Difference between revisions of "Marder III"

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{{Specs-Card|code=germ_pzkpfw_38t_Marder_III}}
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{{About
 +
| about = German tank destroyer '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = the other version III
 +
| link = Marder III H
 +
}}
 +
{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=germ_pzkpfw_38t_Marder_III
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
 +
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 +
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' ([[Abbreviations#.28DE.29_Sd.Kfz._Index|Sd.Kfz. Index:]] '''Sd.Kfz. 139''') was a modified [[LT-38 (Family)|Pz.38(t)]] up-gunned with captured Russian 76.2 mm field guns rechambered with the munition of the [[PaK 40/3 (75 mm)|PaK 40]] as a self-propelled anti-tank gun, adding significant firepower among self-propelled battalions. It was primarily decided to be built due to the increase of heavier Russian targets such as the [[KV-1 (Family)|KV-1]] and [[T-34 (Family)|T-34]] as the German anti-tank tools in early Barbarossa failed to deal with these targets.
 +
 
 +
It was introduced in [[Update 1.43]]. Being a field gun strapped onto a light tank hull, it offers little protection to the crew, but this is compensated by the firepower the Marder does offer with its dangerous gun. It provides an excellent sniper vehicle to support the team at longer ranges, and to crack open heavier targets the rest of the team can't deal with.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 +
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
 
 +
*Rolled homogeneous armour
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides (Slope angle) !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 50 mm (19°) ''Front plate'' <br> 12 mm (74°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 50 mm (13°) ''Lower glacis'' || 16 mm ''Upper'' <br> 15 mm ''Lower'' || 15 mm || 12 mm
 +
|-
 +
| Turret || 11 + 8 mm (31°) || 11 mm (8-9°) || - || -
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
[[File:Marder III gun and MG traverse angles.png|right|thumbnail|Gun and MG horizontal displacement of the Marder III|200px]]
 +
'''Notes:'''
  
−
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
* Belly armour (under the tank) is 15 mm thick.
 +
* Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick.
 +
* Aside from the front gun shield, there is no armoured encasement for the gunner and loader crew members.
 +
* The vehicle is so lightly armoured that it is extremely vulnerable to artillery strikes, plane strafings, ramming attacks and light machine gun fire.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
−
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 +
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 +
 
 +
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=227|rbMinHp=142}}
 +
 
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
 +
 
 +
Which modules to unlock first:
 +
* Parts and FPE - Mandatory first 2 upgrades, to aid in your survival.
 +
* Modules related to gun accuracy and targeting quality: Horizontal Drive, Adjustment of Fire & Elevation Mechanism.
 +
* Modules related to mobility: Tracks, Suspension, Brake System, Filters, Engine, Transmission.
 +
* Smoke grenade and Crew Replenishment, to increase your survivability.
 +
* Research the shells last, the stock shell offering the best post-penetration damage.
 +
 
 +
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
 +
=== Main armament ===
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
 +
<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
 +
{{main|PaK36 (r) (76 mm)}}
  
−
== Weaponry ==
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
−
=== Main weaponry ===
+
|-
−
''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''
+
! colspan="5" | [[PaK36 (r) (76 mm)|76 mm PaK36 (r)]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
 +
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
|-
 +
! ''Arcade''
 +
| rowspan="2" | 30 || rowspan="2" | -6°/+18° || rowspan="2" | ±10° || rowspan="2" | - || 10.6 || 14.6 || 17.8 || 19.6 || 20.9 || rowspan="2" | 6.50 || rowspan="2" | 5.75 || rowspan="2" | 5.30 || rowspan="2" | 5.00
 +
|-
 +
! ''Realistic''
 +
| 7.1 || 8.4 || 10.2 || 11.3 || 12.0
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
−
=== Additional weaponry ===
+
==== Ammunition ====
−
''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
{{:PaK36 (r) (76 mm)/Ammunition|PzGr 39 rot, Hl.Gr 38C, PzGr 40, Sprgr. 39}}
 +
 
