World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseDeveloped in 1942 and immediately sent to the front lines, the German Marder II tank destroyers were Panzer II light tanks with the turrets removed to house larger guns. The first variant was the SdKfz. 132, which made use of Panzer II Ausf. D and E chassis and captured Soviet 7.62-centimeter guns rechambered to use German 7.5-centimeter PaK 40 ammunition; 201 of them were built between early-1942 and early-1943. The second variant was the SdKfz. 131, which made use of Panzer II Ausf. A, B, C, and F chassis and German 7.5-centimeter PaK 40 anti-tank guns; 651 of them were built between mid-1943 and early-1944.

ww2dbaseIn parallel, the Germans also developed Marder I tank destroyers using French armored tractors and Marder III tank destroyers using Panzer 38(t) tanks.

SPECIFICATIONS

SdKfz 132

Machinery	One Maybach HL 62 TRM 6-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 140hp
Suspension	Christie
Armament	1x7.62cm PaK 36(r) gun
Armor	30mm front, 10-15mm sides, top and rear not armored
Crew	3
Length	6.36 m
Width	2.28 m
Height	2.60 m
Weight	10.8 t
Speed	40 km/h
Range	190 km

SdKfz 131

Machinery	One Maybach HL 62 TRM 6-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 140hp
Suspension	Leaf spring
Armament	1x7.5cm PaK 40 gun (37 rounds)
Armor	5-35mm front, bottom, and sides; top and rear not armored
Crew	3
Length	6.36 m
Width	2.28 m
Height	2.20 m
Weight	10.8 t
Speed	40 km/h
Range	190 km

Photographs