Difference between revisions of "Marder III H"

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The '''{{Specs|pseudonym}}''' officially designated '''{{Specs|name}}''' ([[Abbreviations#.28DE.29_Sd.Kfz._Index|Sd.Kfz. Index:]] '''Sd.Kfz. 138''') is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German tank destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.47 "Big Guns"]].
 
The '''{{Specs|pseudonym}}''' officially designated '''{{Specs|name}}''' ([[Abbreviations#.28DE.29_Sd.Kfz._Index|Sd.Kfz. Index:]] '''Sd.Kfz. 138''') is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German tank destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.47 "Big Guns"]].
  
−
The Marder III H is a step above the basic [[Marder III]]. As it is in Germany's open - top tank destroyer line, it's calling card is its superb firepower; in fact, it has the most powerful gun for the battle rating 2.0 - 3.0 - 4.0 range - APCBC is almost always enough to '''penetrate and destroy any tank on the battlefield''', and with APCR, it has '''the highest penetration of any tank for its battle rating range''' - even at '''battle rating 5.0 your gun will remain competitive'''.
+
The Marder III H is a step above the basic [[Marder III]]. As it is in Germany's open-top tank destroyer line, its calling card is its superb firepower, in fact, it has the most powerful gun for the 2.0-4.0 BR range. APCBC is almost always enough to '''penetrate and destroy any tank on the battlefield''', and with APCR, it has '''the highest penetration of any tank for its battle rating range''', even at '''battle rating 5.0 your gun will remain competitive'''.
  
−
The Marder III Ausf. H mounts a 75 mm gun slightly surpassing those on the late [[Pz.IV H|Panzer IV's]], thus its only disadvantages are its weak armour and its open encasement.
+
The Marder III Ausf. H mounts a 75 mm gun, slightly surpassing those on the late [[Pz.IV H|Panzer IV's]]⁣; thus its only disadvantages are its weak armour and its open fighting compartment.
  
−
Being a modified Pz.38(t) tank, it is one of the more mobile of the German tanks - nearly matching some Russian tanks. It has a better gun close-range wise and has better armour coverage, being curved to the sides, unlike the earlier Marder III.
+
Being a modified Pz.38(t) tank, it is one of the more mobile of the German tanks, nearly matching some Russian tanks. The gun is better at close range and the gun shield is curved to the sides, unlike the earlier Marder III.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
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== Usage in battles ==
 
== 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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−
Since you are an unprotected tank from behind, try to be as far from the action as possible. If getting close to enemy tanks cannot be prevented (Urban maps, Allied retreat etc), then try to hide at least a part of your hull against a wall or rock.
+
Since you are an unprotected tank from behind, try to be as far from the action as possible. If getting close to enemy tanks cannot be prevented (Urban maps, allies retreat etc.), then try to face at least a part of your hull against a wall or rock.
  
−
Use the horizontal range of the Marder III H as much as possible: it has excellent gun traverse for a turretless SPG. This tank destroyer can be penetrated easily; it has next to no armour at its battle rating. Keep close to other tanks to prevent this in urban maps, and stay close to cover in other maps. Also, be careful when being targeted by Artillery; one close hit on your rear and you can be destroyed by shrapnel. Another important aspect to take into account is the fact that ammunition is stored in the nearly unarmoured gun shield - nearly any vehicle in the game - with the notable exception of the [[GAZ-AAA (4M)]] - can penetrate this tank with ease. To get Ammunition out of the turret, bring fewer shells, leaving the "turret" basically empty - 33 shells is more than enough. Another fact to consider is that nearly all shells will over penetrate the "turret", with no damage, a crewman knocked out or 2.
+
Use the horizontal range of the Marder III H as much as possible, the gun traverse is excellent for a turretless SPG. This tank destroyer can be penetrated easily; it has next to no armour at its battle rating. Keep close to other tanks to prevent this. Furthermore, it is imperative to exercise caution when being subjected to artillery fire; a single close hit, especially to your unprotected rear, can result in your demise due to shrapnel. Another important aspect to consider is the fact that ammunition is stored in the nearly unarmoured superstructure. Nearly any vehicle in the game, with the notable exception of the [[GAZ-AAA (4M)]], can penetrate there with ease. To mitigate the risk of ammo rack explosion, bring fewer shells, 33 are more than enough. Another fact to consider is that nearly all shells will over penetrate the gun shield and not explode.
  
