Fire support
Self-propelled artillery units , following tanks or in the ranks of infantry, supported the advance of tankers and infantrymen with their fire or, conversely, sitting in ambush, fired direct fire at advancing enemy tanks. The main quality of a self-propelled gun (in our country it is usually called a “self-propelled artillery installation”) is the power and accuracy of artillery fire. Typically, a self-propelled gun had a more powerful gun than a tank of the same weight. Booking is not the most important thing for her. After all, a self-propelled gun should not rush straight into the enemy’s forward positions. Its task is to wipe out identified targets from the face of the earth, destroying them from long distances, while remaining inaccessible to enemy tank and anti-tank guns.
self-propelled guns were produced in all countries of the world . On some self-propelled guns, the gun stood openly, on others it was located in fully armored casemates (wheelhouses). Many self-propelled guns had rotating turrets and were no different in appearance from conventional tanks.
SU-76
The most common self-propelled gun in the Red Army was the SU-76 (self-propelled gun with a 76-mm cannon), created in 1943 on the basis of the T-70 light tank. Its gun was located in a semi-open wheelhouse at the rear of the hull. This light self-propelled gun, distinguished by high maneuverability and mobility, was an indispensable assistant to Soviet infantrymen. A record number of such combat vehicles were produced during the war years - almost 14 thousand. More powerful, fully armored, self-propelled units were produced on the basis of the T-34 tank. Depending on the caliber of the gun installed on them, they were called SU-85, SU-100, SU-122.
German self-propelled guns such as "Wespe" or "Hummel" were in many ways reminiscent of the Soviet SU-76. They were also semi-open, but were armed with more powerful 105- and 150-mm cannons, respectively. The Germans themselves called them self-propelled field artillery systems. In the American army, self-propelled guns became widespread, the guns of which were installed not only in the wheelhouse, but also in a rotating turret, open at the top. Outwardly, they resembled the Sherman tank, as they were made on its basis.
"Vespe"
Self-propelled artillery | USSR
ZSU-37
The self-propelled anti-aircraft gun was created on the basis of the SU-76M self-propelled gun and entered service in 1944. It had an open turret with circular rotation, and was equipped with a range finder and radio station. A total of 75 cars were produced. Performance characteristics of the ZSU: length – 4.9 m; width – 2.7 m; height – 2.1 m; ground clearance - 315 mm; weight - 10.5 - 12.2 tons; armor – 10-45 mm; engine type – two 6-cylinder, carburetor “GAZ-202”; engine power – 140 hp; specific power – 11.7 hp/t; speed on the highway – 42 km/h; Power reserve – 330 km; armament - 37-mm cannon 61-K model 1939; ammunition - 320 rounds; crew – 4 people.
ZSU HTZ-16
The anti-aircraft self-propelled gun was created in 1941 on the basis of the STZ-3 tractor, covered with armor plates with installed cannon and machine gun weapons. The gun had limited firing angles - to aim it at the target it was necessary to turn the entire tractor. In total, about 100 cars were produced. Performance characteristics of the ZSU: length – 4.2 m; width – 1.9 m; height – 2.4 t; weight – 7 t; armor – 5-25 mm; engine type - four-cylinder, kerosene; engine power – 52 hp; speed on the highway – 20 km; Power reserve – 120 km; main armament - 45-mm 20-K tank gun; additional weapons – 7.62 mm DP machine gun; crew – 2 – 4 people.
Anti-tank self-propelled gun ZIS-30
The open-type self-propelled gun was created by installing the ZIS-2 anti-tank gun on the T-20 Komsomolets artillery tractor and was put into service at the end of 1941. For greater stability when firing, the vehicle was equipped with folding coulters. A gun mounting bracket was installed on the roof of the cabin in a traveling manner. A total of 101 cars were produced. TTX self-propelled guns: length – 3.5 m; width – 1.9 m; height – 2.2 m; weight – 4 t; armor – 7-10 mm; engine type - 6 cylinder carburetor; power – 50 hp; specific power – 12 hp/t; speed on the highway – 60 km/h; Power reserve – 250 km; main armament – 57-mm ZiS-2 cannon; additional – 7.62 mm DT machine gun; crew - 4 - 5 people.
Self-propelled gun KV-7, first version
Self-propelled gun KV-7, second version
The experimental installation was developed in 1941 on the chassis of the KV-1 tank with two options for artillery weapons. The self-propelled gun was developed as an artillery tank escort vehicle with a high rate of fire for the main weapon. It belonged to the type of completely enclosed self-propelled guns and was a modification of the KV-1 tank, differing from it mainly in the absence of a rotating turret, installed weapons, ammunition, armor protection, crew size and lower height of the vehicle. The first version had three guns at once: one 76.2 mm F-34 and two 45 mm 20-K guns. The second installation option was equipped with two identical ZiS-5 guns. Only one copy was released. TTX self-propelled guns: length – 6.7 m; width – 3.2 m; height – 2.5 m; ground clearance - 440 mm; weight – 47.5 t; track width – 700 mm; reservation – 30-100 mm; engine type - 12 cylinder diesel; power – 600 hp; specific power – 13 hp/t; speed on the highway – 34 km/h; Power reserve – 225 km; crew – 6 people. Armament of the first option: main armament - one 76-mm F-34 cannon, two 45-mm 20-K cannons; ammunition - 93 rounds for a 76 mm cannon and 200 rounds for 45 mm cannons; rate of fire of triple guns - 12 rounds per minute; additional weapons - two main and one spare 7.62-mm DT machine gun; ammunition - 3,591 rounds. Armament of the second option: 2 76.2 mm ZIS-5 guns; rate of fire - 15 shots in one gulp; ammunition - 150 rounds per minute; additional weapons - three 7.62 mm DT machine guns; ammunition - 2,646 rounds; 30 F-1 grenades.
