Marder II

With the invasion of Russia, and their tanks that were encountered, it was found that there was a need for mobile anti-tank firepower.5

These were designated the 7.62 cm FK 296(r).5 Most of the guns were rechambered so that they could use the new anti-tank round used in the 75 mm PaK 40/2 gun.5 These were designated the 7.62 cm Pak 36(r).5

From 1942-1943, 1,983 were produced.5

Encountered in Tunisia in 1943.5

Panzer Selbstfahrlafette I fur 7.62 cm PaK 36(r) auf Fahrgestell PzKpfw II Ausf D und E, SdKfz 132
Panzerjäger II Ausf D-E fur 7.62 cm Pak 36(r), SdKfz 1325:

Germany's Marder II

In the Spring of 1942, Alkett designed a vehicle that used the PzKpfw II Ausf D and E chassis with captured Russian 76.2 mm M36 field guns.5 Used PzKpfw II Ausf D and Ausf E chassis and Alkett converted 185 in 1942.5

Used captured Russian guns. They were rechambered to hand German PaK 40 ammunition. Could penetrate 80 mm at 900 meters. Were issued to the Panzerjägerabteilungen (Sf) (tank hunter detachments) of Panzer and Panzer-Grenadier divisions from April 1942 (primarily units fighting in Russia).

Uses FuG Spr d radio.2

Panzerjäger II Ausf A-C für 7.62 cm Pak 36(r), SdKfz 131,
PzSfl fuer 7.62cm Pak 36(r), SdKfz 132, Marder II,
7.62 cm Pak 36(r) L/54.8 auf Fgst, PzKpfw II (Sfl),
PzJaeg II Ausf D, E fuer 7.62 cm Pak 36(r),
7.62 Pak 36(r) (Sfl im PzKpfw II):

Germany's PzSfl fuer 7.62cm Pak 36(r), SdKfz 132, Marder II

Germany's Panzerjäger Marder II

In mid-1942, Alkett started to convert PzKpfw II Ausf A - Ausf C tanks.5 They either mounted an unmodified 7.62 cm Soviet FK 296(r) field gun (without muzzle brake) or the rechambered 7.62cm Pak 36(r) (with muzzle brake).5

The gun was mounted in a single three sided armored section.5

Alkett converted 531 during 1942-1943.5

7.5 cm PaK40/2 auf Fahrgestell PzKpfw II (Sf), Marder II, SdKfz 131
7.5 cm PaK 40/2 auf SF1, II, "Marder II", SdKfz 1316,
7.5cm Pak 40/2 auf Sfl II (Marder II) SdKfz 131,
PzJaeg II AUsf A, C und fuer 7.5cm Pak 40/2 L/46,
GW II fuer 7.5cm Pak 40/2 (Marder II):

Germany's 7.5cm Pak 40/2 auf Sfl II (Marder II) SdKfz 131

Could penetrate 92 mm at 900 meters. Issued to Panzerjäger detachments from July 1942. Most were sent to the Eastern Front, but did serve on all fronts. Some models were equipped with infrared searchlights.

The 75 mm gun fired a 15 lb AP shell at a muzzle velocity of 2,461'/sec.6 The HE shell had a range of 8,421 yards.6

