StuG III Ausf. G | |
|---|---|
| Country | Nazi Germany |
| Role | Assault gun |
| Produced | December 1942 – April 1945 |
| Built | ~8423 |
The final and by far the most common of the StuG series. Upper superstructure was widened: welded boxes on either sides were abandoned. This new superstructure design increased its height to 2160 mm. The back wall of the fighting compartment got straightened, and the ventilation fan on top of the superstructure was relocated to the back of the fighting compartment. From March 1943, the driver’s periscope was abandoned. In February 1943, Alkett was joined by MIAG as a second manufacturer. From May 1943, side hull spaced armour plates (Schürzen) were fitted to G models for added armour protection, particularly against Russian anti-tank rifles, but were also useful against hollow-charge ammunition. Side plates were retro-fitted to some Ausf. F/8 models, as they were to be fitted to all front line StuGs and other tanks by June 1943 in preparation for the battle of Kursk. Mountings for the Schürzen proved inadequately strong, as many were lost in the field. From March 1944, an improved mounting was introduced; as a result, side skirts are seen more often with late model Ausf G. From May 1943, 80 mm thick plates were used for frontal armour instead of two plates of 50 mm + 30 mm. However, a backlog of StuGs with completed 50 mm armour existed. For those, a 30 mm additional armour plate still had to be welded or bolted on, until October 1943.
Source: StuG III Ausf. G on Wikipedia
| SdKfz 142/1 Sturmgeschutz (StuG) III Walk Around | |
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| Photographer | Vladimir Yakubov |
| Localisation | Jacques Littlefield Collection |
| Photos | 34 |
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| SdKfz 142/1 Sturmgeschutz (StuG) III Ausf G Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Vladimir Yakubov |
| Localisation | Latrun Armor Museum |
| Photos | 107 |
| Sturmgeschutz III Ausf. B Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Unknow |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 16 |
See also:
The Deadliest Silhouette on the Eastern Front
The StuG III Ausf. G was the final and most prolific version of the Sturmgeschütz series. Built on the reliable chassis of the Panzer III, it abandoned the rotating turret in favor of a fixed, low-profile casemate. Originally designed as infantry support artillery, the Ausf. G was up-gunned with a high-velocity 75mm cannon, transforming it into a formidable tank destroyer. Its low height made it easy to camouflage and difficult to hit, making it the preferred weapon for German “Tank Aces” like Michael Wittmann before they transitioned to heavier armor.
| Attribute | Technical Specification (StuG III Ausf. G) |
|---|---|
| Role | Assault Gun / Tank Destroyer |
| Crew | 4 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver) |
| Production Years | 1942 – 1945 (Approx. 8,400 built) |
| Main Armament | 7.5 cm KwK 40 L/48 |
| Secondary Armament | 1 or 2 × 7.92 mm MG34 machine guns |
| Armor (Front) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Engine | Maybach HL 120 TRM V-12 (300 hp) |
| Top Speed | 40 km/h (25 mph) on roads |
Design Evolution: The “G” Refinements
- The Saukopf (Sow’s Head) Mantlet: Later Ausf. G models featured a cast gun mantlet with rounded edges. This was designed to deflect incoming shells more effectively than the earlier bolted, boxy designs.
- Schürzen (Side Skirts): To defend against Soviet anti-tank rifles and HEAT rounds, the StuG III G was often fitted with thin metal plates along the sides. These “skirts” would prematurely detonate or destabilize incoming projectiles before they hit the main hull.
- Commander’s Cupola: The Ausf. G introduced a proper cupola with periscopes for the commander, significantly improving situational awareness—a major weakness of earlier turretless designs.
- Zimmerit Coating: Many Ausf. Gs were covered in a ridged, paste-like ceramic coating. This was intended to prevent magnetic anti-tank mines from sticking to the steel hull.
The “Wait-and-Strike” Specialist
- Economic Efficiency: The StuG III was significantly cheaper and faster to build than the Panzer IV or Tiger tanks. Because it lacked a complex turret mechanism, it was also easier to maintain in the field.
- Ambush Master: Its low height allowed the StuG to hide in tall grass or shallow depressions that would expose a normal tank. Soviet tankers often didn’t realize they were being engaged by a StuG until it was too late to return fire.
- Sturmhaubitze 42 (StuH 42): A variant of the Ausf. G was armed with a 10.5 cm howitzer instead of the anti-tank gun. This version returned to the vehicle’s roots, providing devastating high-explosive support for infantry.
- Post-War Service: The StuG III was so effective that it continued to serve long after 1945. The Finnish Army used them until the 1960s, and Syria even deployed them against Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War.
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