Self-propelled guns of the Second World War. Self-propelled artillery mounts. With new guns to a new life

Anti-tank self-propelled artillery mounts during World War II they were in great demand. Often they were cheaper than tanks, built faster, but at the same time they were well armed and could deal with any enemy tank on the battlefield. The most successful anti-tank self-propelled guns of the big war are considered the Soviet SU-100 and the German Jagdpanther. But which one is better?

Mobility

SU-100

The SU-100 was equipped with a V-2-34 diesel engine with a capacity of 500 hp. with., which allowed self-propelled guns weighing 31.6 tons to reach speeds of up to 50 km / h, and on a country road - about 20 km / h. Fuel consumption was about 180 liters per 100 km.

Considering that only 400 liters of diesel fuel were placed in the internal tanks, the Su-100 was equipped with four external additional cylindrical fuel tanks with a capacity of 95 liters. With them, the power reserve increased to 310 km.

The SU-100 was equipped with a five-speed manual transmission with constant mesh gears. A simple and reliable undercarriage was completely borrowed from the T-34-85 tank.

Jagdpanther

The Jagdpanther was fairly easy to operate: the driver had a semi-automatic gearbox with preselection. Seven speeds forward and one reverse. The self-propelled gun was controlled using levers.

The power of the 12-cylinder V-shaped engine "Maybach" HL230P30 is 700 hp. This was enough to accelerate the 46-ton Jagdpanther to 46 km / h on the highway and 24 km / h off-road.

The cruising range on the highway was only 210 km. Gasoline OZ 74 (octane number 74) was poured into six tanks - a total of 700 liters. Fuel was supplied to the carburetors using a "Solex" pump, additionally there was a manual pump. 42 liters of oil were poured into a dry engine, 32 liters were poured when changing the oil.

The chassis of the Jagdpanther was completely borrowed from the medium tank PzKpfw V "Panther", it provided the self-propelled gun with a smooth ride and more uniform pressure on the ground. On the other hand, the repair of such a running gear was a real nightmare: to replace just one roller from the inner row, it was necessary to dismantle from 1/3 to half of all outer rollers.

armor protection

Armored felling Su-100 assembled from rolled armor plates, the thickness of the frontal part was 75 mm. It was at an angle of 50 degrees. The thickness of the side and stern armor reached 45 mm, and the roof - 20 mm. The gun mantlet was protected by 110 mm armor. The armor of the commander's cupola in a circle was 45 mm. The frontal plate was weakened by a large driver's hatch.

The hull of the self-propelled guns was made as a single unit with the cabin and was assembled by welding from rolled armor plates. The bottom consisted of four sheets connected by welded seams, reinforced overlays.

Design featureJagdpanther consisted in the fact that the cabin was a single unit with the hull, and was not attached to it with bolts or welding. The frontal armor of the self-propelled guns had excellent geometry and was practically invincible.

The front sheet with a thickness of 80 mm was placed at an angle of 55 degrees. The projectile resistance was only slightly reduced by the presence of a slot in the driver's viewing device and the embrasure of the course machine gun. The thickness of the side armor of the cabin was 50 mm, and the stern - 40 mm. The sides and rear of the hull were protected by 40 mm armor, and the roof was covered with 25 mm armor plates.

It should be noted that the walls of the hull and the cabin had different angles of inclination, which contributed to the dissipation of the kinetic energy of the projectiles. Additionally, welds were reinforced with tongues and grooves. The hull was assembled from rolled steel heterogeneous plates, and its mass was 17 tons.

Armament

SU-100 It was equipped with a 100-mm D-10S rifled gun of the 1944 model. The initial velocity of the armor-piercing projectile was 897 m/s. Shooting was carried out using a telescopic sight TSh-19, which had a fourfold increase and a field of view of 16 degrees.

The SU-100 did not have sub-caliber shells in its ammunition load (they appeared in 1966), only armor-piercing ones. From 1000 meters, the SU-100 gun pierced 135 mm armor plate, from 500 m - 155 mm. Guidance of the gun could be carried out in the vertical plane in the range from -3 to +20 degrees and in the horizontal ± 8 degrees.

For self-defense, the crew was equipped with 7.62-mm PPSh-41 submachine guns, 1420 rounds of ammunition, as well as 4 anti-tank and 24 fragmentation grenades. The ammunition load of the gun was 33 unitary shots.

Jagdpanther was armed with a long-barreled 88 mm Pak 43/3 L/71 cannon. The horizontal pointing angle of the gun is +11°, the elevation angle is +14°, the declination is 8°. In the ammunition load, consisting of 57 unitary shells, there were three types of ammunition: high-explosive fragmentation, armor-piercing and armor-piercing sub-caliber.

Armor-piercing projectiles PzGr39 / 1 weighing 10.2 kg had an initial speed of 1000 m / s and pierced armor 185 mm thick from a distance of 500 m, from 1000 m - 165 mm, from 2000 m - 132 mm. Sub-caliber PzGr. 40/43 weighed less - 7.5 kg and had a higher initial speed - 1130 m / s. They pierced armor 153 mm thick from a distance of 2000 m, 193 mm from 1000 m, and 217 mm at a distance of 500 meters.

The rate of fire of the gun was 6-8 rounds per minute, and the shooting was carried out using telescopic sights SflZF5, and later - WZF1 / 4. The latter was the most advanced and had a 10x magnification at an angle of view of 7 degrees.

For defense against infantry, a 7.92-mm MG-34 machine gun equipped with an optical sight was installed in the front plate, in addition, the self-propelled guns were armed with a Nahverteidungswaffe melee grenade launcher. In the ammunition of the latter there were fragmentation, smoke, signal or lighting grenades. The grenade launcher had a circular sector of fire and could fire at a distance of up to 100 m. In addition, the crew had two MP-40 submachine guns with 384 rounds of ammunition.

Fire extinguishing system

Self-propelled gunners burned often and terribly, so the fire extinguishing system cannot be ignored. At the disposal of the crew Su-100 there were tetrachlorine fire extinguishers, which could only be used in gas masks. The fact is that when carbon tetrachloride hit hot surfaces, a chemical reaction occurred, as a result of which the toxic substance phosgene was formed.

Jagdpanther could boast of an automatic fire extinguishing system, which operated as follows: when the temperature inside the car exceeded the threshold of 120 degrees, the first fire extinguisher flooded the fuel pump and carburetors with the SV fire mixture. The second one filled the engine housing with the same mixture. The ACS crew had three small hand-held fire extinguishers.

Outcome

Summing up, we note that the Jagdpanther was superior to the SU-100 in terms of crew comfort, quality of sights, ammunition load and armor penetration.

At the same time, the German self-propelled gun was inferior in mobility and manufacturability, as well as reliability - most of the diseases of the PzKpfw V "Panther" tank passed to the self-propelled guns.

During the war, only about 400 Jagdpanthers were produced, while the SU-100, taking into account post-war production, was 4976 units. Due to its simplicity and reliability, the SU-100s are still fighting. For example, not so long ago, these self-propelled guns were seen in Yemen, while German self-propelled guns can only be seen in the museum.

At the initial stage of World War II, German troops captured rich European trophies, among which were the armored vehicles of the defeated countries. The Germans used some of the tanks with little or no modifications, and on the chassis of some of them they created armored vehicles for various purposes: from ammunition transporters to self-propelled howitzers, which were often produced in very limited series. This article will focus on self-propelled howitzers Sturmpanzer II (Bison II) (only 12 pieces were produced), G.Pz. Mk. VI (e) (18 built: 6 with 150mm and 12 with 105mm howitzers) and 10.5 cm leFH 18/3(Sf) B2(f) (only 16 built).

Sturmpanzer II (Bison II)

A somewhat unexpected, albeit quite natural, success in the combat use of improvised self-propelled guns armed with a 150-mm sIG 33 howitzer and built on the basis of light tank Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.B, opened a "second wind" for obsolete tanks. Work on the installation of various artillery systems on tank chassis in Germany continued. Since 1940, attempts to install heavy 150-mm howitzers, so necessary to support infantry on the battlefield, have been made many times in Germany.

German designers worked with various chassis of both light and medium tanks: from Pz.Kpfw.I to Pz.Kpfw.IV. Even before the Sturmpanzer I Bison went into production, German designers had plans to create something more efficient, built on the chassis and components of the Pz.Kpfw.II tanks. In October 1940, Alkett assembled the first prototype based on the chassis of the Panzer II Ausf B tank, which, as it turned out, did not provide enough space to accommodate such a massive gun, and also could not sufficiently dampen the recoil of the gun when fired. At the same time, the infantry 150-mm howitzer sIG 33 was placed on the tank without a carriage and wheels.

On February 18, 1941, the decision was made to build the Sturmpanzer II (sometimes referred to as the Bison II) on a modified Pz.Kpfw.II tank chassis. The layout was left the same, but the hull of the tank was lengthened by 600 mm and expanded by 330 mm. One additional track roller was added to the undercarriage, in the end there were six of them. Unlike many German self-propelled guns, the same Sturmpanzer I Bison model, which resembled a birdhouse on caterpillars, or Wespe self-propelled guns, the new self-propelled howitzer did not have armor plates protecting the calculation along the entire length of the superstructure. Due to the almost complete absence of an armored tube, the height of the self-propelled guns was small.

