Self-propelled guns of the USSR of the Second World War. The most formidable Soviet self-propelled guns of the war. With new guns to a new life

The TOP-10 of the best self-propelled artillery installations of the Second World War period included models of German, Soviet and American production. The evaluation criteria were the power and effectiveness of weapons, rate of fire, maneuverability, crew protection and mass production.

10. Marder III - Lightly armored German tank destroyer. Adopted at the end of 1942. It was mass-produced until the middle of 1944. High accuracy and rate of fire were offset by the low security of the crew. The 75 mm Pak 40 gun was mounted in an open wheelhouse.

9. M36 Jackson - American SAU. Serially produced from November 1943 to September 1945, a total of 2324 units were produced. Thanks to a powerful long-barreled 90-mm cannon, it turned out to be the only American ground weapon capable of effectively fighting Wehrmacht heavy tanks,

8. Sturmgeschütz III - the most massive self-propelled guns of the Wehrmacht. Serially produced in various modifications from 1940 to 1945. Equipped with a 75 mm gun. Serious disadvantages were the lack of a machine gun and the low muzzle velocity of the projectile. The self-propelled guns were defenseless in close combat and against tanks with good armor.

7. Panzerjager Tiger (P) Ferdinand - German heavy self-propelled guns. Armed with 88mm cannon. Developed in 1942-1943. One of the most heavily armed and heavily armored representatives of German armored vehicles.

6. ISU-152 - Soviet heavy self-propelled guns. Index 152 means the caliber of the main armament of the vehicle. Developed in 1943. The main use of the ISU-152 was fire support for advancing tanks and infantry. The 152.4-mm howitzer-gun had a powerful high-explosive fragmentation projectile. These shells were very effective against both uncovered infantry and fortifications. Due to the low rate of fire, it was inferior to specialized self-propelled guns - tank destroyers.

5. Jagdpanzer 38 Hetzer - German light self-propelled guns. Developed in 1943 - 1944. as a cheaper and mass replacement for the Sturmgeschütz III assault guns, but was later reclassified as a tank destroyer. The main armament was a 75 mm Panzerjägerkanone PaK 39/2 L/48 rifled gun.

4. SU-100 - Soviet anti-tank self-propelled artillery mount. Created in late 1943 - early 1944. The armored hull was structurally carried out as a single unit with the wheelhouse and was assembled by welding from rolled sheets and plates of armored steel with a thickness of 20, 45 and 75 mm. The main weapon of the SU-100 was the 100 mm D-10S rifled gun.

3. Panzerjager Tiger Ausf.B - German anti-tank self-propelled guns. It was used from the beginning of World War II to 1943. A total of 202 such machines were built. It was effectively used against Soviet T-34 and KV 1s tanks from distances of 500-600 m. Older models of Soviet armored vehicles were confidently hit from 700 meters. The armor effect of the 47-mm projectile was very weak, and even if the armor was pierced, the projectile did not cause damage to the crew and equipment.

2. M18 Hellcat - American SAU. During production from July 1943 to October 1944, 2,507 tank destroyers were produced. The frontal armor was 2.54 cm. It was equipped with 75 mm and 76 mm guns.

1. Jagdpanzer - heavy German self-propelled guns. Developed in 1943. Equipped with a powerful 88 mm Pak.43/3 (L/71) gun. She had good speed and maneuverability. It was distinguished by low mechanical reliability and relatively thin side armor.

The M10 Wolverine self-propelled artillery mount had the abbreviation GMC (3-in. Gun Motor Carriage) M10 and belonged to the class of tank destroyers. In the American army, this self-propelled gun received its unofficial nickname Wolverine (eng. Wolverine), which was borrowed from the British allies, this tank destroyer was supplied to the UK under Lend-Lease. The M-10 self-propelled guns, like many self-propelled guns of the Second World War, were created on the chassis of a medium tank, in this particular case, the Sherman M4A2 (the M10A1 modification is based on the M4A3 tank). In total, from September 1942 to December 1943, the American industry produced 6706 of these anti-tank self-propelled guns.

Unlike the German and Soviet self-propelled guns of the Second World War period, in the American self-propelled guns the gun was not installed in an armored tube, but in a rotating turret, just like on tanks. To arm the M-10 self-propelled guns, a 3-inch (76.2 mm) M7 gun was used, which was located in an open top tower. A special counterweight was mounted at the stern of it, which gave the tower a characteristic and easily recognizable silhouette. To combat armored targets, a caliber armor-piercing projectile without an M79 ballistic tip was used. This projectile at a distance of 1000 yards (900 m) at a meeting angle of 30 ° relative to the normal pierced 76 mm of armor. The full ammunition load of the self-propelled guns consisted of 54 rounds. For self-defense and repelling air attacks, the self-propelled gun was equipped with a 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine gun, which was mounted at the rear of the turret. The machine gun ammunition consisted of 300 rounds, in addition to this, the crew had personal weapons for self-defense.

History of creation

By the beginning of World War II, the American army was working at an emergency pace to create and put into service 2 tank destroyers - M3 and M6. At the same time, both vehicles were only a forced temporary measure and were ill-suited for fighting tanks. The army needed a full-fledged self-propelled gun - a tank destroyer. The development of such a machine in the United States began in November 1941. The project provided for the installation of a gun on the base of the M4A1 tank with a cast hull and a gasoline engine, but already in December 1941 this project was revised in favor of another modification of the Sherman M4A2 tank, which differed from the previous version with a welded hull and a diesel engine.

The prototype ACS was named T35. In January 1942, a wooden model was made, followed by the assembly of the first tank destroyers in metal. At the same time, the hull of the M4A2 tank underwent a number of changes - the machine lost its machine gun, the thickness of the frontal armor remained the same, and from the sides it was reduced to 1 inch. The armor in the transmission area was additionally reinforced with overlays of 2 armor plates, which were welded at an angle of 90 degrees. The 76.2 mm gun was mounted in a round open turret, which was borrowed from the T1 heavy tank prototype.

In the midst of work on the T35, the military put forward new requirements - sloping armor of the superstructure of the hull and a low silhouette of the vehicle. The designers presented 3 different variants of the self-propelled guns, of which one was chosen, which received the T35E1 index. The new version of the vehicle was based on the chassis of the M4A2 tank, the thickness of the armor decreased, additional slopes appeared at the superstructure; instead of a round tower, a tower from the M35 was installed. In January 1942, Chrysler's Fisher Tank Division began work on two prototypes of the T35E1. Both machines were ready by the spring of 1942. Their tests proved the advantage of the sloping hull armor, but the cast turret of the self-propelled guns caused criticism from the military. In this regard, it was decided to develop a new tower, which was made in the form of a hexagon, welded from rolled armor plates.

Tests of the T35E1 self-propelled guns were completed in May 1942. The machine was recommended for production after the elimination of a number of minor design comments.

The military demanded to reduce the reservation, for the sake of greater speed. The American concept of tank destroyers suggested that speed was more useful than good armor protection.
- Make a hatch to accommodate the driver.
- The differential should be covered with armor not from 3 parts, but from one.
- It should be possible to install additional armor on the forehead and sides of the hull, as well as the tower.

The standardized and improved T35E1 tank destroyer was put into production in June 1942 under the designation M10. The crew of the vehicle consisted of 5 people: the commander of the self-propelled guns (located on the right in the turret), the gunner (in the turret on the left), the loader (in the turret at the rear), the driver (in the front of the hull on the left) and the assistant driver (in the front of the hull on right). Despite the desire of the military to start production of the M10 as soon as possible, they had serious difficulties with the design of the hexagonal tower. In order not to delay the release, a temporary five-sided tower was made, which went into the series. As a result, all M10 tank destroyers were produced with it, and it was decided to abandon the hexagonal turret. It is also worth noting one drawback that the M10 Wolverine self-propelled guns had. The hatches of the driver and his assistant could not be opened at the moment when the gun was pointed forward, the gun mask prevented the opening of the hatches.

The main weapon of the self-propelled guns was a 3-inch 76.2-mm M7 gun, which had a good rate of fire - 15 rounds per minute. Pointing angles in the vertical plane ranged from -10 to +30 degrees, in the horizontal - 360 degrees. Tank destroyer ammunition consisted of 54 shots. 6 combat-ready shots were placed in two stacks (3 in each) on the rear wall of the tower. The remaining 48 shots were in special fiber containers in 4 packs in sponsons. According to the state, the ammunition load was to consist of 90% armor-piercing shells and 10% high-explosive. It could also include smoke shells and buckshot.

Combat use

The M10 self-propelled guns were produced from 1942 to the end of 1943 and, first of all, entered service with tank destroyer battalions (54 self-propelled guns each). American warfare doctrine called for the use of tank destroyers to destroy enemy tanks, while their own tanks were supposed to be used to support infantry units in battle. M10 Wolverine became the most massive anti-tank self-propelled guns of the American army during World War II. The combat debut of the tank destroyer took place in North Africa and was quite successful, since its three-inch gun could hit most of the German tanks operating in this theater of operations from long distances without any problems. At the same time, the low-speed and heavy chassis did not comply with the doctrine adopted in the United States, according to which faster and lighter self-propelled guns were to be used as tank destroyers. Therefore, already at the beginning of 1944, in parts of the M10 tank destroyers, they began to be replaced by more lightly armored and high-speed M18 Hellcat self-propelled guns.

Serious tests fell on the M10 self-propelled guns during the landing in Normandy and the subsequent battles. Due to the fact that the M10 had a more or less anti-tank 76.2 mm gun, they were actively involved in the fight against German tanks. It quickly became clear that the M10 could not successfully fight the new German tanks "Panther", "Tiger" and even more so with the Royal Tigers. Some of these self-propelled guns were handed over to the British under Lend-Lease, who quickly abandoned the American low-powered 76-mm gun and replaced it with their 17-pounder gun. The English modification of the M10 was named Achilles I and Achilles II. In the fall of 1944, these installations began to be replaced by more advanced M36 Jackson tank destroyers. At the same time, the M10s remaining in service continued to be used until the end of the war.

About 54 of these self-propelled guns were sent to the USSR under Lend-Lease, but nothing is known about their use in the Red Army. Also, these machines were received by the combat units of the Free French army. One of these machines, called "Sirocco", which was under the control of French sailors, became famous for knocking out the "Panther" on the Place de la Concorde in Paris in the last days of the Paris uprising.

The experience of combat use has shown that the M10 self-propelled gun turret, which is open from above, makes the vehicle very vulnerable to artillery and mortar fire, as well as to infantry attacks, especially during combat in the forest and urban areas. So even the most ordinary hand grenade could quite easily disable the crew of a self-propelled gun. Booking self-propelled guns also caused criticism, as they could not withstand the German anti-tank guns. But the biggest drawback was the very low turret traverse speed. This process was not mechanized and was done manually. It took at least 2 minutes to make a full turn. Also, contrary to the accepted doctrine, American tank destroyers used up more high-explosive fragmentation shells than armor-piercing ones. Most often, self-propelled guns performed the role of tanks on the battlefield, although on paper they were supposed to support them.

