Sturmgeshutz III On the Battlefield Photobook

The StuG III is a turretless tank, based on PzKpfw III tank. It was originally made as an artillery tank. However, as the war progresses, it is used as a tank replacement. The book Sturmgeshutz III On The Battlefield is a book by Peko Books of Hungary. It is in photobook format with 112 pages.

Physically this book is a large landscape style book with a lovely white hardcover which immediately separates this title from a lot of others in this genre. Coming in at 118 pages the format of this book is that of one large picture to a page and then the paragraph or so explaining not only what is going on but the history of the development of the vehicle if the photo presents it. 

So instead of a dry commentary piled into a few pages and then lots of piccies in the back we have a detailed view of the gradual creeping development from the factory and ersatz additions by the soldiers in the field. We see how the feedback of the soldiers then again led back to changes in the factories again. The two factories who made the Sturmgeschütz are mentioned in every caption in brackets and this really helps you work out who made a certain series or modification. The Alklett factory making features like the 80mm cast gun turret solely and the MIAG factory’s vehicles immediately identifiable by the mesh type of Zimmerit. Little facts like these really help you understand easily the variation of the types and helps you better identify the vehicle’s origin. 

Source: The Modelling News

The StuG III is a very successful tank, widely used in all fronts during WW2. It was first used in the Battle of France. Michael Wittmann, a famous German Ace, served in a StuG III early in his career.

Overall, Sturmgeschütz series assault guns proved very successful and served on all fronts as assault guns and tank destroyers. Although Tigers and Panthers have earned a greater notoriety, assault guns collectively destroyed more tanks. Because of their low silhouette, StuG IIIs were easy to camouflage and a difficult target. Sturmgeschütz crews were considered to be the elite of the artillery units. Sturmgeschütz units claimed to have knocked out 20,000 tanks by 1944. As of April 10, 1945, there were 1,053 StuG IIIs and 277 StuH 42s in service. Approximately 9,500 StuG IIIs of various types were produced until March 1945 by Alkett and a small number by MIAG.

The StuG assault guns were cost-effective compared to the heavier German tanks, though in the anti-tank role they were best used defensively, as the lack of a traversable turret was a severe disadvantage in the assault role. As the German military situation deteriorated later in the war, more StuG guns were built compared to tanks, to replace losses and bolster defences against the encroaching Allied forces. 

Source: Wikipedia

There were numerous StuG tank aces during WW2. Most of them earned their kills on the Second Front in Russia.

Probably the most successful engagement involving Sturmgeschutz III Ausf F took place in Stalingrad in early September of 1942. Stug III Ausf F from Stug.Abt.244, commanded by Oberwachtmeister Kurt Pfreundtner destroyed 9 Soviet tanks in 20 minutes. On September 18th of 1942, Oberwachtmeister Kurt Pfreundtner received the Knights Cross for this achievement. 

Another Sturmgeschutz ace was the Knights Cross holder Wachtmeister Kurt Kirchner from Stug.Abt.667, who destroyed 30 Soviet tanks during few days in February of 1942 during fighting in Northern Russia. 

Hauptmann Peter Franz also the Knights Cross holder and the commander of Stug.Abt. "Grossdeutschland" destroyed some 43 Soviet T-34/76 tanks during the Battle for Borissovka on March 14th of 1943.  

In the middle of July of 1941, Oberfeldwebel Rudolf Jaenicke (Stug number 25), commander of Stug platoon destroyed 12 Soviet BT-2 tanks along with tractors and other equipment loaded on rail platforms. 

Between 1st and 4th of January of 1943, Unteroffizier Horst Naumann from Stug.Abt.184 destroyed 12 Soviet tanks during heavy fighting in the Demyansk area. On January 4th, Naumann was awarded with Knight’s Cross for destruction of total of 27 enemy tanks. 

The most notable of all Stug aces were von Malachowski, Franz and especially Knight’s Cross holder Oberwachtmeister Hugo Primozic of Stug.Abt.667. 

The most notable Waffen SS Stug ace was SS-Sturmbannfuehrer Walter Kniep, who commanded the 2nd Sturmgeschuetz Abteilung of 2nd SS Panzer Division "Das Reich". From July 5th of 1943 to January 17th of 1944, his unit claimed destruction of some 129 Soviet tanks, while losing two Stugs. Kniep was then awarded the Knight’s Cross. 

Source: Achtung Panzer

The book StuG III on The Battlefield is the second book from Peko Publishing. Their first book covers the Russian T-34 tank. You can find out more from Peko Publishing website.