 +
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 +
<!-- '''Last updated:''' -->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! Full<br>ammo
 +
! 1st<br>rack empty
 +
! 2nd<br>rack empty
 +
! 3rd<br>rack empty
 +
! 4th<br>rack empty
 +
! 5th<br>rack empty
 +
! 6th<br>rack empty
 +
! 7th<br>rack empty
 +
! 8th<br>rack empty
 +
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
| '''30''' || 28&nbsp;''(+2)'' || 25&nbsp;''(+5)'' || 22&nbsp;''(+8)'' || 17&nbsp;''(+13)'' || 12&nbsp;''(+18)'' || 9&nbsp;''(+21)'' || 6&nbsp;''(+24)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+29)'' || No
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
 
 +
* Turret "cheeks" empty (racks 1 & 2 empty): 25&nbsp;''(+5)'' shells.
 +
* Right flank empty of shells (racks 1 to 5 empty): 12&nbsp;''(+18)'' shells.
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
−
''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
 +
<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
 +
{{main|MG37(t) (7.92 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[MG37(t) (7.92 mm)|7.92 mm MG37(t)]]
 +
|-
 +
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 1,200 (200) || 769 || ±10° || ±10°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
== Usage in battles ==
 +
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
  
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== Usage in the battles ==
+
;Offensive role
−
''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
The {{PAGENAME}} should be played as a long range sniper, taking advantage of the APCBC shell's high penetration values, high gun accuracy and good mobility. Find a shooting spot and engage targets from at least 1,000 m away to prevent enemy progress towards the objectives. You will also suppress enemy fire to prevent your team from being pinned down by enemy snipers attempting the same in return. Because of your weak armour and open turret, always stay away from the frontline to avoid being flanked or swarmed and thus maximise your chances of survival. When engaging enemy tanks, prioritise firing hull-down from behind cover. With such firepower, any enemy wandering in your sight alone is practically dead. A flanking enemy, artillery strikes or CAS will be the greatest threats to the {{PAGENAME}}.
 +
 
 +
;Defensive role
 +
In case of an enemy breakthrough, your role is to contain the enemy advance by pinning them down. The enemy will be moving the front line, so engagements will take place at a closer range than you're comfortable with. You should identify and target in priority choke points, narrow passages and corridors of the map that the enemy will be forced to take. Your limited gun traverse still allows you to monitor an area spanning 350 m at 1,000 m distance without having to reposition your hull.
 +
 
 +
;Other roles
 +
If you try to use the {{PAGENAME}} in a different role on the battlefield, you will be confronting with the following:
 +
 
 +
* If you try to play the {{PAGENAME}} as a front-line tank, you will be quickly disabled by any type of fire coming from enemy tanks. Your armour is extremely thin and your open turret crew is very exposed to MG fire, artillery strike, HE shells blast or ramming attacks. Your turning speed is also too poor to manoeuvre quickly enough in close combat.
 +
 
 +
* If you attempt to play support tank, your poor reverse speed will make it difficult for you to overextend. Your high profile will make it difficult to stay hidden behind obstacles without taking fire. The enemy will flush you out with artillery strike (which can be accurate enough from middle ranges to disable you). Even with an escape route planned and cover to hide behind, your chances of survival are meagre. You will also be at risk of being flanked by light tanks or armoured cars, especially if they swarm you. Anyone who manages to get behind you has a very high chance to destroy you, even with just machine gun fire.
 +
 
 +
;Notable enemies:
 +
* Any tank will disable you with little effort in a close range encounter because of your weak armour.
 +
* For long range engagements, T-34s & M4s are the enemies most likely to bounce your shell if they are properly angling from a distance.
 +
 