The armament remained unchanged. An infantry 150-mm howitzer sIG 33 was used, which the Germans installed on no tank chassis. The gun was equipped with a regular Rblf36 telescopic sight, which provided a twofold increase. The ammunition load consisted of 30 shots almost entirely of high-explosive fragmentation, but they could also be used to combat armored targets. cumulative ammunition. The stowage carried a 7.92 mm MG34 machine gun, designed to protect against enemy infantry.

The driver of the self-propelled gun was located in a small armored wheelhouse in front of the fighting compartment. Unlike the base tank, it had a hatch for boarding and disembarking from a combat vehicle. The power plant, chassis elements and transmission were borrowed from serial tank. The engine remained the same. It was a Maybach HL62 TRM 6-cylinder gasoline engine that developed 140 hp. at 2800 rpm. According to other data, serial self-propelled guns could use the Büssing-NAG L8V engine with a maximum power of 150 hp. also at 2800 rpm.

The fuel was placed in two tanks with a total capacity of 200 liters. To ensure better cooling, two large hatches were cut into the roof of the engine compartment. This was also done because self-propelled guns were originally planned to be used in North Africa, where the African Corps under the command of General Rommel had already been transferred. The transmission was inherited from the tank and included a mechanical gearbox (5 speeds forward and one reverse) of the ZF Aphon SSG46 type, main and side clutches, as well as band brakes.

After all the changes, the weight of the self-propelled gun increased to 11.2 tons, which was 2.3 tons more than the base version of the tank. However, this fact did not have a serious impact on the driving performance of the car. The Sturmpanzer II could still reach 40 km/h on the highway. But the power reserve slightly decreased from 200 km (at the tank) to 180 km when driving on paved roads.
The production of self-propelled guns was carried out by Alkett in December 1941 - January 1942, in total 12 self-propelled howitzers were assembled during this period. Of these, the 707th and 708th companies of heavy infantry guns were formed, which were sent to the North African theater of operations. Here they were quite actively used in battles, took part in the battle of El Alamein. The last Sturmpanzer II (Bison II) were captured by the Allies in May 1943 after the surrender of German troops in Tunisia.

Tactical and technical characteristics of Sturmpanzer II:
Overall dimensions: length - 5410 mm, width - 2600 mm, height - 1900 mm, ground clearance - 340 mm.
Combat weight- 11.2 t.
The power plant is a Büssing-NAG L8V liquid-cooled carburetor engine, 150 hp.
Maximum speed - 40 km / h (on the highway), about 20 km / h (on rough terrain).
Power reserve - 180 km.
Armament - 150 mm sIG 33 infantry howitzer and one 7.92 mm MG34 machine gun in stowage.
Ammunition - 30 shots.
Crew - 4 people.

After the capture of France, German troops received at their disposal a wide variety of captured tanks of the most different years release, which were in different technical condition. Among other things, the Germans got about 160 heavy French tanks Char B1 bis. Most of them were used by the Germans without any special alterations, about 60 tanks were converted into flamethrower tanks, and 16 became 105-mm self-propelled howitzers, the full name is 10.5-cm leichte Feldhaubitze 18/3 (Sf.) auf Geschützwagen B2 (f) 740 (f).

The decision to create self-propelled artillery installations on the basis of the chassis of captured French tanks was made in Germany in March 1941. They were planned to be used to support the Flammenwerfer Auf Pz.Kpfw.B2 flamethrower tanks created on the same tank chassis. The task set before the designers was quickly enough solved by installing a 105-mm light field howitzer leFH18 in the open cabin. To do this, the tank turret with a 47-mm gun, as well as a 75-mm howitzer in the hull, were dismantled. On the roof of the fighting compartment there was a fixed cabin, in the front sheet of which a new gun was mounted. The cutting thickness was 20 mm, the roof was missing. Pointing angles in the vertical plane ranged from -4 to +20 degrees, in the horizontal plane 15 degrees to the left and right. Carried ammunition consisted of 42 rounds.

It is worth noting that the 105-mm light field howitzer leFH 18 throughout the Second World War formed the basis of the Wehrmacht field artillery, so its choice was not accidental. The howitzer was in service with light battalions of artillery regiments and was the basis of all German divisional artillery. According to official data, the Wehrmacht was armed with up to 7076 howitzers of this type. Naturally, at different times, German designers considered various options for increasing the mobility of this artillery system by installing it on various tank chassis.

The first prototype of the new self-propelled guns with a cabin made of non-armored steel was ready by June 1941. At the same time, by the time work began, there were quite a few fully serviceable chassis of French heavy tanks. According to the production plans of the Armament Directorate in 1941, only 10 of these self-propelled howitzers were produced in two batches of 5 vehicles. In 1942, another 6 tanks were converted in this way. Thus, Rheinmetall Borsig, located in Düsseldorf, assembled a total of 16 self-propelled artillery mounts of this type.

The dimensions of the new self-propelled howitzer were very impressive (almost 3 meters high, 6.5 meters long), its appearance could be called absurd. But if the size of the self-propelled gun was not such a serious drawback, then the large weight had a stronger effect. The combat weight of the vehicle was inherited from heavy tank and amounted to at least 32.5 tons, which was quite a lot for the 307-horsepower engine that remained unchanged. Even when driving on the highway, the self-propelled guns did not reach speeds of more than 28 km / h, and its power reserve was relatively small - 150 km.

All issued self-propelled guns received a letter designation in alphabetical order- from A to P. All vehicles entered service with the 93rd artillery regiment of the 26th tank division. The regiment had three batteries of 4 self-propelled howitzers each, and 4 more vehicles were above the norm. During the operation of this military equipment, shortcomings were identified almost immediately, which included low maneuverability and congestion of the chassis, which often led to breakdowns. As of May 31, 1943, 14 vehicles remained combat-ready in the regiment. At the same time, they were transferred to the training unit located in Le Havre, and 12 Wespe self-propelled guns came in their place. However, in the future, as the situation at the front worsened, self-propelled guns were again returned to service. They were attached to the 90th Panzer Division, which operated in Sardinia.

The performance characteristics of 10.5 cm leFH 18/3(Sf) B2(f):
Overall dimensions: length - about 6.5 m, width - 2.4 m, height - about 3 m.
Combat weight - 32.5 tons.
The power plant is a 6-cylinder Renault gasoline engine with an HP 307 power.
Maximum speed - up to 28 km / h (on the highway).
Power reserve - 135-150 km.
Armament - 105 mm leFH 18/3 light field howitzer and one 7.92 mm MG34 machine gun in stowage.
Ammunition - 42 shots.
Crew - 4 people.

G.Pz. Mk. VI(e)

Unlike numerous French armored vehicles, British tanks were never used or modified by the Germans en masse. The only exceptions to some extent were the light British tanks Mk VI. Apparently, for the reason that they formed the basis of the tank fleet of the British Expeditionary Force in France and were captured by the Germans in at least some significant quantities. On the chassis of these tanks, the Germans manufactured two types of self-propelled guns, armed with a 105-mm light field howitzer leFH 16 and a 150-mm heavy field howitzer 15 cm sFH 13.

In both cases, it was about the use of outdated artillery systems from the period of the First World War. A variant of the self-propelled howitzer with the full designation 10.5cm leFh16 auf Fgst Geschutzwagen Mk.VI(e) was ready in the summer of 1940. Improvements to the machine were primarily associated with the installation on tank chassis 105 mm howitzers on a special carriage. An artillery gun with a barrel length of 22 calibers and not having a muzzle brake received vertical guidance angles ranging from -8 to +41 degrees. The crew of the self-propelled gun included 5 people: a driver, a commander, a gunner and two loaders.

The howitzer was located in an armored cabin open at the top and rear, which appeared in place of the tank turret in the rear of the combat vehicle. The thickness of the cabin armor ranged from 12 to 20 mm, the cabin armor plates were located at small angles and provided protection from bullets and shrapnel. The installation of the 150 mm sFH 13 howitzer was also considered as an alternative option. However, a gun of such a large caliber for the chassis of a British light tank was too powerful, which led to problems when firing. However, several captured tanks (up to 6) were still armed with such a weapon.

In total, the Germans collected 12 self-propelled units, armed with a 105 mm howitzer, and 6 with a 150 mm howitzer. For their release, the best-preserved British tanks Mk.VIb and Mk.VIc were used, which were stored at collection points for captured equipment in France. In fact, these were tankettes with rotating turrets, weighing just over 5 tons. On the basis of these light British tanks, the Germans also created an ammunition transporter (12 vehicles) and a mobile observation post (4 vehicles). All self-propelled guns and related equipment entered service with the 227th artillery regiment, as well as the newly formed 1st battery of assault guns as part of this part.

