Germany's Marder III, Marder III Ausf H, Marder III Ausf M
Translation: Martin/Marten (weasel)

Photos

Marder III	Marder III	Marder III	Marder III
Marder III	Marder III	Marder III	Marder III
Marder III 7.62 cm PaK 36(r)	Marder III Ausf H	Marder III Ausf M

Design

On December 22, 1941, the Weapons Department was ordered to produce a self-propelled anti-tank gun to help get an effective antitank gun to the units on the Eastern front.⁵

It used the Czechoslovakian 38(t) chassis.^3,4,5 The gun and carriage (without the wheels) was mounted on top of the superstructure using a special mounting plate.⁵ It was shaped like a bridge and was bolted to the roof in the front and rear.⁵ The gun shield moved with the gun, but the sides were fixed to help protect the crew. The driver and radio operator sat in the front of the hull. Behind them were 3 ammunition boxes that held 24 rounds. There were 2 ammunition boxes mounted on the side walls of the superstructure, and contained 12 rounds.

Main Armament

Initially captured Soviet 76.2 cm Model 1936s were used until enough 7.5 cm Pak 40s became available.³

		Round	Weight	Velocity	Penetration	Range
7.62cm PaK36(r)		AP6	16.8 lb6	2,330'/sec6
	with muzzle brake	AP		2,430'/sec	83 mm@30° at 500 yards
		PzGr 40		3,249'/sec	118 mm@30° at 500 yards
		HE6				8,300 yards6
7.5cm PaK40/3		AP6	156	2,461'/sec6	76 mm at 2,300 m
		HE6				8,421 yards6

Prototype

Production

• Marder III: 344^2,3,4, 799
  • Manufactured by: Böhmisch-Mährische Maschinenfabrik AG (BMM), BMM²
  • Chassis manufactured by: Skoda Works, Pilsen^3,6
  • Production: March 24, 1942 - , April 1942 - October 1942², May 1943 - 1944
  • Converted in 1943: 19²
  • Actual Output: 17 per month⁵, 24 per month⁴
  • Target Output: 30 per month²
• Marder III Ausf H: 242^2,5, 415
  • Manufactured by: BMM² , C.K.D.⁶
  • Production: November 1942 - April 1943
  • Converted: 175 (in 1943)², 175⁵
• Marder III Ausf M: 799³, 975^2,4,5
  • Manufactured by: BMM^2,3,4 of Prague³, C.K.D.⁶
  • Production: April 1943 - May 1944², ? - May 1944^3,4
• Total: 1,217⁷
  • Production: 1942 - 1944⁷
• Munitionspanzer 38(t) (Sf) Ausf K (SdKfz 138): 102²

Variants

• Marder III: Used captured 76.2 mm Model 1936³, Russian Model 36 76.2 mm L/54.8 gun. Used in North Africa.³ Originally designated the Panzerselbstfahrlafette 2 für 7.62 cm PaK 36, but on February 27, 1944, Hitler ordered it to be called the Marder III.⁵
  As of May 15, 1942, 120 had been produced. Another 100 were ordered and were produced from June to September 1942.
  As soon as 75 mm PaK became available, then this model was phased out of production.³
  • Also known as:
    • Panzerjäger 38(t) für 7.62cm PaK36(r), SdKfz 139, Marder III:
    • Panzerselbstfahrlafette II fuer 7.62cm Pak 36(r), SdKfz 138, Marder III:
    • Panzerjaeger38(t) fuer 7.62cm Pak 36(r):
    • 7.62 cm Pak 36(r) L/54 on Gw. 38(t), SdKfz 138⁷:
• Marder III Ausf H: Installed a larger shield directly on the chassis.⁵ Had a traveling mount for the gun.⁵
  Deployed in Russia⁵, Tunisia^3,5, and Italy⁵ with Panzerjäger units of the Luftwaffe, SS, and Wehrmacht. Had the engine placed at the rear of the vehicle.⁷
  • Also known as:
    • Panzerjäger 38(t) für 7.5cm PaK40/3, Ausf H, SdKfz 138, Marder III:
    • 7.5cm Pak 40/3 (L/46) auf PzJaeg 38(t) Ausf H:
    • Panzerjäger 38(t) Marder III:
    • 7.5 cm Pak 40/3 L/46 on Gw. 38(t) (Ausf H), SdKfz 138⁷:
• Marder III Ausf M: Had fighting compartment placed back further as previous models were found to be nose heavy.³ Had only single return roller. Engine was placed at the front.^3,7
  • Also known as:
    • Panzerjäger 38(t) für 7.5cm PaK40/3, Ausf M, SdKfz 138, Marder III:
    • Panzerjäger 38(t) Ausf M SdKfz 138:
    • 7.5cm Pak 40/3 (L/46) Marder III auf GW 38:
    • 7.5 cm Pak 40/3 L/46 on Gw. 38(t) (Ausf M), SdKfz 138⁷:
• Munitionspanzer 38(t) (Sf) Ausf K (SdKfz 138): Carried 40 sIG patr rounds.²