−
The Marder III H's main APCBC shell, the PzGr 39, is good enough against most standard medium tank models like the M4 Sherman and T-34 from a frontal and slightly angled perspective. However, the penetration performance against sloped armour is only just enough for these circumstances, and extreme angling beyond a 60° angle of attack on those tanks' part can bounce rounds heading towards their front glacis. This makes up-armoured models like the T-34E and T-34E STZ particularly dangerous as they can defeat the APCBC shell's sloped performance at even slight angles. The T-34E presents itself an enhanced side armour that can bounce shots while the T-34E STZ features enhanced front armour to bounce shots, so be sure to distinguish the two models for a better understanding on where to aim.
+
The Marder III H's main APCBC shell, the PzGr 39, is good enough against most standard medium tank models like the M4 Sherman and T-34 from a frontal and slightly angled perspective. However, the penetration performance against sloped armour is only just enough under these circumstances, and an extreme angle of attack beyond 60° on those tanks' part can cause rounds heading towards their front glacis to bounce. This makes up-armoured models like the T-34E and T-34E STZ particularly dangerous, as they can defeat the APCBC shell's sloped performance even at slight angles. While the T-34E has enhanced side armour, the T-34E STZ features increased front armour to bounce shots, so be sure to distinguish the two models for a more profound understanding on where to aim.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
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* Not fully enclosed (exposed crew), vulnerable to MG, bombs, and strafing planes
 
* Not fully enclosed (exposed crew), vulnerable to MG, bombs, and strafing planes
 
* Poor +9° gun elevation can be unsuitable in certain situations
 
* Poor +9° gun elevation can be unsuitable in certain situations
−
* Shells can overpenetrate some lightly-armoured vehicles (eg. [[ZiS-12 (94-KM)|ZiS-12 94KM]], [[Chi-Ha LG]])
+
* Shells can overpenetrate some lightly armoured vehicles (e.g. [[ZiS-12 (94-KM)|ZiS-12 94KM]], [[Chi-Ha LG]])
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
 
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===Development===
 
===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 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)]].
+
After the start of ''Operation Barbarossa'', the Wehrmacht found itself in a very dire situation due to the lack of adequate mobile anti-tank weapons, especially after the appearance of the superior Soviet [[T-34 (1941)|T-34]] and [[KV-1 (L-11)|KV-1]] tanks. The only mass-issued dedicated anti-tank gun was the 37 mm Pak 36 while the sole widely used tank destroyer was the ''Panzerjäger I'' with the Czech 47 mm anti-tank gun. Obsolete tanks and captured vehicles were converted to tank destroyers to enable them to penetrate the modern Soviet tanks at common combat distances. Those were mainly the ''Marder I'' (from French Lorraine tracked supply vehicles), the ''Marder II'' (from [[Pz.II F|Panzer IIs]]), and the '''Marder III''' (from Czech [[Pz.38(t) F|Panzer 38(t)s]]).
  
 
===Specifications===
 
===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'' is supposed to be anti-tank motor carriages that are to ambush incoming enemy tanks.
+
The ''Marder III''s, like the rest of the ''Marder'' series, were self-propelled guns better suited for fighting enemy armour than the ''Panzer III''s and ''IV''s then in service. They  mounted dedicated anti-tank guns such as the 75 mm Pak 40 or captured Soviet 76.2 mm guns, mainly the F-22. All the ''Marders'' were open-topped vehicles, leaving the crew exposed to mortar fire, shrapnel, or infantry fire. This weakness was mitigated by the fact that the ''Marders'' were supposed to be tank destroyers that are to ambush incoming enemy tanks or shoot them from afar.
  
−
The '''Marder III Ausf. H''' uses the Panzer 38(t) as it was a design going obsolete, and new large German anti-tank weapons were being produced, 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 75 mm Pak 40 gun and withhold 38 rounds in the vehicle. A machine gun on the hull was retained for anti-infantry purposes.
+
The '''Marder III Ausf. H''' used the Panzer 38(t) chassis because it was becoming obsolete, and when new, desperately needed more powerful anti-tank weapons became available, as a stop-gap measure they were mounted on outdated tanks like the Panzer 38(t) first. The finished self-propelled mount had a higher silhouette, which left it more vulnerable, but had a 75 mm Pak 40 gun and could hold 38 rounds in the vehicle. A machine gun on the hull was retained for anti-infantry purposes.
  