Most likely, the self-propelled guns, along with the regiment, left for the Eastern Front in October 1941. These self-propelled howitzers received their baptism of fire in the battles near Leningrad. Moreover, according to the Germans, they could even be used to fight Soviet tanks. Self-propelled guns on the English chassis fought in the USSR until the end of 1942, when the last vehicles of this type were lost in battles.

The performance characteristics of the G.Pz. Mk. VI(e):
Combat weight - 6.5 tons.
The power plant is a Meadows ESTE 6-cylinder gasoline engine with an HP 88 power.
Armament is a 105 mm leFH 16 field howitzer and one 7.92 mm MG34 machine gun.
Crew - 5 people.

What did foreigners fight on? How did the first anti-tank installation appear? why were there many more German types of tank destroyers than other states? It's simple ... The Germans came up with the PT.

SAU Sturmgeschutz III
The Sturmgeschutz (StuG III) was originally conceived as a motorized field gun to support infantry. Nevertheless, during the Second World War, she proved to be an excellent tank destroyer.
The idea of ​​self-propelled guns was developed by Oberst Erich von Manstein, who before the war served in the main headquarters of the Wehrmacht. In a 1935 memorandum, he proposes the development of a new armored weapon "which could be used both for offensive and defensive operations, supporting the infantry at critical moments."
Underestimated Armored Tank
This idea was the result of experience gained during the First World War, when the Germans, surprised by the appearance of enemy armored vehicles. Breaking through their defenses, were powerless in the fight with new machines. To impede the advance of armored vehicles, they had to use horse-drawn field guns. Although von Manstein's idea was attractive, it was not unanimous. General Guderian, creator of the new Panzerwaffe (armored forces), objected strongly to him. He was afraid of losing the production capacity to produce an armored infantry support tank.
On the eve of World War II, the German military industry was operating at full capacity. The situation became acute when SPG supporters were accused of "accelerating the decline of the armored army." But after the first battles of 1939-1940, these charges were quickly dropped. Several self-propelled guns have proven their worth.
Obvious benefits
As the months passed, the idea of ​​a new machine was outlined, and no one else opposed the development of a new weapon. In the initial drawings, the design was equipped with front and side armor, it did not have a roof and rear protection. The crew was not protected by anything. We solved this problem in the most radical way: we built a fully armored hull. As a basis, the engineers took the Panzer III tank, which was already in production. It was 5 tons lighter than the Panzer IV tank and therefore more comfortable to drive. The short 75 mm L/24 cannon, located on a fixed casemate, was not intended for combat with enemy tanks, but could fire high-explosive shells. The absence of a turret made it possible to make the armored tank compact and low. A less massive and less flashy tank was more difficult to hit with shells. The reduction in weight associated with the absence of a turret made it possible to increase armor. Ultimately, without a turret, the cost of producing a tank decreased, and besides, many parts of the enterprise were already being produced. The new vehicle turned out to be 25% cheaper than a Panzer III tank with a turret.
Once again, the fears of Guderian, who declared excessive costs for the production of a new armored tank, turned out to be groundless. Moreover, when the Panzer III was taken out of production at the end of 1943, the remaining equipment (equipment and tools) and spare parts came in handy, and the price of self-propelled guns decreased even more. Both economically and tactically new car was completely suitable for solving the assigned tasks. But it all depended on the combat zones where it was used. To shoot, the car had to be in line with the target. To follow the target, the car had to rotate around its own axis. This was not a problem in large open areas of fighting on the Eastern Front, but on rough terrain or in urban areas the tank lost its advantages, its maneuverability was limited in narrow areas of land or streets. In addition, if his tracks were damaged, he could not turn, and became defenseless.
Short gun mounts
In June 1936, specialists from the Office of the Armed ground forces(Heereswaffenament) made a request to Daimler-Benz to develop the base of the casemate, while Krupp was developing a gun that was the same as on the first generation Panzer IV tank. After testing five copies of the experimental series in February 1940, mass production of model A (50 copies) began.
The basis of the Panzer III Ausf E or F tank was driven by a Maybach HL 120 TRM 12-cylinder engine with 300 hp. and a speed of 3 thousand rpm. The tracks consisted of 6 wheels, one drive wheel in front and one heavy rear. Three upper track rollers provided tension for the tracks. The crew consisted of only four people. The driver and machine gunner were in front, the gunner and loader were in the rear, in the fighting compartment. They were protected at the front by 50 mm armor, which was 20 mm more than on the Panzer III. The main weapon was a 37 L / 24 75 mm cannon with 44 rounds.
On the field, the self-propelled guns coped with their task perfectly, and it was decided to increase production volumes. The basis for the 320 Sturmgeschutz III Ausf B was the Panzer III Ausf H with a modified gearbox and different track drive wheels. Versions C and D, which were produced from March 1941, received the basis of the Panzer III Ausf G tank with some changes. StuG III Ausf E (284 copies until February 1942) had additional armor for the radio section and the rear machine gun.
long guns
Although the StuG III was effective against infantry and soft targets on the Eastern Front, it was also used to attack armored vehicles. Its armament left much to be desired, the shells did not have armor-piercing abilities, their muzzle velocity was too low. To increase its power, the Model 366 StuG Ausf F was equipped with a 75mm L/43 high velocity cannon. After such a modernization, the Sturmgeschutz could hardly be called a self-propelled gun, it turned into a tank destroyer, direct infantry support became a secondary task.
The basis of the StuG Ausf F was the same as the Panzer III Ausf J-M. The model was produced in March-September 1942. In addition to its armament, the machine had smoke exhausters in the upper part of the hull and front armor 80 mm thick. From June 1942, some StuG Ausf Fs were equipped with the long-barreled StuK 40 L/48 cannon, which fired the Panzergranat-Patrone 39 and could penetrate 96 mm thick armor from a distance of 500 m and at an angle of 30 degrees. StuG III Ausf F / 8 was almost the same, but more simplified and with wider rear armor.
From December 1942 until the end of the war, the attacking troops received 7,720 StuG Ausf Gs, the most numerous. The taller and wider hull ended in a tank commander's turret. Schurtzen protective side shields became common, and some armored vehicles were equipped with a more round gun mantlet. Sturmgeschutz III machines served on all fronts and were considered dangerous weapon. During 1943 they disabled 13,000 enemy tanks. Only one brigade knocked out 1,000 tanks in 15 months of fighting on the Eastern Front. Some Soviet units even received orders not to engage the Sturmgeschutz.

Panzerjager I
At the beginning of 1939, Germany is developing a new type of armored tank - the tank destroyer number 1, or Panzerjager I. The weapon proves its effectiveness, followed by a whole series of similar vehicles.
During wars, natural law comes into play. When the adversary begins to use a weapon that supplants another, the less advantaged one tries in turn to develop a weapon that can counter this threat. This process continues until one of the opponents wins the final victory. In 1918, Germany did not have time to resist the armored tanks of the Entente countries, which were brought into battle en masse, and the Allies won, despite the fact that their tanks were far from perfect. Nevertheless, the Germans reacted quickly, developing the first anti-tank weapons. It could not repel the powerful armored attacks on the Western Front, because it was produced in insufficient quantities. The experience gained was insignificant, and after the Great War, the Reichswehr began testing the entire arsenal of anti-tank weapons. The Treaty of Versailles prohibited Germany from producing "tanks, armored vehicles and other similar devices", but anti-tank weapons were defensive weapons and did not fall under these bans. Since the 1920s, the development of the 37 mm anti-tank gun in Germany has been in full swing.
Hybrid armored tank
In 1939, when the Wehrmacht decided to start developing experimental vehicles based on the design of the Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf B, the first tank destroyers appeared. The idea of ​​such a machine was interesting. The tank destroyer was economical and easy to manufacture, since it did not have a swivel heavy turret. The armored tank was difficult to track down and easy to camouflage. Based on these considerations, the first 47 mm anti-tank gun was installed on the Panzer I, which became the Panzerjager I tank destroyer. The hull of the original tank was retained along with the engine and kinematic chain, while the armored tank lost its turret. Instead, the top of the hull received a 47 mm Skoda cannon, equipped with a front armor plate, but without a running gear. It was supposed to equip the armored tank with a more effective 50 mm cannon, but by that time it was not yet ready. The market was divided between two manufacturers: Alkett, Berlin, assembled 132 Panzerjager I equipped with five protective plates, the Czech factory Skoda (captured by the Germans in 1938) took up the production of 70 other tank destroyers, recognizable by seven protective plates.
The thickness of the reservation was 14.5 mm, the protection was purely symbolic and could not withstand shots and shell fragments. The Czech weapon was considered excellent, but its lateral deflection angle was very small (15 degrees right and left). Nevertheless, the armored tank was well suited for tracking down targets.
In action
The Panzerjager I entered tank destroyer units and was first used during the Battle of France in May 1940. The following year, a Panzerjager battalion was sent to North Africa along with the Afrika Korps, subsequently some of the tanks took part in the battles on the Eastern Front. A little later, when the Allied forces began to use more and more effective tanks, the Panzerjager I fell into disuse. Its low firepower and thin armor made the car easy prey for the enemy. In addition, a too light body did not allow making the necessary changes to the design.
The cessation of production of this armored vehicle did not mean the end of the production of tank destroyers in general. The development of this inexpensive and destructive weapon continued throughout World War II.