The M10 Wolverine proved to be the best in defensive battles, where they significantly outnumbered towed anti-tank guns. They were also successfully used during the Arden operation. Battalions armed with M10 tank destroyers turned out to be 5-6 times more effective than units armed with towed anti-tank guns of the same caliber. In cases where the M10 reinforced the defense of infantry units, the ratio of losses and victories was 1:6 in favor of tank destroyers. It was in the battles in the Ardennes that self-propelled guns, despite all their shortcomings, demonstrated how much they were superior to towed artillery, from that moment the active process of re-equipping anti-tank battalions with self-propelled guns began in the American army.

Performance characteristics: M10 Wolverine
Weight: 29.5 tons
Dimensions:
Length 6.828 m, width 3.05 m, height 2.896 m.
Crew: 5 people
Reservation: from 19 to 57 mm.
Armament: 76.2 mm rifled gun M7
Ammunition: 54 rounds
Engine: two-row 12-cylinder liquid-cooled diesel engine with 375 hp.
Maximum speed: on the highway - 48 km / h
Power reserve: on the highway - 320 km.

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The first months of the Great Patriotic War became a genuine and immense tragedy for the Soviet Union. The swift blows of the Wehrmacht troops in key directions, the encirclement, the overwhelming superiority of the Luftwaffe in the air - all this had to be experienced by the Red Army. The reality turned out to be sharply opposite to the film "If there is war tomorrow ...", which had an extremely negative effect on the morale and fighting spirit of the troops. German tanks played a huge and most important role in this whole picture, which was unsightly for the Soviet command. With a massive blow, they broke through the defenses of the Soviet troops on a narrow sector of the front and rapidly rushed further, capturing rear depots and communication centers, depriving the encircled Red Army units of all supplies, which they then mercilessly pursued with aviation, artillery and infantry. Fighting enemy tanks became a vital part of the successful defense of the country, and there were almost no means against them. For a number of subjective reasons that deserve a separate discussion, before the war, the production of divisional guns of 76.2 mm caliber and anti-tank defense guns (AT) of 45 mm caliber was curtailed. The exploits of Soviet tankers on the T-34 and KV could not change the situation in any way due to actions alone, a shortage of ammunition and fuel. In addition, these pre-war tanks had many defects in their mechanisms, due to which they often had to be abandoned during the retreat. The only means the infantry had were hand grenades RGD-33.

All possible measures were taken to remedy the catastrophic situation. In the shortest possible time, the production of 45 mm anti-tank guns was resumed, new 76.2-mm ZiS-3 divisional guns and 57-mm ZiS-2 anti-tank guns designed by V. G. Grabin were put on the conveyor. Weapons designers Degtyarev and Simonov developed samples of anti-tank rifles of 14.5 mm caliber. Supreme Commander-in-Chief I. V. Stalin personally signed the instruction on the use of incendiary bottles. Already by the beginning of the autumn of 1941, this began to bring the first successes. But even before that, knowing full well the importance of mobility for anti-tank guns, on July 1, 1941, People's Commissar for Armaments Vannikov gave an urgent order to develop self-propelled guns to fight Nazi tanks. Gorky Plant No. 92 in the shortest possible time presented two prototypes of self-propelled guns - on the chassis of a light semi-armored artillery tractor T-20 "Komsomolets" (ZiS-30) and a truck (ZiS-31). Both variants were armed with a 57 mm ZiS-2 anti-tank gun. The best shooting results were shown by the ZiS-31 installation, but the choice of the state commission fell on the ZiS-30 due to its better cross-country ability. By this time, the plant that produced Komsomolets had switched completely to the production of light tanks, so the chassis had to be removed from active parts to convert them into self-propelled guns. In total, by December 1941, about 100 Komsomol members were converted, which took part in the final stage of the battle for Moscow. Despite all their shortcomings, they were liked in parts due to mobility, better protection of equipment compared to the towed version, and the high efficiency of the ZiS-2 gun, which sometimes pierced German tanks of that period through and through. But due to the small number, losses and breakdowns of the ZiS-30 mechanisms, they quickly disappeared from the battlefields without having any significant impact on the course of events.

Immediately before the war, the Soviet designers of the Reactive Research Institute developed launchers for 132 and 82 mm caliber rockets on the chassis of the ZiS-6 truck. July 1, 1941 was the date of the baptism of fire of a new weapon - the battery of Captain I. A. Flerov wiped out the Orsha railway junction with German echelons with manpower, military equipment and ammunition. The exceptional effectiveness of rocket artillery contributed to the rapid deployment of its production. But the chassis of the ZiS-6 truck was highly vulnerable even to rifle and machine-gun fire, so already in August 1941, the design bureau of the Kompressor plant began developing a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) based on the T-40 light tank. On September 13, the plant produced the first prototype, called BM-8-24. It was equipped with an artillery unit with guides for launching 24 M-8 rockets of 82 mm caliber. After the T-40 tanks were discontinued, the production of this vehicle was continued on the basis of the T-60. Compared to variants based on trucks, the BM-8-24 was distinguished by its high cross-country ability, protection from small arms fire, low altitude, which facilitates camouflage on the ground, and an increased horizontal angle of fire. However, after the production of the T-60 tank was discontinued, the production of the BM-8-24 self-propelled guns was also discontinued. But this modest-looking combat vehicle became the progenitor of a whole class of the most highly effective combat installations of our time (for example, the Pinocchio MLRS based on the T-72 tank). She also demonstrated all the advantages of self-propelled artillery during the counteroffensive near Stalingrad - the BM-8-24 turned out to be next to the advancing infantry in winter off-road conditions and greatly facilitated the assault on German fortified positions. Not a single serious artillery system (with the exception of 45-mm and 57-mm anti-tank guns, which were dragged by completely exhausted fighters and horses) could accompany the advancing infantry units, not to mention tank ones.

Despite the obvious need of the Red Army for self-propelled guns, until the very end of 1942, no new models of equipment of this class (except for the ZiS-30 and BM-8-24) entered service, although work on their creation did not stop. The reason for this was the acute shortage of tanks in the troops after the spring-summer offensive of the Wehrmacht in 1942, when the Red Army again suffered heavy losses, and the factories evacuated to the East had not yet gained production capacity. Produced at that time by the Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ) (Mytishchi Machine-Building Plant (MMZ) was partially evacuated to Kirov and was only restoring the production of light tanks) T-60s were of little use for creating self-propelled guns on their basis. The T-34s produced by factories #112 Krasnoye Sormovo, Ural Tank #183 in Nizhniy Tagil, #174 in Omsk, Ural Heavy Engineering Plant (UZTM) and Stalingrad Tractor Plant (STZ) were badly needed by the front. Allocation of their chassis for the needs of self-propelled artillery at that moment was simply impossible. The factories producing heavy tanks could not help in any way - the Leningrad plant named after S. M. Kirov was cut off by the blockade, and the products of the Chelyabinsk Kirov Plant (ChKZ) - heavy tanks KV-1S - were entirely used to form guards heavy tank regiments of a breakthrough for the planned counteroffensive near Stalingrad.

A different situation developed on the other side of the front. KV and T-34 sowed fear in parts of the Wehrmacht. But this could not last long, German designers hastily improved their vehicles and created new ones to fight Soviet tanks. Combat experience has shown that the StuG III Ausf B self-propelled gun is unable to deal with the T-34 and KV. Therefore, it was urgently modernized by installing a long-barreled 75-mm StuK 40 gun and strengthening the armor. In the late autumn of 1941, a new modification was put into production under the designation StuG III Ausf F. 120 produced vehicles took part in the summer offensive of 1942. Another novelty was the self-propelled tank destroyer "Marder" (Marder - German "marten") on the tank chassis Pz Kpfw 38(t), armed... with the Soviet 76.2 mm F-22 cannon designed by V. G. Grabin. Having captured a significant number of such guns in battles and in warehouses, German engineers modernized them according to Soviet plans and received a powerful anti-tank weapon. This gun, along with the 88 mm FlaK 18 anti-aircraft gun, were for quite a long time the only guns that were guaranteed to hit the T-34 and the KV quite well. To create self-propelled guns, the chassis of the outdated Pz Kpfw I light tank was actively used. On its basis, the PanzerJäger tank destroyer and the Sturm infanterie Geschutz (SiG) I self-propelled howitzer were developed. They did not win special laurels on the Eastern Front, but they were well used by Rommel's corps in Africa

The turning point of the war (November 1942 - August 1943)

On November 19, 1942, crushing volleys of Soviet artillery and guard rocket launchers heralded the start of a counteroffensive near Stalingrad. Since then, this day has become the professional holiday of the Soviet artillery soldier. During the operation to encircle and liquidate units of the German 6th Army and 4th Panzer Army, artillery played one of the most important roles. With her fire, she ensured a successful assault on the Stalingrad defensive contours and city blocks by the advancing infantry. However, all the materiel of cannon artillery at that time was towed and this had a negative effect on the interaction of artillery with other branches of the military. Therefore, even before the start of the offensive, by order of the People's Commissar of Tank Industry No. 721 dated October 22, 1942, a special design group was organized at UZTM to develop a medium self-propelled gun based on the T-34 tank, armed with a 122-mm gun. This group, headed by L.I. Gorlitsky (as well as designers G.F. Ksyunin, A.D. Neklyudov, K.N. parts of the 122-mm M-30 howitzer. Its layout scheme became typical for all Soviet medium and heavy self-propelled guns: the conning tower in front of the vehicle united the fighting compartment and the control compartment, and the engine-transmission unit was located at the rear of the vehicle. After testing the prototype, the State Defense Committee (GKO) on December 2, 1942 adopted Decree No. 4559 on the immediate serial production at UZTM of a new self-propelled gun, which received the designation SU-122. From December 1942 to August 1943, Uralmashzavod produced 638 SU-122 self-propelled guns. In the course of production, changes were repeatedly made to the design of the vehicle, aimed at improving manufacturability, combat qualities and the convenience of the crew.

In the meantime, GAZ, MMZ and the plant in Kirov that had joined them switched to the production of a more advanced model of the T-70 light tank. But she could not directly serve as a carrier for an artillery gun. Design Bureau GAZ, headed by N. A. Astrov and A. A. Lipgart, developed a chassis based on the T-70 specifically for self-propelled guns. In particular, it was necessary to lengthen the hull to accommodate it in the rear of the conning tower and add another road wheel on board. In the conning tower, the divisional 76.2-mm ZiS-3 gun designed by V. G. Grabin, which had proven itself in battles, was mounted. Initially, the self-propelled gun, called the SU-76, had a cabin completely covered with armor and two parallel-mounted six-cylinder automobile engines. But such a power plant turned out to be unreliable and difficult to manage. To solve this problem, Astrov and Lipgart, who had extensive experience with automotive units in tank designs, proposed the use of two motors connected in series by crankshafts. Such an engine has already been used in the design of the T-70 light tank. At first, the resource of such a "spark" was low, but the developers overcame this difficulty, increasing it several times after modifying a number of components of the base engine. This installation "GAZ-203" with a capacity of 170 liters. with. was installed in an improved model of self-propelled guns SU-76M. For the convenience of the crew and better ventilation of the fighting compartment, the SU-76M has removed the armored roof and rear wheelhouse. In total, 360 SU-76s and 13292 SU-76Ms were produced during the war years. Thus, it became the second largest armored combat tracked vehicle of the Red Army in the Great Patriotic War. Despite all its shortcomings - a gasoline engine and bulletproof armor, the SU-76M also had many positive qualities inherited from the T-70 light tank. She had a softer and quieter move compared to the T-34; engine preheater, which greatly facilitated its start-up in severe winter conditions; convenient track tensioning mechanism; was unobtrusive in the field. The low specific pressure on the ground allowed her to operate in swampy areas, where other types of tanks and self-propelled guns would inevitably get stuck. This circumstance played a big positive role in the battles of 1944 in Belarus, where swamps played the role of natural barriers for the advancing Soviet troops. The SU-76M could pass along the hastily constructed roads along with the infantry and attack the enemy where he least expected the blows of Soviet self-propelled guns. The SU-76M also performed well in urban battles - its open cabin, despite the possibility of hitting the crew with small arms fire, provided a better view and made it possible to interact very closely with the soldiers of the infantry assault squads. Finally, the SU-76M could destroy all medium tanks and equivalent Wehrmacht self-propelled guns with its fire.