 +
;Defeating a {{PAGENAME}}
 +
* If you are alone, flanking a {{PAGENAME}} undetected remains your best chance to destroy it. But it is difficult because the Marder positions itself very far from the frontline.
 +
* Force the {{PAGENAME}} out of position with indirect fire (artillery strikes) if you're at relative close range.
 +
* The most suitable shells to deal with a Marder are HE, HEAT or Shrapnel shells.
 +
* In case of a frontal attack (choke point/corridor), try blinding the {{PAGENAME}} with smoke and then swarm it with several tanks to saturate its defensive capacities. A barrage of MG fire is very likely to make a {{PAGENAME}} retreat and relocate.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* Good gun penetration
 +
* Powerful at all ranges
 +
* Relatively high forward speed
 +
* Relatively good HE filler in APCBC rounds
 +
* Average hull armour of 50 mm
 +
* Capable of penetrating all tanks frontally at its BR range
 +
* High capacity spotting machine gun in the hull
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
 
  
−
== Historical part ==
+
* Tall profile, hindering concealment ability
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
* Slow turning movement
 +
* Very prone to falling over due to height, especially for newer players with low amounts of invested crew points towards driver
 +
* Very thin gun shield for the gun crew
 +
* Open top vehicle, gunner and loader can be easily machine-gunned
 +
* Prone to destruction by overpressure
 +
* Will struggle against heavily sloped armour due to penetration drop-off with increasing angle-of-attack
 +
 
 +
== History ==
 +
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 +
===Development===
 +
After the start of Operation Barbarossa, the Wehrmacht found a very dire problem of the lack of a mobile anti-tank system and adequate anti-tank weapons, especially after the appearance of the Soviet [[T-34 (1941)|T-34]] and [[KV-1 (L-11)|KV-1]] tanks. The only mass-issued anti-tank was the fairly weak 37 mm Pak 36 and the only mobile anti-tank system widely used was the Panzerjäger I with the Czech 47 mm anti-tank gun. Modifications to current vehicles in service was done to put more self-propelled anti-tank weapons into service, which created the Marder I from the French Lorraine, the Marder II from the [[Pz.II F|Panzer IIs]], and the '''Marder III''' from the Czech [[Pz.38(t) F|Panzer 38(t)]].
 +
 
 +
===Specifications===
 +
The Marder III, with the rest of the Marder series, gave Germany forces a self-propelled gun mounting a better gun than what was available on German tanks, such as the 75 mm Pak 40 or captured Soviet 76.2 mm guns chambered for the Pak 40 ammo. All of the Marders share a lack of armour for the crew, the top and rear of the vehicle is left exposed to mortar, shrapnel, or infantry weapons. This weakness is mitigated with the fact that the Marders are supposed to be anti-tank motor carriages that are to ambush incoming enemy tanks.
 +
 
 +
The Marder III use the Panzer 38(t) as it was a design going obsolete, and lots of Soviet 76.2 mm guns were captured, so they mounted these guns onto the Panzer 38(t) first. The finished self-propelled mount had a higher silhouette than the Panzer 38(t), which left it more vulnerable, but had a rechambered 76.2 mm Pak 36(r) gun with the Pak 40 ammo and could hold 30 rounds in the vehicle. A machine gun on the hull was retained for anti-infantry purposes.
 +
 
 +
The Marder III with a 75 mm Pak 40 gun mounted instead of the rechambered 76.2 guns was called the [[Marder III H|Marder III Ausf. H]]. Another variant created, the Ausf. M, featured a lower silhouette and a better-sloped armour and fighting compartment, despite only holding 27 rounds for the mounted Pak 40. A total of 3,472 Marder IIIs and its version was created or converted from Panzer 38(t) during its production life.
 +
 
 +
===Combat usage===
 +
The Marder III fought on all front of the war, being produced from 1942 to 1945, with 2,080 Marder III with the 76.2 mm gun converted and produced. Using the tested design of the Panzer 38(t), the Marder III experienced a reliable mechanical history and has a gun that could take out most allied tanks in the war. The vulnerability to the crew due to lack of armour was its most pressing issue, with only a front shield plate at most 15 mm thick and side plates that can't enclose the crew. This makes it as very poor assault vehicles or tank substitutes as the open top could allow infantry to easily kill the crew from hidden areas, despite that, it is sometimes repurposed to this role to the chagrin of the crew.
 +
 