Marder I anti-tank gun
The Marder I PT was the answer to the formidable Russian T-34 tanks. The anti-tank weapons used by the Wehrmacht were ineffective against well-designed armor. Soviet tanks.
During the Russian campaign, the Soviet T034 tank became an increasingly obvious and formidable danger. German anti-tank guns of 37 mm and 50 mm caliber proved to be too weak. The German command needed to make a quick decision in order to prevent heavy losses in combat strength. The urgency of the issue did not allow waiting for the development of a new, more effective weapon; it was necessary to modify the existing weapons, adapting them to solving the problem that had arisen. These machines were not perfect, their most important advantage was the possibility of rapid production.
Quick Success
The tank destroyer Marder I is the official name of the Sd. Kfz. 135 - became a temporary solution to the problem. The installations were built hastily, they did not meet all the requirements, but on the whole they coped with the task. In 1941, the Army Ordnance Department decided to use the chassis of captured enemy equipment to assemble the Marder I. The main costs were for the production of the hull. Among the vehicles used in this way were about 400 Lorraine artillery tractors captured by the Germans during an attack on France. According to the handbooks, these were "small supply vehicles with a front engine and transport superstructures in the rear." In addition, the chassis of the French tanks Hotchkiss H35 and H39 were used, and in latest models– installed Panzer II D chassis.
The tracks and suspension of the Lorraine tractors were strong and reliable. Tractor chassis became the basis for the production of Marder I. The hull was a superstructure protected by only 12 mm armor. At first, the installations were equipped with a captured Russian Pak 36 (r) anti-tank gun of 76.2 mm caliber, modified for 75 mm caliber shells. Subsequently, Pak 40/1 L / 46 anti-tank guns of 75 mm caliber were installed. This gun occupied the space originally reserved for the transport compartment. The height of the gun barrel was 2.20 m, the deflection angle of the gun was 50 degrees.
The crew of four was protected by the superstructure and gun shield. However, the armor was vulnerable to individual weapon projectiles and light explosions on the battlefield. Thicker armor was not supposed - its weight would exceed 8 tons, the tank would become too heavy for a 70 hp engine. The chassis of the Lorraine tractor also served as the base for the Sd. Kfz.135/1 equipped with 18/40 caliber light howitzer 100 mm or heavy 13 caliber 150 mm howitzer.
Accommodation
185 Marder I installations were made, and they were mainly part of the occupying forces in France. Some of them were in service with the anti-tank units of the infantry divisions on the Eastern Front, but in 1943 these installations returned to France. Although the Marder I proved effective, military units suffered heavy losses due to the weakness of the armor, which was easily penetrated by any enemy anti-tank gun, even as small a caliber as 36 mm, which was equipped with many American light armored vehicles. This shortcoming was especially clearly manifested in France in 1944 in battles with the liberation Anglo-American troops.
By the end of the war, only six operational Marder Is survived.

Semovente 75/18 and 105/25 self-propelled artillery mounts
The Italian Semovente self-propelled artillery mounts were similar in their characteristics to the German Sturmgeschutz III self-propelled guns. Both German and Italian weapons were generally successful developments. Not surprisingly, after the surrender of Italy in September 1943, German troops seized a number of these weapons.
During the Second World War, Italy produced, among other things, noteworthy weapons, such as the Semovente self-propelled guns. Due to a lack of resources in the country and due to outdated production lines, the Italian military industry was not able to provide an army during a long war, which greatly depressed Mussolini, who dreamed of Italian dominance throughout the Mediterranean. Nevertheless, despite numerous restrictions, Italian engineers managed to develop several types of effective weapons, but production - poorly organized and suffering from constant shortages - could not function properly during a world war that consumed tons of weapons. Only a few developments were accepted for mass production.
Semovente 75/18
At the beginning of the war, artillery colonel Sergio Berlese, being impressed by the Sturmgeschutz used during the French campaign, suggested starting the production of similar weapons. The idea resonated with the command, and in February 1941, the Semovente 75/18 self-propelled guns (meaning "self-propelled"), similar to the German counterpart, appeared. The model was created on the basis of the M13/40 medium tank (an improved version of which is known as the M14/42) and is armed with a 75 mm cannon. Access to the welded cabin was through the top hatch in the top armor. The car was equipped with a Fiat Diesel engine. The crew consisted of a driver, gunner and commander of the self-propelled guns, who were located in the front part, in the armored wheelhouse of the self-propelled guns. Secondary weapon - anti-aircraft machine gun"Breda" caliber 8 mm - mounted on a special support, but for firing the gunner had to leave the wheelhouse. According to the Italian military doctrine, Semovente 75/18 was primarily used for motorized artillery support, which includes the self-propelled guns themselves, which had a howitzer. But very soon, during the North African campaign, it turned out that this self-propelled howitzer with an armored cabin that protected the crew well was able to fight enemy tanks, which turned it into a tank destroyer. In total, at least 765 machines of the 75/18 modification were produced.
The allies responded to the development of this self-propelled guns with a more powerful type of weapon, and the Semovente lost their effectiveness. However, after the capitulation of Italy at the end of the summer of 1943, a large number of these armored vehicles, which were called Sturmgeschutz M42 (i), were in service with the Wehrmacht.
Semovente 105/25
During the months that Italian troops were fighting alongside German troops on the Eastern Front, it became clear that the Semovente 75/18 was lacking in assertiveness in engagements with the numerous Soviet heavy tanks. For equivalent resistance to the enemy, Italian units needed a tank destroyer with more effective weapons. Fiat-Ansaldo started building the 105/25. Nicknamed "bassotto" (meaning "dachshund") by the troops, this vehicle has been hailed over time as one of the finest Italian tanks. From its predecessor, the 105/25 model has retained a low silhouette, compactness and light weight. The chassis of the M14 / 42 tank was expanded, a gasoline engine and a more powerful 105 mm gun were installed, as well as improved armor.
The Wehrmacht was not disappointed, acquiring most of the 90 Semovente 105/25s produced by the Italians. The weapon that fell into the hands of the Germans, according to the nomenclature of the tank troops, received the name Sturmgeschutz M43 (i).

Marder II, improvised tank destroyer
Marder II was built on the basis of the Panzer II tank. Two versions were assembled, the soy equipment depending on the location of the operation. Despite the open cabin at the rear, the tank was quite effective.
At the beginning of World War II, German tanks emerge as a very effective weapon, capable of making breakthroughs and encircling units. The Panzer divisions, which operated in conjunction with the assault air force, really showed themselves during the 1939-1940 blitzkrieg. However, in Operation Barbarossa, the capture Soviet Russia, the German tanks were in for a big surprise. After several successful offensives, some units faced the extremely effective Soviet T-34 medium tank and the difficult-to-qualify KV-1 heavy tank. In June 1941, these vehicles had not yet become a threat, as they were driven by poorly trained crews or they acted erratically. However, in the German headquarters, these machines caused amazement and concern. In combat, the T-34 is superior to the Panzer. With even greater urgency, the German army is in need of tank destroyers suitable for capturing and destroying medium Soviet armored tanks. It is necessary to react quickly, there is almost no time for the creation, development and finishing of a new tank destroyer. During this period, Marder II becomes a temporary unreliable option. In order to buy time, the decision is made to use the already existing basis: to build a tank on the model of an effective German anti-tank gun or a previously captured Soviet gun. This solution allows you to react quickly, build an anti-tank vehicle in record time, reducing the test time. Although the Marder series was not without flaws, this tank was mastered by the German industry, and it was produced until 1944.
First version
The first version of SD. Kfz. 131 is based on the design of the Panzer II tank. Different models were produced: A, B, C and F. Armament includes the formidable Pak 40/2 L/46 75 mm cannon, a weapon capable of fighting the enemy at a great distance. The Pak cannon is housed in an open fighting compartment at the rear top. The sides and front are covered with armor only 10 mm thick. The Achilles' heel of the Marder was that three crew members were exposed to open fire, thereby making the tank very vulnerable. From 1942 to 1943, FAMO, MAN and Daimler-Benz built 53 Marder II tanks. 65 others were going to be released in 1943-1944, until the production of Panzer, on the basis of which the Marder II was built, was discontinued.
Second version
Marder SD. Kfz. 132 was built on the basis of the Panzer II tank models D and F. The Marder D2 was built on the basis of the Flammpanzer II Flamingo flamethrower tank. In both cases, the tank was equipped soviet cannon caliber 76.2 mm, numerous copies of which were captured from 1941 and 1942. For the use of this machine, a special ammunition was developed. Sometimes the Germans chose a version of the Type 296(r) Model 7 gun without a muzzle brake. To accommodate the cannon, the upper part of the fighting compartment was rebuilt.
Approximately 200 Marder Sd machines were assembled. Kfz. 132