The Chelyabinsk Kirov Plant did not stay away from the creation of self-propelled guns. Having received the terms of reference in December 1942 for the development of heavy self-propelled guns, the factory workers in just 25 days presented a metal prototype based on the KV-1S heavy tank, armed with a powerful 152-mm howitzer ML-20 gun designed by F. F. Petrov. Using the same layout scheme as for the SU-122, ChKZ engineers managed to achieve greater efficiency in its use. In particular, instead of the pedestal installation of the gun on the SU-122, the new vehicle, originally called the KV-14, received a frame one - the gun was attached to the frontal armor plate of the vehicle by means of a special frame. This design made it possible to significantly expand the usable volume of the fighting compartment and improve its habitability. Under the name SU-152, the self-propelled gun was immediately put into production after it was shown by the GKO. This was simply necessary in light of the tests of the captured German tank Pz Kpfw VI "Tiger", since regular 45-mm and 76-mm tank and anti-tank guns turned out to be ineffective against its armor. In addition, according to intelligence, the enemy was expected to have several more new models of tanks and self-propelled guns by the beginning of his massive summer offensive. According to this information, the new German vehicles will have armor comparable to or even more powerful than the armor of the Tiger.

Despite the heroic efforts of all tank factories in the country, the size of the fleet of self-propelled guns of the Red Army did not grow as fast as the top leadership of the army and the country would like. On the other hand, during the Moscow and Stalingrad counteroffensives, the Red Army captured many serviceable or slightly damaged Pz Kpfw III tanks and StuG III self-propelled guns. They were quite combat-ready or maintainable, but the lack of shells of 37, 50 and 75 mm calibers interfered. Therefore, it was decided to convert captured vehicles into self-propelled guns armed with domestic artillery systems. In total, about 1200 of these machines were converted. These self-propelled guns, armed with a 76.2 mm F-34 tank gun, were named SU-76I. Also, Soviet engineers developed a 122-mm howitzer on a captured chassis, but after creating several prototypes, this direction was closed due to the launch of the domestic SU-122 in a series.

The enemy, preparing for his summer offensive, also developed a number of new machines. On the basis of an experimental heavy tank designed by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, German designers created a heavy tank destroyer, originally named "Ferdinand" by Adolf Hitler himself in honor of its creator. The self-propelled gun was armed with a powerful 88-mm cannon and had the most powerful armor for that time up to 200 mm thick with rational tilt angles. However, later it was renamed "Elephant" (German Elefant - elephant) and under this name it is now more often mentioned in foreign, including German sources. Also on the chassis of the Pz Kpfw IV, the Bryummber assault mortar (German: Brummbar - bear) and the Hummel self-propelled howitzer (German: Hummel - bumblebee) were created. The next modification of the Ausf G was received by the StuG III family of assault guns. At the same time, attempts were made to install a more powerful artillery system on this chassis, which ended with the creation of the StuH 42 self-propelled gun. The Pz Kpfw II chassis also remained in business. Heavy and light howitzers were mounted on them. These artillery self-propelled guns received the designations SiG II and Vespe, respectively (German Wespe - wasp).

The battle of Kursk became the confrontation of all these machines. Soviet troops well (and in some places even with enthusiasm) met the new self-propelled guns, although it took some time, experience, and, unfortunately, losses to learn how to use them correctly in battle. Summing up the results of their combat use, we can say that the SU-152s have proven themselves as fighters of enemy armored vehicles, earning the honorary nickname "St. John's wort". Only they could irrevocably disable the formidable "Tigers", "Panthers" and "Elephants" from one projectile. But there were only 24 of them on the Kursk Bulge as part of two heavy self-propelled artillery regiments, which was clearly not enough to counter the new Wehrmacht armored vehicles. In the future, they were no less successfully used from Karelia to the Crimea to destroy tanks, self-propelled guns and long-term fortifications of the enemy. In anti-tank defense, Soviet commanders also counted on the SU-122 medium self-propelled guns. Combat experience showed that it was quite suitable for this task, but this was hampered by its low rate of fire. The M-30 howitzer, like the ML-20 gun, has separate loading artillery rounds, which leads to a low rate of fire and a small amount of ammunition carried in self-propelled guns. This circumstance, quite justified for a heavy self-propelled gun, was considered a drawback in the design of the medium one, which is intended to accompany tanks, cavalry and motorized infantry. The consequence of this was the removal of the SU-122 from production already in August 1943 and its replacement with the SU-85. But this decision also had its drawback: the SU-122 was quite well suited to combat pillboxes and machine-gun nests in masonry buildings due to the effectiveness of its high-explosive fragmentation projectile, and an 85-mm projectile of the same type was often not powerful enough against such targets.

German self-propelled guns only confirmed their reputation as a formidable and dangerous adversary, especially the Elefant. As a tank destroyer, he had no equal until the advent of the Jagdtiger (because the Jagdpanther was weaker armored, and the quality of the German armor had seriously deteriorated by the end of the war). With his fire, he could hit from long distances (even over 2.5 km) any type of Soviet or Anglo-American armored vehicles, being practically invulnerable to most of them. In 1943, only the SU-152 could fight them, later its heirs ISU-152 and ISU-122, as well as the IS-2 heavy tank with the SU-100 medium self-propelled gun, were added to them. But even these vehicles were seriously inferior to the "Elephant" in terms of armor penetration at distances over 1.5 km. The ISU-152 had a relative advantage due to the heavy (43 kg) high-explosive projectile, which made it possible to disable the Elefant without penetrating its armor due to damage to the mechanisms from a powerful concussion, the disruption of its guns from the trunnions and the destruction of the crew from internal armor spalls. At the same time, the power of the high-explosive projectile did not depend on the distance to the target, however, the ISU-152 was several times behind the Elefant in the rate of fire. "Dueling" with him in most cases ended in victory for "Elephant". However, the Germans themselves were forced to use them in a different role - a "ram point" - against the Soviet layered defense on the Kursk Bulge, since the density and accuracy of Soviet artillery fire was simply deadly for other types of German armored vehicles. Here, the formidable self-propelled guns lost their advantages, and its large mass and sluggishness, along with the lack of a machine gun, were not very suitable for close combat with Soviet infantry. As a result, this led to the loss of about half of all vehicles involved. Some of them were destroyed by heavy artillery fire, including fire from SU-152 self-propelled guns; the other part was immobilized by explosions on minefields and destroyed by their own crews. Finally, several "Elephants" were burned by Soviet infantrymen with the help of KC incendiary bottles. However, despite all this, they remained the most dangerous weapon of the enemy, and for the destruction or capture of the Elephant, they were given an order without further ado.

The Battle of Kursk clearly demonstrated the value of self-propelled artillery in both defensive and offensive combat operations. However, from the first series of self-propelled guns, only the SU-76M, designed for close fire support of infantry in battle, was suitable for massive saturation of army units with them. Therefore, from mid-autumn 1943, factories in Mytishchi, Gorky and Kirov completely stopped production of light tanks T-70M and T-80 and switched to the production of only SU-76M. UZTM, fulfilling the requirements for the development of a medium self-propelled gun capable of successfully fighting enemy heavy tanks, from May to June 1943 presented several prototypes armed with 85-mm guns of various designs. All these artillery systems were based on the ballistics of the 85-mm anti-aircraft gun of the 1939 model (52-K). Thus, this anti-aircraft gun repeated the fate of its German "sister" FlaK 18, becoming the ancestor of a whole family of guns for tanks and self-propelled guns. In early August 1943, the Red Army adopted the SU-85-II variant, armed with the D5-S cannon, designed by plant No. 9, developed on its own initiative by a group of engineers from this plant, headed by F.F. Petrov. In the same month, the production of T-34 tanks and the previous model of the medium self-propelled guns SU-122 was curtailed at Uralmashzavod, and the SU-85 took their place on the conveyor. A total of 2329 self-propelled guns of this type were produced.

ACS ISU-152

Despite the brilliant debut of the heavy self-propelled gun SU-152 on the Kursk Bulge, after the transfer of military acceptance of about 620 vehicles, their production was stopped due to the withdrawal from production of the KV-1S tank, whose chassis served as the base for the SU-152. But ChKZ had already put into production a new heavy tank, the IS, and its base was immediately used to create a new heavy self-propelled gun armed with the same ML-20 howitzer gun and called the ISU-152. An important addition to its design was the anti-aircraft heavy-caliber 12.7-mm DShK machine gun. All the benefits of it turned out later, in urban assault battles, when self-propelled gunners destroyed enemy infantry covered with rubble, barricades and settled on the upper floors of buildings (especially armor-piercers armed with Panzerfausts, etc. with anti-tank weapons).

ACS ISU-122

The first ISU-152s were handed over to the army by December 1943 and were produced until the end of the war. But already in January 1944, it became clear that the existing barrels of the ML-20 howitzer guns were not enough to arm the newly produced heavy self-propelled guns. However, there were plenty of A-19 hull guns with a caliber of 122 mm, and, starting from February 1944, some of the heavy self-propelled guns began to be equipped with them. This modification was called ISU-122. The A-19 gun had a relatively low rate of fire of 1.5 - 2 rounds per minute, due to the piston design of the bolt; therefore, by the summer of 1944, a version of it was developed, equipped with a wedge gate. The upgraded gun, which received the D-25 index, began to be installed on IS-2 heavy tanks and ISU-122S self-propelled guns. Its practical rate of fire increased to 2 - 2.5 (in the best conditions up to 3) rounds per minute. Externally, the ISU-122S differed from the ISU-122 by the presence of a muzzle brake on the gun. All three types of heavy self-propelled guns were in parallel production until the end of the war. In total, until the end of the war, 4030 vehicles based on the IS tank were produced. Combat use once again confirmed the effectiveness of new types of Soviet self-propelled guns. Any representative of the Wehrmacht armored vehicles could be irrevocably disabled by one hit from a heavy self-propelled gun of the ISU family. ISU-152 gained great popularity in assault battles. Their fire made it possible to crush pillboxes, forts, resistance centers in buildings of powerful and high-quality capital masonry and effectively counteract enemy tank counterattacks. The SU-85 medium self-propelled guns have earned a reputation as a truly effective weapon against new heavy German tanks at a distance of up to 1 km. The enemy quickly realized this and changed his tactics so as to fight against the SU-85 at long distances of 1.5 - 2 km. At this distance, the 85 mm sub-caliber projectile was already ineffective against 100-120 mm armor, and German 75 and 88 mm guns could hit the 45 mm armor of the Soviet self-propelled gun. Therefore, along with good reviews, the plant received wishes from the front to strengthen the armor and armament of the vehicle. The adoption of the T-34-85 tank in December 1943 made the task of modernizing the medium self-propelled gun even more urgent. GKO, by its Decree No. 4851 of December 27, 1943, ordered UZTM to develop a medium self-propelled gun armed with a 100-mm gun based on a universal naval gun (submarines of the C and K series were equipped with them, light cruisers of the Kirov type had a six-gun anti-aircraft battery of such guns ). The Design Bureau of Plant No. 9, under the leadership of F.F. Petrov, developed the D10-S gun specifically for the new self-propelled guns. The designers of UZTM, headed by L. I. Gorlitsky, tried to take into account the wishes of the front-line soldiers to the maximum - the frontal armor protection of the self-propelled gun was strengthened to 70 mm, a commander's cupola with a Mk IV viewing device, two exhaust fans were installed on it to better clean the fighting compartment from powder gases.

