TM-E 30-451 Handbook on German Military Forces   LoneSentry.com

[DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department Technical Manual, TM-E 30-451: Handbook on German Military Forces published in March 1945. — Figures and illustrations are not reproduced, see source details. — As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. — Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]

CHAPTER VII. WEAPONS

Section V. SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY

2. Close Support and Assault Guns

a. 75-MM ASSAULT GUN ON Pz. Kpfw. III CHASSIS (Stu. G. III für 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (L/48)). (1) General. The 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (L/48) is the latest assault gun to be mounted on the chassis of the Pz. Kpfw. III. The 7.5 cm Kw. K. (L/24) and the 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (L/43), which previously were mounted on this chassis, now have been superseded and are tending to go out of service. The 7.5 cm Kw.K. (L/24) also has been mounted on an armored half-tracked vehicle and on the modified eight-wheeled armored car. The 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (L/48) has an antitank role, as well as its anti-personnel role as a close-support weapon. It fires both high explosive and armor-piercing ammunition.

(2) Specifications.

General
Nomenclature   . . . . .   Stu. G. III für 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (L/48).
Type of carriage   . . . . .   Stu. G. III, Sd. Kfz. 142/1.
Length over-all,
    Including gun   . . . . .   22 feet 5 1/2 inches.
    Excluding gun   . . . . .   17 feet 9 1/2 inches.
Width over-all   . . . . .   9 feet 8 inches.
Height over-all   . . . . .   7 feet.
Weight   . . . . .   26.35 short tons.
Crew   . . . . .   4 men.
Gun
Type   . . . . .   7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (L/48).
Muzzle velocity   . . . . .   APCBC 2,300 feet per second.
Elevation   . . . . .   -6° to +17°.
Traverse   . . . . .   10° each way.
Muzzle brake   . . . . .   Yes.
Buffer   . . . . .   Hydraulic.
Recuperator   . . . . .   Hydropneumatic.
Ammunition:
    Types fired   . . . . .    APCBC   HE   HC   AP 40   Smoke 
    Rounds carried   . . . . .   22 27   5 
    Muzzle velocity (feet per second)   . . . . .   2,300 1,800 1,475 3,248 1,771 
    Projectile weight (pounds)   . . . . .   15 12.7 11 9 13.7 
Carriage
Suspension:
    Number of bogies   . . . . .   6.
    Type of bogies   . . . . .   Small rubber tired.
    Number of return rollers   . . . . .   3.
    Track, length   . . . . .   9 feet 2 1/2 inches.
    Track, width   . . . . .   8 feet 2 1/2 inches.
    Width of link   . . . . .   1 foot 3 3/4 inches.
Hull armor:
    Front   . . . . .   81 mm at 52°.
    Sides   . . . . .   31 mm vertical.
    Rear   . . . . .   51 mm at 23°.
    Belly   . . . . .   20 mm.
Fighting compartment armor:
    Front   . . . . .   53 to 71 mm at 15°.
    Sides   . . . . .   30 mm vertical.
Power
Engine:
    Type   . . . . .   Maybach HL 120 TRM.
    Cylinders   . . . . .   V-12 at 60°.
    Fuel   . . . . .   Gasoline.
    Location   . . . . .   Rear.
    Horsepower   . . . . .   295 at 3,000 rpm.
Transmission   . . . . .   Synchromesh, 6 forward, 1 reverse.
Drive   . . . . .   Front sprocket.
Performance
Trench crossing   . . . . .   8 feet 6 inches.
Fording   . . . . .   2 feet 9 inches.
Step   . . . . .   2 feet.
Gradient   . . . . .   30°.
Maximum speed   . . . . .   20 miles per hour.
Armament
Type   . . . . .   One M.G. 34.
Location   . . . . .   Carried.
Remarks
Penetration of homogeneous armor at 30°, APCBC projectile:
    500 yards   . . . . .   84 mm.
    1,000 yards   . . . . .   72 mm.

b. 75-MM ASSAULT-ANTITANK GUN ON Czech 38 (t) TANK CHASSIS 7.5 cm le. Stu. G. 38 (t). (1) General. The gun mounted on this carriage, the 7.5 cm Pak 39 (L/48), has the same ballistic characteristics and is very similar to the 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (L/48). Despite the difference in nomenclature the guns are employed in exactly the same way in both antitank and assault roles. The 7.5 cm Pak 39 (L/48) is mounted low in a thick, sloping front plate. Previous guns mounted on this chassis, the 7.5 cm Pak 40 and the 7.62 cm Pak 36 (r), were fitted in a high superstructure which gave poor protection to the crew. In this case, however, the armor layout has been completely redesigned, and the vehicle has taken on the aspect of an assault gun. (See Paragraph 6 of this section for other vehicles on which the 7.5 cm Pak 40 and 7.62 cm Pak 36 (r) have been mounted.)