−
The Marder III Ausf. H predecessor, simply named as the '''[[Marder III]]''' mounted a rechambered 76.2 gun instead of a Pak 40. 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.
+
The Marder III Ausf. H predecessor, simply named as the '''[[Marder III]]''' mounted a rechambered 76.2 gun instead of a Pak 40. 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 versions were created or converted from Panzer 38(t) during its production life.
  
 
===Combat usage===
 
===Combat usage===
−
The Marder III Ausf. H fought on all fronts of the war, being produced from 1942 to 1945, with 450 Marder III Ausf. H with the Pak 40 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.
+
The Marder III Ausf. H fought on all fronts of the war, being produced from 1942 to 1945, with 450 Marder III Ausf. H with the Pak 40 converted and produced. Using the tested design of the Panzer 38(t), the Marder III was mechanically reliable and had a gun that could take out most allied tanks in the war. The vulnerability of 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 a poor assault vehicle or tank substitute, it allows infantry to easily kill the crew from ambushes. Despite that, with the deteriorating situation during the last years of the war, they were nevertheless used this way and suffered considerable losses.  
  
−
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 inadequate 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.
+
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 would eventually become the [[Jagdpanzer 38(t)|Jagdpanzer 38(t)]]. Despite that, the ''Marders'' continued to serve to the end of the war.
  
 
{{break}}
 
{{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-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}}
 
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
−
An antitank vehicle designed by Alkett. The prototype was built in June, 1942. It was produced from November, 1942 to April, 1943 at the BMM factory. The Marder II Ausf.H was also rebuilt from damaged tanks at the Wehrmacht factory in Prilougi using cabins obtained from BMM.
+
An antitank vehicle designed by Alkett. The prototype was built in June 1942. It was produced from November 1942 to April 1943 at the BMM factory. The Marder II Ausf. H was also rebuilt from damaged tanks at the Wehrmacht factory in Prilougi using superstructures obtained from BMM.
  
 
Marder IIIs were used actively on all fronts of World War II. Most of them were used on the Eastern Front.
 
Marder IIIs were used actively on all fronts of World War II. Most of them were used on the Eastern Front.
  
−
A total of 613 Marder III Ausf.H tank destroyers were produced.
+
A total of 613 Marder III Ausf. H tank destroyers were produced.
 
{{Navigation-End}}
 
{{Navigation-End}}
  

Revision as of 03:24, 6 July 2023

Introducing Wiki 3.0
This page is about the German tank destroyer Marder III H. For the other version III, see Marder III.
Marder III H
germ_pzkpfw_38t_marder_iii_ausf_h.png
GarageImage Marder III H.jpg
ArtImage Marder III H.png
Marder III H
Germany flag.png Germany
II Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
3.0 3.0 3.0
Class:
Research:7 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:10 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png

Description

The Marder III H officially designated PaK40/3 auf Sfl.38 Ausf. H (Sd.Kfz. Index: Sd.Kfz. 138) is a rank II German tank destroyer with a battle rating of 3.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.47 "Big Guns".

The Marder III H is a step above the basic Marder III. As it is in Germany's open-top tank destroyer line, its calling card is its superb firepower, in fact, it has the most powerful gun for the 2.0-4.0 BR range. APCBC is almost always enough to penetrate and destroy any tank on the battlefield, and with APCR, it has the highest penetration of any tank for its battle rating range, even at battle rating 5.0 your gun will remain competitive.

The Marder III Ausf. H mounts a 75 mm gun, slightly surpassing those on the late Panzer IV's⁣; thus its only disadvantages are its weak armour and its open fighting compartment.