SAU SU-100

On July 3, the State Defense Committee, by its Decree No. 6131, adopted a new self-propelled guns under the index SU-100. In September, its production began, first in parallel with the SU-85, then the remaining 85-mm D5-S guns began to be installed in the SU-100 hull (transitional version of the SU-85M, 315 vehicles were produced) and, finally, UZTM completely switched to the production of SU- 100. Until the end of the war, 2495 self-propelled guns of this type were produced.

On the other side of the front, intensive work on the creation of new and modernization of existing self-propelled guns also did not stop. The continuous increase in the saturation of the Red Army with tanks and self-propelled guns, the constant increase in their armor protection and the power of weapons forced German designers to pay special attention to the class of self-propelled tank destroyers. Along with the continuously produced and modernized StuG III since the beginning of the war, starting in the fall of 1943, self-propelled guns based on another medium German tank Pz Kpfw IV were launched into a series: Nashorn (German: Nashorn - rhinoceros), JgdPz IV / 48 and JgdPz IV/70. But the most formidable opponents were installations based on the German heavy tanks "Jagdpanther" and "Jagdtigr". A successful light self-propelled gun "Hetzer" was created on the chassis of the Pz Kpfw 38(t) tank. Toward the end of 1944, the production of self-propelled guns in Germany even exceeded the production of tanks. Individual German crews, using these vehicles, sometimes scored very large personal accounts of the affected enemy armored vehicles. But the quality of German self-propelled guns was no longer what it was at the beginning and in the middle of the war. Their role was played by the lack of components due to the bombing and loss of allied plants and their replacement with ersatz. The deliveries from Finland and Sweden of non-ferrous metals needed for alloying grades of armored steel have ceased. Finally, in the factory shops, many skilled workers were replaced by women or teenagers, and in some places by prisoners of war and "Ostarbeiters" (civilian population of the Soviet Union and Poland driven to work in Germany). All this led to the complete impossibility of the new technology to save the Third Reich, but it remained capable of inflicting heavy losses on Soviet and Anglo-American troops until its death or surrender. (Note that all these problems were also familiar to the Soviet Union. However, the design of Soviet machines was more technologically advanced than German ones. Their production could be established at any more or less serious machine-building plant with a significant use of low-skilled labor. You should also pay attention to the fact that female and adolescent labor was used in the USSR from the very beginning of the war, and by the middle of it, many of the workers and youth had become true masters of their craft.The victories of the Red Army additionally stimulated the productivity and quality of labor, and from the end of 1942, the food supply began to improve In Germany, however, universal labor service was introduced in 1943, and new machines were still calculated for highly skilled German workers, many of whom had long been drafted into the Wehrmacht or the Volkssturm. The situation was worsened by bad news from the fronts, declining food rations and constant bombing by Anglo-American aircraft.).

SAU ZSU-37

Finally, the topic of equipping troops with self-propelled anti-aircraft guns (SPA) deserves a separate discussion. Here it is unequivocally necessary to recognize the correct position of the leaders of the Wehrmacht and the German Ministry of Armaments from the very beginning of the war. Already from the Polish campaign of 1939, the mobile strike groups of the Wehrmacht were equipped with anti-aircraft guns on the chassis of half-tracked transporters. Even such ZSUs inflicted very significant damage on Polish (and after French, English, etc.) bombers. Later in Germany, ZSUs on tank chassis were developed, the most popular of which was the Pz Kpfw IV base: on its basis, ZSU FlaK Pz IV, Ostwind, Wirbelwind were produced. A number of anti-aircraft self-propelled guns were produced based on the Pz Kpfw 38(t). There are known facts of conversion of captured T-34s into SPAAGs. As for the Red Army, the protection of its mobile formations on the march from air strikes must be recognized as extremely unsatisfactory. According to the state, the role of air defense systems in them was performed by towed 37-mm anti-aircraft guns 61-K. In places where the Red Army troops were concentrated, they were an effective weapon against enemy Stuka Ju.87 dive bombers and various low-altitude German attack aircraft, but they could not help on the march. This was well understood in the army leadership at all levels, and variations on the theme of "car" (GAZ-AAA, ZiS-6, Studebaker) + "anti-aircraft gun" (quadruple "Maxim", machine guns of caliber 25 and 37 mm). When guarding troops on the march along good roads, they coped well with their task, but their cross-country ability left much to be desired, they were vulnerable even to rifle fire, and for more or less accurate shooting, they still had to use jacking up the carrier car. Significant assistance was supplied from the US ZSU M17 based on a lightly armored half-tracked transporter, armed with four 12.7-mm machine guns. However, there were few of them, and the range of effective machine gun fire left much to be desired. Therefore, in 1944, a specialized ZSU was developed on the SU-76 chassis. Instead of a conning tower in its rear part, a spacious circular rotation turret with a 37-mm 61-K machine gun installed in it was placed. Due to the large volume of the tower, it was possible to place a radio station, a sight with a rangefinder and a large portable ammunition load for the gun in it. This machine, which received the ZSU-37 index, was put into production and 70 self-propelled guns were produced before the end of the war.

It must be said that during the course of the war, Soviet designers developed a fairly large number of experimental self-propelled guns that were not mass-produced or served as prototypes for post-war mass-produced vehicles. The list of these machines can include a variant of the further development of the SU-76M, armed with an 85-mm gun and equipped with 90-mm frontal armor; self-propelled gun ESU-100 with electric transmission based on the serial SU-100; Self-propelled guns "Uralmash-1" with a rear-mounted fighting compartment and record-breaking armor protection on a special chassis using units of the T-44 tank and many other interesting designs.
Summing up, it should be noted that the Red Army, which did not have a single serial self-propelled gun at the beginning of the war, finished it with a large number (over 10,000 vehicles) of self-propelled guns of various types and purposes. Starting with the turning point battle on the Kursk Bulge, Soviet self-propelled guns went through the entire difficult path of the war to Berlin and Prague. They made a significant contribution to the common victory over the Wehrmacht for all branches of the armed forces. This was the merit of absolutely everyone who was directly or indirectly related to Soviet self-propelled artillery: crews of self-propelled guns, designers, workers, repairmen, and this list can go on and on. Many of them were awarded government awards and cash prizes. Of particular note ... the indirect contribution of German designers to the development of Soviet self-propelled artillery - after all, it was in the fiercest confrontation with Tigers, Panthers, Elefants and other enemy equipment that Soviet engineers created their own, worthy response to formidable German machines. However, according to the author, it would be unjustified to raise the question of whose or which particular self-propelled guns were the best in the Second World War. The effectiveness of the use of the machine, in addition to the declared performance characteristics, is determined by the training and experience of the crew, the unit commander, the quality of optics, communications and many other factors, up to the weather on the day of the combat operation. Naturally, it is simply impossible to find examples where all this would be equalized. Comparing only by "pure" performance characteristics is also not entirely correct - many parameters in the USSR and Germany were determined using different methods (for example, armor penetration), which forces them to bring the indicators to a single standard, which may turn out to be different for everyone. Moreover, the purpose of the comparison is to identify the strongest, but in practice everything can turn out to be completely different - there are cases when the weakest in class won by two orders of magnitude. For example, the StuG III, modest in its characteristics, knocked out the IS-2 quite well, and in the Battle of Kursk, the crew of one T-70 even managed to burn the Elefant! Both Soviet and German self-propelled guns could be considered among the best in their classes: this can be said about the heavy ISU-152 and Elefant, the medium SU-100 and Jagdpanther, the light SU-76M and Hetzer. Therefore, the creation of such first-class Soviet equipment and the equipping of troops with it in the extremely difficult conditions of the war should be unconditionally recognized as a feat of Soviet designers, technologists, engineers and workers, which was a significant contribution to the great Victory of the peoples of the Soviet Union and the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition over Nazi Germany and its allies.

What did foreigners fight on? How did the first anti-tank installation appear? why were there many more German types of tank destroyers than other states? It's simple ... The Germans came up with the PT.