SAU Sturmhaubitze 42
Initially, self-propelled artillery mounts were developed as tactical howitzers, but during the war their original role changed, they became self-propelled anti-tank guns (PT SAU). With the Sturmhaubitze 42, the Wehrmacht tried to resurrect the idea of ​​an assault howitzer. The machine as such became a successful development, but during the major tank battles on the Eastern Front at the end of 1942, the shortcomings of the model were quickly revealed.
In his book "German self-propelled artillery installations 1935-1945" (“Die deutschen Sturmgeschutze 1935-1945”) Wolfgang Fleischer describes the advantage of the SPG as follows: “The SPG is a typical German weapon. Although it was developed in the second half of the 1930s, it was successfully used throughout World War II. The fact that these weapons were copied by other countries confirms the merits of this type of weapon and the convenience of its tactical use. However, after 1945, the self-propelled guns completely disappeared from the arsenals.
On full reason we can assume that self-propelled guns are a typical weapon of the Second World War, which ceased to be used after the end of the conflict. A prime example of this type of weapon is the Sturmhaubitze 42.
Assault artillery
The military needed defensive weapons capable, if necessary, to come to the aid of the infantry. Assault artillery, in cooperation with the infantry, was supposed to destroy pockets of resistance and dugouts with direct fire. The choice of such tactics implied some technical features: armor that protects against projectiles on the battlefield; good all-terrain ability; main gun suitable for "soft targets"; low silhouette, so as not to be visible from afar and to be able to act as part of the infantry troops. To cut costs, General Erich von Manstein wanted to use the chassis and suspension of serial tanks.
But very soon it became clear that on the Eastern Front the Soviet tank forces, no matter what they said about their quality, were numerically superior to the German ones. The Sturmgeschutz III self-propelled gun with a StuK 40 L / 43 75 mm gun turned into a successful anti-tank gun. The machine was deprived of a turret, but this disadvantage was compensated by the fact that the self-propelled guns were easier to disguise.
Factories continued to produce Sturmgeschutz tank destroyers, despite the fact that they did not meet the needs of the German tank forces. General Guderian was against the development of such weapons.
Back to the roots
The Sturmhaubitze 42 assault howitzer, according to the high command, was designed to change the trend and return to the use of self-propelled guns. The project began to be considered at the end of 1941. It was supposed to leave the chassis and fighting compartment Sturmgeschutz III (first chassis StuG III Ausf F, later Ausf G) and equip the installation with a 105 mm L / 28 gun. In May 1942, an experimental model was ready. The tests were promising, the weapon made such an impression on Hitler that he demanded that production be accelerated. So the Wehrmacht received a new tracked self-propelled guns. A 105 mm howitzer could hit targets 10-12 km away. Under normal conditions, the number of ammunition did not exceed 36 shells, but the crew of four used every means to increase the number of shells on board.
At the front, the StuH 42 105 mm howitzer worked wonders. The artillery gun, created on the basis of a conventional 10.5 cm FH18 howitzer, was equipped with a powerful muzzle brake, but this was later abandoned to save steel. Until 1945, a little more than 1,200 units rolled off the assembly lines.

Sturmgeschutz IV self-propelled gun
The self-propelled guns were developed on the basis of the Panzer IV chassis with a wheelhouse from Sturmgeschutz III installed on it. More than 1,000 Sturmgeschutz IVs left the factory floors. These reliable and durable self-propelled guns were in operation until the end of the war.
Sturmgeschutz IV was called "the fist of the battle artillery". The machine was intended to provide support to the infantry on the battlefield, and it coped with this task perfectly. During the fighting on the Eastern Front, it turned out that anti-tank defense could not be effective without the use of self-propelled artillery mounts.
A problem was reported from the main headquarters of the Eastern Front: "The numerical superiority of the Russian armored forces, equipped with the latest vehicles, cannot be stopped by a small number of insufficiently effective anti-tank artillery installations, and this led to disaster." The Germans could not repel the attack of Soviet tanks, the infantry units experienced difficulties on the battlefield and in retaliatory attacks. That is why they needed a tank that could quickly and effectively deal with enemy armored vehicles.
Terrible "red avalanche"
The German infantry already had the Sturmgeschutz III self-propelled guns. Nevertheless, at the beginning of 1943, the Soviet command had better control of the situation. German armored units suffered heavy losses and could rarely make up for them, and the Red Army divisions were replenished month after month with new equipment. In 1943 alone, Soviet factories produced 1,600 heavy and medium tanks. If the German army could not stop the avalanche of Soviet tanks, the Germans would face an imminent disaster. The StuG III and IV self-propelled guns turned out to be a serious weapon against the T-34 and KV-1 tanks. The Sturmgeschutz was not technically superior to enemy tanks, and the number of self-propelled guns was very limited (especially the StuG IV), but the improved communication system proved to be excellent on the battlefield.
New self-propelled guns
German industry could not cope with the increasing demands of the navy, land army And air force, and could not provide everyone with the requested number of guns. To strike a balance, it was necessary to develop a technique whose merits would compensate for the lack of quantity. Sturmgeschutz IV, conceived as a tank destroyer, nevertheless remained a self-propelled artillery mount for infantry support. The model replaced the Sturmgeschutz III and was approved by Hitler. The first machine was proposed by Krupp and is equipped with a cabin of the previous model. The first purpose-built vehicle was the StuG III F on a Panzer IV chassis, but its development was not completed due to being too heavy. Other projects (Jagdpanzer IV) appeared before the idea of ​​installing a StuG III wheelhouse on a Panzer IV hull appeared. The British firm Alkett began production of the new tank in February of 1943. In November, the plant was badly damaged and it became necessary to find other production facilities. At the end of the year, the production of self-propelled guns began the company "Krupp". This time the cabin of the StuG III G was chosen, a significant change was the addition of a real helm station. The 75 mm L / 48 cannon (as on the StuG III) remained as a weapon, but the StuG IV weighed less than the previous cabin weighing 900 kg.
Only 1108 cars were produced. This is a small number (despite the fact that more than 9,000 Sturmgeschutz IIIs have been assembled), so the front-line units could not be fully equipped with this effective armored vehicle.

SD. Kfz. 4/1 - half-track rocket launcher
Jet mortar - a modification of the multifunctional chassis of a half-tracked vehicle.
This standard half-track vehicle of the German army was considered by the Allies to be the best in its category. It was superior to the American counterpart, which is in service with the Americans and the British. Durable and efficient. Although difficult to maintain, she performed well in rough terrain. However, Sd. Kfz. 4/1 had a big drawback - expensive production, requiring sophisticated equipment. In other words, this jet mortar was not suitable for mass production. Despite the simplification of production processes during the course of the war, armored half-tracked vehicles were always lacking for motorized troops.
The inability of German industry to supply enough Sd. Kfz. 250 and its various modifications caused a big problem when the Germans on the Eastern Front faced the same enemy that Napoleon's soldiers had faced 140 years earlier - "General Zim". Wheeled vehicles were unable to move through snow and mud. Only tracked and half-tracked vehicles managed to move forward, but these vehicles were designed for combat operations, not logistics. A solution needed to be found quickly.
A simple solution
It was necessary to urgently find a base for creating an off-road model that was not too difficult to manufacture. German designers decided to start developing an economical half-track vehicle, using parts from an existing vehicle. It turned out that it was enough to remove the rear axle and replace it with a caterpillar undercarriage. To further reduce costs, the undercarriage of the British Cardin-Lloyd tankettes, captured in large numbers during the attack on France, was used. From 1942 to 1945, about 22,500 half-tracked vehicles were assembled. A large number of designers were involved in the production of a unique machine, which received the name "Maultier" (Mule). The name reflected the transportation task that this technique performed.
Most of the vehicles retained the wooden cab and body of the original trucks (Opel Blitz), some of them were equipped with armored superstructures for carrying various weapons, others were equipped with a 20 mm Flak cannon for air defense.
Panzerwerfer 42
Opel was developing the Panzerwerfer 42 (and 43) self-propelled rocket launcher on the Maultier chassis. The gun called Nebelwerfer (literally "fog thrower") consisted of ten barrels, which were located in two rows one above the other; the gun could rotate 360 ​​degrees. The range of the projectiles reached 6.7 km, 20 150 mm caliber rockets were placed on board. For some expert opinion, these installations were inferior in power to the famous Katyushas.
As it were, rocket launchers had a strong effect on the psyche. The Allied troops called them Moaning Minnie (roaring mini), and the Russians - "donkey", because of the sound of missiles, similar to the cry of a donkey. Although the armored personnel carrier was equipped with an MG-34 and MG-42 machine gun, nevertheless, the Sd. Kfz. 4/1 was very vulnerable, and heavy and ineffective armor reduced the mobility of the vehicle.
In total, about 300 rocket launchers were produced.