(2) Specifications.

General
Nomenclature   . . . . .   7.5 cm le. Stu. G. 38 (t).
Type of carriage   . . . . .   Pz. Jag. 38 (t).
Length over-all:
    Including gun   . . . . .   20 feet 7 inches.
    Excluding gun   . . . . .   15 feet 11 inches.
Width over-all   . . . . .   8 feet 7 1/2 inches.
Height   . . . . .   6 feet 10 1/2 inches.
Weight   . . . . .   17.65 tons.
Crew   . . . . .   4 men.
Gun
Type   . . . . .   7.5 cm Pak 39 (L/48).
Muzzle velocity   . . . . .   APCBC 2,300 feet per second.
Elevation   . . . . .   -8° to +20°.
Traverse   . . . . .   10° each way.
Muzzle brake   . . . . .   No.
Buffer   . . . . .   Hydraulic.
Recuperator   . . . . .   Hydropneumatic.
Ammunition:
    Types fired   . . . . .    APCBC  HE  HC  AP 40  Smoke 
    Rounds carried   . . . . .   41     
    Muzzle velocity (feet per second)   . . . . .   2,300 1,800 1,475 3,248 1,771 
    Projectile weight (pounds)   . . . . .   15 12.7 11 9 13.7 
Carriage
Suspension:
    Number of bogies   . . . . .   4.
    Type of bogies   . . . . .   Christie.
    Number of return rollers   . . . . .   1.
    Track, length   . . . . .   12 feet 10 3/4 inches.
    Track, width   . . . . .   6 feet 10 1/2 inches.
    Width of link   . . . . .   1 foot 1 3/4 inches.
Hull armor:
    Front   . . . . .   60 mm at 60°.
    Sides   . . . . .   20 mm at 15°.
    Rear   . . . . .   20 mm at 15°.
    Belly   . . . . .   10 mm horizontal.
Fighting compartment armor:
    Front   . . . . .   60 mm at 60°.
    Sides   . . . . .   20 mm at 40°.
Power
Engine:
    Type   . . . . .   Czech EP4.
    Cylinders   . . . . .   Six, in-line.
    Fuel   . . . . .   Gasoline.
    Location   . . . . .   Rear.
    Horsepower   . . . . .   150.
Transmission   . . . . .   Preselective, 5 forward, 1 reverse.
Drive   . . . . .   Front sprocket.
Performance
Fording   . . . . .   2 feet 11 1/2 inches.
Radius of action   . . . . .   124 miles.
Maximum speed   . . . . .   23 miles per hour.
Armament
Type   . . . . .   One M.G. 34.
Location   . . . . .   Superstructure roof.
Ammunition carried   . . . . .   600 rounds.
Remarks
Penetration of homogeneous armor at 30°, APCBC projectile:
    500 yards   . . . . .   84 mm.
    1,000 yards   . . . . .   72 mm.

c. 75-MM ASSAULT-ANTITANK GUN ON Pz. Kpfw. IV CHASSIS (Pz. Jäg. IV für 7.5 cm Pak 39 (L/48)). (1) General. In this case the 7.5 cm Pak 39 (L/48), has been mounted on a modified Pz. Kpfw. IV chassis. It again is an assault gun in form, with a dual mission: antitank and anti-personnel.

(2) Specifications.