 +
As its production was underway, Germany already had a few self-propelled assault weapons being produced such as the [[StuG III F|StuG III]] that could have the same anti-tank capabilities, yet was fully-armoured, enclosing the crew in adequate armour. This obvious advantage over the open Marder series encouraged the development of a new kind of tank destroyer from the Panzer 38(t) with better armour, which will eventually create the [[Jagdpanzer 38(t)|Jagdpanzer 38(t)]]. Despite that, the Marders continued to serve to the end of the war.
 +
 
 +
{{break}}
 +
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}}}
 +
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
 +
An antitank vehicle designed on the basis of the Pz.38(t) tank by the BMM company (formerly ChKD) by installing a 76.2 mm F-22 division cannon on the chassis of a captured Soviet tank that had been modified by German engineers. The impetus for building this platform was the fact that in 1941 it became clear on the Eastern Front that the Wehrmacht did not have the means to fight Soviet heavy tanks. At the time, the captured 76.2 mm F-22 division cannon was able to fight these tanks, so they decided to install it on the reliable frame of the Pz.38(t). BMM produced 344 of these antitank vehicles.
 +
{{Navigation-End}}
  
−
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guids, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
== Media ==
 +
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
  
−
== Read also ==
+
;Skins
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=germ_pzkpfw_38t_Marder_III Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
== See also ==
 +
<!-- ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
−
''ETC.''
 
  
−
== Sources ==
+
* [[LT-38 (Family)]]
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
 
 +
== External links ==
 +
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''page on the Wikipedia;''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
−
* ''other literature.''
+
 
 +
* [[wt:en/news/2767/current/|[Vehicle Profile] Marder III]]
 +
 
 +
{{Germany tank destroyers}}

Latest revision as of 08:05, 16 June 2023

This page is about the German tank destroyer Marder III. For the other version III, see Marder III H.
Marder III
germ_pzkpfw_38t_marder_iii.png
GarageImage Marder III.jpg
ArtImage Marder III.png
Marder III
Germany flag.png Germany
I Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
2.3 2.3 2.3
Class:
Research:5 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:6 300 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Marder III (Sd.Kfz. Index: Sd.Kfz. 139) was a modified Pz.38(t) up-gunned with captured Russian 76.2 mm field guns rechambered with the munition of the PaK 40 as a self-propelled anti-tank gun, adding significant firepower among self-propelled battalions. It was primarily decided to be built due to the increase of heavier Russian targets such as the KV-1 and T-34 as the German anti-tank tools in early Barbarossa failed to deal with these targets.

It was introduced in Update 1.43. Being a field gun strapped onto a light tank hull, it offers little protection to the crew, but this is compensated by the firepower the Marder does offer with its dangerous gun. It provides an excellent sniper vehicle to support the team at longer ranges, and to crack open heavier targets the rest of the team can't deal with.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull50 / 15 / 15
Turret11 / 11 / 0
Crew4 people
Visibility88 %

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides (Slope angle) Rear Roof
Hull 50 mm (19°) Front plate
12 mm (74°) Front glacis
50 mm (13°) Lower glacis 		16 mm Upper
15 mm Lower 		15 mm 12 mm
Turret 11 + 8 mm (31°) 11 mm (8-9°) - -
Gun and MG horizontal displacement of the Marder III

Notes:

  • Belly armour (under the tank) is 15 mm thick.
  • Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick.
  • Aside from the front gun shield, there is no armoured encasement for the gunner and loader crew members.
  • The vehicle is so lightly armoured that it is extremely vulnerable to artillery strikes, plane strafings, ramming attacks and light machine gun fire.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB47 / 7 km/h
RB and SB43 / 7 km/h
Number of gears5 forward
1 back
Weight11.3 t
Engine power
AB305 hp
RB and SB160 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB27.0 hp/t
RB and SB14.2 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 47 7 11.3 227 305 20.09 26.99
Realistic 43 7 142 160 12.57 14.16

