Panzerjäger 38(t) für 7.62cm PaK36(r), SdKfz 139, Marder III
Panzerjäger 38(t) für 7.5cm PaK40/3, Ausf H, SdKfz 138, Marder III
Panzerjäger 38(t) für 7.5cm PaK40/3, Ausf M, SdKfz 138, Marder III:

On December 22, 1941, the Weapons Department was ordered to produce a self-propelled anti-tank gun to help get an effective antitank gun to the units on the Eastern front.⁵

It used the Czechoslovakian 38(t) chassis.⁵ The gun and carriage (without the wheels) was mounted on top of the superstructure using a special mounting plate.⁵ It was shaped like a bridge and was bolted to the roof in the front and rear.⁵ The gun shield moved with the gun, but the sides were fixed to help protect the crew. The driver and radio operator sat in the front of the hull. Behind them were 3 ammunition boxes that held 24 rounds. There were 2 ammunition boxes mounted on the side walls of the superstructure, and contained 12 rounds.

Panzerjäger 38(t) für 7.62cm PaK36(r), SdKfz 139, Marder III,

Panzerselbstfahrlafette II fuer 7.62cm Pak 36(r), SdKfz 138, Marder III,
Panzerjaeger38(t) fuer 7.62cm Pak 36(r):

Used captured Russian Model 36 76.2 mm L/54.8 gun. Originally designated the Panzerselbstfahrlafette 2 für 7.62 cm PaK 36, but on February 27, 1944, Hitler ordered it to be called the Marder III.⁵ Production started on March 24, 1942 at the Böhmisch-Mährische Maschinenfabrik AG (BMM) factory in Prague. Initial output was 17 vehicles per month, with a target or 30 per month.⁵

The AP round weighed 16.8 lbs and the muzzle velocity was 2,330'/sec.⁶ The HE round had a range of 8,300 yards.⁶

As of May 15, 1942, 120 had been produced. The first of these vehicles reach the Eastern Front in April 1942.⁵ Another 100 were ordered and were produced from June to September 1942

117 went to North Africa to serve in the 33rd & 39th Panzerjägerabteilung of the 15th Panzer Division. Saw action in Russia as rest produced were sent there. Fitted with muzzle brakes and muzzle velocity was 2,430 ft/sec for AP and 3,249 ft/sec for PzGr 40 rounds. Could penetrate 83 mm @ 30° at 500 yards with AP and 118 with PzGr 40. As soon as 75 mm PaK became available, then this model was phased out of production. Used the FuG Spr d radio.²

Panzerjäger 38(t) für 7.5cm PaK40/3, Ausf H, SdKfz 138, Marder III,
7.5cm Pak 40/3 (L/46) auf PzJaeg 38(t) Ausf H,
Panzerjaeger 38(t) Marder III:

Installed a larger shield directly on the chassis.⁵ Had a traveling mount for the gun.⁵

175 of these were conversions of the PzKpfw 38(t), and 243 were built from the ground up as a Marder III.⁵

Could penetrate 76 mm at 2,300 meters. The AP round weighed 15 lbs and had a muzzle velocity of 2,461'/sec.⁶ The HE round could be fire 8,421 yards.⁶

Deployed in Russia⁵, Tunisia⁵, and Italy⁵ with Panzerjäger units of the Luftwaffe, SS, and Wehrmacht. Slovakia received 18. Had the engine placed at the rear of the vehicle. Used the FuG5 radio.²

Panzerjäger 38(t) für 7.5cm PaK40/3, Ausf M, SdKfz 138, Marder III,
Panzerjaeger 38(t) Ausf M SdKfz 138,
7.5cm Pak 40/3 (L/46) Marder III auf GW 38:

Had fighting compartment placed back further. Had only single return roller.

