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StuG III ausf G (Sd.kfz 142/1)
The final production version of the StuG III series, the ausf G, appeared
early in 1943. Though rather extensive, the changes introduced on the ausf G were
based on the existing design of the ausf F/8. The chassis was essentially unchanged;
early ausf G's had 50mm nose armor, to which were added the extra 30mm, by bolting or
welding. As production got under way, 80mm nose plates were introduced, and were
used for the remainder of ausf G production.
The greatest change was in the superstructure. Months of combat
experiences and many unit reports had pinpointed many weaknesses in the earlier designs
and the ausf G was intended to correct many of these. The front plates were
standardized 80mm thickness, with 30mm plates bolted to the basic 50mm armor; this allowed
the continued use of the old driver's visor, designed for 50mm plate. On later
vehicles the 80mm front plate to the right of the gun was one piece of 80mm armor.
Very early vehicles still had the driver's binocular vision device (fahrerfernrohr)
installed and they can be identified by the two holes above the driver's visior.
The main body of the superstructure was widened to extent over the tracks, enclosing the
spaces occupied by the armored radio boxes. The roof was raised in the rear and a
new cupola was installed for the commander. The old flush mounted roof flaps and
binocular spotting telescope had seriously limited the commander's vision from inside the
vehicle. The new cupola was a cylindrical structure, on top of which were arranged 8
episcopes, each of which could be raised or lowered independently; on top of the episcopes
was a ring of thin armor. The central hatch in the cupola hinged at the rear, and
consisted of two sections: the main hatch and a small flap which could be opened
separately to allow use of the binocular scopes without opening the main hatch.
Clear plastic inserts protected the episcopes.
The ventilator and fan were mounted in the center of the rear roof plate on early
vehicles, but then were moved to the vertical rear wall of the superstructure over the
engine deck. The loader's split hatch opened to the front and the rear. The
front folding roof shield for the loader's auxiliary machine gun was standardized on the
StuG III ausf G; the front loader's hatch plate had a locking hasp that engaged a hook on
the shield and stabilized it during firing. An aperture was cut in the shield for
the gun and a bracket was provided to hold the weapon in position. A second bracket
at the top of the shield was to mount the machine gun for antiaircraft use. More
early vehicles were also equipped with smoke discharges, 3 on each side of the
superstructure. "Schürzen" antibazooka plates were introduced during
production. Many vehicles did not have these fitted, as this was done by the units
in the field; the brackets and skirts had to be shipped unassembled because of railroad
width clearance limitations.
The 10,5cm howitzer-armed StuH42 ausf G was identical to the StuG III except for the
installation of the howitzer; this used the same welded block mantlet with a fatter barrel
guide tube to accommodate the larger barrel of the howitzer. A double-baffle muzzle
brake was fitted to the howitzer. Vehicles were taken form StuG III production for
completion as StuH 42's, and these weapons began reaching service units in early 1943.
A good view of an early StuG III ausf G in Russia, showing the bolted
30mm additional armor. The original headlights have been replaced by the Notek light
in the center of the nose. Though not visible here, this vehicle's markings include
23 black kill rings on the barrel.
A view of a slightly late production StuG III ausf G. The nose
armor is 80mm base, and the raked zimmerit pattern is used. The camouflage paint was
applied with a sponge. Hungarian infantry ride on this vehicle during the campaign
in southern Russia. Note the "C" tow hooks hung in the front of two
shackle holes.
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