Used FuG Spr d radio.2

  Panzer Selbstfahrlafette I fur 7.62 cm PaK 36(r) auf Fahrgestell PzKpfw II Ausf D und E,
Marder II, SdKfz 132
7.5cm Pak40 auf PzKpfw II,
Marder II, SdKfz 131
Crew 42 3 or 43
31,2, 46
Physical Characteristics    
Weight 25,760 lb, 25,353 lb
10.7 tons5, 11.5 tons2
24,192 lb, 23,810 lb, 24,251 lb3
10.63 tons1, 10.8 tons2,4, 11.8 tons6
10,800 kg1, 11,000 kg3
Length w/gun 18' 6"
5.65 m2
20' 10", 20' 10.4"1,3
6.36 m1,2,3,4
Length w/o gun   14.9'6
Height 8' 6"
2.6 m2
7' 2.5", 7' 2.6"1,3
2.2 m1,2,3,4
Width 7' 6"
2.3 m2
7.3'6, 7' 5.75"1, 7' 5.8"3
2.28 m1,2,3,4
Width over tracks    
Ground clearance   13.4"6
Ground contact length   94.5"6
Ground pressure   10.6 psi6
Turret ring diameter    
Armament (mm)    
Main 76.2 mm PaK 36 L/51.52 75 mm Pak 404
75 mm PaK40/22,3
75 mm1
75 mm Pak 40/2, L/466
Secondary    
MG 7.92 mm MG342 7.92 mm MG1
7.92 mm MG34 or MG423
7.92 mm MG342
Side arms    
Quantity    
Main 302,5 372,3,4,6
Secondary    
MG 9002 6002,3
Side arms    
Armor Thickness (mm) 10-14.55 351
Front: 0.38"6, 304
Side: 0.6"6, 154
Superstructure: 0.38"6
Hull Front, Upper 30@9°2 30@10°2
Hull Front, Lower 30@9°2 35@13°2
Hull Sides, Upper 14.5@20°2 10@8°2
Hull Sides, Lower 14.5@0°2 15@0°2
Hull Rear 14.5@15°2 10@0° & open2
Hull Top open2 10 & open2
Hull Bottom 5@90°2 5@90°2
Turret Front 14.5@30°2 Gun Shield: 4+4@30°2
Turret Sides 14.5@15°2  
Turret Rear open2  
Turret Top open2  
Engine (Make / Model) Maybach HL 62 TRM2,5 Maybach HL 62 TRM1,2
Maybach HL623
Maybach HL 62 TR6
Bore / stroke    
Cooling   Water6
Cylinders 65 I-66
Capacity    
Net HP 1405 1403,4, 140@2,600 rpm6
Power to weight ratio    
Compression ratio   6.5:16
Transmission (Type) 7 forward, 3 reverse2 Synchromesh6
6 forward, 1 reverse2,6
Steering   Clutch brake6
Steering ratio    
Starter   Electric6
Electrical system   12-volt6
Ignition    
Fuel (Type)   Gasoline6
Octane    
Quantity   45 gallons6
Road consumption   2.6 mpg6
Cross country consumption   1.5 mpg6
Performance    
Traverse 50°, hand2
65°, hand5
32° left, 24° right2,4
Hand2
65°6
Max speed 34 mph
55 kph2
24.8 mph1,3, 25 mph6
40 kph1,2,3,4
Cross country speed 136.7 mph 12 mph6
Road radius 220 km2 118 miles1,3,6, 129 miles
190 km1,2,3
Cross country radius   78 miles6
Turning radius    
Elevation limits -5° to +16°2
-5° to +22°5
-5° to +20°6, -8° to +10°2,4
Fording depth   35"3, 3'6
0.9 m3
Trench crossing   5' 11"3
1.8 m3
Vertical obstacle   1' 4.5"3,6
0.42 m3
Climbing ability   30° (57%) slope6
Suspension (Type)    
Wheels each side 5x2 Each road wheel is attached to an arm which is attached to a 1/4 elliptic spring which rests against a roller6
Return rollers each side 4  
Tracks (Type)   Dry pin6
Length    
Width   11.8"6
Diameter    
Number of links   1086
Pitch   3.6"6
Tire tread    
Track centers/tread   6.2'6
Production 4/1942-6/1943: 201 converted2
Chassis #s: 27001-280002
Alkertt, Wegmann.2
1,2173
7/1942-1944: 852
6/1942-6/1943: 576 produced2
7/1943-3/1944: 75 converted2
Chassis #s: 28001-295502
FAMO, MAN, Daimler-Benz.2
1942-1943: 1,9835
Famo, Breslau, Böhmisch-Mährisch Kolben-Darek AG, Prague6

Sources:

  1. The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
  2. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
  3. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
  4. Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
  5. German Tanks of World War II, Dr. S. Hart & Dr. R. Hart, 1998
  6. Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
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