T18 "Hellket" - the fastest tank destroyer
The high-speed, low-hulled M18 Hellcat, with considerable firepower, was one of the most effective tank destroyers of World War II. Despite the fact that the armor protection of the vehicle was weak, it managed to surpass even well-armed heavy tanks.
The tank destroyer was developed directly during the Second World War. Among the advantages of the machine, the military dictionary mentions the following: “The production of tank destroyers is cheaper than the production of classic tanks, since they do not have turrets. In addition, a low hull is easier to camouflage, and since the size of the vehicle is smaller, it is not easy for the enemy to hit it. This description was meant primarily for German self-propelled guns and tank destroyers, but it can also be applied to the excellent American tank destroyer T18.
From the point of view of the American military who participated in World War II, for maximum effectiveness, anti-tank weapons in combat should be used strictly for their intended purpose and for a limited time. He acted as a fast-acting force and was only supposed to fire on enemy tanks. During a surprise attack on German tanks using the tactics of "hit and run" (attack-withdrawal), speed and speed were paramount. Unlike the German tank destroyers, the American tank was equipped with a turret, but it was open so that the crew had good visibility for quick response in case of a collision with the enemy.
The first American tracked tank destroyer, the M10 Wolverine (Wolverine), was equipped with a 76.2 mm M7 cannon. Due to insufficient armor, this car can hardly be called an impeccable development. In addition, the significant size of the machine, although lighter than the M4 Sherman, from which the chassis design was borrowed, made the M10 too noticeable.
Development and creation
In December 1941, the US Artillery Corps issued terms of reference for the development of a fast tank destroyer equipped with a Christie suspension, a Wright Continental engine and a 37 mm cannon. During development and after the first battles in North Africa, the British 57 mm gun and torsion bar suspension were preferred. Further tests showed that the 57 mm cannon was already outdated, and the final choice fell on the 75 mm cannon and then the 76 mm. After the development of the prototype, an experimental series was produced in July 1943, the first copies were assembled at the Buick plant. By October 1944, more than 2500 copies of the combat vehicle had already been assembled.
Unlike other largely unified American tanks, M18 was completely unique, including the chassis. There were rails in the engine compartment, with which it was possible to remove the entire engine block, disconnect the gearbox from it and install a new one in just one hour. "Hellket" reached a speed of 80 km / h due to the maximum reduction in hull weight and light armor. To compensate for the insufficient thickness of the armor, it was attached at an angle, reducing the risk of damage from projectiles, as it became sliding. Thanks to the open turret, the tank commander, driver, loader, gunner and radio operator had good visibility, but were poorly protected. The M18 could only rely on its maneuverability and speed in combat with a better armed but slower enemy.
In operation
The combat report of one of the German tank divisions tells about the meeting with the T18: “The 76 mm M18 gun does not fully reveal its capabilities. In August 1944 alone, the 630th American tank destroyer battalion put out of action 53 German heavy tanks, 15 jet guns, while losing only 17 pieces of equipment. Despite the fact that the 76 mm cannon ultimately could not cope with the Tiger and even the Panther, the M18 could move so fast that it posed a real threat to the enemy. During the Ardennes operation, American paratroopers, supported by four M18s, managed to block the 2nd tank division, cutting it off from the fuel depot and completely depriving it of the ability to move. American fighters tanks put out of action 24 German tanks.

The fighter is "Elephant"
Tank destroyer "Elephant" - an improved version of the previous model "Ferdinand". Despite the fact that the engineers managed to solve some problems (lack of a melee weapon), the Elephant inherited many of the shortcomings of the Ferdinand. However, the size and effectiveness of the main gun impressed the enemy.
During the Second World War, the German military industry was focused on the available weapons. However, technological progress in the enemy countries eventually forced Germany to develop new technology. The Reich experienced a shortage of strategic materials, special steels, and skilled workers, and therefore it was necessary to use or reorient certain technological lines and already tested types of weapons. This is how Elefant was created.
From "Ferdinand" to "Elephant"
"Ferdinand" did not live up to the expectations of the military. This tank destroyer, based on the Tiger (P) chassis, weighed 65 tons, had a hybrid gasoline-electric engine and was equipped with the best anti-tank gun of its time - the Pak 43 L / 71 88 mm cannon. Officially, the car was called "Tiger (P)" (Sd. Kfx. 184) "Ferdinand". In total, 90 Tiger (P) chassis were used for its production.
During the Battle of Kursk in July 1943, the Ferdinands operated as part of the 653rd heavy battalion and destroyed 320 tanks, not counting the self-propelled guns. The 654th heavy battalion accounted for about 500 Soviet tanks. The loss of military equipment of both battalions amounted to 50%, because, contrary to expectations, the Ferdinands were not sufficiently maneuverable. And besides, the lack of machine guns for close combat made the Ferdinand very vulnerable when it was attacked by infantry. A simple mine could easily disable this bulky machine.
48 Ferdinands, which were available during the Battle of Kursk, were immediately sent to the Nibelungen Werke factories in St. Valentine for refinement and re-equipment. Significant changes were made: a commander's cupola and a corps machine gun were added. After these transformations, the car was renamed and became known as "Elephant".
Application at the front
The more efficient "Elephant" gained weight as the transformation progressed, which negatively affected the reliability of its mechanisms. Combat tactical tasks were clarified. The machine has become better adapted to perform independent unexpected tasks and actions that are possible when leaving an ambush and frequently changing positions. Thick armor reliably protected the crew, and the gun made it possible to deal with any enemy tank from a distance of 2000 m. The Elefant proved itself well during the Italian campaign. However, its weight limited its use in the following cases: while traveling through cities; insufficiently mobile machine could not climb steep slopes; in addition, due to the weight of the "Elephant" could not move on some engineering structures.
Although the 200 mm armor protected well from enemy projectiles, the vehicle remained vulnerable to mines and air attacks. If the enemy noticed the "Elephant", then the tank could no longer quickly disappear from view due to low speed, moreover, the electric motor often failed, or the damaged caterpillar immobilized the tank. Do not forget about the gigantic fuel consumption (1000 liters per 100 km on rough terrain!) And the lack of repair equipment that could take such a monster in tow. A large number of "Elephants" were abandoned by the crew members due to mechanical damage, or due to lack of fuel. Nevertheless, the "Elephants" remained in service until the surrender of Germany in 1945. The last Elephants saw action south of Berlin, defending the capital at Zossen, not far from general staff supreme command.

Jagdpanther
The Jagdpanzer was put into production in the German Jagdpanzer V series in 1944 with the official name Sd. Kfz. 173. For its excellent armament and high mobility, this machine was recognized as unsurpassed in its category. The Allies did not accidentally call her "heavy tank destroyer"
When people talk about World War II Jagdpanther-type tank destroyers, they mean a tank with a low superstructure specifically designed to fight other tanks. Unlike combat, such a tank does not have a characteristic rotating defensive tower. In this regard, his shooter can turn the gun a few degrees horizontally and vertically. Since the turretless tank destroyer had to be shown to the enemy frontally, its front part is protected by powerful armor, while the sides and rear part are thin and light. This allowed the designers to significantly save on weight, so that this machine is characterized by greater mobility. These qualities made it possible to develop a special combat tactics"Jagdpanthers". Well camouflaged, she makes a surprise attack on the enemy battle tank, using her gun endowed with tremendous penetrating power. Having met too powerful a barrage from the defenders, she quickly retreats. Then, remaining in ambush, he waits for a convenient moment for the next blow.
The history of the development of "Jagdpanther"
After the Battle of Kursk in the summer of 1943, with the largest tank battles of the Second World War, when both the German and Soviet armies suffered huge losses in a short time, the High Command of the German Ground Forces intensively engaged in the analysis of the reasons for the strategic defeat. Tank destroyers that were in service, such as the Nashhorn and Ferdinand / Elephant, did not cope with their task, or were simply too vulnerable to the enemy. There is a need to create a new model, and urgently. As far back as 1942, the German Army Ordnance Office was looking into the creation of a tank destroyer, and at the same time, Krupp introduced a full-scale wooden model with increased ground clearance, wide tracks and an improved periscope for the driver. Further development was entrusted to Daimler-Benz.
Chassis "Tiger", due to the special requirements for the speed of the new tank destroyer, could not be used because of its bulkiness. Therefore, it was again decided to use the already tested Panther G chassis. Its engine, with a capacity of 700 hp. The Maybach HL handled 45.5 tons of its own weight well.
The onboard gun was placed in an inclined solid superstructure, which had the shape of a pyramid. It has proven to be effective as a defense as well. This was achieved due to the vertical lengthening of the upper side walls of the Panther undercarriage in its front part. The roof had a forward slope of 5 degrees, which affected the lowering of the onboard gun barrel. In a continuous frontal sheet, which had a slope of 35 degrees, a gun embrasure was located.
Armament, armor protection and crew
The Jagdpanther was armed with the well-established 8.8 cm Pak 43 L/71 anti-tank gun from the Royal Tiger and a MG forward machine gun. The onboard gun, placed with a slight offset to the right of the longitudinal axis of the tank, had, in connection with the casemate method of construction, as already mentioned at the beginning, a very limited aiming floor angle: up to 11 degrees. on both sides, as well as +14 gr. and, accordingly, -8 gr. vertically. The thickness of the superstructure armor was extremely solid: the Jagdpanther had 80 mm frontal armor, was protected by 50 mm armor on the sides and 40 mm at the rear.
The crew consisted of five people. Front left at the inspection hatch was the driver's seat. To his right, on the other side of the gun, there was a radio operator who also served the MG 34 course machine gun. Behind him was the tank commander, and behind the driver was the gunner, who performed his function with the help of a surveillance device protected by a special shutter. The fifth, loader, was located at the rear of the superstructure.
"Jagdpanther" in battles
From the very beginning, new tank fighters, from the point of view of the efficiency of their introduction into battle formations, faced great difficulties. In the 15 months remaining until the end of the war, a total of 382 (according to other sources 384) vehicles left the factory buildings, that is, too few to be able to decisively influence the course of battles. “The Jagdpanther2 was used mainly on the Western Front, as, for example, in the successful offensive in December 1944 in the Ardennes, where 51 such tank destroyers participated. There he showed his capabilities in the best possible way, often for some time stopping the offensive march of entire enemy tank columns. In this regard, it is not surprising that, despite the long process of commissioning and the small number of vehicles produced, the Jagdpanther was recognized the best fighter tanks of World War II. This was also recognized by the Allied troops, who spoke of her with respect. She deserved it thanks to the huge penetrating power of her side gun, the Pak-43 armored gun, and incredible mobility.