Being a modified Pz.38(t) tank, it is one of the more mobile of the German tanks, nearly matching some Russian tanks. The gun is better at close range and the gun shield is curved to the sides, unlike the earlier Marder III.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull50 / 15 / 15
Turret15 / 15 / 0
Crew4 people
Visibility87 %

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°) N/A N/A

Note:

  • Belly armour is 15 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB49 / 7 km/h
RB and SB45 / 7 km/h
Number of gears5 forward
1 back
Weight11.0 t
Engine power
AB286 hp
RB and SB150 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB26.0 hp/t
RB and SB13.6 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 49 7 11 213 286 19.36 26
Realistic 45 7 133 150 12.09 13.64

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB434 → 536 Sl icon.png
RB491 → 607 Sl icon.png
SB597 → 738 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications6 900 Rp icon.png
6 720 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost530 Ge icon.png
Crew training3 000 Sl icon.png
Experts10 000 Sl icon.png
Aces115 Ge icon.png
Research Aces160 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
30 / 50 / 60 % Sl icon.png
112 / 112 / 112 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
460 Rp icon.png
Cost:
450 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
310 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
55 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
310 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
55 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
430 Rp icon.png
Cost:
420 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
750 Rp icon.png
Cost:
730 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
750 Rp icon.png
Cost:
730 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
460 Rp icon.png
Cost:
450 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
310 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
55 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement ger.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
430 Rp icon.png
Cost:
420 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
460 Rp icon.png
Cost:
450 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
75mm_kwk_37_40_HEAT_ammo_pack
Research:
310 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
55 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
310 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
55 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
75mm_kwk_40_APCR_ammo_pack
Research:
430 Rp icon.png
Cost:
420 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
430 Rp icon.png
Cost:
420 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
75mm_ger_Smoke_ammo_pack
Research:
750 Rp icon.png
Cost:
730 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png

Always go for "Parts" and "FPE" first to increase the vehicle's survivability. The stock shell is quite effective, so the Ml.Gr 38B HEAT shell and PzGr 40 APCR shell are not priorities either. Instead, focus on mobility upgrades and the Horizontal Drive modification. After that, the order of research will be determined by personal preference.

Armaments

Main armament

75 mm PaK40/3 L46 cannon
Ammunition38 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
7.6 → 5.9 s
Vertical guidance-9° / 9°
Horizontal guidance-28° / 28°
Main article: PaK40/3 L46 (75 mm)
75 mm PaK40/3 L46 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 38 ±9° ±28° N/A 10.57 14.63 17.76 19.63 20.89 7.67 6.79 6.25 5.90
Realistic 7.14 8.40 10.20 11.28 12.00

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 APCBC 151 148 135 121 108 96
Hl.Gr 38B HEAT 80 80 80 80 80 80
PzGr 40 APCR 182 177 159 140 122 107
Sprgr. 34 HE 10 10 10 10 10 10
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 APCBC 792 6.8 1.2 14 28.9 48° 63° 71°
Hl.Gr 38B HEAT 450 4.4 0.05 0.1 872.1 62° 69° 73°
PzGr 40 APCR 990 4.1 - - - 66° 70° 72°
Sprgr. 34 HE 550 5.74 0 0.1 686 79° 80° 81°
Smoke shell characteristics
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Screen radius
(m) 		Screen deploy
time (s) 		Screen hold
time (s) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
K.Gr.Rot Nb. 540 6.2 13 5 20 50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Marder III H
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		5th
rack empty 		6th
rack empty 		7th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
38 37 (+1) 33 (+5) 25 (+13) 22 (+16) 14 (+24) 11 (+27) 1 (+37) No
  • Gun shield empty (racks 1 & 2 emptied): 33 (+5).

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

Since you are an unprotected tank from behind, try to be as far from the action as possible. If getting close to enemy tanks cannot be prevented (Urban maps, allies retreat etc.), then try to face at least a part of your hull against a wall or rock.

Use the horizontal range of the Marder III H as much as possible, the gun traverse is excellent for a turretless SPG. This tank destroyer can be penetrated easily; it has next to no armour at its battle rating. Keep close to other tanks to prevent this. Furthermore, it is imperative to exercise caution when being subjected to artillery fire; a single close hit, especially to your unprotected rear, can result in your demise due to shrapnel. Another important aspect to consider is the fact that ammunition is stored in the nearly unarmoured superstructure. Nearly any vehicle in the game, with the notable exception of the GAZ-AAA (4M), can penetrate there with ease. To mitigate the risk of ammo rack explosion, bring fewer shells, 33 are more than enough. Another fact to consider is that nearly all shells will over penetrate the gun shield and not explode.