General
Nomenclature   . . . . .   Panzer Jäger IV für 7.5 cm Pak 39 (L/48).
Type of carriage   . . . . .   Panzer Jäger IV.
Length over-all:
    Excluding gun   . . . . .   18 feet 2 inches.
Width over-all   . . . . .   10 feet 4 inches.
Height over-all   . . . . .   6 feet 5 inches.
Weight   . . . . .   27 short tons.
Crew   . . . . .   4 men.
Gun
Type   . . . . .   7.5 cm Pak 39 (L/48).
Muzzle velocity   . . . . .   APCBC 2,300 feet per second.
Elevation   . . . . .   -8° to +22°.
Traverse   . . . . .   12° left, 10° right.
Muzzle brake   . . . . .   No.
Buffer   . . . . .   Hydraulic.
Recuperator   . . . . .   Hydropneumatic.
Ammunition:
    Types fired   . . . . .    APCBC   HE   HC   AP 40   Smoke 
    Rounds carried   . . . . .   79     
    Muzzle velocity (feet per second)   . . . . .   2,300 1,800 1,475 3,248 1,771 
    Projectile weight (pounds)   . . . . .   15 12.7 11 9 13.7 
Carriage
Suspension:
    Number of bogies   . . . . .   8.
    Type of bogies   . . . . .   Small rubber tired.
    Number of return rollers   . . . . .   4.
    Track, length   . . . . .   11 feet 6 inches.
    Track, width   . . . . .   7 feet 11 inches
    Width of link   . . . . .   1 foot 3 inches.
Hull armor:
    Front   . . . . .   60 mm at 45°.
    Sides   . . . . .   30 mm vertical.
    Rear   . . . . .   22 mm at 12°.
    Top   . . . . .   20 mm.
    Belly   . . . . .   12 mm.
Fighting compartment armor:
    Front   . . . . .   60 mm at 50°.
    Sides   . . . . .   30 mm at 30°.
Power
Engine:
    Type   . . . . .   Maybach HL 120 TRM.
    Cylinders   . . . . .   V-12 at 60°.
    Fuel   . . . . .   Gasoline.
    Location   . . . . .   Rear.
    Horsepower   . . . . .   295 at 3,000 rpm.
Transmission   . . . . .   Manual synchromesh, sliding dog type, 6 forward, 1 reverse.
Drive   . . . . .   Front sprocket.
Performance
Trench crossing   . . . . .   9 feet.
Fording   . . . . .   3 feet.
Radius of action   . . . . .   160 miles.
Step   . . . . .   2 feet 6 inches.
Gradient   . . . . .   30°.
Maximum speed   . . . . .   24 miles per hour.
Armament
Type   . . . . .   Two M.G. 42 with mounts.
Location   . . . . .   From superstructure.
Remarks
Penetration of homogeneous armor at 30°, APCBC projectile:
    500 yards   . . . . .   84 mm.
    1,000 yards   . . . . .   72 mm.

d. 75-MM ASSAULT GUN ON Pz. Kpfw. IV CHASSIS (Pz. Jäg. IV für 7.5 cm Stu. K. 42 (L/70)). (1) General. This extremely long-barreled gun, in an assault gun mounting on the chassis of the Pz. Kpfw. IV is a development from the 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (L/48), which has been mounted on the same chassis but is only 48 calibers long instead of 70. The long-barreled gun has the dual role of antitank and assault gun.

(2) Specifications.

General
Nomenclature   . . . . .   Panzer Jäger IV für 7.5 cm Stu. K. 42 (L/70).
Type of carriage   . . . . .   Panzer Jäger IV, Sd. Kfz. 162.
Length over-all:
    Including gun   . . . . .   28 feet 2 1/2 inches.
    Excluding gun   . . . . .   19 feet 9 1/2 inches.
Width over-all   . . . . .   10 feet 4 3/4 inches.
Height over-all   . . . . .   6 feet 5 inches.
Weight   . . . . .   27 short tons (approximately).
Crew   . . . . .   5 men.
Gun
Type   . . . . .   7.5 cm Stu. K. 42 (L/70).
Muzzle velocity   . . . . .   APCBC 3,068 feet per second.
Elevation   . . . . .   -5° to +15°.
Traverse   . . . . .   10° each way.
Muzzle brake   . . . . .   Not encountered.
Buffer   . . . . .   Hydraulic.
Recuperator   . . . . .   Hydropneumatic.
Ammunition:
    Types fired   . . . . .    APCBC  HE   AP 40      
    Muzzle velocity (feet per second)   . . . . .   3,068 2,300 3,674 
    Projectile weight (pounds)   . . . . .   15 12.7 10.7 
    Rounds carried   . . . . .   Total of 55 rounds.
Carriage
Suspension:
    Number of bogies   . . . . .   8.
    Type of bogies   . . . . .   Small rubber tired.
    Number of return rollers   . . . . .   4.
    Track, length   . . . . .   11 feet 6 inches.
    Track, width   . . . . .   7 feet 11 inches.
    Width of link   . . . . .   1 foot 3 inches.
Hull armor:
    Front   . . . . .   80 mm at 45°.
    Sides   . . . . .   30 mm vertical.
    Rear   . . . . .   20 mm, 10° undercut.
    Belly   . . . . .   10 to 20 mm.
Fighting compartment armor:
    Front   . . . . .   80 mm at 50°.
    Sides   . . . . .   40 mm at 30°.
    Top   . . . . .   20 mm.
Power
Engine:
    Type   . . . . .   Maybach HL 120 TRM.
    Cylinders   . . . . .   V-12 at 60°.
    Fuel   . . . . .   Gasoline.
    Location   . . . . .   Rear.
    Horsepower   . . . . .   295 at 3,000 rpm.
Transmission   . . . . .   Manual, synchromesh, sliding dog type; 6 forward, 1 reverse.
Drive   . . . . .   Front sprocket.
Performance
Trench crossing   . . . . .   9 feet.
Fording   . . . . .   3 feet.
Radius of action   . . . . .   160 miles (estimated).
Step   . . . . .   2 feet 6 inches.
Gradient   . . . . .   30°.
Maximum speed   . . . . .   20 miles per hour.
Armament
Type   . . . . .   Machine gun on ball mounting.
Location   . . . . .   Superstructure front.
Remarks
Penetration of homogeneous armor at 30°, APCBC projectile:
    500 yards   . . . . .   141 mm.
   1,000 yards   . . . . .   121 mm.