SAU Sturmgeschutz III
The Sturmgeschutz (StuG III) was originally conceived as a motorized field gun to support infantry. Nevertheless, during the Second World War, she proved to be an excellent tank destroyer.
The idea of ​​self-propelled guns was developed by Oberst Erich von Manstein, who before the war served in the main headquarters of the Wehrmacht. In a 1935 memorandum, he proposes the development of a new armored weapon "which could be used both for offensive and defensive operations, supporting the infantry at critical moments."
Underestimated Armored Tank
This idea was the result of experience gained during the First World War, when the Germans, surprised by the appearance of enemy armored vehicles. Breaking through their defenses, were powerless in the fight with new machines. To impede the advance of armored vehicles, they had to use horse-drawn field guns. Although von Manstein's idea was attractive, it was not unanimous. General Guderian, creator of the new Panzerwaffe (armored forces), objected strongly to him. He was afraid of losing the production capacity to produce an armored infantry support tank.
On the eve of World War II, the German military industry was operating at full capacity. The situation became acute when SPG supporters were accused of "accelerating the decline of the armored army." But after the first battles of 1939-1940, these charges were quickly dropped. Several self-propelled guns have proven their worth.
Obvious benefits
As the months passed, the idea of ​​a new machine was outlined, and no one else opposed the development of a new weapon. In the initial drawings, the design was equipped with front and side armor, it did not have a roof and rear protection. The crew was not protected by anything. We solved this problem in the most radical way: we built a fully armored hull. As a basis, the engineers took the Panzer III tank, which was already in production. It was 5 tons lighter than the Panzer IV tank and therefore more comfortable to drive. The short 75 mm L/24 cannon, located on a fixed casemate, was not intended for combat with enemy tanks, but could fire high-explosive shells. The absence of a turret made it possible to make the armored tank compact and low. A less massive and less flashy tank was more difficult to hit with shells. The reduction in weight associated with the absence of a turret made it possible to increase armor. Ultimately, without a turret, the cost of producing a tank decreased, and besides, many parts of the enterprise were already being produced. The new vehicle turned out to be 25% cheaper than a Panzer III tank with a turret.
Once again, the fears of Guderian, who declared excessive costs for the production of a new armored tank, turned out to be groundless. Moreover, when the Panzer III was taken out of production at the end of 1943, the remaining equipment (equipment and tools) and spare parts came in handy, and the price of self-propelled guns decreased even more. Both from an economic and tactical point of view, the new machine was fully suitable for solving the assigned tasks. But it all depended on the combat zones where it was used. To shoot, the car had to be in line with the target. To follow the target, the car had to rotate around its own axis. This was not a problem in large open areas of fighting on the Eastern Front, but on rough terrain or in urban areas the tank lost its advantages, its maneuverability was limited in narrow areas of land or streets. In addition, if his tracks were damaged, he could not turn, and became defenseless.
Short gun mounts
In June 1936, the Heereswaffenament made a request to Daimler-Benz to develop the base of the casemate, while Krupp was developing a gun that was the same as on the first generation Panzer IV tank. After testing five copies of the experimental series in February 1940, mass production of model A (50 copies) began.
The basis of the Panzer III Ausf E or F tank was driven by a Maybach HL 120 TRM 12-cylinder engine with 300 hp. and a speed of 3 thousand rpm. The tracks consisted of 6 wheels, one drive wheel in front and one heavy rear. Three upper track rollers provided tension for the tracks. The crew consisted of only four people. The driver and machine gunner were in front, the gunner and loader were in the rear, in the fighting compartment. They were protected at the front by 50 mm armor, which was 20 mm more than on the Panzer III. The main weapon was a 37 L / 24 75 mm cannon with 44 rounds.
On the field, the self-propelled guns coped with their task perfectly, and it was decided to increase production volumes. The basis for the 320 Sturmgeschutz III Ausf B was the Panzer III Ausf H with a modified gearbox and different track drive wheels. Versions C and D, which were produced from March 1941, received the basis of the Panzer III Ausf G tank with some changes. StuG III Ausf E (284 copies until February 1942) had additional armor for the radio section and the rear machine gun.
long guns
Although the StuG III was effective against infantry and soft targets on the Eastern Front, it was also used to attack armored vehicles. Its armament left much to be desired, the shells did not have armor-piercing abilities, their muzzle velocity was too low. To increase its power, the Model 366 StuG Ausf F was equipped with a 75mm L/43 high velocity cannon. After such a modernization, the Sturmgeschutz could hardly be called a self-propelled gun, it turned into a tank destroyer, direct infantry support became a secondary task.
The basis of the StuG Ausf F was the same as that of the Panzer III Ausf J-M. The model was produced in March-September 1942. In addition to its armament, the machine had smoke exhausters in the upper part of the hull and front armor 80 mm thick. From June 1942, some StuG Ausf Fs were equipped with the long-barreled StuK 40 L/48 cannon, which fired the Panzergranat-Patrone 39 and could penetrate 96 mm thick armor from a distance of 500 m and at an angle of 30 degrees. StuG III Ausf F / 8 was almost the same, but more simplified and with wider rear armor.
From December 1942 until the end of the war, the attacking troops received 7,720 StuG Ausf Gs, the most numerous. The taller and wider hull ended in a tank commander's turret. Schurtzen protective side shields became common, and some armored vehicles were equipped with a more round gun mantlet. Sturmgeschutz III machines served on all fronts and were considered dangerous weapons. During 1943 they disabled 13,000 enemy tanks. Only one brigade knocked out 1,000 tanks in 15 months of fighting on the Eastern Front. Some Soviet units even received orders not to engage the Sturmgeschutz.

Panzerjager I
At the beginning of 1939, Germany is developing a new type of armored tank - the tank destroyer number 1, or Panzerjager I. The weapon proves its effectiveness, followed by a whole series of similar vehicles.
During wars, natural law comes into play. When the adversary begins to use a weapon that supplants another, the less advantaged one tries in turn to develop a weapon that can counter this threat. This process continues until one of the opponents wins the final victory. In 1918, Germany did not have time to resist the armored tanks of the Entente countries, which were massively brought into battle, and the Allies won, despite the fact that their tanks were far from perfect. Nevertheless, the Germans reacted quickly, developing the first anti-tank weapons. It could not repel the powerful armored attacks on the Western Front, because it was produced in insufficient quantities. The experience gained was insignificant, and after the Great War, the Reichswehr began testing the entire arsenal of anti-tank weapons. The Treaty of Versailles prohibited Germany from producing "tanks, armored vehicles and other similar devices", but anti-tank weapons were defensive weapons and did not fall under these bans. Since the 1920s, the development of the 37 mm anti-tank gun in Germany has been in full swing.
Hybrid armored tank
In 1939, when the Wehrmacht decided to start developing experimental vehicles based on the design of the Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf B, the first tank destroyers appeared. The idea of ​​such a machine was interesting. The tank destroyer was economical and easy to manufacture, since it did not have a swivel heavy turret. The armored tank was difficult to track down and easy to camouflage. Based on these considerations, the first 47 mm anti-tank gun was installed on the Panzer I, which became the Panzerjager I tank destroyer. The hull of the original tank was retained along with the engine and kinematic chain, while the armored tank lost its turret. Instead, the top of the hull received a 47 mm Skoda cannon, equipped with a front armor plate, but without a running gear. It was supposed to equip the armored tank with a more effective 50 mm cannon, but by that time it was not yet ready. The market was divided between two manufacturers: Alkett, Berlin, assembled 132 Panzerjager I equipped with five protective plates, the Czech factory Skoda (captured by the Germans in 1938) took up the production of 70 other tank destroyers, recognizable by seven protective plates.
The thickness of the reservation was 14.5 mm, the protection was purely symbolic and could not withstand shots and shell fragments. The Czech weapon was considered excellent, but its lateral deflection angle was very small (15 degrees right and left). Nevertheless, the armored tank was well suited for tracking down targets.
In action
The Panzerjager I entered tank destroyer units and was first used during the Battle of France in May 1940. The following year, a Panzerjager battalion was sent to North Africa along with the Afrika Korps, subsequently some of the tanks took part in the battles on the Eastern Front. A little later, when the Allied forces began to use more and more effective tanks, the Panzerjager I fell into disuse. Its low firepower and thin armor made it an easy prey for the enemy. In addition, a too light body did not allow making the necessary changes to the design.
The cessation of production of this armored vehicle did not mean the end of the production of tank destroyers in general. The development of this inexpensive and destructive weapon continued throughout World War II.

Marder I anti-tank gun
The Marder I PT was the answer to the formidable Russian T-34 tanks. The anti-tank weapons used by the Wehrmacht were ineffective against the well-designed armor of Soviet tanks.
During the Russian campaign, the Soviet T034 tank became an increasingly obvious and formidable danger. German anti-tank guns of 37 mm and 50 mm caliber proved to be too weak. The German command needed to make a quick decision in order to prevent heavy losses in combat strength. The urgency of the issue did not allow waiting for the development of a new, more effective weapon; it was necessary to modify the existing weapons, adapting them to solving the problem that had arisen. These machines were not perfect, their most important advantage was the possibility of rapid production.
Quick Success
The tank destroyer Marder I is the official name of the Sd. Kfz. 135 - became a temporary solution to the problem. The installations were built hastily, they did not meet all the requirements, but on the whole they coped with the task. In 1941, the Army Ordnance Department decided to use the chassis of captured enemy equipment to assemble the Marder I. The main costs were for the production of the hull. Among the vehicles used in this way were about 400 Lorraine artillery tractors captured by the Germans during an attack on France. According to the handbooks, these were "small supply vehicles with a front engine and transport superstructures in the rear." In addition, the chassis of the French Hotchkiss H35 and H39 tanks were used, and in the latest models, the installed Panzer II D chassis.
The tracks and suspension of the Lorraine tractors were strong and reliable. Tractor chassis became the basis for the production of Marder I. The hull was a superstructure protected by only 12 mm armor. At first, the installations were equipped with a captured Russian Pak 36 (r) anti-tank gun of 76.2 mm caliber, modified for 75 mm caliber shells. Subsequently, Pak 40/1 L / 46 anti-tank guns of 75 mm caliber were installed. This gun occupied the space originally reserved for the transport compartment. The height of the gun barrel was 2.20 m, the deflection angle of the gun was 50 degrees.
The crew of four was protected by the superstructure and gun shield. However, the armor was vulnerable to individual weapon projectiles and light explosions on the battlefield. Thicker armor was not supposed - its weight would exceed 8 tons, the tank would become too heavy for a 70 hp engine. The chassis of the Lorraine tractor also served as the base for the Sd. Kfz.135/1 equipped with 18/40 caliber light howitzer 100 mm or heavy 13 caliber 150 mm howitzer.
Accommodation
185 Marder I installations were made, and they were mainly part of the occupying forces in France. Some of them were in service with the anti-tank units of the infantry divisions on the Eastern Front, but in 1943 these installations returned to France. Although the Marder I proved effective, military units suffered heavy losses due to the weakness of the armor, which was easily penetrated by any enemy anti-tank gun, even as small a caliber as 36 mm, which was equipped with many American light armored vehicles. This shortcoming was especially clearly manifested in France in 1944 in battles with the liberation Anglo-American troops.
By the end of the war, only six operational Marder Is survived.

Semovente 75/18 and 105/25 self-propelled artillery mounts
The Italian Semovente self-propelled artillery mounts were similar in their characteristics to the German Sturmgeschutz III self-propelled guns. Both German and Italian weapons were generally successful developments. Not surprisingly, after the surrender of Italy in September 1943, German troops seized a number of these weapons.
During the Second World War, Italy produced, among other things, noteworthy weapons, such as the Semovente self-propelled guns. Due to the lack of resources in the country and due to outdated production lines, the Italian military industry was not able to provide an army for a long war, which greatly depressed Mussolini, who dreamed of Italian dominance throughout the Mediterranean. Nevertheless, despite numerous restrictions, Italian engineers managed to develop several types of effective weapons, but production - poorly organized and suffering from constant shortages - could not function properly during a world war that consumed tons of weapons. Only a few developments were accepted for mass production.
Semovente 75/18
At the beginning of the war, artillery colonel Sergio Berlese, being impressed by the Sturmgeschutz used during the French campaign, suggested starting the production of similar weapons. The idea resonated with the command, and in February 1941, the Semovente 75/18 self-propelled guns (meaning "self-propelled"), similar to the German counterpart, appeared. The model was created on the basis of the M13/40 medium tank (an improved version of which is known as the M14/42) and is armed with a 75 mm cannon. Access to the welded cabin was through the top hatch in the top armor. The car was equipped with a Fiat Diesel engine. The crew consisted of a driver, gunner and commander of the self-propelled guns, who were located in the front part, in the armored wheelhouse of the self-propelled guns. An additional weapon - an 8 mm Breda anti-aircraft machine gun - was mounted on a special support, but the gunner had to leave the wheelhouse to fire. According to Italian military doctrine, the Semovente 75/18 was primarily used for motorized artillery support, which included the self-propelled guns themselves, which had a howitzer. But very soon, during the North African campaign, it turned out that this self-propelled howitzer with an armored cabin that protected the crew well was capable of fighting enemy tanks, which turned it into a tank destroyer. In total, at least 765 machines of the 75/18 modification were produced.
The allies responded to the development of this self-propelled guns with a more powerful type of weapon, and the Semovente lost their effectiveness. However, after the capitulation of Italy at the end of the summer of 1943, a large number of these armored vehicles, which were called Sturmgeschutz M42 (i), were in service with the Wehrmacht.
Semovente 105/25
During the months that Italian troops were fighting alongside German troops on the Eastern Front, it became clear that the Semovente 75/18 was lacking in stamina in engagements with the numerous Soviet heavy tanks. For equivalent resistance to the enemy, Italian units needed a tank destroyer with more effective weapons. Fiat-Ansaldo started building the 105/25. Nicknamed "bassotto" (meaning "dachshund") by the troops, this vehicle has been hailed over time as one of the finest Italian tanks. From its predecessor, the 105/25 model has retained a low silhouette, compactness and low weight. The chassis of the M14 / 42 tank was expanded, a gasoline engine and a more powerful 105 mm gun were installed, as well as improved armor.
The Wehrmacht was not disappointed, acquiring most of the 90 Semovente 105/25s produced by the Italians. The weapon that fell into the hands of the Germans, according to the nomenclature of the tank troops, received the name Sturmgeschutz M43 (i).

