GERMAN ASSAULT GUNS
Shortly after the war began, German armor leaders realized the need to field vehicles with heavier guns. At the same time, Germany labored under the need to produce armaments as cheaply and efficiently as possible. The result was to place large guns in vehicles without turrets. The results were often very successful. While the vehicles couldn't traverse the gun fully as a turreted tank, they were in fact easy to produce and had a very low silhoet, making it very difficult for enemy gunners to even see the German assault guns.
StuG III- Based on the reliable Pz III chassis, this vehicle was the mainstay of German assault gun units. It had a low profile, a good 75mm L/46 anti-tank gun, and good armor.
StuG III with 75mm L/46 cannon StuG 40-- longer 75mm L/70 cannon on Pz III chassis, from D-Day to Berlin
StuG IV- Based on the heavier Pz IV chassis, this vehicle began production with the 75mm L/46 cannon from the StuG III but was eventually fitted with the powerful 75mm L/70 cannon from the Panther. The StuG IV had more armor; 80mm at the front.
StuG IV with 75mm L/70 cannon from D-Day to Berlin
Larger guns were placed on the venerable Pz IV chassis. From 1943, the StuH 53 Brumbar (Grizzly Bear) was introduced. It mounted a 150mm L/12 howitzer in a superstructure. It was protected by a massive 100mm of frontal armor. Later models had a ball mounted main gun, supplementary machine guns and an anti-aircraft machine gun. The Brumbar was deadly efficient in close support roles. Only 313 Brumbars were built.
StuH Brumbar from D-Day to Berlin
World War 2, "The Panzerkampfwagen IV"
D-Day to Berlin
The World's Great Tanks
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by Chris Shimp March 1, 2001