Marder II – SdKfz 131 | |
|---|---|
| Pays | Germany |
| Type | Chasseur de chars |
| Mots clés | Album de 67 photos du «Sdkfz.131 – Marder II»> |
Galerie photo sur un Sdkfz.131 – Marder II, Le Marder II est un chasseur de chars allemand construit à partir du châssis du char Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf A,B,C et F, armé d’un canon antichar allemand PaK 40 de 75 mm, ou d’un canon soviétique (capturé) F-22 modèle 1936 de 76,2 mm rechambrés. (Marder II Sd.Kfz 132 « Selbstfahrlafette »).
| Marder II Tank Destroyer Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Bill Maloney |
| Localisation | Patton Museum |
| Photos | 19 |
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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) |
|---|---|
| Type | Tank Destroyer (Marder series) |
| National Origin | Nazi Germany |
| Manufacturer | FAMO, MAN, etc. (Conversion of Panzer II chassis) |
| Entered Service | Mid-1942 |
| Crew | 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.
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