Marder III - Walk Around

Marder III – Sdkfz.139
Country	Nazi Germany
Type	Anti-tank
In Service	1942–1945
Built	1736

The Panzerjâger 38(t) für 7.62 cm Pak36. also called Panzerselbstfahrlafette II or Sd.Kfz.139. More commonly known as the “Marder III“. This was a typical stop-gap-measure for the anti-tank branch which was heavily under armed. This was apparent after hostilities began again the USSR in 1941. The vehicle is an interesting combination of a Russian captured gun based on concepts of the German company Rheinmetall-Borsig of the l930s and the Pz.Kfw. 3 ( t) Auf.G and H. A tank developed for the Czech and solely built in the Czech factories of BMM for the German Army.

Source: Nuts & Bolts

Marder III
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Photos	119

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SdKfz 139 Marder III Walk Around
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Photos	107

SdKfz 139 Marder III

Marder III Panzerjager 38t 7.62 cm PaK36(r) Sd.Kfz. 139 Walk Around
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Marder III PaK36

Key Characteristics

Chassis Base: Built on the highly reliable chassis of the obsolete Czech Panzer 38(t) light tank.
Role: Primarily used as a mobile anti-tank gun in defensive or ambush roles, due to its powerful main gun.
Vulnerability: Featured an open-topped fighting compartment and minimal, thin armor, making the crew highly exposed to artillery and infantry fire. Its high silhouette also made it easier to spot.

Marder III Variants

Variant	Designation	Main Armament	Chassis Configuration	Production / Conversion
Marder III	Sd.Kfz. 139	Modified captured Soviet 7.62 cm PaK 36(r)	Engine in the rear; gun compartment on top. Very high profile.	344 built (Apr – Nov 1942)
Marder III Ausf. H	Sd.Kfz. 138	German 7.5 cm PaK 40	Engine in the rear (H for Heckmotor); fighting compartment in the center.	418 built and converted (Nov 1942 – Apr 1943)
Marder III Ausf. M	Sd.Kfz. 138	German 7.5 cm PaK 40	Engine moved to the middle (M for Mittelmotor); fighting compartment in the rear. Lower profile.	975 built (May 1943 – May 1944)

Specifications (Approximate for later Ausf. M variant)

Specification	Detail
Weight	~10.5 – 11 tonnes
Crew	4
Armor (Max Front)	~50 mm
Engine Power	125–150 hp
Max Speed (Road)	42 km/h

The Marder III series was eventually replaced by the more advanced and fully enclosed Jagdpanzer 38(t) ‘Hetzer’, which offered significantly better armor protection on a further modified Panzer 38(t) chassis.