Marder II, improvised tank destroyer
Marder II was built on the basis of the Panzer II tank. Two versions were assembled, the soy equipment depending on the location of the operation. Despite the open cabin at the rear, the tank was quite effective.
At the beginning of World War II, German tanks emerge as a very effective weapon, capable of making breakthroughs and encircling units. The Panzer divisions, which operated in conjunction with the assault air force, really showed themselves during the 1939-1940 blitzkrieg. However, in Operation Barbarossa, the capture of Soviet Russia, the German tanks were in for a big surprise. After several successful offensives, some units faced the extremely effective Soviet T-34 medium tank and the difficult-to-qualify KV-1 heavy tank. In June 1941, these vehicles had not yet become a threat, as they were driven by poorly trained crews or they acted erratically. However, in the German headquarters, these machines caused amazement and concern. In combat, the T-34 is superior to the Panzer. With even greater urgency, the German army is in need of tank destroyers suitable for capturing and destroying medium Soviet armored vehicles. It is necessary to react quickly, there is almost no time for the creation, development and finishing of a new tank destroyer. During this period, Marder II becomes a temporary unreliable option. In order to buy time, the decision is made to use the already existing basis: to build a tank on the model of an effective German anti-tank gun or a previously captured Soviet gun. This solution allows you to react quickly, build an anti-tank vehicle in record time, reducing the test time. Although the Marder series was not without flaws, this tank was mastered by the German industry, and it was produced until 1944.
First version
The first version of SD. Kfz. 131 is based on the design of the Panzer II tank. Different models were produced: A, B, C and F. Armament includes the formidable Pak 40/2 L/46 75 mm cannon, a weapon capable of fighting the enemy at a great distance. The Pak cannon is housed in an open fighting compartment at the rear top. The sides and front are covered with armor only 10 mm thick. The Achilles' heel of the Marder was that three crew members were exposed to open fire, thereby making the tank very vulnerable. From 1942 to 1943, FAMO, MAN and Daimler-Benz built 53 Marder II tanks. 65 others were going to be released in 1943-1944, until the production of Panzer, on the basis of which the Marder II was built, was discontinued.
Second version
Marder SD. Kfz. 132 was built on the basis of the Panzer II tank models D and F. The Marder D2 was built on the basis of the Flammpanzer II Flamingo flamethrower tank. In both cases, the tank was equipped with a Soviet 76.2 mm cannon, numerous copies of which were captured from 1941 and 1942. For the use of this machine, a special ammunition was developed. Sometimes the Germans chose a version of the Type 296(r) Model 7 gun without a muzzle brake. To accommodate the cannon, the upper part of the fighting compartment was rebuilt.
Approximately 200 Marder Sd machines were assembled. Kfz. 132

SAU Sturmhaubitze 42
Initially, self-propelled artillery mounts were developed as tactical howitzers, but during the war their original role changed, they became self-propelled anti-tank guns (PT SAU). With the Sturmhaubitze 42, the Wehrmacht tried to resurrect the idea of ​​an assault howitzer. The machine as such became a successful development, but during the major tank battles on the Eastern Front at the end of 1942, the shortcomings of the model were quickly revealed.
In his book "German self-propelled artillery installations 1935-1945" (“Die deutschen Sturmgeschutze 1935-1945”) Wolfgang Fleischer describes the advantage of the SPG as follows: “The SPG is a typical German weapon. Although it was developed in the second half of the 1930s, it was successfully used throughout World War II. The fact that these weapons were copied by other countries confirms the merits of this type of weapon and the convenience of its tactical use. However, after 1945, the self-propelled guns completely disappeared from the arsenals.
For good reason, we can assume that self-propelled guns are a typical weapon of the Second World War, which ceased to be used after the end of the conflict. A prime example of this type of weapon is the Sturmhaubitze 42.
Assault artillery
The military needed a defensive weapon that could, if necessary, come to the aid of the infantry. Assault artillery, in cooperation with the infantry, was supposed to destroy pockets of resistance and dugouts with direct fire. The choice of such tactics implied some technical features: armor that protects against projectiles on the battlefield; good all-terrain ability; main gun suitable for "soft targets"; low silhouette, so as not to be visible from afar and to be able to act as part of the infantry troops. To cut costs, General Erich von Manstein wanted to use the chassis and suspension of serial tanks.
But very soon it became clear that on the Eastern Front the Soviet tank forces, no matter what they said about their quality, were numerically superior to the German ones. The Sturmgeschutz III self-propelled gun with a StuK 40 L / 43 75 mm gun turned into a successful anti-tank gun. The machine was deprived of a turret, but this disadvantage was compensated by the fact that the self-propelled guns were easier to disguise.
Factories continued to produce Sturmgeschutz tank destroyers, despite the fact that they did not meet the needs of the German tank forces. General Guderian was against the development of such weapons.
Back to the roots
The Sturmhaubitze 42 assault howitzer, according to the high command, was designed to change the trend and return to the use of self-propelled guns. The project began to be considered at the end of 1941. It was supposed to leave the chassis and fighting compartment of the Sturmgeschutz III (first the StuG III Ausf F chassis, later the Ausf G) and equip the mount with a 105 mm L/28 cannon. In May 1942, an experimental model was ready. The tests were promising, the weapon made such an impression on Hitler that he demanded that production be accelerated. So the Wehrmacht received a new tracked self-propelled guns. A 105 mm howitzer could hit targets 10-12 km away. Under normal conditions, the number of ammunition did not exceed 36 shells, but the crew of four used every means to increase the number of shells on board.
At the front, the StuH 42 105 mm howitzer worked wonders. The artillery gun, created on the basis of a conventional 10.5 cm FH18 howitzer, was equipped with a powerful muzzle brake, but this was later abandoned to save steel. Until 1945, a little more than 1,200 units rolled off the assembly lines.

Sturmgeschutz IV self-propelled gun
The self-propelled guns were developed on the basis of the Panzer IV chassis with a wheelhouse from Sturmgeschutz III installed on it. More than 1,000 Sturmgeschutz IVs left the factory floors. These reliable and durable self-propelled guns were in operation until the end of the war.
Sturmgeschutz IV was called "the fist of the battle artillery". The machine was intended to provide support to the infantry on the battlefield, and it coped with this task perfectly. During the fighting on the Eastern Front, it turned out that anti-tank defense could not be effective without the use of self-propelled artillery mounts.
A problem was reported from the main headquarters of the Eastern Front: "The numerical superiority of the Russian armored forces, equipped with the latest vehicles, cannot be stopped by a small number of insufficiently effective anti-tank artillery installations, and this led to disaster." The Germans could not repel the attack of Soviet tanks, the infantry units experienced difficulties on the battlefield and in retaliatory attacks. That is why they needed a tank that could quickly and effectively deal with enemy armored vehicles.
Terrible "red avalanche"
The German infantry already had the Sturmgeschutz III self-propelled guns. Nevertheless, at the beginning of 1943, the Soviet command had better control of the situation. German armored units suffered heavy losses and could rarely make up for them, and the Red Army divisions were replenished month after month with new equipment. In 1943 alone, Soviet factories produced 1,600 heavy and medium tanks. If the German army could not stop the avalanche of Soviet tanks, the Germans would face an imminent disaster. The StuG III and IV self-propelled guns turned out to be a serious weapon against the T-34 and KV-1 tanks. The Sturmgeschutz was not technically superior to enemy tanks, and the number of self-propelled guns was very limited (especially the StuG IV), but the improved communication system proved to be excellent on the battlefield.
New self-propelled guns
German industry could not cope with the growing demands of the navy, land army and air force, and could not provide everyone with the requested number of guns. To strike a balance, it was necessary to develop a technique whose merits would compensate for the lack of quantity. Sturmgeschutz IV, conceived as a tank destroyer, nevertheless remained a self-propelled artillery mount for infantry support. The model replaced the Sturmgeschutz III and was approved by Hitler. The first machine was proposed by Krupp and is equipped with a cabin of the previous model. The first purpose-built vehicle was the StuG III F on a Panzer IV chassis, but its development was not completed due to being too heavy. Other projects (Jagdpanzer IV) appeared before the idea of ​​installing a StuG III wheelhouse on a Panzer IV hull appeared. The British firm Alkett began production of the new tank in February of 1943. In November, the plant was badly damaged and it became necessary to find other production facilities. At the end of the year, the production of self-propelled guns began the company "Krupp". This time the cabin of the StuG III G was chosen, a significant change was the addition of a real helm station. The 75 mm L / 48 cannon (as on the StuG III) remained as a weapon, but the StuG IV weighed less than the previous cabin weighing 900 kg.
Only 1108 cars were produced. This is a small number (despite the fact that more than 9,000 Sturmgeschutz IIIs have been assembled), so the front-line units could not be fully equipped with this effective armored vehicle.

SD. Kfz. 4/1 - half-track rocket launcher
Jet mortar - a modification of the multifunctional chassis of a half-tracked vehicle.
This standard half-track vehicle of the German army was considered by the Allies to be the best in its category. It was superior to the American counterpart, which is in service with the Americans and the British. Durable and efficient. Although difficult to maintain, she performed well in rough terrain. However, Sd. Kfz. 4/1 had a big drawback - expensive production, requiring sophisticated equipment. In other words, this jet mortar was not suitable for mass production. Despite the simplification of production processes during the course of the war, armored half-tracked vehicles were always lacking for motorized troops.
The inability of German industry to supply enough Sd. Kfz. 250 and its various modifications caused a big problem when the Germans on the Eastern Front faced the same enemy that Napoleon's soldiers had faced 140 years earlier - "General Zim". Wheeled vehicles were unable to move through snow and mud. Only tracked and half-tracked vehicles managed to move forward, but these vehicles were designed for combat operations, not logistics. A solution needed to be found quickly.
A simple solution
It was necessary to urgently find a base for creating an off-road model that was not too difficult to manufacture. German designers decided to start developing an economical half-track vehicle, using parts from an existing vehicle. It turned out that it was enough to remove the rear axle and replace it with a caterpillar undercarriage. To further reduce costs, the undercarriage of the British Cardin-Lloyd tankettes, captured in large numbers during the attack on France, was used. From 1942 to 1945, about 22,500 half-tracked vehicles were assembled. A large number of designers were involved in the production of a unique machine, which received the name "Maultier" (Mule). The name reflected the transportation task that this technique performed.
Most of the vehicles retained the wooden cab and body of the original trucks (Opel Blitz), some of them were equipped with armored superstructures for carrying various weapons, others were equipped with a 20 mm Flak cannon for air defense.
Panzerwerfer 42
Opel was developing the Panzerwerfer 42 (and 43) self-propelled rocket launcher on the Maultier chassis. The gun called Nebelwerfer (literally "fog thrower") consisted of ten barrels, which were located in two rows one above the other; the gun could rotate 360 ​​degrees. The range of the projectiles reached 6.7 km, 20 150 mm caliber rockets were placed on board. According to some expert estimates, these installations were inferior in power to the famous Katyushas.
Be that as it may, rocket launchers had a strong effect on the psyche. The Allied troops called them Moaning Minnie (roaring mini), and the Russians - "donkey", because of the sound of missiles, similar to the cry of a donkey. Although the armored personnel carrier was equipped with an MG-34 and MG-42 machine gun, nevertheless, the Sd. Kfz. 4/1 was very vulnerable, and heavy and ineffective armor reduced the mobility of the vehicle.
In total, about 300 rocket launchers were produced.