Self-propelled guns SU-12 (SU-12-1)
Self-propelled guns were produced in 1933-1935. by mounting a 76.2-mm gun of the 1927 model on a pedestal mount on the chassis of 6x4 Morland (SU-12) and GAZ-AAA (SU-12-1) trucks. Of the 99 vehicles produced, by the beginning of the war, 3 units were in service. TTX self-propelled guns: length - 5.6 m; width – 1.9 m; height – 2.3 m; weight – 3.7 t; shield thickness – 4 mm; engine type – carburetor, power – 50 hp; speed on the highway – 60 km/h; Power reserve – 370 km; rate of fire - 10 - 12 rounds per minute; ammunition - 36 rounds; crew – 4 people.
ZSU 29-K
The self-propelled guns were produced in 1935-1937. based on the chassis of a three-axle YAG-10 truck (6x4) and a 76-mm 3-K anti-aircraft gun of the 1931 model. For stability, four “jack-type” coulters were mounted on the sides of the platform. The body was protected by curved armored sides, which folded outward in a combat position. A total of 61 units were produced. TTX self-propelled guns: length – 7 m; width – 2.5 m; height – 2.6 m; ground clearance - 420 mm; weight – 10.6 t; speed on the highway – 42 km/h; Power reserve – 275 km; engine type – carburetor “Hercules-YXC”, power – 94 hp; ammunition - 48 rounds; rate of fire - 20 rounds per minute; firing range - 14.3 km; armor penetration - 85 mm; crew – 5 people.
Self-propelled gun OSU-76
The installation was the most lightweight and simplified version of the SU-76 self-propelled gun. It was developed in 1944. The roof of the cabin is open. A total of 3 cars were produced. TTX self-propelled guns: length – 5 m; width – 2.2 m; height – 1.6 m; ground clearance – 290 mm; weight – 4.2 t; armor – 6-10 mm; engine type - in-line 4-cylinder carburetor liquid cooling; engine power – 50 hp; specific power – 11.9 hp/t; highway speed – 41 km/h; Power reserve – 220 km; armament – 76.2 mm ZIS-3 cannon; ammunition - 30 shots; crew – 3 people.
Self-propelled gun SU-76
Self-propelled gun SU-76
The installation was produced in 1943-1945. in two versions: SU-76 (with GAZ-202 engines) and SU-76M (with GAZ-203 engines). The roof of the cabin is open. A total of 14,292 vehicles were produced. TTX self-propelled guns: length – 5 m; width – 2.7 m; height – 2.2 m; ground clearance - 300 mm; weight – 11.2 t; armor – 7 – 35 mm; engine type – two twin in-line 6-cylinder carburetor liquid-cooled engines; engine power – 140/170 hp; specific power – 12.5 hp/t; highway speed – 44 km/h; Power reserve – 250 km; armament – 76.2 mm ZIS-3 cannon; ammunition - 60 rounds; firing range - 13 km; crew – 4 people.
Self-propelled guns SU-76i (“SU S-1”)
The assault gun was built in 1943 on the basis of captured German Pz Kpfw III tanks and StuG III self-propelled guns. A total of 201 vehicles were produced, of which 20 were command vehicles equipped with a turret with an entrance hatch and a high-power radio station. TTX self-propelled guns: length – 6.3 m; width – 2.9 m; height – 2.4 t; ground clearance – 350 mm; weight – 22.5 t; armor – 10-60 mm; engine type - V-shaped 12-cylinder carburetor liquid cooling; engine power – 265 hp; specific power – 11.8 hp/t; speed on the highway – 50 km/h; Power reserve – 180 km; armament - 76.2 mm S-1 cannon; rate of fire - 5 - 6 rounds per minute; ammunition - 98 rounds; crew – 4 people.
Self-propelled gun SU-85
SU-85M
The tank destroyer was produced on the T-34 chassis and the cabin of the SU-122 self-propelled gun. Adopted into service in 1943. A modification of the SU-85M installation is known, which was essentially an SU-100 with an 85-mm cannon (315 units were produced). The installation was intended primarily for direct fire from short stops. The crew, gun and ammunition were located in front in the armored cabin, which combined the fighting compartment and the control compartment. A total of 2,652 vehicles were built. TTX self-propelled guns: length – 8.2 m; width – 3 m; height – 2.5 m; ground clearance – 400 mm; weight – 29.2 t; armor – 20-60 mm; engine type – diesel; power – 500 hp; speed on the highway – 55 km/h; Power reserve – 400 km; armament - 85 mm cannon - D-5T; ammunition - 48 rounds; rate of fire - 6-7 rounds per minute; armor penetration at a distance of 500 m – 140 mm; crew – 4 people.
Self-propelled gun SU-100
The tank destroyer was created on the basis of the T-34-85 tank and entered service in 1944. The self-propelled gun was a type of closed self-propelled gun. A fixed commander's cupola with five viewing slits for all-round visibility was installed on the roof of the cabin above the commander's seat. Ventilation of the fighting compartment was carried out using two fans installed in the roof of the cabin. A total of 2,320 vehicles were produced during the war. TTX self-propelled guns: length – 9.5 m; width – 3 m; height – 2.2 m; ground clearance - 400 mm; weight – 31.6 t; armor – 20-110 mm; engine type - V-shaped 12 cylinder diesel "V-2-34"; engine power – 520 hp; specific power - 16.4 hp/t; speed on the highway – 50 km/h; Power reserve – 310 km; armament - 100-mm D-10S cannon; direct fire range – 4.6 km, maximum – 15.4 km; ammunition - 33 rounds; armor penetration at a distance of 1000 m – 135 mm; crew – 4 people.