The AP round weighed 15 lbs and had a muzzle velocity of 2,461'/sec.⁶ The HE shell had a range of 8,421 yards.⁶

975 were produced by BMM of Prague.⁵ Used the FuG Spr d radio.²

Munitionspanzer 38(t) (Sf) Ausf K (SdKfz 138):

102 produced.² Carried 40 sIG patr rounds.²

	Panzerjäger 38(t) für 7.62cm PaK36(r), SdKfz 139, Marder III	Panzerjäger 38(t) für 7.5cm PaK40/3, Ausf H, SdKfz 138, Marder III	Panzerjäger 38(t) für 7.5cm PaK40/3, Ausf M, SdKfz 138, Marder III
Crew	41,2,6	42,6	42,3,5,6
Physical Characteristics
Weight	23,520 lb 10.33 tons1, 10.67 tons2, 10.7 tons5, 11.6 tons6 10,500 kg1	23,809 lb 10.8 tons2,4, 11.6 tons6	23,149 lb, 24,251 lb3 11,000 kg3 10.5 tons2,4,5, 11.6 tons6
Length w/gun	19' 6", 19' 2", 16' 3"1 4.95 m1, 5.85 m2	18' 11" 5.77 m2,4	15' 3"5, 15' 3.1"3, 16' 2", 16.4'6 4.65 m3,5, 4.95 m2,4
Length w/o gun	15'6 4.65 m	14.9'6
Height	8.1'6, 8' 2"5, 8' 1.6"1, 9' 1" 2.48 m1, 2.5 m2,5	8'6, 8' 2" 2.51 m2,4	7' 10"5, 8' 1", 8' 1.6"3, 8.25'6 2.48 m2,3,4,5
Width	7'6, 7' 2.5", 7' 1", 7' 0.6"1 2.16 m2, 2.15 m1	6.9'6, 7' 1" 2.16 m2,4	7.1'6, 7' 1"5, 7' 8.5"3 2.15 m2,4, 2.16 m5, 2.35 m3
Width over tracks
Ground clearance	15.8"6	16"6	15.8"6 40 cm
Ground contact length	102.75"6	102.75"6	102.75"6 2.92 m
Ground pressure	9.8 psi6	9.8 psi6	9.8 psi6 0.61 kg/cm2
Turret ring diameter
Armament
Main	75 mm1 76.2 mm PaK 36 (r) L/51.52 7.62 cm M365 76.2 mm Pak 36(r) L/51.16	75 mm PaK 40/33 75 mm PaK 40/3 L/462 75 mm Pak 40 L/466	75 mm PaK 40/33 75 mm PaK 40/3 L/462,5 75 mm Pak 40, L/466
Secondary
MG	7.92 mm MG1 7.92 MG37(t)2,5 7.92 mm MG37 or MG34 7.9 mm MG37(t)6	7.92 mm MG37(t)2
Side arms
Quantity
Main	30: Pzgr 39Rot, Pzgr 40, Sprgr 392 306, 365	40:APC, 38: HEAT 382	272, 385, 416
Secondary
MG	1,200, 1,5006	6002
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)	201 Front: 2"6 Side: 0.79"6	Front: 2"6, 504 Side: 0.63"6, 154 Superstructure: 0.63"6	Front: 0.88"6, 154 Side: 0.56"6, 154 Superstructure: 0.38"6
Hull Front, Upper	50@17°2	50@15°2	10@30°2, 25@78°5
Hull Front, Lower	50@16°2	50@15°2	20@15°2, 20@80°5
Hull Sides, Upper	16@11-14°2	15@0°2	10@15°2, 15@90°5
Hull Sides, Lower	15@0°2	15@0°2	15@0°2
Hull Rear	10@65°2 & 15@16°2	open2 & 15@16°2	10@0°2 & 10@41°2, 8@90°5
Hull Top	10@90°2	10@65°2 & 10@90°2	8@90°2
Hull Bottom	10+8@90°2	8@90°2	10@90°2
Turret Front	Gun shield: 11@31°2	Gun shield: 15@25°2	Gun shield: 6@28°2, 25@74°5
Turret Sides	Gun shield: 11@12°2	Gun shield: 15@25°2	Gun shield: 10@16°2, 10@78°5
Turret Rear	Gun shield: open2	Gun shield: open2	Gun shield: 10@17°2, open5
Turret Top	Gun shield: open2	Gun shield: 8@90°2	Gun shield: open2,5
Engine (Make / Model)	Praga EPA1 Praga EPA Model III, AC Praga EPA & EPA/22 Praga6	Praga EPA/22 Praga AC6	Praga AC2,3,6 Praga EPA TZj5
Bore / stroke
Cooling	Water6	Water6	Water6
Cylinders	I-66	I-66	65, I-66
