Were new bulld AFVs on the Pz.III chassis exclusively for the artillery arm from early 1943?

[Sid Guttridge]

In early 1943 the panzer inspectorate under Guderian was made independent from the Ersatzheer.

However, the Ersatzheer's artillery section remained responsible for self-propelled artillery.

As Pz.III tank production had stopped, does this mean that all new Pz.III chassis production was reserved for the Stug.III and its very late war flak derivative?

Did panzer divisions still get Stugs or did their monopoly of tanks make this unnecessary?

Cheers,

Sid.

[Yoozername]

Not at all. The only possible 'exclusive' Panzer III chassis AFV 'owned' by the Sturmartillerie would be the StuH.

[Sid Guttridge]

Hi Yoozername,

What new-build vehicles were constructed on the PzKpfw.III chassis for the panzer inspectorate after it was made independent of the Ersatzheer in early 1943?

Cheers,

Sid.

[Yoozername]

viewtopic.php?f=47&t=241958&hilit=StuG#p2202621

Maybe I posted similar information in that thread.

I think it is certainly well known that StuG III were used in Sturmartillerie units, Panzer, Panzer Grenadier, and even infantry units. Maybe independant PJ units perhaps. Not sure if that is what you are asking.

I believe Panzer III with the 7,5 cm L24 were built up till Oct 43. But, from then on,StuG III were made along with StuH and used in many division types. But I believe that StuH were only used in the Sturmartillerie. And the politics regarding that are discussed in that thread above.

Dec 43 In reality this weapon is fragmented , as the assault cannons, as of 1.12.43, are found in:

54% inside the Sturmartillerie
25.3% inside the Panzerwaffe
5.5% with the tank destroyers Infantry
2.2% within the Luftwaffe campaign divisions
13% within the Waffen-SS

[Sid Guttridge]

Hi Yoosername,

Thanks. That link is to a really informative thread.

Reading around the subject, it appears that in 1944-45 standard Army panzer divisions only got Stugs when they couldn't get tanks.

I presume the panzer inspectorate still had to grovel to the Ersatzheer to get an allocation.

So it looks as though the panzer inspectorate did get some vehicles on the PzKpfw.III chassis in 1943-45, but as an exception, not the rule, and not from within its own jurisdiction.

Is that a fair summary?

Cheers,

Sid.

[Yoozername]

Nothing is usually 100% when speaking about the German use of AFV, but the StuGs could usually be found in the antitank battalion in Panzer Divisions.

BTW, according to one report, Report of 12/31/1943
Unit: 1. SS-Panzer-Division LAH, has 41 StuG III 7,5 cm, and 9 StuH 10,5 cm (established). So, you can't ever say never.

[Sid Guttridge]

Hi Toozername,

I was talking about "standard Army panzer divisions".

Any panzer division with a name (GD, LAH, DR, HG, PL, etc.) seemed to live by their own rules due, I presume, to influential sponsorship!

Cheers,

Sid.