Self-propelled gun SU-122
The self-propelled assault gun was produced in 1942-1943. as the most simplified design of the T-34 tank. The gun was mounted on a stand, attached to the bottom of the car. The fully armored hull was divided into two parts. The units captured by the Wehrmacht served under the designation "StuG SU-122(r)". A total of 638 vehicles were produced. TTX self-propelled guns: length – 7 m; width – 3 m; height – 2.2 m; ground clearance - 400 mm; weight – 29.6 t; reservation - 15-45 mm; engine type – diesel “V-2-34”, engine power – 500 hp; specific power – 16.8 hp/t; speed on the highway – 55 km/h; Power reserve – 600 km; armament - 122-mm howitzer M-30S; ammunition - 40 shots; armor penetration at a distance of 1000 m – 160 mm; rate of fire - 203 rounds per minute; crew – 5 people.
Self-propelled guns SU-5
The self-propelled howitzer was produced in 1939 on the chassis of the T-26 tank by dismantling the turret and openly installing a 122-mm howitzer in its place. 1910/30 By the beginning of the war, 28 vehicles were in service. TTX self-propelled guns: length – 4.8 m; width – 2.4 m; height – 2.6 m; ground clearance - 380 mm; weight – 10.5 t; engine type – carburetor, power – 90 hp; armor – 6 – 15 mm; speed on the highway – 30 km/h; Power reserve – 170 km; ammunition - 8 shots; crew – 5 people.
SAU ISU-122
ISU-122S
The installation was created on the basis of the IS tank and put into service in 1944. A modification of the self-propelled gun is known - ISU-122S with a D-25T gun. The self-propelled gun had an armored hull, which was divided into two parts. The crew, gun and ammunition were located in front in the armored cabin, which combined the fighting compartment and the control compartment. The engine and transmission were installed at the rear of the vehicle. Since the end of 1944, an anti-aircraft heavy machine gun was installed on the self-propelled guns. A total of 1,735 vehicles were built. TTX self-propelled guns: length – 9.9 m; width – 3.1 m; height – 2.5 m; ground clearance – 470 mm; weight – 46 t; reservation – 20-100 mm; engine type - 12 cylinder diesel; engine power – 520 hp; specific power – 11.3 hp/t; speed on the highway – 35 km/h; Power reserve – 220 km; main armament – 121.9 mm A-19S cannon; rate of fire - 2 rounds per minute; rate of fire D-25T - 3-4; height of the firing line – 1.8 m; ammunition - 30 shots; additional weapons – 12.7 mm DShK machine gun; ammunition - 250 rounds; direct fire range – 5 km, maximum range – 14.3 km; crew – 5 people.
SAU ISU-152
Self-propelled gun SU-152 (KV-14)
The installation was created on the basis of the IS-1/2 tank and put into service in 1943. From the beginning of 1945, an anti-aircraft long-caliber machine gun was installed on the self-propelled guns. The self-propelled gun was used as a heavy assault gun, tank destroyer and as a self-propelled howitzer. A total of 1,885 vehicles were produced during the war. TTX self-propelled guns: length – 9 m; width – 3.1 m; height – 2.9 m; ground clearance – 470 mm; weight – 46 t; armor – 20 – 100 mm; engine type - 4-stroke 12-cylinder diesel V-2-IS; engine power – 520 hp; specific power – 11.3 hp/t; speed on the highway – 40 km/h; Power reserve – 350 – 500 km; main armament – 152.4 mm howitzer-gun “ML-20S”; ammunition - 21 shots; armor penetration at a distance of 1000 m -123 mm; direct fire range - 3.8 km; maximum - 13 km; height of the firing line – 1.8 m; additional weapons - 12.7 mm DShK machine gun, ammunition - 250 rounds; crew – 5 people.
Self-propelled gun SU-152
The self-propelled assault gun was produced in 1942-1944.
based on the KV-1s heavy tank. During repairs, the self-propelled gun could be equipped with a turret mount for a 12.7-mm DShK anti-aircraft machine gun. A total of 671 cars were produced. TTX self-propelled guns: length – 9 m; width – 3.3 m; height – 2.5 m; ground clearance - 440 mm; weight – 45.5 t; armor – 20-65 mm; engine type - V-shaped 12-cylinder diesel V-2K; power - 600 l. With.; specific power – 13.2 hp/t; speed on the highway – 43 km/h; Power reserve – 330 km; armament - 152.4 mm ML-20S gun-howitzer; ammunition - 20 shots; rate of fire – 1 – 2 rounds per minute; direct fire range - 3.8 km; maximum - 13 km; crew – 5 people. Share to:
Assault guns
During wars, not everything obeys classical rules. So the Sturmgeschutz became an exception to the rule. Having started the war as an infantry assault artillery gun, which had nothing at all to do with the tank forces of Germany (the crew members of the Sturmgeschutz were considered not tank crews, but artillerymen), this combat vehicle was adopted by the tank forces in the middle of the war. Moreover, if at the beginning of the war the crews of the light Sturmgeschutz were ordered not to engage in fights with enemy tanks, then at the end of the war they formed the basis of the Wehrmacht’s anti-tank units. At the same time, like other classic tanks, the latest series of Sturmgeschutz were equipped with both powerful guns and thick armor. These self-propelled guns also received machine gun armament. It was no longer just an artillery installation, merely supporting troops with fire from afar, but a real fighting machine, designed to conduct brutal close combat. In other words, a real tank, albeit a crazy one.
