The Marder I – 7,5 cm PaK 40/1 auf Geschützwagen Lorraine Schlepper was a German self-propelled anti-tank gun used during the early years of World War II. It was based on the Lorraine 37L tractor, a French-built vehicle originally designed for military transport, which the Germans repurposed as the chassis for the Marder I.
The vehicle was equipped with the 7.5 cm PaK 40/1 anti-tank gun, a powerful weapon capable of engaging Soviet tanks, particularly the T-34 and KV series. The PaK 40/1 had a muzzle velocity of 792 m/s, and its armor-piercing shells could penetrate up to 120mm of armor at a range of 500 meters, making it highly effective against enemy armor.
The Marder I retained the Lorraine Schlepper’s tracked chassis, which allowed for decent mobility across rough terrain. It was powered by a Maybach HL 42 engine producing 100 horsepower, enabling a top speed of around 24 mph (39 km/h) and a range of 125 miles (200 km) on roads.
Crewed by a team of 4 (commander, gunner, loader, and driver), the Marder I had limited armor protection, relying on mobility and firepower. Approximately 170 units were produced in 1942. It was used on the Eastern Front, notably in the Siege of Sevastopol and other early engagements with Soviet armor.