Inexpensive tank destroyer Chariotir
This British tank destroyer, developed in the early 1950s, was a quick response to the Soviet tank threat. The Charioteer was equipped with the chassis of the popular Cromwell tank and a powerful anti-tank gun. The model turned out to be quite successful, but despite this, the tank was produced in small quantities.
After 1945, the tension between West and East increased more and more. The Americans had atomic bomb, and the USSR was ahead of the United States in the field of armored vehicles, Soviet army outnumbered American armored forces. In this area, the Soviet Union has advanced far in the field of technology. Western tanks were largely inferior to the T-54 developed in 1947, the workhorse of Soviet mechanized units. In the autumn of 1945, the invulnerable IS-3 saw the light, equipped with a sloping turret with 255 mm thick armor.
The forces of NATO (an organization created in 1949) urgently needed new tanks to counter the wave of new Soviet technology that could hit Western Europe at any moment. But the development and production of a new tank takes time. Chariotir is one of the machines that were developed in urgently in a tense political environment.
Development
Chariotir (which means "charioteer", that is, the one who drove the wagon in antiquity) was created on the basis of the Cromwell tank. After the end of World War II, Great Britain had hundreds of 27-ton tanks, which developed high speed, but were equipped with an obsolete 75 mm gun. To reduce costs and gain time, it was decided to install a new turret with a powerful anti-tank gun on the chassis of the Cromwell tank. The weapon already existed. It was the 84mm Centurion cannon, which had just begun to be produced. It remains only to create a tower. The new turret could fit only two people, but it could carry more ammunition than could fit in the Centurion's turret. The test results were promising - Chariotir weighed 10 tons less than the Centurion, but was worse armored. Soon, the conversion of the Cromwell chassis for the tank destroyer was entrusted to Robinson and Kershaw.
Design
Almost no changes were made to the chassis and hull of the Cromwell tank, five rollers and tracks without rotary rollers remained in place. The Rolls-Royce Meteor engine was still quite powerful. The main difference was in the tower, which became taller and took on a characteristic trapezoidal shape. FV 4101 Chariotir (the official name of the tank) was equipped with the best armor compared to the Cromwell tank (57 mm in front and 30 mm on the sides), but this thickness was not enough to withstand the new generation of Soviet tanks. Despite a slight increase in weight compared to the Cromwell, the Chariotir retained the excellent mobility of its predecessor.
The fighting compartment could accommodate 2-3 people and 50 shells. The 20-pounder Ordnance QF (which replaced the 17-pounder of the Second World War) was based on the German 88-mm gun, from which it adopted its length of 66.7 calibers. The gun fired armor-piercing projectiles with a ballistic head (1020 m / s) and arrow-shaped projectiles capable of speeds up to 1350 m / s. A total of 442 copies of the Chariotir tank were produced. They entered the tank regiments of the infantry divisions. In the mid-1950s, tanks entered service with foreign tank armies.

In connection with the appearance of tanks with more and more powerful armor in the enemy, it was decided to create a more powerful self-propelled artillery mount on the basis of the T-34 tank than the SU-85. In 1944, such an installation was put into service under the name "SU-100". To create it, the engine, transmission, chassis and many components of the T-34-85 tank were used. The armament consisted of a 100 mm D-10S cannon mounted in a wheelhouse of the same design as the SU-85 wheelhouse. The only difference was the installation on the SU-100 on the right, in front, of a commander's cupola with observation devices for the battlefield. The choice of gun for arming the self-propelled gun proved to be very successful: it perfectly combined rate of fire, high muzzle velocity, range and accuracy. It was perfect for fighting enemy tanks: its armor-piercing projectile pierced 160-mm thick armor from a distance of 1000 meters. After the war, this gun was installed on new T-54 tanks.
Just like the SU-85, the SU-100 was equipped with panoramic tank and artillery sights, a 9R or 9RS radio station, and a TPU-3-BisF tank intercom. The SU-100 self-propelled gun was produced from 1944 to 1947, during the Great Patriotic War 2495 installations of this type were produced.

The self-propelled anti-aircraft gun was created on the basis of the SU-76M self-propelled guns and was put into service in 1944. It had an open turret with circular rotation, was equipped with a rangefinder and a radio station. A total of 75 cars were produced. TTX ZSU: length - 4.9 m; width - 2.7 m; height - 2.1 m; clearance - 315 mm; weight - 10.5 - 12.2 tons; booking - 10-45 mm; engine type - two 6-cylinder, carburetor "GAZ-202"; engine power - 140 hp; specific power - 11.7 hp / t; speed of movement on the highway - 42 km / h; power reserve - 330 km; armament - 37-mm gun 61-K mod. 1939; ammunition - 320 shots; crew - 4 people.

The self-propelled anti-aircraft gun was created in 1941 on the basis of the STZ-3 tractor, sheathed with armor plates with cannon and machine gun weapons installed. The gun had limited firing angles - in order to aim it at the target, it was necessary to deploy the entire tractor. In total, about 100 cars were produced. TTX ZSU: length - 4.2 m; width - 1.9 m; height - 2.4 t; weight - 7 tons; booking - 5-25 mm; engine type - four-cylinder, kerosene; engine power - 52 hp; speed of movement on the highway - 20 km; power reserve - 120 km; main armament - 45-mm tank gun 20-K; additional armament - 7.62 mm DP machine gun; crew - 2 - 4 people.

The open-type ACS was created by installing anti-tank gun"ZIS-2" on the artillery tractor T-20 "Komsomolets" and put into service at the end of 1941. For greater stability when firing, the machine was equipped with folding coulters. On the roof of the cabin, a mounting bracket for the gun was mounted in a stowed position. A total of 101 cars were produced. TTX ACS: length - 3.5 m; width - 1.9 m; height - 2.2 m; weight - 4 tons; booking - 7-10 mm; engine type - 6 cylinder carburetor; power - 50 hp; specific power - 12 hp / t; speed on the highway - 60 km / h; power reserve - 250 km; main armament - 57-mm gun ZiS-2; additional - 7.62 mm DT machine gun; crew - 4 - 5 people.

The pilot plant was developed in 1941 on the chassis of the KV-1 tank with two types of artillery weapons. The self-propelled unit was developed as an artillery tank escort vehicle with a high rate of fire of the main weapon. It belonged to the type of fully enclosed self-propelled guns and was a modification of the KV-1 tank, differing from it mainly in the absence of a rotating turret, installed weapons, ammunition, armor protection, crew size and lower vehicle height. The first version had three guns at once: one 76.2 mm F-34 and two 45 mm 20-K guns. The second version of the installation was equipped with two identical ZiS-5 guns. In total, one copy was released. TTX self-propelled guns: length - 6.7 m; width - 3.2 m; height - 2.5 m; clearance - 440 mm; weight - 47.5 tons; track width - 700 mm; booking - 30-100 mm; engine type - 12 cylinder diesel; power - 600 hp; specific power - 13 hp / t; speed on the highway - 34 km / h; power reserve - 225 km; crew - 6 people. Armament of the first variant: main armament - one 76-mm gun F-34, two 45-mm guns 20-K; ammunition - 93 shots for 76-mm guns and 200 shots for 45-mm guns; rate of fire of built-in guns - 12 rounds per minute; additional armament - two main and one spare 7.62 mm DT machine gun; ammunition - 3,591 cartridges. Armament of the second variant: 2 guns 76.2 mm ZIS-5; rate of fire - 15 shots in one gulp; ammunition - 150 rounds per minute; additional armament - three 7.62 mm DT machine guns; ammunition - 2,646 rounds; 30 F-1 grenades.

Self-propelled guns were produced in 1933-1935. by mounting a 76.2-mm cannon of the 1927 model on a pedestal installation on the chassis of trucks with a 6x4 Morland (SU-12) and GAZ-AAA (SU-12-1) wheel arrangement. Of the 99 vehicles produced, by the beginning of the war, 3 installations were in service. TTX self-propelled guns: length - 5.6 m; width - 1.9 m; height - 2.3 m; weight - 3.7 tons; shield thickness - 4 mm; engine type - carburetor, power - 50 hp; speed on the highway - 60 km / h; power reserve - 370 km; rate of fire - 10 - 12 rounds per minute; ammunition - 36 shots; crew - 4 people.