The Sturmgeschutz III assault gun of the initial period of the war had a short-barreled gun with a caliber of 75 mm
The development of armored vehicles during the war was subject to a single law of the development of life: the survival of the fittest. Not all combat vehicles created on the eve or even during the war were able to “survive” until its end. A typical example is the German heavy tank "Tiger", the production of which was discontinued in 1944. But the "Sturmgeschutz", on the contrary, were not only produced until the very end of the war, but their production was constantly increasing. It was the Sturmgeschutz that became the most popular armored vehicles in Germany. More than 10 thousand of them were produced. to produce turretless combat vehicles using simplified technology than “normal” tanks. And it yielded results. The Sturmgeschutz may not have been as good as the T-IV. But two Sturmgeschutz on the battlefield were still more effective than one Panzer.
Self-propelled guns "Sturmgeschutz" were produced on the basis of tanks T-III and T-IV, and therefore were called "Sturmgeschutz" III and "Sturmgeschutz" IV. At the end of the war they became the most sought after German weapon.
Over four years of continuous fighting, the Sturmgeschutz have changed. Maneuverable, equipped with a new long-barreled cannon and machine guns, and with sufficient armor, they turned out to be almost the main means of deterring the advancing enemy. Their only serious drawback (a non-rotating gun) in defensive battles was no longer so obvious. After all, self-propelled guns sitting in ambush do not need to turn the gun to fire in all directions, which is typical for tanks going on the offensive.
The low silhouette of the Sturmgeschutz IV self-propelled gun made this combat vehicle inconspicuous on the ground
Present from near Kyiv
For the first time, the Germans used this combat vehicle, the “godfather” of which was the future Field Marshal Manstein, during the battles for France in May-June 1940. This is not to say that Soviet intelligence knew nothing about the StuG III. She just didn’t really focus on it, limiting herself to a short description:
“Assault artillery divisions are being introduced as artillery support for infantry during attacks on fortified positions and resistance nests in the main attack directions, so far as experience in motorized divisions, and then in tank and infantry divisions.
The divisions are armed with 75 mm tank guns mounted on the chassis of the Medium Tank III, but with a special turret and armor.
The main task of these guns is to destroy firing points with direct fire.”
The Soviet military had no idea how important and effective an attack tool these low, mobile and well-armed combat vehicles were. Meanwhile, in June 1941, on the borders of the Soviet Union there were more than ten battalions of assault guns (Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung, abbreviated as StuG.Abt.), usually operating at the very forefront of the offensive. Among them was the 197th assault gun battalion under the command of Major Helmut Christ.
Red Army soldiers pose on a captured StuG III from StuG.Abt.197, August 1941
This battalion was formed in October 1940. He received the StuG III Ausf.B. StuG.Abt.197's baptism of fire took place in May 1941, when, together with the 132nd Infantry Division, it participated in the invasion of Yugoslavia. At the beginning of the invasion of the USSR, the battalion was subordinate to the XXXXVIII Tank Corps of Army Group Center. Soon after the outbreak of hostilities, it was reassigned to the XXXXIV Corps of the 6th Army as part of Army Group South.
The same vehicle at the NIIBT Test Site, early September 1941. Damage to the chassis, as well as the letter E on board, are clearly visible
By August 15, the battalion was in the area of the city of Kanev, where protracted battles for the Dnieper began. It was here that during the counterattacks of the Soviet infantry they managed to capture at least two StuG III Ausf.B from StuG.Abt.197. The vehicle from the 3rd battery was received in running condition and took part in a photo shoot with the soldiers who captured it. The second car, which had chassis number 90 247 and the proper name Prinz Eugen, was also on the move. Judging by the damage and reports from StuG.Abt.197, the self-propelled guns were lost as a result of mine explosions. After minor repairs, they were taken to the rear of the Soviet troops.
It is often claimed that at least one of these captured self-propelled guns later went into battle with a Soviet crew. However, this is not true. Already at the beginning of September, a self-propelled gun from the 3rd battery ended up at the NIIBT Test Site. As for the vehicle with the proper name Prinz Eugen, it was first transported to the rear of the Central Front. A brief description of it was compiled there, and the trophy in it was called nothing more than “a medium German T-3 tank with a fixed turret.” The description concerned exclusively the internal and external structure of the machine. The characteristics obtained during the study approximately corresponded to the actual performance characteristics of the StuG III. Despite the speed of compiling the description, the specialists who studied the car managed to partially disassemble it, after which they put it back together.
Second captured self-propelled gun StuG III Ausf.B from StuG.Abt.197
At the NIIBT Polygon we took a different path. Instead of studying the new car in detail, a short list of its characteristics was first compiled. Summary material about the tanks of the German army was prepared by September 11, 1941. The tactical and technical characteristics reflected in it turned out to be more accurate, especially with regard to the thickness of the armor. In addition to measurements, short-term tests were also carried out at the NIIBT Test Site. During them, the StuG III Ausf.B reached a maximum speed of 50 km/h.
The same car on the left. The self-propelled gun bore the proper name Prinz Eugen
In the documents of the NIIBT Polygon, the German assault self-propelled gun was called nothing more than an “artillery tank,” abbreviated as Art-Sturm. It is unknown who “invented” this term, but the designation “Artshturm” was firmly attached to the StuG III in Soviet documents.
City Destroyers
During the Second World War, the most difficult combat mission was considered to be the storming of a fortified defensive area, saturated with long-term firing points ( pillboxes ), as well as large cities, where every multi-story building was turned into an impregnable fortress. To destroy such centers of resistance, extremely powerful combat vehicles were required. They were supposed to use high-explosive and concrete-piercing shells to break through gaps in the enemy’s defenses. The Americans solved this problem with air strikes and fire from long-range guns and howitzers. They installed 105 mm howitzers on the chassis of the M-24 Cheffi , and heavy 155 mm, 203 mm and even 240 mm howitzers on the chassis of the M-3 and M-4 tanks. These self-propelled guns did not have continuous armor, as they were intended for firing from long distances.
