Pzkw III conversions to StG III?

[JeffF.]

Were any Pzkw III tanks sent back to the factories from the field units for conversion into the StG III family of assault gun vehicles? Or were the tanks allowed to attrite in the field until eventually replaced with heavier tanks? Or was it a combination of both?
thanks,
Jeff

[cbo]

Were any Pzkw III tanks sent back to the factories from the field units for conversion into the StG III family of assault gun vehicles? Or were the tanks allowed to attrite in the field until eventually replaced with heavier tanks? Or was it a combination of both?
thanks,
Jeff

Panzer IIIs were either wasted at the front or found their way into training centers or units waiting to get more modern equipment. Thus, Panzer IIIs were found with units in France when the Invasion struck in 1944 and in the other occupied territories (like Denmark and Norway) as well as in Germany proper, sometimes finding their way into the ad-hoc formations raised late in the war.

I'm not aware that Panzer IIIs were ever rebuilt into StuGs, but some Panzer III chassis were diverted from the Panzer III production line to the StuG production line when both vehicles were still being produced. These can easily be spotted as the splash guard in front of the drivers visor is slight off-set on the StuGs based on the Panzer III chassis.

Claus b

[JeffF.]

Thanks Claus

Panzer IIIs were either wasted at the front or found their way into training centers or units waiting to get more modern equipment. Thus, Panzer IIIs were found with units in France when the Invasion struck in 1944 and in the other occupied territories (like Denmark and Norway) as well as in Germany proper, sometimes finding their way into the ad-hoc formations raised late in the war.

I'm not aware that Panzer IIIs were ever rebuilt into StuGs, but some Panzer III chassis were diverted from the Panzer III production line to the StuG production line when both vehicles were still being produced. These can easily be spotted as the splash guard in front of the drivers visor is slight off-set on the StuGs based on the Panzer III chassis.

Claus b

Appreciate the information.
Jeff

[PanzerPeter]

Rebuild PzKpfw III

Hallo All!
There were several:

• 20 Chassis from its own PzKpfw production line were used by Alkett to produce StuG III Ausf A in 1940
• 142 Chassis of PzKpfw III Ausf M were produced by MAN an transferred dor Miag for finishing as StuG III Ausf G in 1943
• 225 Chassis from its own PzKpfw production line were used by Miag to produce StuG III Ausf G in 1943
  
• 173 old PzKpfw III were retreated from Ersatzheer-units and rebuilt as StuG III Ausf G in 1944 (Alkett and perhaps Miag)
  

so you can say, that 173 StuG were rebuilt PzKpfw III, and 387 StuG were produced using PzKpfw III Chassis

[cbo]

Hallo All!
There were several:

• 20 Chassis from its own PzKpfw production line were used by Alkett to produce StuG III Ausf A in 1940
• 142 Chassis of PzKpfw III Ausf M were produced by MAN an transferred dor Miag for finishing as StuG III Ausf G in 1943
• 225 Chassis from its own PzKpfw production line were used by Miag to produce StuG III Ausf G in 1943
• 173 old PzKpfw III were retreated from Ersatzheer-units and rebuilt as StuG III Ausf G in 1944 (Alkett and perhaps Miag)

so you can say, that 173 StuG were rebuilt PzKpfw III, and 387 StuG were produced using PzKpfw III Chassis

Thanks for the correction Peter.

Taking an extra look, I found a reference to the rebuilds in Spielbergers book on the StuG p. 177. According to this source, both Alkett and MIAG participated.

The 173 Panzer IIIs were converted to StuGs in the period April to July 1944 from the following Panzer IIIs available in the Ersatzheer:

gr. PzBefWg: ? (2 converted)
PzIII 3,7cm: 55 (none converted)
PzIII 5cm L/42: 357 (58 converted)
PzIII 5cm L/60: 189 (100 converted)
PzIII 7,5cm L/24: 105 (9 converted)
PzIII Flamm: ? (4 converted)

Makes you wonder why none of the old 3,7cm armed tanks were converted and why the L/60 armed vehicles were the prime candidate? Perhaps the 3,7cm and 5cm L/42 were just too old and worn out to be bothered with?

Claus B

[PanzerPeter]

Hi all

the 142 MAN chassis where used only by Miag (otherwise they were not able to produce their numvers)

the 173 werde transferred by both producers

All PzKpfw III with 3.7cm KwK where produced originally on Chassis Ausf A-H. All StuG in 1944 were produces on Chassis Ausf J - THATS why they didnt take the olders for transferring.