marder II je německý stíhač tanků postavený z podvozku tanku Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf A,B,C a F, vyzbrojený 75mm německým protitankovým dělem PaK 40 nebo sovětským dělem (zajatým) F-22 modelem 1936 76,2 mm rehambrés. (Marder II Sd.Kfz 132 "Selbstfahrlafette").
| Marder II Tank Destroyer Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Fotograf | Bill Maloney |
| Lokalizace | Pattonovo muzeum |
| Fotografie | 19 |
Viz také:
General Characteristics and Role
The Sd.Kfz. 131 Marder II (“Marten”) was a German tank destroyer used during World War II. It was the result of an urgent need for vehicles capable of engaging the heavily armored Soviet tanks, like the T-34 and KV-1, which proved largely immune to standard German anti-tank weapons during the initial invasion of the Soviet Union. The Marder II was designed as an improvisation: it mounted a captured Soviet 7.62 cm anti-tank gun (later replaced by a German 7.5 cm PaK 40) onto the chassis of the obsolete Panzer II light tank. This modification created a highly effective weapon platform, though it was characterized by its high profile and open-topped fighting compartment, which left the crew highly vulnerable to artillery shrapnel and small arms fire. Its primary role was to provide mobile anti-tank support to infantry and panzer divisions.
| Property | Typical Value (Sd.Kfz. 131 Ausf. D/E) |
|---|---|
| Typ | Tank Destroyer (Marder series) |
| National Origin | Nacistické Německo |
| Výrobce | FAMO, MAN, etc. (Conversion of Panzer II chassis) |
| Entered Service | Mid-1942 |
| Posádky | 3 or 4 (Commander, Gunner, Driver, sometimes Loader) |
| Combat Weight | Approx. 11.5 tonnes |
| Length (Hull) | 6.34 m (20 ft 9.6 in) |
Powerplant and Firepower
- Engine: 1 x Maybach HL 62 TRM six-cylinder water-cooled gasoline engine.
- Engine Power: 140 hp (104 kW).
- Maximum Road Speed: 55 km/h (34 mph).
- Main Armament: 1 x 7.5 cm PaK 40/2 L/46 anti-tank gun (typically 30-37 rounds). This gun was extremely effective against almost all Allied and Soviet tanks.
- Secondary Armament: 1 x 7.92 mm MG 34 machine gun (carried for anti-infantry defense).
- Armor: Very light. Hull armor was 10-30 mm, while the fighting compartment shielding was only 10-15 mm thick and open at the top and rear.
- Design Compromise: The open-topped fighting compartment and high center of gravity were direct results of adapting a heavy gun to a light chassis, prioritizing anti-tank capability over crew protection.
Service History and Legacy
- Eastern Front Genesis: The Marder II was one of the earliest “Marder” series vehicles, designed to overcome the initial shock of encountering superior Soviet armor, giving German forces a fighting chance.
- Combat Use: It served on all major fronts, including the Eastern Front, North Africa, and Italy, often achieving significant success due to the penetrating power of its 7.5 cm PaK 40 gun.
- Marder Series: It belongs to a family of interim tank destroyers that included the Marder I (based on captured French chassis) and Marder III (based on the Czech 38(t) chassis).
- Production: Over 1,500 Marder IIs were produced, a substantial number that filled a critical anti-tank gap until purpose-built tank destroyers like the Jagdpanzer IV could be manufactured in sufficient quantity.
- Retirement: As the war progressed and Panzer II chassis became scarce, production ceased in 1944. It was slowly replaced in frontline service by vehicles with fully enclosed superstructures and heavier armor.
Počet zobrazení: 6553