The 203-mm M-43 self-propelled howitzer fired shells weighing 90 kg at a range of up to 17 km. There was no need to fear return fire
Faced with fierce resistance from the Red Army in 1941, the Germans realized that without heavy-duty tanks it would be difficult to capture cities. In the fall of 1942, during the difficult Battle of Stalingrad, the idea of creating such a weapon became especially relevant. And at the end of 1942, in Germany, on the basis of the T-IV medium tank, they designed the self-propelled gun “Brummber” (“grizzly bear”) with a powerful 150-mm cannon. Because of the very thick armor, the Germans called this self-propelled gun an assault tank. However, the “bears” did not have to storm Soviet cities.
"Brummber"
When they appeared, the Red Army was already advancing. The clumsy "Brummber" with a short-barreled cannon was not suitable for battles in open areas. The exotic assault tank "Sturmtiger" was created in 1943 on the chassis of the T-VI "Tiger" heavy tank. The designers decided to use a rocket launcher that fires rockets weighing almost 350 kg! A projectile 1.5 m long and 38 cm in diameter, equipped with a jet engine, could fly 5.5 km and destroy a multi-storey building: 130 kg of explosives pierced a reinforced concrete wall 2.5 m thick. She created a weapon of terrible destructive power to arm ships. It was a rocket launcher. German tank crews called it a mortar. Therefore, the “rocket” tank began to be called “Sturmmortir”, but the name “Sturmtiger” stuck. In August 1944, the experienced Sturmtiger fought in Warsaw together with the Brummbers. The monstrous weapon destroyed everything around, turning houses into ruins.
"Sturmtiger"
The experienced Sturmtiger did not have the necessary reservations. Its cabin was welded from thick sheets of ordinary iron. The first production tank with 150 mm armor left the plant’s workshops only in September 1944. In total, 18 such supertanks were made...
Tank destroyers
The worst thing that awaited German soldiers on the Eastern Front was the appearance of invulnerable Russian KV and T-34 tanks. That is why, already at the end of 1941, all the forces of German industry were aimed at creating anti-tank weapons, including special anti-tank self-propelled guns. At the same time, in the German army, two very similar terms were used to designate anti-tank self-propelled guns: “Panzerjager” (“Panzerjager”) and “Jagdpanzer” (“Jagdpanzer”). The word “panzer” is German for “tank”, the word “jager” is “hunter”. The word “yagd” means “fighter”. "Panzerjager" can be translated into Russian as "tank hunter" or "tank destroyer", and "yagdpanzer" - as "tank destroyer". The meaning seems to be the same. So why come up with two different names? After all, both of them mean nothing more than simply “anti-tank.”
The term "tank destroyer" existed in the German army. In the British, American and Red armies, tank destroyers were called self-propelled anti-tank guns.
"Panzerjager"
In reality, everything was not so simple. If you think about the meaning of the words “tank destroyer”, then it means anything and anyone. This could be a tank, a self-propelled anti-tank gun, a conventional towed anti-tank gun, or a soldier with an anti-tank gun , a grenade or a Molotov cocktail. It could also be a saboteur who planted a mine on the road, and, finally, an attack aircraft. But a “tank-fighter” is definitely something on tracks, with a powerful cannon and covered with thick armor.
"Marder" III
It so happened in the German army that all “anti-tank” tanks were divided into two groups. The first group of tank destroyers are simply tracked vehicles designed to carry an anti-tank gun mounted on them. In other words, these are ordinary anti-tank self-propelled artillery units (self-propelled guns), covered with light armor that protects the crew from bullets and shrapnel. Typical representatives of the “hunters” were the anti-tank self-propelled guns “Panzerjager” I, “Marder” (“marten”) or “Nashorn” (“rhino”). The hunter sits quietly in ambush or carefully approaches so as not to scare the game, but does not climb straight through the windbreaks or reeds. German tank destroyers acted in the same way. Sitting in ambush and being well camouflaged, they fired at enemy tanks until they were spotted and returned fire was opened on them. After this, the “tank hunters,” fearing an enemy shell, quickly retreated or crawled to a reserve firing position.
In the Red Army, the Su-100 self-propelled artillery mount was considered the best tank destroyer.
Tank fighters
Real tank destroyers fought in a completely different way. The standard tank, as you know, is an offensive weapon. It is designed to charge at the enemy head-on, which means it must have not only a powerful gun, but also good armor. Naturally, the fighter tank also had to have all these qualities. After all, he was supposed to not only go on the attack together with infantry and ordinary linear tanks, but to go on the attack in the most difficult direction - where the enemy tanks were located. In defense, the tank destroyer also had to stand to the death, hiding behind its thick armor, and not escape from fire, like tank destroyers.
The Jagdpanther was the best German tank destroyer of World War II
The Germans began developing special fighter tanks immediately after they started the war against our country, when they became convinced that the Soviet KV and T-34 tanks posed an extremely serious threat not only to infantry, but also to all armored combat vehicles in the Wehrmacht. Conventional line tanks "Panzer" III and "Panzer" IV were helpless against Soviet tanks. There was an urgent need to create a new generation of combat vehicles capable of fighting Soviet tanks. In 1943, the first fighter tanks already appeared at the front - these were the famous Ferdinands.