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB300 → 389 Sl icon.png
RB330 → 428 Sl icon.png
SB408 → 529 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications5 990 Rp icon.png
4 510 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost410 Ge icon.png
Crew training1 800 Sl icon.png
Experts6 300 Sl icon.png
Aces75 Ge icon.png
Research Aces135 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
20 / 30 / 40 % Sl icon.png
106 / 106 / 106 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
270 Rp icon.png
Cost:
200 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
270 Rp icon.png
Cost:
200 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
230 Sl icon.png
55 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
970 Rp icon.png
Cost:
730 Sl icon.png
185 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
970 Rp icon.png
Cost:
730 Sl icon.png
185 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
270 Rp icon.png
Cost:
200 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement ger.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
230 Sl icon.png
55 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
76mm_ger_pak36r_HEAT_ammo_pack
Research:
270 Rp icon.png
Cost:
200 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
270 Rp icon.png
Cost:
200 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
76mm_ger_pak36r_APCR_ammo_pack
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
230 Sl icon.png
55 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
230 Sl icon.png
55 Ge icon.png
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
230 Sl icon.png
55 Ge icon.png

Which modules to unlock first:

  • Parts and FPE - Mandatory first 2 upgrades, to aid in your survival.
  • Modules related to gun accuracy and targeting quality: Horizontal Drive, Adjustment of Fire & Elevation Mechanism.
  • Modules related to mobility: Tracks, Suspension, Brake System, Filters, Engine, Transmission.
  • Smoke grenade and Crew Replenishment, to increase your survivability.
  • Research the shells last, the stock shell offering the best post-penetration damage.

Armaments

Main armament

76 mm PaK36 (r) cannon
Ammunition30 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
6.5 → 5.0 s
Vertical guidance-6° / 18°
Horizontal guidance-10° / 10°
Main article: PaK36 (r) (76 mm)
76 mm PaK36 (r) Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 30 -6°/+18° ±10° - 10.6 14.6 17.8 19.6 20.9 6.50 5.75 5.30 5.00
Realistic 7.1 8.4 10.2 11.3 12.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
PzGr 39 rot APCBC 138 135 124 112 101 91
Hl.Gr 38C HEAT 100 100 100 100 100 100
PzGr 40 APCR 182 178 160 140 122 107
Sprgr. 39 HE 9 9 9 9 9 9
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Fuse delay
(m) 		Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
PzGr 39 rot APCBC 710 7.6 1.2 14 34 48° 63° 71°
Hl.Gr 38C HEAT 450 5.05 0 0.1 875.5 62° 69° 73°
PzGr 40 APCR 990 4.15 - - - 66° 70° 72°
Sprgr. 39 HE 550 6.25 0 0.1 585 79° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		5th
rack empty 		6th
rack empty 		7th
rack empty 		8th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
30 28 (+2) 25 (+5) 22 (+8) 17 (+13) 12 (+18) 9 (+21) 6 (+24) 1 (+29) No
Ammo racks of the Marder III

Notes:

  • Turret "cheeks" empty (racks 1 & 2 empty): 25 (+5) shells.
  • Right flank empty of shells (racks 1 to 5 empty): 12 (+18) shells.

Machine guns

7.92 mm MG37(t) machine gun
Ammunition1 200 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate769 shots/min
Main article: MG37(t) (7.92 mm)
7.92 mm MG37(t)
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Hull 1,200 (200) 769 ±10° ±10°

Usage in battles

Offensive role

The Marder III should be played as a long range sniper, taking advantage of the APCBC shell's high penetration values, high gun accuracy and good mobility. Find a shooting spot and engage targets from at least 1,000 m away to prevent enemy progress towards the objectives. You will also suppress enemy fire to prevent your team from being pinned down by enemy snipers attempting the same in return. Because of your weak armour and open turret, always stay away from the frontline to avoid being flanked or swarmed and thus maximise your chances of survival. When engaging enemy tanks, prioritise firing hull-down from behind cover. With such firepower, any enemy wandering in your sight alone is practically dead. A flanking enemy, artillery strikes or CAS will be the greatest threats to the Marder III.

