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StuH 42
German
StuH 42 - Sd.Kfz.142/2
Since the late versions of the StuG III with the long-barreled 75mm L/48 gun were mostly used in an anti-tank role , more armored artillery-vehicles were needed to support the infantry against soft and hidden targets . Therefore a new vehicle based on the StuG III Ausf F was designed , mounting a 105mm howitzer.
This version of the StuG was designated Sturmhaubitze ( StuH 42 ) . The first prototype was produced by Alkett in October 1942 , its design was based on Stug III Ausf F and F/8's chassis and it was armed with a 105mm L/28 howitzer . From 1943 onwards StuH 42 was built on Ausf G's chassis and had a larger barrel fitted with a double-baffle muzzle brake . A Saukopf gun mantlet was also installed as seen with the late versions of StuG Ausf G , although with an increased size.
The StuH 42 had the usual characteristics of the StuG III but was confined to a purely anti-personnel role and did not fire armor-piercing ammunition . Like most howitzers , however , it was supplied with hollow-charge ammunition to give it some anti-armor performance .
From October 1942 to February 1945 , 1212 StuH 42s were produced . They were issued to the Sturmartillerie Brigades of the Panzer Divisions starting spring 1943 . In theory , the Sturmartillerie Brigade had 45 vehicules , including 33 StuG III / IV tank destroyers and 12 StuH 42 assault howitzers . The Brigades were organised into three batteries with 2 StuG IIIs for each battery command , while each battery had two platoons of four StuG IIIs and one StuH 42 . In practice , these ideals were hardly ever achieved and then only highly favoured formations ( like the SS Divisions ) received the full complement .
By Pz_Tobruk
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Crew: 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver and radio operator)
Weight: 24.0 tons
Dimensions: 5.90 x 2.95 x 2.16
Armor (max):80 mm
Range: 90 km
Speed (max):25.0 km/hr
Main gun: 105 mm L/28
No. Produced: 1212