Usage

North Africa

66⁴ / 117 Marder IIIs went to North Africa to serve in the 33rd & 39th Panzerjägerabteilung of the 15th Panzer Division.

Russian Front

The rest of the Marder IIIs saw action in Russia. The first Marder IIIs reach the Eastern Front in April 1942.⁵

Slovakia

Slovakia received 18 Marder III Ausf Hs.

Specifications

	Panzerjäger 38(t) für 7.62cm PaK36(r), SdKfz 139, Marder III	Panzerjäger 38(t) für 7.5cm PaK40/3, SdKfz 138, Marder III Ausf H	Panzerjäger 38(t) für 7.5cm PaK40/3, SdKfz 138, Marder III Ausf M
Crew	41,2,6	42,6	42,3,5,6
Radio	FuG Spr d2	FuG52	FuG Spr d2
Physical Characteristics
Weight	23,520 lb 10.33 tons1, 10.67 tons2, 10.7 tons5, 11.6 tons6 10,500 kg1	23,809 lb 10.8 tons2, 11.6 tons6	23,149 lb, 24,251 lb3 11,000 kg3 10.5 tons2,5, 11.6 tons6
Length w/gun	16' 3"1 4.95 m1, 5.85 m2	18' 11" 5.77 m2,	15' 3"5, 15' 3.1"3, 16' 2", 16.4'6 4.65 m3,5, 4.95 m2
Length w/o gun	15'6 4.65 m	14.9'6
Height	8.1'6, 8' 1.6"1, 8' 2"5, 9' 1" 2.48 m1, 2.5 m2,5	8'6, 8' 2" 2.51 m2	7' 10"5, 8' 1", 8' 1.6"3, 8.25'6 2.48 m2,3,5
Width	7'6, 7' 0.6"1 2.15 m1, 2.16 m2	6.9'6, 7' 1" 2.16 m2	7.1'6, 7' 1"5, 7' 8.5"3 2.15 m2, 2.16 m5, 2.35 m3
Width over tracks
Ground clearance	15.8"6	16"6	15.8"6 40 cm
Ground contact length	102.75"6	102.75"6	102.75"6 2.92 m
Ground pressure	9.8 psi6	9.8 psi6	9.8 psi6 0.61 kg/cm2
Turret ring diameter
Armament
Main	75 mm1 76.2 mm PaK 36 (r) L/51.52 7.62 cm M365 76.2 mm Pak 36(r) L/51.16	75 mm PaK 40/33 75 mm PaK 40/3 L/462 75 mm Pak 40 L/466	75 mm PaK 40/33 75 mm PaK 40/3 L/462,5 75 mm Pak 40, L/466
Secondary
MG	7.92 mm MG1 7.92 MG37(t)2,5 7.92 mm MG37 or MG34 7.9 mm MG37(t)6	7.92 mm MG37(t)2
Side arms
Quantity
Main	30: Pzgr 39Rot, Pzgr 40, Sprgr 392 306, 365	40:APC, 38: HEAT 382	272, 385, 416
Secondary
MG	1,200, 1,5006	6002
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)	201 Front: 2"6 Side: 0.79"6	Front: 2"6 Side: 0.63"6 Superstructure: 0.63"6	Front: 0.88"6 Side: 0.56"6 Superstructure: 0.38"6
Hull Front, Upper	50@17°2	50@15°2	10@30°2, 25@78°5
Hull Front, Lower	50@16°2	50@15°2	20@15°2, 20@80°5
Hull Sides, Upper	16@11-14°2	15@0°2	10@15°2, 15@90°5
Hull Sides, Lower	15@0°2	15@0°2	15@0°2
Hull Rear	10@65°2 & 15@16°2	open2 & 15@16°2	10@0°2 & 10@41°2, 8@90°5
Hull Top	10@90°2	10@65°2 & 10@90°2	8@90°2
Hull Bottom	10+8@90°2	8@90°2	10@90°2
Turret Front	Gun shield: 11@31°2	Gun shield: 15@25°2	Gun shield: 6@28°2, 25@74°5
Turret Sides	Gun shield: 11@12°2	Gun shield: 15@25°2	Gun shield: 10@16°2, 10@78°5