T18 "Hellket" - the fastest tank destroyer
The high-speed, low-hulled M18 Hellcat, with considerable firepower, was one of the most effective tank destroyers of World War II. Despite the fact that the armor protection of the vehicle was weak, it managed to surpass even well-armed heavy tanks.
The tank destroyer was developed directly during the Second World War. Among the advantages of the machine, the military dictionary mentions the following: “The production of tank destroyers is cheaper than the production of classic tanks, since they do not have turrets. In addition, a low hull is easier to camouflage, and since the size of the vehicle is smaller, it is not easy for the enemy to hit it. This description was meant primarily for German self-propelled guns and tank destroyers, but it can also be applied to the excellent American tank destroyer T18.
From the point of view of the American military who participated in World War II, for maximum effectiveness, anti-tank weapons in combat should be used strictly for their intended purpose and for a limited time. He acted as a fast-acting force and was only supposed to fire on enemy tanks. During a surprise attack on German tanks using the tactics of "hit and run" (attack-withdrawal), speed and speed were paramount. Unlike the German tank destroyers, the American tank was equipped with a turret, but it was open so that the crew had good visibility for quick response in case of a collision with the enemy.
The first American tracked tank destroyer, the M10 Wolverine (Wolverine), was equipped with a 76.2 mm M7 cannon. Due to insufficient armor, this car can hardly be called an impeccable development. In addition, the significant size of the machine, although lighter than the M4 Sherman, from which the chassis design was borrowed, made the M10 too noticeable.
Development and creation
In December 1941, the US Artillery Corps issued terms of reference for the development of a fast tank destroyer equipped with a Christie suspension, a Wright Continental engine and a 37 mm cannon. During development and after the first battles in North Africa, the British 57 mm gun and torsion bar suspension were preferred. Further tests showed that the 57 mm cannon was already outdated, and the final choice fell on the 75 mm cannon and then the 76 mm. After the development of the prototype, an experimental series was produced in July 1943, the first copies were assembled at the Buick plant. By October 1944, more than 2500 copies of the combat vehicle had already been assembled.
Unlike other largely unified American tanks, the M18 was completely unique, including the chassis. There were rails in the engine compartment, with which it was possible to remove the entire engine block, disconnect the gearbox from it and install a new one in just one hour. "Hellket" reached a speed of 80 km / h due to the maximum reduction in hull weight and light armor. To compensate for the insufficient thickness of the armor, it was attached at an angle, reducing the risk of damage from projectiles, as it became sliding. Thanks to the open turret, the tank commander, driver, loader, gunner and radio operator had good visibility, but were poorly protected. The M18 could only rely on its maneuverability and speed in combat with a better armed but slower enemy.
In operation
The combat report of one of the German tank divisions tells about the meeting with the T18: “The 76 mm M18 gun does not fully reveal its capabilities. In August 1944 alone, the 630th American tank destroyer battalion put out of action 53 German heavy tanks, 15 jet guns, while losing only 17 pieces of equipment. Despite the fact that the 76 mm gun ultimately could not cope with the Tiger and even the Panther, the M18 could move so fast that it posed a real threat to the enemy. During the Ardennes operation, American paratroopers, supported by four M18s, managed to block the 2nd Panzer Division, cutting it off from the fuel depot and completely depriving it of the ability to move. American tank destroyers disabled 24 German tanks.

The fighter is "Elephant"
Tank destroyer "Elephant" - an improved version of the previous model "Ferdinand". Despite the fact that the engineers managed to solve some problems (lack of a melee weapon), the Elephant inherited many of the shortcomings of the Ferdinand. However, the size and effectiveness of the main gun impressed the enemy.
During the Second World War, the German military industry was focused on the available weapons. However, technological progress in the enemy countries eventually forced Germany to develop new technology. The Reich experienced a shortage of strategic materials, special steels, and skilled workers, and therefore it was necessary to use or reorient certain technological lines and already tested types of weapons. This is how Elefant was created.
From "Ferdinand" to "Elephant"
"Ferdinand" did not live up to the expectations of the military. This tank destroyer, based on the chassis of the Tiger (P), weighed 65 tons, had a hybrid gasoline-electric engine and was equipped with the best anti-tank gun of its time - the Pak 43 L / 71 88 mm cannon. Officially, the car was called "Tiger (P)" (Sd. Kfx. 184) "Ferdinand". In total, 90 Tiger (P) chassis were used for its production.
During the Battle of Kursk in July 1943, the Ferdinands operated as part of the 653rd heavy battalion and destroyed 320 tanks, not counting the self-propelled guns. The 654th heavy battalion accounted for about 500 Soviet tanks. The loss of military equipment of both battalions amounted to 50%, because, contrary to expectations, the Ferdinands were not sufficiently maneuverable. And besides, the lack of machine guns for close combat made the Ferdinand very vulnerable when it was attacked by infantry. A simple mine could easily disable this bulky machine.
48 Ferdinands, which were available during the Battle of Kursk, were immediately sent to the Nibelungen Werke factories in St. Valentine for refinement and re-equipment. Significant changes were made: a commander's cupola and a corps machine gun were added. After these transformations, the car was renamed and became known as "Elephant".
Application at the front
The more efficient "Elephant" gained weight as the transformation progressed, which negatively affected the reliability of its mechanisms. Combat tactical tasks were clarified. The machine has become better adapted to perform independent unexpected tasks and actions that are possible when leaving an ambush and frequently changing positions. Thick armor reliably protected the crew, and the gun made it possible to deal with any enemy tank from a distance of 2000 m. The Elefant proved itself well during the Italian campaign. However, its weight limited its use in the following cases: while traveling through cities; insufficiently mobile machine could not climb steep slopes; in addition, due to the weight of the "Elephant" could not move on some engineering structures.
Although the 200 mm armor protected well from enemy projectiles, the vehicle remained vulnerable to mines and air attacks. If the enemy noticed the "Elephant", then the tank could no longer quickly disappear from view due to low speed, moreover, the electric motor often failed, or the damaged caterpillar immobilized the tank. Do not forget about the gigantic fuel consumption (1000 liters per 100 km on rough terrain!) And the lack of repair equipment that could take such a monster in tow. A large number of "Elephants" were abandoned by the crew members due to mechanical damage, or due to lack of fuel. Nevertheless, the "Elephants" remained in service until the surrender of Germany in 1945. The last Elephants saw action south of Berlin, defending the capital at Zossen, not far from the General Headquarters of the Supreme High Command.

Jagdpanther
The Jagdpanzer was put into production in the German Jagdpanzer V series in 1944 with the official name Sd. Kfz. 173. For its excellent armament and high mobility, this machine was recognized as unsurpassed in its category. The Allies did not accidentally call her "heavy tank destroyer"
When people talk about World War II Jagdpanther-type tank destroyers, they mean a tank with a low superstructure specifically designed to fight other tanks. Unlike combat, such a tank does not have a characteristic rotating defensive tower. In this regard, his shooter can turn the gun a few degrees horizontally and vertically. Since the turretless tank destroyer had to be shown to the enemy frontally, its front part is protected by powerful armor, while the sides and rear part are thin and light. This allowed the designers to significantly save on weight, so that this machine is characterized by greater mobility. These qualities made it possible to develop a special combat tactic for the Jagdpanther. Well camouflaged, she makes a surprise attack on the enemy battle tank, using her gun endowed with tremendous penetrating power. Having met too powerful a barrage from the defenders, she quickly retreats. Then, remaining in ambush, he waits for a convenient moment for the next blow.
The history of the development of "Jagdpanther"
After the Battle of Kursk in the summer of 1943, with the largest tank battles of the Second World War, when both the German and Soviet armies suffered huge losses in a short time, the High Command of the German Ground Forces intensively engaged in the analysis of the reasons for the strategic defeat. Tank destroyers that were in service, such as the Nashhorn and Ferdinand / Elephant, did not cope with their task, or were simply too vulnerable to the enemy. There is a need to create a new model, and urgently. As far back as 1942, the German Army Ordnance Office was looking into the issue of creating a tank destroyer, and at the same time, Krupp introduced a full-scale wooden model with increased ground clearance, wide tracks and an improved periscope for the driver. Further development was entrusted to Daimler-Benz.
Chassis "Tiger", due to the special requirements for the speed of the new tank destroyer, could not be used because of its bulkiness. Therefore, it was again decided to use the already tested Panther G chassis. Its engine, with a capacity of 700 hp. The Maybach HL handled 45.5 tons of its own weight well.
The onboard gun was placed in an inclined solid superstructure, which had the shape of a pyramid. It has proven to be effective as a defense as well. This was achieved due to the vertical lengthening of the upper side walls of the Panther undercarriage in its front part. The roof had a forward slope of 5 degrees, which affected the lowering of the onboard gun barrel. In a continuous frontal sheet, which had a slope of 35 degrees, a gun embrasure was located.
Armament, armor protection and crew
The Jagdpanther was armed with the well-established 8.8 cm Pak 43 L/71 anti-tank gun from the Royal Tiger and a MG forward machine gun. The onboard gun, placed with a slight offset to the right of the longitudinal axis of the tank, had, in connection with the casemate method of construction, as already mentioned at the beginning, a very limited aiming floor angle: up to 11 degrees. on both sides, as well as +14 gr. and, accordingly, -8 gr. vertically. The thickness of the superstructure armor was extremely solid: the Jagdpanther had 80 mm frontal armor, was protected by 50 mm armor on the sides and 40 mm at the rear.
The crew consisted of five people. Front left at the inspection hatch was the driver's seat. To his right, on the other side of the gun, there was a radio operator who also served the MG 34 course machine gun. Behind him was the tank commander, and behind the driver was the gunner, who performed his function with the help of a surveillance device protected by a special shutter. The fifth, loader, was located at the rear of the superstructure.
"Jagdpanther" in battles
From the very beginning, new tank fighters, from the point of view of the efficiency of their introduction into battle formations, faced great difficulties. In the remaining 15 months until the end of the war, a total of 382 (according to other sources 384) vehicles left the factory buildings, that is, too few to be able to decisively influence the course of battles. “The Jagdpanther2 was used mainly on the Western Front, as, for example, in the successful offensive in December 1944 in the Ardennes, where 51 such tank destroyers participated. There he showed his capabilities in the best possible way, often for some time stopping the offensive march of entire enemy tank columns. In this regard, it is not surprising that, despite the long commissioning process and the small number of vehicles produced, the Jagdpanther was recognized as the best tank destroyer of the Second World War. This was also recognized by the Allied troops, who spoke of her with respect. She deserved it thanks to the huge penetrating power of her side gun, the Pak-43 armored gun, and incredible mobility.

