When did StuG III get the L48 ?

[Denniss]

StuG III Ausf. F was actually an Ausf. E adapted to the long gun, at least the early versions were built under the Ausf. E contract numbers.
The early L/48 gun had the same progressive rifling as used in the L/43 gun and the Pak 40 L/46 but this led to lots of problems. In the end StuGs with this gun had to used reduced-propellant ammunition until the barrels were changed to constant rifling in early 43. At this time the Pz IV got the L/48 gun with constant rifling too. Although the L/48 was longer than the L/43 it did not perform much better than the shorter version due to the change in rifling.
The Pak 40 L/46 seems to have been change to constant rifling too, probably to reduce usage of machinery tools (and production time).

[Yoozername]

This is from another thread that I posted...

I think this graphic shows the transition in 1942 of German AFV production. Mid-year shows that light tanks have ceased production. April 1942 shows the change-over of both Panzer IV and StuG to KWK 40 L43 weapon. The StuK 40 is changed to a L48 version while the Panzer IV stays the L43 (till early 1943).

Both Panzer IV and StuG III share the same ammunition cartridges. Ammunition production has reached operational levels, and in Nov 1, 1942, it has reached comparable levels to Panzer III ammunition stocks even though the Panzer III had already achieved high production and fleet levels.

7,5 cm weapon issues at this time were the changeover from progressive rifling to constant rifling in the L48 barrel, and design changes for the muzzle brake. Field reports certainly claim success as far as the ability to destroy enemy armor.

Also, another post of mine...

[Yoozername]

The early L/48 gun had the same progressive rifling as used in the L/43 gun and the Pak 40 L/46 but this led to lots of problems. In the end StuGs with this gun had to used reduced-propellant ammunition until the barrels were changed to constant rifling in early 43. At this time the Pz IV got the L/48 gun with constant rifling too. Although the L/48 was longer than the L/43 it did not perform much better than the shorter version due to the change in rifling.
The Pak 40 L/46 seems to have been change to constant rifling too, probably to reduce usage of machinery tools (and production time).

There is no proof they used reduced propellant ammunition, in fact the actual powder was increased from 2.43 Kg to 2.51 Kg (for Pzgr 39) and stayed that way for the war. All KWK 40 and StuK 40 shared ammunition. The L48 with the progressive twist was not produced in great numbers and was discontinued in late 1942.

The StuK 40 with the L43 barrel was actually quite rare.

[Michael Kenny]

The Muller/Zimmermann book records the first 9 vehicles being delivered to GD by 'the end of April 1942'. (page 77 Vol I). The book also records severe distribution problems between factory and front line units. They use figures for 12/5/42 that show that from 92 vehicles so far recorded as being 'manufactured' a mere 33 had reached the front

[Mobius]

What is really eye opening is that Tank Production for the Soviet Union was over 24,500 tanks and SPG vehicles in 1942.

[Yoozername]

The Germans threw the towel in regarding light tanks...Panzer II and Pz. 38 (t) mid 1942. The Soviets did keep producing light tanks through 1942-1943, primarily the T70. Soviet domestic light tank production stopped in 1944 but supplies of foreign light tanks filled what needs they still had. Interestingly, the Soviets backed off making heavy (KV) tanks in 1942-43.

But the Soviets did produce the T34 in 12K+ numbers in 1942. A number that dwarfs the German 75mm armed AFV produced that same year. Marders were not really built in great numbers (yet), and still the Germans went on the offensive in 1942 and managed to inflict great losses. The German Pak 40 was coming online in numbers in 1942, and it would share the projectiles with the KWK 40 and StuK 40 guns. It does appear that these weapons did use HL/B rounds to some large degree. And SOP was to engage targets like light tanks with them and reserve the more expensive and time consuming Pzgr 39 for T34s and KV tanks.

The HEAT rounds were successful to some degree because of the Soviet early war tactics of attacking in small groups of tanks, having poor communication and control, and the Germans waiting for the Soviet tanks to get close (<600 m) range. Again, the Soviets fielded light tanks which would have been very vulnerable, and the sloppy tactics would have made the T34 and KV tanks vulnerable to side hits and such.

The Germans did have lags in getting weapons to the extended front till they could build up the rail/road networks. Much like the US having to get things across an ocean.

It is interesting to note that even though the Germans had stopped making StuK 37 armed StuGs in February of 1942, they were still the majority weapon in Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 202 over a year later!

[Cult Icon]

Stug 202 just kept on repairing their Stug III shorts. Sometime in 1943 the CO wanted to scrap all the old stugs because they were so worn.

[yantaylor]

The 75mm KwK 37 was a well liked weapon and when it was mounted on the Pz Mk III, it extended the life of this light but useful tank.
Well over 600 Ausf Ns were produced and were apparently well liked by their crews, some were still in service in 1945 in Norway.

Yan.

[Yoozername]

I have not read much about their use, Ausf N, but they were not used long with the early Tiger I units. They being much less armored and vulnerable for a breakthrough unit. Also, they did not do well at Kursk or in terrain with open fields of view. They were used in Norway??

[Alanmccoubrey]

They were used in Norway in 1945 by the occupation forces not the 1940 invasion.

[yantaylor]

By 1943 the Pz III was on the way out, the short 75mm gave it a longer shelf life, but I suppose the MK III chassis was more use as StuG IIIs.

I recall seeing a photo of a Panzer III in Tunisia, the photo was titled "Panzer Mk III Hybrid M/N"

I am sure it had a ausf M chassis and a ausf N turret complete with 75mm KwK 37.