Net HP	125 (early model)6 140 (late model)6	1504 150@2,600 rpm6	1255, 1503,4 150@2,600 rpm6
Power to weight ratio
Compression ratio	1:6.26
Transmission (Type)	Preselector, Wilson 5 forward, 1 reverse2,6 Praga-Wilson planetary gear type6	5 forward, 1 reverse2,6 EPA, CV/TNHP, preselector6	EPA, CV/TNHP, preselector6 5 forward, 1 reverse.2,6
Steering	Clutch brake6	Clutch brake, two speeds6	Clutch brake, two speeds6
Steering ratio
Starter	Hand and electrical6	Hand and electric6	Hand and electric6
Electrical system	12-volt6	12-volt6	12-volt6
Ignition	Magneto6	Magneto6	Magneto6
Fuel (Type)	Gasoline6	Gasoline6	Gasoline3,5,6
Octane
Quantity	58 gallons6 218 liters	58 gallon6	48 gallons5, 58 gallons6 218 liters5
Road consumption	3 mpg6 100 km/118 liters	2.1 mpg6	2.1 mpg6
Cross country consumption	2 mpg6	1.5 mpg6	1.5 mpg6
Performance
Traverse	50°6, 130° 21° left2, 21° right2, hand2	30° left, 30° right2,6, hand2	21° left, 21° right, hand2 30° left, 30° right5,6
Max speed	26 mph1,6 42 kph1,2	21.7 mph, 29 mph6 35 kph2, 47 kph4	26 mph3,5, 29 mph6 42 kph2,3,5, 47 kph4
Cross country speed	11 mph6	11 - 12 mph6	11 -12 mph6, 15 mph5 24 kph5
Road radius	87 miles, 115 miles, 118 miles1, 155 miles6 185 km2, 190 km1	124 miles6, 149 miles 240 km2	87 miles3, 115 miles5, 118 miles, 124 miles6 140 km3, 185 km5, 190 km2
Cross country radius	100 miles6	87 miles6	87 miles5,6 140 km5
Turning radius
Elevation limits	-8° to +13.5°2 -6° to +16°6	-5° to +22°2 -10° to +20°6	-5 to +13°, -10° to +20°6
Fording depth	31.5"6, 3'	35"6	35"3,6 0.9 m3
Trench crossing	4'6, 4' 3"	4.3'6	4.3'6, 4' 3"3 1.3 m3, 2.08 m
Vertical obstacle	31.5"6, 2' 9"	33"6	33"3,6 0.84 m3
Climbing ability	37° (75%) slope6	30° (57%) slope6	30° (57%) slope6
Suspension (Type)	Bogie Four road wheels on two bogies with 1/2 elliptic springs6	Four road wheels on two bogies with 1/2 elliptic springs6	Four road wheels on two bogies with 1/2 elliptic springs6
Wheels each side	46
Return rollers each side	2
Tracks (Type)	Dry pin6	Dry pin6	Dry pin6
Length
Width	11.5"6	12.25" (shoe 11.5")6	12.25" (shoe 11.5")6 29.3 cm
Diameter
Number of Links	936	936
Pitch	4.1"6	4.25"6	4.25"6
Tire tread
Track centers/tread	5.9'6	5.9'6	1.77 m
Production	May 1943-1944: 799 1942 (76.2): 344 (chassis nos. 1351-1768) 4/1942-10/1942: 3442 Converted in 1943: 192 Chassis #s: 13512, 15102, 1511-17682 BMM2 Chassis: Skoda Works, Pilsen6	11/1942-4/1943: 415 (chassis nos. 1601-2000) 11/1942-4/1943: 2422 Converted in 1943: 1752 Chassis #s: 1601-21002 BMM2 Converted: 1755 Constructed: 2425 C.K.D.6	-5/1944: 7993 4/1943-5/1944: 9752 Chassis #s: 2101-?2 BMM2 9755 C.K.D.6

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?

Want to learn about a new vehicle? Select the random picture to learn about the vehicle.

Marder III Links
Main Page Photos

| | |

---

Web WWIIVehicles