Inexpensive tank destroyer Chariotir
This British tank destroyer, developed in the early 1950s, was a quick response to the Soviet tank threat. The Charioteer was equipped with the chassis of the popular Cromwell tank and a powerful anti-tank gun. The model turned out to be quite successful, but despite this, the tank was produced in small quantities.
After 1945, the tension between West and East increased more and more. The Americans had an atomic bomb, and the USSR was ahead of the United States in the field of armored vehicles, the Soviet army outnumbered the American tank forces. In this area, the Soviet Union has advanced far in the field of technology. Western tanks were largely inferior to the T-54 developed in 1947, the workhorse of Soviet mechanized units. In the autumn of 1945, the invulnerable IS-3 saw the light, equipped with a sloping turret with 255 mm thick armor.
The forces of NATO (an organization created in 1949) urgently needed new tanks to counter the wave of new Soviet technology that could hit Western Europe at any moment. But the development and production of a new tank takes time. The Charioteer is one of the machines that was developed on a whim in a tense political environment.
Development
Chariotir (which means "charioteer", that is, the one who drove the wagon in antiquity) was created on the basis of the Cromwell tank. After the end of the Second World War, Britain had hundreds of 27-ton tanks, which developed high speed, but were equipped with an outdated 75-mm gun. To reduce costs and gain time, it was decided to install a new turret with a powerful anti-tank gun on the chassis of the Cromwell tank. The weapon already existed. It was the 84mm Centurion cannon, which had just begun to be produced. It remains only to create a tower. The new turret could fit only two people, but it could carry more ammunition than could fit in the Centurion's turret. The test results were promising - Chariotir weighed 10 tons less than the Centurion, but was worse armored. Soon, the conversion of the Cromwell chassis for the tank destroyer was entrusted to Robinson and Kershaw.
Design
Almost no changes were made to the chassis and hull of the Cromwell tank, five rollers and tracks without rotary rollers remained in place. The Rolls-Royce Meteor engine was still quite powerful. The main difference was in the tower, which became taller and took on a characteristic trapezoidal shape. The FV 4101 Chariotir (the official name of the tank) was equipped with better armor compared to the Cromwell tank (57 mm in front and 30 mm on the sides), but this thickness was not enough to withstand the new generation of Soviet tanks. Despite a slight increase in weight compared to the Cromwell, the Chariotir retained the excellent mobility of its predecessor.
The fighting compartment could accommodate 2-3 people and 50 shells. The 20-pounder Ordnance QF (which replaced the 17-pounder from World War II) was based on the German 88mm gun, from which it adopted its 66.7 caliber length. The gun fired armor-piercing projectiles with a ballistic head (1020 m / s) and arrow-shaped projectiles capable of speeds up to 1350 m / s. A total of 442 copies of the Chariotir tank were produced. They entered the tank regiments of the infantry divisions. In the mid-1950s, tanks entered service with foreign tank armies.

04/15/2015 7,021 0 Jadaha

Science and technology

Among the military equipment of the Wehrmacht there is one self-propelled gun, which forever entered the front-line folklore and became truly legendary. We are talking about self-propelled guns "Ferdinand", whose history is unique in itself.

Self-propelled guns "Ferdinand" was born quite by accident. The reason for its appearance was the rivalry between two machine-building enterprises of the Third Reich - the Henschel company and the Ferdinand Porsche concern. But the most remarkable thing is that this rivalry flared up due to an order for the construction of a new super-heavy and super-powerful tank. Ferdinand Porsche played the competition, but as a consolation prize, he was instructed to make a tank destroyer from the reserve for building a tank - hull, armor, chassis parts, which Hitler, who favored Porsche, gave the name of its creator ahead of time.

Unique design

The new self-propelled gun was the only one of its kind and absolutely did not resemble others that existed before and after it. First of all, she had an electric transmission - previously, armored vehicles with such units were not built in series.

The machine was driven by two Maybach HL 120 TRM carbureted 12-cylinder liquid-cooled engines with a displacement of 11867 cc. cm and a power of 195 kW / 265 hp. with. The total engine power was 530 hp. with. Carburetor engines set in motion Siemens Tour aGV type electric current generators, which, in turn, supplied electric power to Siemens D1495 aAC electric motors with a power of 230 kW each. The motors, through an electromechanical transmission, rotated the drive wheels located in the rear of the machine. In emergency mode or in the event of combat damage to one of the branches of the power supply, duplication of the other was provided.

Another feature of the new self-propelled gun was the most powerful of all the anti-tank guns that existed at that time 8.8 cm Pak 43/2 L / 71 caliber 88 mm, developed on the basis of the Flak 41 anti-aircraft gun. This gun pierced the armor of any tank of the anti-Hitler coalition at a point-blank range .

And most importantly - super-thick armor, which, according to the creator of the self-propelled guns, was supposed to make the combat vehicle completely invulnerable. The thickness of the frontal armor reached 200 mm. She could withstand the hit of all the then existing anti-tank guns.

But for all this I had to pay for the huge weight of the new self-propelled gun. The combat weight of the Ferdinand reached 65 tons. Not every bridge could withstand such a weight, and it was possible to transport a self-propelled gun only on special reinforced eight-axle platforms.

TANK DESTROYER "FERDINAND" ("ELEPHANT")

Combat weight: 65 t

Crew: 6 people

Dimensions:

• length-8.14 m,
• width - 3.38 m,
• height - 2.97 m,
• clearance - 0.48 m.
• Booking:
• hull forehead and cabin - 200 mm,
• board and feed - 80 mm,
• roof - 30 mm,
• bottom-20 mm.

Max Speed:

• on the highway - 20 km / h
• on the ground - 11 km / h.

Power reserve:

• by highway - 150 km
• by terrain - 90 km

Armament:

• cannon 8,8 cm Cancer 43/2 L/71
• caliber 88 mm.

Ammunition: 55 shells.

• An armor-piercing projectile with a mass of 10.16 kg and an initial speed of 1000 m / s pierced 165-mm armor at a distance of 1000 m.
• A sub-caliber projectile weighing 7 kg and an initial speed of 1130 m / s pierced 193-mm armor at a distance of 1000 m.

How was it organized?

The all-welded Ferdinand hull consisted of a frame assembled from steel profiles and armored plates. To assemble the hulls, heterogeneous armor plates were produced, the outer surface of which was harder than the inner one. Between themselves, the armor plates were connected by welding. Additional armor was attached to the frontal armor plate with 32 bolts. Additional armor consisted of three armor plates.

The body of the self-propelled gun was divided into the power compartment, located in the central part, the fighting compartment - at the stern and the control post - in front. The power section housed a gasoline engine and electric generators. Electric motors were located in the aft part of the hull. The machine was controlled by levers and pedals.

To the right of the driver was a gunner-radio operator. The review from the gunner-radio operator's position was provided by a viewing slot cut in the starboard side. The radio station was located to the left of the gunner-radio operator.

Access to the control post was through two rectangular hatches located in the roof of the hull. The rest of the crew were located in the rear of the hull: on the left - the gunner, on the right - the commander, and behind the breech - both loaders. There were hatches on the roof of the cabin: on the right - a two-leaf rectangular commander's hatch, on the left - a two-leaf round gunner's hatch and two small round single-leaf loader hatches.

In addition, in the rear wall of the cabin there was a large round single-leaf hatch designed for loading ammunition. In the center of the hatch was a small port through which automatic fire could be fired to protect the rear of the tank. Two more loopholes were located in the right and left walls of the fighting compartment.

Two Maybach HL 120 TRM carburetor engines were installed in the power department. Gas tanks were located along the sides of the power compartment. The motors, through an electromechanical transmission, rotated the drive wheels located in the rear of the machine. "Ferdinand" had three forward and three reverse gears.

Chassis "Ferdinand-Elephant" consisted (in relation to one side) of three two-wheeled carts, drive wheel and steering wheel. Each track roller had an independent suspension.

The main armament of the Ferdinands was the 8.8 cm Pak 43/2 L/71 anti-tank gun, 88 mm caliber. Ammunition 50-55 shots placed along the sides of the hull and cabin. Horizontal firing sector 30° (15° left and right), elevation/declination angle +187-8°. If necessary, up to 90 shells could be loaded inside the fighting compartment. The personal armament of the crew consisted of MP 38/40 assault rifles, pistols, rifles and hand grenades stored inside the fighting compartment.

In the spring of 1943, out of eighty-nine built self-propelled guns, two divisions of tank destroyers were formed: the 653rd and 654th. In June 1943, after training and combat coordination, they were sent to the Eastern Front.

On the eve of the start of the offensive of the German army near Kursk, the 653rd division included 45 Ferdinands, and the 654th division had 44 self-propelled guns. During the battles near Kursk, the divisions operated as part of the 41st Tank Corps. Together with him, the "Ferdinands" advanced in the direction of Ponyri, and later - on Olkhovatka.

The battles on the Kursk Bulge showed both the advantages and disadvantages of heavy tank destroyers. The advantages were thick frontal armor and a powerful gun, which made it possible to fight all types of Soviet tanks. But also during the fighting, it became clear that the Ferdinands had too thin side armor. Powerful self-propelled guns sometimes deepened into the defensive formations of the Red Army, and the infantry, covering the flanks, could not keep up with the machines. As a result, Soviet tanks and anti-tank guns fired freely on the sides of German vehicles.

Numerous technical shortcomings were also revealed, caused by the too hasty adoption of the Ferdinands for service. The frames of the current generators were not strong enough - often the generators were torn off the frames. Caterpillar tracks constantly burst, every now and then the on-board communications refused. In addition, a formidable opponent of the German "menagerie" appeared at the disposal of the Red Army - the SU-152 "St. John's wort", armed with a 152.4-mm howitzer-cannon. On July 8, 1943, the SU-152 division from an ambush fired at the column of "Elephants" from the 653rd division. The Germans lost four self-propelled guns. It also turned out that the chassis of the Ferdinands is very sensitive to mine explosions. The Germans lost about half of the 89 Ferdinands in the minefields.

The 653rd and 654th divisions did not have powerful enough tugs capable of evacuating damaged vehicles from the battlefield, so many even slightly damaged Ferdinands had to be abandoned on the battlefield or blown up.

Name change

Based on the experience of the combat use of the Ferdinand near Kursk, it was decided to make changes to the design of the self-propelled gun. It was proposed to install a machine gun in the front sheet of the cabin. Without it, in close combat with infantry, the giant self-propelled gun was helpless. In December 1943, 48 surviving Ferdinands were sent to the Austrian city of Linz on the 21st railway echelon. There, at the Nibelungenwerke plant, they were re-equipped.

By that time, the Ferdinands had changed their name. On November 29, 1943, Hitler proposed changing the names of armored vehicles, giving them "brutal" names. His naming proposals were accepted and legalized by order of February 1, 1944, and duplicated by order of February 27, 1944. In accordance with these documents, "Ferdinand" received a new designation - "Elephant" 8.8-cm Porsche assault gun. So "Ferdinand" turned into "Elephant" (elephant in German "elephant"). Although many until the end of the war continued to call the self-propelled gun "Ferdinand".