Defensive role

In case of an enemy breakthrough, your role is to contain the enemy advance by pinning them down. The enemy will be moving the front line, so engagements will take place at a closer range than you're comfortable with. You should identify and target in priority choke points, narrow passages and corridors of the map that the enemy will be forced to take. Your limited gun traverse still allows you to monitor an area spanning 350 m at 1,000 m distance without having to reposition your hull.

Other roles

If you try to use the Marder III in a different role on the battlefield, you will be confronting with the following:

  • If you try to play the Marder III as a front-line tank, you will be quickly disabled by any type of fire coming from enemy tanks. Your armour is extremely thin and your open turret crew is very exposed to MG fire, artillery strike, HE shells blast or ramming attacks. Your turning speed is also too poor to manoeuvre quickly enough in close combat.
  • If you attempt to play support tank, your poor reverse speed will make it difficult for you to overextend. Your high profile will make it difficult to stay hidden behind obstacles without taking fire. The enemy will flush you out with artillery strike (which can be accurate enough from middle ranges to disable you). Even with an escape route planned and cover to hide behind, your chances of survival are meagre. You will also be at risk of being flanked by light tanks or armoured cars, especially if they swarm you. Anyone who manages to get behind you has a very high chance to destroy you, even with just machine gun fire.
Notable enemies
  • Any tank will disable you with little effort in a close range encounter because of your weak armour.
  • For long range engagements, T-34s & M4s are the enemies most likely to bounce your shell if they are properly angling from a distance.
Defeating a Marder III
  • If you are alone, flanking a Marder III undetected remains your best chance to destroy it. But it is difficult because the Marder positions itself very far from the frontline.
  • Force the Marder III out of position with indirect fire (artillery strikes) if you're at relative close range.
  • The most suitable shells to deal with a Marder are HE, HEAT or Shrapnel shells.
  • In case of a frontal attack (choke point/corridor), try blinding the Marder III with smoke and then swarm it with several tanks to saturate its defensive capacities. A barrage of MG fire is very likely to make a Marder III retreat and relocate.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good gun penetration
  • Powerful at all ranges
  • Relatively high forward speed
  • Relatively good HE filler in APCBC rounds
  • Average hull armour of 50 mm
  • Capable of penetrating all tanks frontally at its BR range
  • High capacity spotting machine gun in the hull

Cons:

  • Tall profile, hindering concealment ability
  • Slow turning movement
  • Very prone to falling over due to height, especially for newer players with low amounts of invested crew points towards driver
  • Very thin gun shield for the gun crew
  • Open top vehicle, gunner and loader can be easily machine-gunned
  • Prone to destruction by overpressure
  • Will struggle against heavily sloped armour due to penetration drop-off with increasing angle-of-attack

History

Development

After the start of Operation Barbarossa, the Wehrmacht found a very dire problem of the lack of a mobile anti-tank system and adequate anti-tank weapons, especially after the appearance of the Soviet T-34 and KV-1 tanks. The only mass-issued anti-tank was the fairly weak 37 mm Pak 36 and the only mobile anti-tank system widely used was the Panzerjäger I with the Czech 47 mm anti-tank gun. Modifications to current vehicles in service was done to put more self-propelled anti-tank weapons into service, which created the Marder I from the French Lorraine, the Marder II from the Panzer IIs, and the Marder III from the Czech Panzer 38(t).

Specifications

The Marder III, with the rest of the Marder series, gave Germany forces a self-propelled gun mounting a better gun than what was available on German tanks, such as the 75 mm Pak 40 or captured Soviet 76.2 mm guns chambered for the Pak 40 ammo. All of the Marders share a lack of armour for the crew, the top and rear of the vehicle is left exposed to mortar, shrapnel, or infantry weapons. This weakness is mitigated with the fact that the Marders are supposed to be anti-tank motor carriages that are to ambush incoming enemy tanks.