The following year, the Jagdtiger and Jagdpanther appeared. The Jagdtiger was created on the basis of the Royal Tiger, and the Jagdpanther was a self-propelled unit based on the Panther heavy tank. In all of these combat vehicles, the cannon was installed in a stationary casemate. Fighter tanks were extremely powerful armored vehicles. The thickness of the frontal armor of the hull on the Ferdinand and Jagdtiger reached 200 mm! “Ferdinand” and “Jagdpanther” were armed with a powerful 88 mm cannon, and the “Jagdtiger” was equipped with a monstrous 128 mm caliber gun. No tower could withstand the recoil of such guns. That's why they had to be installed in a fixed wheelhouse. The invulnerability of this entire structure was ensured by the frontal armor of the wheelhouse of unprecedented thickness - 250 mm! The Jagdtiger was 10 tons heavier than the Royal Tiger. Delivery of such heavy combat vehicles to the battlefield became a big problem. Moreover, the production of such complex military equipment was impossible to establish in mass quantities.
The German military industry was able to build only about 70 Jagdtigers
What are 90 Ferdinands, 70 Jagdtigers and 400 Jagdpanthers against thousands of Soviet tanks? The advancing Red Army simply did not notice them. Only “Ferdinand” left a mark on history, “lit up” during the battles on the Kursk Bulge.
Reference point
Around the same time, the NII-48 team was studying the design of the StuG III hull. The composition of the armor, the types of connections between the sheets were determined, and the most successful solutions were identified that could be introduced into Soviet armor production:
"The hull of the German tank "Art-Sturm"
Welded body. The ceiling of the fighting compartment is secured with countersunk bolts. In the initial release, the front sheets were 50 mm thick, the side sheets were 30 mm thick, and the rear sheets were 20 mm thick. Subsequently, the 20 mm armor of the stern plates was replaced by 50 mm thick armor.
The body is made of rolled chromium steel with 0.1% vanadium.
The sheets are processed to a hardness Hb 10/3000 476–337, print diameter 2.80–3.32. The armor is tough, has good projectile resistance and does not pierce.
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2. The German hulls of the T-3, T-4 and Artshturm tanks are made of chromium steel and have good projectile resistance.
For the production of armor by our industry up to a thickness of 50 mm, the most suitable composition is the composition of German chromium armor. Our industry has mastered the welding, rolling, heat treatment and welding of chromium steel grades 5140 and 5150, and there will be no difficulties in the production of armor.
3. A chromium electrode with a chromium content of 2.1% and carbon of 0.2% can be recommended as an electrode for welding housings.”
Diagram of the StuG III armored hull from the NII-48 report
It is worth noting that even before the shelling of German tanks, work was underway on sub-caliber shells for 45 mm guns, as well as the development of a 45 mm anti-tank gun with an extended barrel. The test results only accelerated the timing of the implementation of both design solutions.
At first, the German novelty did not particularly interest Soviet designers. However, subsequently the StuG III self-propelled gun had a huge impact on the development of Soviet medium self-propelled artillery. Before it, domestic medium self-propelled guns were, as a rule, semi-open tank destroyers with a rotating turret, for example the U-20 project. But already in the spring of 1942, the designers’ priorities changed in favor of developing assault self-propelled guns with a closed wheelhouse, conceptually repeating the StuG III. But we'll talk about this next time.
An elephant named "Ferdinand"
In 1941, the only German weapon that penetrated the armor of Soviet heavy tanks was the 88-mm anti-aircraft gun . Special armor-piercing shells were developed for these guns. From a distance of one kilometer (it was at such distances that tank duels were fought), an armor-piercing projectile pierced armor 150 mm thick. At that time, no tank in the world had such thick armor, so we can say with confidence that a tank with such a gun could become an “absolute” weapon. And the Germans decided to equip 90 guns built on the chassis for the Tiger heavy tank with these guns. After Professor Porsche's Tiger lost the competition in the spring of 1942, the armored hulls of the tanks stood idle.
The Ferdinands went into battle on July 6, 1943 at the Kursk Bulge. During the month of hostilities, 39 of these vehicles were destroyed
The new cars made a lasting impression. These were not only the most powerful, but also the heaviest and most protected armored fighting vehicles in the world! The thickness of their frontal armor reached 200 mm! For those times it was exceptionally thick armor. All German medium tanks during the initial period of the war had frontal armor thickness of 30–50 mm. By the middle of the war, the thickness of the armor was increased to 80 mm, and for the most powerful Tiger tank it was increased to 100–120 mm. And here it is 200 mm!
They say that Hitler gave the name “Ferdinand” to the car. However, "Ferdinand" is a simplified name. The official designation of the new steel monster was very complex: “8.8-cm PaK-43/2 Sfl. L/ 71 Panzerjager Tiger (P) Sd.Kfz. 184 Ferdinand". Translated into Russian, it sounds something like this: “A self-propelled anti-tank gun with an 88-mm RaK-43 cannon of the second modification and a barrel length of 71 calibers, made on the basis of the experimental Tiger tank model designed by Porsche and henceforth having the designation model 184 and personal name "Ferdinand" The Ferdinand was created as a tank destroyer, but went into battle as a regular assault weapon . The Ferdinand crews had to break through the Red Army's defense lines on the Kursk Bulge. But almost all of the miracle tanks soon stopped: they were either blown up by mines, or got stuck in the mud, never completing their assigned combat mission.
The Ferdinand was less a tank than a mobile steel fortress. Even from the sides it was covered by armor 80 mm thick
The Ferdinand fighter tank had another official name. By analogy with the “Tiger”, “Panther”, “Bear” and other Wehrmacht combat vehicles bearing “animal” names, “Ferdinand” received the name “Elephant” (“elephant”).
