This converted Panzerkampfwagen 38(t), formerly a Skoda tank, was outfitted with a 7,5 cm German PaK 40 anti-tank gun. German designation Sd.Kfz. 138 Marder III Ausf. M. The self-propelled tank destroyer was one of the stopgap solutions before better German anti-tank vehicles were available.
Different types of Marder III existed, one with a Russian 76,2 cm anti-tank gun and two a German Pak 70 anti-tank gun, all based on the Panzer 38(t).
Marder III with 7,5 cm PaK 40 – Sd.Kfz. 138 Ausf. M
The Marder III Ausf. M was a German self-propelled anti-tank gun used during World War II, part of the Marder III series. It was introduced in 1943, based on the PzKpfw 38(t) chassis, which was a Czech tank captured by the Germans. The Marder III Ausf. M was designed to provide effective anti-tank capabilities on the battlefield, supporting German infantry and armored units.
The Marder III Ausf. M was armed with a 75 mm Pak 40 anti-tank gun, one of the most powerful anti-tank weapons of the war. This gun was mounted in an open-topped superstructure, offering a clear field of fire for the crew. The vehicle was capable of engaging Allied tanks, including the T-34 and Sherman, with its powerful armor-piercing rounds.
The vehicle was powered by a 6-cylinder Praga AC engine, producing 160 horsepower, which gave it a top speed of around 42 km/h (26 mph) and a range of approximately 200 km (124 miles). The Marder III Ausf. M’s armor was relatively thin, with up to 30 mm of protection, making it vulnerable to artillery and heavier tank fire, but its speed and firepower made it highly effective in ambush and hit-and-run tactics.
The Marder III Ausf. M played a significant role in the Eastern Front and North Africa campaigns, providing essential fire support for German forces.