Turret Rear	Gun shield: open2	Gun shield: open2	Gun shield: 10@17°2, open5
Turret Top	Gun shield: open2	Gun shield: 8@90°2	Gun shield: open2,5
Engine (Make / Model)	Praga EPA1 Praga EPA Model III, AC Praga EPA & EPA/22 Praga6	Praga EPA/22 Praga AC6	Praga AC2,3,6 Praga EPA TZj5
Bore / stroke
Cooling	Water6	Water6	Water6
Cylinders	I-66	I-66	65, I-66
Net HP	125 (early model)6 140 (late model)6	150@2,600 rpm6	1255, 1503 150@2,600 rpm6
Power to weight ratio
Compression ratio	1:6.26
Transmission (Type)	Preselector, Wilson 5 forward, 1 reverse2,6 Praga-Wilson planetary gear type6	5 forward, 1 reverse2,6 EPA, CV/TNHP, preselector6	EPA, CV/TNHP, preselector6 5 forward, 1 reverse.2,6
Steering	Clutch brake6	Clutch brake, two speeds6	Clutch brake, two speeds6
Steering ratio
Starter	Hand and electrical6	Hand and electric6	Hand and electric6
Electrical system	12-volt6	12-volt6	12-volt6
Ignition	Magneto6	Magneto6	Magneto6
Fuel (Type)	Gasoline6	Gasoline6	Gasoline3,5,6
Octane
Quantity	58 gallons6 218 liters	58 gallon6	48 gallons5, 58 gallons6 218 liters5
Road consumption	3 mpg6 100 km/118 liters	2.1 mpg6	2.1 mpg6
Cross country consumption	2 mpg6	1.5 mpg6	1.5 mpg6
Performance
Traverse	50°6, 130° 21° left2, 21° right2, hand2	30° left, 30° right2,6, hand2	21° left, 21° right, hand2 30° left, 30° right5,6
Speed - Road	26 mph1,6 42 kph1,2	21.7 mph, 29 mph6 35 kph2	26 mph3,5, 29 mph6 42 kph2,3,5
Speed - Cross Country	11 mph6	11 - 12 mph6	11 -12 mph6, 15 mph5 24 kph5
Range - Road	87 miles, 115 miles, 118 miles1, 155 miles6 185 km2, 190 km1	124 miles6, 149 miles 240 km2	87 miles3, 115 miles5, 118 miles, 124 miles6 140 km3, 185 km5, 190 km2
Range - Cross Country	100 miles6	87 miles6	87 miles5,6 140 km5
Turning radius
Elevation limits	-8° to +13.5°2 -6° to +16°6	-5° to +22°2 -10° to +20°6	-5 to +13°, -10° to +20°6
Fording depth	31.5"6, 3'	35"6	35"3,6 0.9 m3
Trench crossing	4'6, 4' 3"	4.3'6	4.3'6, 4' 3"3 1.3 m3, 2.08 m
Vertical obstacle	31.5"6, 2' 9"	33"6	33"3,6 0.84 m3
Climbing ability	37° (75%) slope6	30° (57%) slope6	30° (57%) slope6
Suspension (Type)	Bogie Four road wheels on two bogies with 1/2 elliptic springs6	Four road wheels on two bogies with 1/2 elliptic springs6	Four road wheels on two bogies with 1/2 elliptic springs6
Wheels each side	46
Return rollers each side	2
Tracks (Type)	Dry pin6	Dry pin6	Dry pin6
Length
Width	11.5"6	12.25" (shoe 11.5")6	12.25" (shoe 11.5")6 29.3 cm
Diameter
Number of Links	936	936
Pitch	4.1"6	4.25"6	4.25"6
Tire tread
Track centers/tread	5.9'6	5.9'6	1.77 m