The Legend of Ferdinand
Two weeks of fighting near Kursk made “Ferdinand” famous throughout the world. A huge role in this was played by both Goebbels’s propaganda, which praised the Ferdinand as the most powerful and invulnerable tank in the world, and the reports of the Soviet command, which mentioned the damaged and captured Ferdinands every day. In those days, it seemed that all passions were in full swing around this self-propelled gun. Perhaps the original reason for the interest was the unusual name. In the name “Ferdinand” the Red Army soldiers heard something hateful, truly associated with German fascism.
From a distance, the Ferdinand resembled other German self-propelled guns in its appearance - Marder, Hummel, Vespe, Nashorn.
The anti-tank self-propelled gun "Nashorn" ("rhino") was equipped with the same cannon as the "Ferdinand"
The heavy 150-mm self-propelled gun "Hummel" ("bumblebee") fired high-explosive shells, each weighing 43.5 kg
On the Kursk Bulge, “Ferdinand” personified the entire military power of the Third Reich. For a Soviet soldier, setting fire to the Ferdinand was much more prestigious than destroying any other fascist “beast.” By the way, for a shot down “Ferdinand” the fighter immediately received an order. And soon the number of damaged Ferdinands went into the hundreds. But, as we know, only 90 of them were built. Where did the rest come from then?
Firstly, our soldiers hit the hated “Ferdinand” with all types of weapons. Tankers, artillerymen, infantrymen, and pilots could simultaneously report to the command about the destruction of an enemy self-propelled gun. So one shot down “Ferdinand” in the reports turned into two, or even three or four. This happened and is happening in the armies of all countries of the world.
In general, as soon as a German self-propelled gun appeared, with a cannon sticking out of the wheelhouse located in the rear of the hull, rumors spread throughout the front line that it was the Ferdinand. There is nothing surprising. It is also worth considering the fact that German tanks and self-propelled guns often had camouflage paint , making them difficult to detect. So try to figure out what kind of spotted monster with a long gun is crawling out from behind the barn? At best, the soldiers were able to determine whether it was a tank or a self-propelled gun. And then everything is simple - if it’s a tank, then it’s a Tiger. Well, if it’s a self-propelled gun, then “Ferdinand”. After all, our soldiers did not know the names of other German self-propelled guns and wrote them down in documents as “Ferdinand with a 75-mm cannon” or “Ferdinand with a 105-mm cannon.” In general, they beat “Marders” and “Hummels” and all of them were counted as “Ferdinands”.
After the Kursk Bulge, “Ferdinands” were never used on a massive scale. Soon all these vehicles were taken to Germany for major repairs, and then some of them were sent to fight in Italy.
Toughie
The StuG III was studied at the NIIBT Test Site as part of the compilation of a reference book on German armored vehicles, which the troops desperately needed. Because of this circumstance, the study was carried out according to an abbreviated program, and therefore the conclusions in some places may seem somewhat unfounded:
“The artillery attack tank is designed to operate in the first echelon of tanks.
The tank does not have a turret. Fire from the cannon can only be fired forward with a 28° firing sector by rotating the cannon mounted on the stand.
There is no machine gun armament.
When manufacturing an artillery tank, the lower part of the armored hull, chassis, engine, planetary rotation mechanism, and control drives were taken from the T-III tank.
The gearbox is the same type as the gearbox installed in the T-IIb tank, and differs from it only in increased dimensions.
The armor protection of the tank is damaged by artillery of all calibers.
Through open spaces above the gun mount, the tank can be hit by a bottle of burning liquid and a grenade.”
StuG III rear view
In this case, the conclusion regarding the level of armor protection of the German self-propelled gun looks extremely frivolous. Of course, a number of its elements were not executed particularly well by the creators of the StuG III, especially with regard to the protection of the wheelhouse. The installation for the sight turned out to be such that it often “caught” shells, and it was already redesigned on the Ausf.C modification. The gun mount was also not the most successful in terms of projectile resistance. However, the Polygon employees greatly underestimated the armor protection of the frontal part of the German self-propelled gun. It was the StuG III that became the first German combat vehicle with light ballistic armor to go into production. The thickness of the frontal plates of the hull and deckhouse already on the first modification, StuG III Ausf.A, was 50 mm. The vehicle received reliable protection from a 37 mm anti-tank gun. And only a year later the foreheads of the Pz.Kpfw.III and Pz.Kpfw.IV were strengthened to the same thickness.
Poster with the most damaged elements of the “Artsturm”, 1942. The reality was somewhat different from this image
The fact that the Soviet 45-mm anti-tank gun might have problems penetrating German armor was obvious back at the end of 1940. Then the evacuation hatch of a Pz.Kpfw.III purchased in Germany was fired upon. They managed to break through the hatch and even split it, but not the first time. With such results, it was obvious that thicker armor would be impenetrable. However, in September 1941, the StuG III was reported to the troops as being “hit by artillery of all calibers.” It turned out to be duplicated in leaflets from the “Destroy German Tanks” series.
A full study of the armor of the German self-propelled gun was carried out only in September 1942. At the NIIBT Test Site in Kubinka, as well as on the territory of the branch in Kazan, shelling tests were carried out on Pz.Kpfw.III, Pz.Kpfw.IV, Pz.Kpfw.38(t) and StuG III. The vehicles were fired at by Soviet, American, British, German, Czechoslovak and French tank guns. The stability of their armor protection during shelling from distances of 50, 100, 200, 400, 600 and 800 meters was determined.
Results of shelling the forehead of the hull with 45-mm shells (marked with numbers 1 and 2)
First of all, the self-propelled gun was fired at from a 45-mm tank gun model 1942, installed in the T-70 tank. The gun penetrated the 30 mm thick sides without any problems, and did it at a distance of 850 meters. A completely different picture emerged when the frontal part of a German vehicle was fired upon. Shooting from distances of 100 and 50 meters revealed the same result - dents 20 mm deep. When hit, the shells were destroyed.