e. 105-MM ASSAULT HOWITZER ON Pz. Kpfw. III CHASSIS (Stu. G. III für 10.5 cm Stu. H. 42). (1) General. This close-support weapon has the usual characteristics of the assault guns mentioned in previous paragraphs, but is confined to a purely antipersonnel role and does not fire armor-piercing ammunition. Like most German howitzers, however, it is supplied with hollow-charge ammunition to give it some anti-armor performance.

(2) Specifications.

General
Nomenclature   . . . . .   Stu. G. III für 10.5 cm Stu. H. 42.
Type of carriage   . . . . .   Stu. G. III, Sd. Kfz. 142/2.
Length over-all:
    Including gun   . . . . .   20 feet 2 inches.
    Excluding gun   . . . . .   17 feet 9 inches.
Width over-all   . . . . .   9 feet 8 inches.
Height over-all   . . . . .   6 feet 5 inches.
Weight   . . . . .   25.8 short tons.
Crew   . . . . .   4 men.
Gun
Type   . . . . .   10.5 cm Stu. H. 42.
Muzzle velocity   . . . . .   HE 1,540 feet per second.
Maximum range   . . . . .   8,530 yards.
Elevation   . . . . .   -6° to 20°.
Traverse   . . . . .   10° each way.
Muzzle brake   . . . . .   Yes.
Buffer   . . . . .   Hydraulic.
Recuperator   . . . . .   Hydropneumatic.
Ammunition:
    Types fired   . . . . .    HE  HC   Smoke      
    Muzzle velocity (feet per second)   . . . . .   1,540   
    Projectile weight (pounds)   . . . . .   32.6 25.9 32.4 
    Rounds carried   . . . . .   Total of 36 rounds.
Carriage
Torsion Bar Suspension:
    Number of bogie wheels   . . . . .   6.
    Type of bogie wheels   . . . . .   Small rubber tired.
    Number of return rollers   . . . . .   3.
    Track, length   . . . . .   9 feet 2 1/2 inches.
    Track, width   . . . . .   8 feet 2 1/2 inches.
    Width of link   . . . . .   1 foot 3 3/4 inches.
Hull armor:
    Front   . . . . .   50 mm at 52°.
    Sides   . . . . .   30 mm vertical.
    Rear   . . . . .   50 mm.
    Belly   . . . . .   30 mm.
Fighting compartment armor:
    Front   . . . . .   80 mm at 10°.
    Sides   . . . . .   30 mm vertical.
Power
Engine:
    Type   . . . . .   Maybach HL 120.
    Cylinders   . . . . .   V-12.
    Fuel   . . . . .   Gasoline.
    Location   . . . . .   Rear.
    Horsepower   . . . . .   295 at 3,000 rpm.
Transmission   . . . . .   Synchromesh; 6 forward, 1 reverse.
Drive   . . . . .   Front sprocket.
Performance
Trench crossing   . . . . .   8 feet 6 inches.
Fording   . . . . .   2 feet 9 inches.
Radius of action   . . . . .   105 miles.
Step   . . . . .   2 feet.
Gradient   . . . . .   27°.
Maximum speed   . . . . .   25 miles per hour.

   

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