The self-propelled guns were produced in 1935-1937. based on the chassis of a three-axle truck YaG-10 (6x4) and a 76-mm anti-aircraft gun 3-K model 1931. For stability, four "jack-type" coulters were mounted along the sides of the platform. The body was protected by curved armored sides, which folded outward in a combat position. A total of 61 installations were produced. TTX ACS: length - 7 m; width - 2.5 m; height - 2.6 m; clearance - 420 mm; weight - 10.6 tons; speed of movement on the highway - 42 km / h; power reserve - 275 km; engine type - carburetor "Hercules-YXC", power - 94 hp; ammunition - 48 shots; rate of fire - 20 rounds per minute; firing range - 14.3 km; armor penetration - 85 mm; crew - 5 people.

The installation was the most lightweight and simplified version of the SU-76 self-propelled guns. It was developed in 1944. The deckhouse roof is open. A total of 3 cars were produced. TTX ACS: length - 5 m; width - 2.2 m; height - 1.6 m; clearance - 290 mm; weight - 4.2 tons; booking - 6-10 mm; engine type - in-line 4-cylinder liquid-cooled carburetor; engine power - 50 hp; specific power - 11.9 hp / t; speed on the highway - 41 km / h; power reserve - 220 km; armament - 76.2 mm gun ZIS-3; ammunition - 30 shots; crew - 3 people.

The installation was produced in 1943-1945. in two versions: SU-76 (with GAZ-202 engines) and SU-76M (with GAZ-203 engines). The cabin roof is open. A total of 14,292 cars were produced. TTX ACS: length - 5 m; width - 2.7 m; height - 2.2 m; clearance - 300 mm; weight - 11.2 tons; booking - 7 - 35 mm; engine type - two twin in-line 6-cylinder liquid-cooled carburetors; engine power - 140/170 hp; specific power - 12.5 hp / t; speed on the highway - 44 km / h; power reserve - 250 km; armament - 76.2 mm gun ZIS-3; ammunition - 60 shots; firing range - 13 km; crew - 4 people.

The assault gun was built in 1943 on the basis of captured German Pz Kpfw III tanks and StuG III self-propelled guns. A total of 201 vehicles were produced, of which 20 were command vehicles equipped with a turret with an entrance hatch and a high-powered radio station. TTX ACS: length - 6.3 m; width - 2.9 m; height - 2.4 t; clearance - 350 mm; weight - 22.5 tons; booking - 10-60 mm; engine type - V-shaped 12-cylinder liquid-cooled carburetor; engine power - 265 hp; specific power - 11.8 hp / t; speed of movement on the highway - 50 km / h; power reserve - 180 km; armament - 76.2-mm cannon "S-1"; rate of fire - 5 - 6 rounds per minute; ammunition - 98 shots; crew - 4 people.

The tank destroyer was produced on the T-34 chassis and the cabin of the self-propelled guns SU-122. Adopted in 1943. A modification of the SU-85M installation is known, which in fact was the SU-100 with an 85-mm cannon (315 pieces were produced). The installation was intended mainly for direct fire with short stops. The crew, gun and ammunition were placed in front in the armored cabin, which combined the fighting compartment and the control compartment. A total of 2,652 vehicles were built. TTX self-propelled guns: length - 8.2 m; width - 3 m; height - 2.5 m; clearance - 400 mm; weight - 29.2 tons; booking - 20-60 mm; engine type - diesel; power - 500 hp; speed on the highway - 55 km / h; power reserve - 400 km; armament - 85-mm gun - D-5T; ammunition - 48 shots; rate of fire - 6-7 rounds per minute; armor penetration at a distance of 500 m - 140 mm; crew - 4 people.

The tank destroyer was created on the basis of the T-34-85 tank and was put into service in 1944. The self-propelled guns belonged to the type of closed self-propelled guns. On the roof of the cabin above the commander's seat, a fixed commander's cupola was installed with five viewing slots for all-round visibility. The ventilation of the fighting compartment was carried out with the help of two fans installed in the roof of the cabin. In total, 2320 vehicles were produced during the war. TTX ACS: length - 9.5 m; width - 3 m; height - 2.2 m; clearance - 400 mm; weight - 31.6 tons; booking - 20-110 mm; engine type - V-shaped 12-cylinder diesel engine "V-2-34"; engine power - 520 hp; specific power - 16.4 hp / t; speed of movement on the highway - 50 km / h; power reserve - 310 km; armament - 100-mm cannon "D-10S"; direct fire range - 4.6 km, maximum - 15.4 km; ammunition - 33 shots; armor penetration at a distance of 1000 m - 135 mm; crew - 4 people.

The self-propelled assault gun was produced in 1942-1943. as the most simplified design of the T-34 tank. The gun was mounted on a pedestal attached to the bottom of the vehicle. The fully armored hull was divided into two parts. The installations captured by the Wehrmacht served under the designation "StuG SU-122 (r)". A total of 638 cars were produced. TTX ACS: length - 7 m; width - 3 m; height - 2.2 m; clearance - 400 mm; weight - 29.6 tons; booking - 15-45 mm; engine type - diesel "V-2-34", engine power - 500 hp; specific power - 16.8 hp / t; speed on the highway - 55 km / h; power reserve - 600 km; armament - 122-mm howitzer M-30S; ammunition - 40 shots; armor penetration at a distance of 1000 m - 160 mm; rate of fire - 203 rounds per minute; crew - 5 people.

The self-propelled howitzer was produced in 1939 on the chassis of the T-26 tank by dismantling the turret and openly installing a 122-mm howitzer mod. 1910/30 By the beginning of the war, 28 vehicles were in service. TTX ACS: length - 4.8 m; width - 2.4 m; height - 2.6 m; clearance - 380 mm; weight - 10.5 tons; engine type - carburetor, power - 90 hp; booking - 6 - 15 mm; speed on the highway - 30 km / h; power reserve - 170 km; ammunition - 8 shots; crew - 5 people.

The installation was created on the basis of the IS tank and was put into service in 1944. A modification of the self-propelled guns is known - ISU-122S with a D-25T gun. The self-propelled guns had an armored hull, which was divided into two parts. The crew, gun and ammunition were placed in front in the armored cabin, which combined the fighting compartment and the control compartment. The engine and transmission were installed in the stern of the car. From the end of 1944, an anti-aircraft gun was installed on the self-propelled guns heavy machine gun. A total of 1,735 vehicles were built. TTX self-propelled guns: length - 9.9 m; width - 3.1 m; height - 2.5 m; clearance - 470 mm; weight - 46 tons; booking - 20-100 mm; engine type - 12 cylinder diesel; engine power - 520 hp; specific power - 11.3 hp / t; speed of movement on the highway - 35 km / h; power reserve - 220 km; main armament - 121.9 mm gun A-19C; rate of fire - 2 rounds per minute; rate of fire D-25T - 3-4; fire line height - 1.8 m; ammunition - 30 shots; additional armament - 12.7 mm DShK machine gun; ammunition - 250 rounds; direct fire range - 5 km, maximum range - 14.3 km; crew - 5 people.

The installation was created on the basis of the IS-1/2 tank and was put into service in 1943. From the beginning of 1945, an anti-aircraft heavy-caliber machine gun was installed on the self-propelled guns. The self-propelled gun was used as a heavy assault gun, tank destroyer and as a self-propelled howitzer. In total, 1,885 vehicles were produced during the war. TTX ACS: length - 9 m; width - 3.1 m; height - 2.9 m; clearance - 470 mm; weight - 46 tons; booking - 20 - 100 mm; engine type - 4-stroke 12-cylinder diesel V-2-IS; engine power - 520 hp; specific power - 11.3 hp / t; speed of movement on the highway - 40 km / h; power reserve - 350 - 500 km; main armament - 152.4-mm howitzer-gun "ML-20S"; ammunition - 21 shots; armor penetration at a distance of 1000 m -123 mm; direct fire range - 3.8 km; maximum - 13 km; fire line height - 1.8 m; additional armament - 12.7 mm DShK machine gun, ammunition - 250 rounds; crew - 5 people.

The self-propelled assault gun was produced in 1942-1944. based on the KV-1s heavy tank. During repairs, a 12.7-mm DShK anti-aircraft machine gun turret could be installed on the self-propelled guns. A total of 671 cars were produced. TTX ACS: length - 9 m; width - 3.3 m; height - 2.5 m; clearance - 440 mm; weight - 45.5 tons; booking - 20-65 mm; engine type - V-shaped 12-cylinder diesel V-2K; power - 600 l. With.; specific power - 13.2 hp / t; speed on the highway - 43 km / h; power reserve - 330 km; armament - 152.4 mm ML-20S gun-howitzer; ammunition - 20 shots; rate of fire - 1 - 2 rounds per minute; direct fire range - 3.8 km; maximum - 13 km; crew - 5 people.