The Marder III H's main APCBC shell, the PzGr 39, is good enough against most standard medium tank models like the M4 Sherman and T-34 from a frontal and slightly angled perspective. However, the penetration performance against sloped armour is only just enough under these circumstances, and an extreme angle of attack beyond 60° on those tanks' part can cause rounds heading towards their front glacis to bounce. This makes up-armoured models like the T-34E and T-34E STZ particularly dangerous, as they can defeat the APCBC shell's sloped performance even at slight angles. While the T-34E has enhanced side armour, the T-34E STZ features increased front armour to bounce shots, so be sure to distinguish the two models for a more profound understanding on where to aim.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Outstanding gun, can knock out frontally common foes like T-34, M4, Churchill I with a single shot
  • Armour protects the crew from MG fire, and is thin enough for explosive AP rounds to over-penetrate
  • Fairly small tank destroyer can hide behind most obstacles
  • Good -9° gun depression, good for most hills
  • Excellent horizontal arc of 30°, allowing hiding easily
  • Amazing penetration of APCR, effective even in uptiers

Cons:

  • Vulnerable to HE shell overpressure (e.g. from SU-122)
  • Not fully enclosed (exposed crew), vulnerable to MG, bombs, and strafing planes
  • Poor +9° gun elevation can be unsuitable in certain situations
  • Shells can overpenetrate some lightly armoured vehicles (e.g. ZiS-12 94KM, Chi-Ha LG)

History

Development

After the start of Operation Barbarossa, the Wehrmacht found itself in a very dire situation due to the lack of adequate mobile anti-tank weapons, especially after the appearance of the superior Soviet T-34 and KV-1 tanks. The only mass-issued dedicated anti-tank gun was the 37 mm Pak 36 while the sole widely used tank destroyer was the Panzerjäger I with the Czech 47 mm anti-tank gun. Obsolete tanks and captured vehicles were converted to tank destroyers to enable them to penetrate the modern Soviet tanks at common combat distances. Those were mainly the Marder I (from French Lorraine tracked supply vehicles), the Marder II (from Panzer IIs), and the Marder III (from Czech Panzer 38(t)s).

Specifications

The Marder IIIs, like the rest of the Marder series, were self-propelled guns better suited for fighting enemy armour than the Panzer IIIs and IVs then in service. They mounted dedicated anti-tank guns such as the 75 mm Pak 40 or captured Soviet 76.2 mm guns, mainly the F-22. All the Marders were open-topped vehicles, leaving the crew exposed to mortar fire, shrapnel, or infantry fire. This weakness was mitigated by the fact that the Marders were supposed to be tank destroyers that are to ambush incoming enemy tanks or shoot them from afar.

The Marder III Ausf. H used the Panzer 38(t) chassis because it was becoming obsolete, and when new, desperately needed more powerful anti-tank weapons became available, as a stop-gap measure they were mounted on outdated tanks like the Panzer 38(t) first. The finished self-propelled mount had a higher silhouette, which left it more vulnerable, but had a 75 mm Pak 40 gun and could hold 38 rounds in the vehicle. A machine gun on the hull was retained for anti-infantry purposes.

The Marder III Ausf. H predecessor, simply named as the Marder III mounted a rechambered 76.2 gun instead of a Pak 40. 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 versions were created or converted from Panzer 38(t) during its production life.

Combat usage

The Marder III Ausf. H fought on all fronts of the war, being produced from 1942 to 1945, with 450 Marder III Ausf. H with the Pak 40 converted and produced. Using the tested design of the Panzer 38(t), the Marder III was mechanically reliable and had a gun that could take out most allied tanks in the war. The vulnerability of 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 a poor assault vehicle or tank substitute, it allows infantry to easily kill the crew from ambushes. Despite that, with the deteriorating situation during the last years of the war, they were nevertheless used this way and suffered considerable losses.

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 would eventually become 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 by Alkett. The prototype was built in June 1942. It was produced from November 1942 to April 1943 at the BMM factory. The Marder II Ausf. H was also rebuilt from damaged tanks at the Wehrmacht factory in Prilougi using superstructures obtained from BMM.

Marder IIIs were used actively on all fronts of World War II. Most of them were used on the Eastern Front.

A total of 613 Marder III Ausf. H tank destroyers were produced.


Media

Skins
Videos
The Hetzer's Useless Uncle? - Marder III Ausf. H.
-Military History Visualized

See also

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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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