The Marder III use the Panzer 38(t) as it was a design going obsolete, and lots of Soviet 76.2 mm guns were captured, so they mounted these guns onto the Panzer 38(t) first. The finished self-propelled mount had a higher silhouette than the Panzer 38(t), which left it more vulnerable, but had a rechambered 76.2 mm Pak 36(r) gun with the Pak 40 ammo and could hold 30 rounds in the vehicle. A machine gun on the hull was retained for anti-infantry purposes.

The Marder III with a 75 mm Pak 40 gun mounted instead of the rechambered 76.2 guns was called the Marder III Ausf. H. Another variant created, the Ausf. M, featured a lower silhouette and a better-sloped armour and fighting compartment, despite only holding 27 rounds for the mounted Pak 40. A total of 3,472 Marder IIIs and its version was created or converted from Panzer 38(t) during its production life.

Combat usage

The Marder III fought on all front of the war, being produced from 1942 to 1945, with 2,080 Marder III with the 76.2 mm gun converted and produced. Using the tested design of the Panzer 38(t), the Marder III experienced a reliable mechanical history and has a gun that could take out most allied tanks in the war. The vulnerability to the crew due to lack of armour was its most pressing issue, with only a front shield plate at most 15 mm thick and side plates that can't enclose the crew. This makes it as very poor assault vehicles or tank substitutes as the open top could allow infantry to easily kill the crew from hidden areas, despite that, it is sometimes repurposed to this role to the chagrin of the crew.

As its production was underway, Germany already had a few self-propelled assault weapons being produced such as the StuG III that could have the same anti-tank capabilities, yet was fully-armoured, enclosing the crew in adequate armour. This obvious advantage over the open Marder series encouraged the development of a new kind of tank destroyer from the Panzer 38(t) with better armour, which will eventually create the Jagdpanzer 38(t). Despite that, the Marders continued to serve to the end of the war.


Archive of the in-game description

An antitank vehicle designed on the basis of the Pz.38(t) tank by the BMM company (formerly ChKD) by installing a 76.2 mm F-22 division cannon on the chassis of a captured Soviet tank that had been modified by German engineers. The impetus for building this platform was the fact that in 1941 it became clear on the Eastern Front that the Wehrmacht did not have the means to fight Soviet heavy tanks. At the time, the captured 76.2 mm F-22 division cannon was able to fight these tanks, so they decided to install it on the reliable frame of the Pz.38(t). BMM produced 344 of these antitank vehicles.


Media

Skins

See also

External links


Germany tank destroyers
Pz. I Derivatives  Panzerjäger I
Pz. II Derivatives  15cm sIG 33 B Sfl
Pz. 38(t) Derivatives  Marder III · Marder III H · Jagdpanzer 38(t)
Pz. III Derivatives  StuG III A · StuG III F · StuG III G · StuH 42 G
Pz. IV Derivatives  Jagdpanzer IV · Panzer IV/70(A) · Panzer IV/70(V) · Dicker Max · Nashorn · Brummbär · VFW
Pz. V Derivatives  Jagdpanther G1 · Bfw. Jagdpanther G1
Pz. VI Derivatives  Sturer Emil · Elefant · Ferdinand · 38 cm Sturmmörser · Jagdtiger
Wheeled/Half-track  8,8 cm Flak 37 Sfl. · Sd.Kfz.251/9 · Sd.Kfz.251/10 · Sd.Kfz.251/22 · Sd.Kfz.234/3 · Sd.Kfz.234/4 · 15 cm Pz.W.42
ATGM Carrier  RakJPz 2 · RakJPz 2 (HOT) · Wiesel 1A2
Other  Waffenträger · M109G · JPz 4-5 · Raketenautomat · VT1-2

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