Hits from 2-pound shells. The breakthrough turned out to be more of an accident
At this point one could end the story and complain about the poor Soviet weapons. But another gun, the English 2-pounder (40 mm), installed in the Canadian Valentine VII tank, showed very similar results. The sides of the German self-propelled gun also turned out to be problem-free for it. As for the frontal part, the English cannon penetrated it only once, and this happened rather by accident, and the hole itself was considered “substandard”, since the penetration occurred at the junction of the central and upper frontal sheets. In other cases, when hit by shells, dents up to 25 mm deep were formed. All that remains is to sympathize with the British tank crews, whose 2-pounder was the main armament of their tanks until the fall of 1942.
Penetration of a 37-mm A-7 cannon mounted on a Pz.Kpfw.38(t) tank by sub-caliber shells
A similar result was shown by the 37-mm A-7 cannon mounted on the Czechoslovak Pz.Kpfw.38(t) tank. With a confident penetration of the sides, the forehead of the StuG III turned out to be invulnerable to it - hits were marked by dents up to 40 mm deep. But the picture changed dramatically when using sub-caliber shells. These ammunition reliably penetrated the frontal armor of German assault weapons at distances of 100, 200 and 400 meters.
The 37-mm M5 cannon installed in the American M3 light tank proved to be much more confident. Its M51 armor-piercing projectile easily penetrated the forehead of a German self-propelled gun from 100 meters, and at a distance of 150 meters, dents 35–50 mm deep were observed. This was explained primarily by the fact that when creating the M3 Gladeon anti-tank gun, Barnes used an enlarged cartridge case for its ammunition, due to which the initial velocity of the projectile was higher than that of its Soviet and British counterparts.
The standard armor-piercing projectile of the 37-mm M5 cannon confidently penetrated the armor of a German self-propelled gun at a distance of 100 meters
The 47-mm SA 35 tank gun installed in the French Somua S 35 tank turned out to be even more effective. The maximum distance at which it was possible to penetrate the forehead of the StuG III was 400 meters. True, at such a distance the penetration occurred every once in a while. The German 5 cm KwK 38 L/42, the standard armament of the Pz.Kpfw.III as of 1941, was able to penetrate the front armor of a self-propelled gun at a distance of 800 meters.
Holes left by the 47 mm SA 35 tank gun installed in the French Somua S 35 tank
The results of firing from the 75-mm M2 cannon, which was installed on the American M3 medium tank, were quite interesting. Armor-piercing shells for it were not supplied in the first convoys; for this reason, the StuG III was fired with high-explosive fragmentation ammunition. The results of the shooting were disappointing: not a single penetration was noted. The maximum that was achieved was dents up to 10 mm deep. In addition, when firing at the front sheet of the cabin, a deep dent was formed on the roof of the transmission compartment. The 76-mm F-34 cannon had completely different results - its armor-piercing shells made a sieve out of the StuG III from any distance. When hit, armor breaks occurred with the formation of a large number of fragments.
Results of firing from the 75-mm M2 cannon, which was installed on the American M3 medium tank
Soldier without decorations
The German war industry could not build many heavy steel monsters. Much more dangerous in those years were the light and formidable Jagdpanzers IV, which the Germans produced almost four times more than the Ferdinands, Jagdtigers and Jagdpanthers combined. Design of the Jagdpanzer IV tank destroyer began at the end of 1942. At that time, the T-IV was the main tank of the Wehrmacht . German tank crews knew and loved this tank. It was convenient and unpretentious to use. The T-IV base was chosen as the basis for the future fighter tank. The powerful cannon was placed in an armored casemate.
The thickness of the frontal armor of the Jagdpanzer IV was increased to 80 mm - in terms of armor resistance it was equal to the Jagdpanther.
The low silhouette of the Jagdpanzer IV made it difficult to detect, and the powerful gun hit any armored vehicle
Jagdpanzer IV, Germany's massive tank destroyer (almost 2 thousand built), remained one of the most little-known examples of armored vehicles of the Third Reich. His fate is comparable to the fate of an ordinary soldier: he fought more than anyone else, but the glory, honors and awards went to the “generals” - “Ferdinands”, “Jagdpanthers” and “Jagdtigers”.
High demands were placed on the new fighter tank: the thickness of the frontal armor was up to 200 mm, and the armament was a 75 mm long-barreled gun. But realizing that with 200 mm armor the tank would get stuck in the ground, they left 60 mm frontal armor. The vehicle was named "Jagdpanzer" IV. In December 1943, the prototype of the combat vehicle was put into mass production with conventional 75-mm cannons: there were not enough powerful cannons, they were used by the Panthers. The presence of a muzzle brake reduced recoil when fired, but led to the formation of clouds of dust, which unmasked firing position : the gun on the Jagdpanzer was located lower than on the original tank. In the field, crews removed the muzzle brakes. Soon factories stopped mounting them on gun barrels. Jagdpanzer IV fighters were often coated with anti-magnetic Zimmerit coating (then a magnetic mine ). Their kit included mesh or 5-mm steel side screens - a means against cumulative shells. When the production of powerful anti-tank guns in Germany increased, long-barreled guns from the Panther began to be installed on the Jagdpanzer IV. These cars were produced until March 1945 - until the destruction of the plant during the bombing. But the production of fighter tanks did not stop. For the Jagdpanzers, they began to use the chassis and hulls of T-IV tanks of early modifications with the installation of fixed conning towers on them.
The latest Jagdpanzer IV has become taller. It differed from earlier vehicles by straight sides of the lower part of the hull and a step on the front armor plate
