Self-Propelled Guns

In order for anti-tank guns or artillery to be able to keep up with motorized forces, all of the major factions of the war mounted these guns on tank chassis to create self-propelled guns. Some of these were heavily armored, while others only had light armor to protect the crew from small arms and light weapons. Self-propelled guns were mostly kept back or protected with other units.

Russian

ZiS-30

Although the profile of the ZiS-30 was somewhat larger than the fixed ZiS-2 version, it could not be used for the same defensive tasks. Its average speed allowed it to rapidly relocate after firing in order to hide itself again or try to round up enemy tanks, but the crew was very exposed and the armor of the tractor could only stop low caliber, light weapons fire. The addition of a machine gun on the hull improved its defensive performance against infantry, but even so, the ZiS-30 was mainly an anti-tank vehicle and could not be used as support against unarmored targets.

SU-76

This self-propelled gun based on the T-70 tank was the second most manufactured Soviet armored vehicle during the war. Between 1942 and 1945, approximately 14,000 units were manufactured, which provided support to the infantry and adopted anti-tank tasks.

It was armed with ZiS-3 anti-tank gun, capable of destroying light and medium vehicles. It possessed an elevated rate of fire, but it showed that it did not have the power required to confront the Panzer IV Ausf.H and later models. The original engine of the T-70 provided the SU-76 with a high top speed and excellent maneuverability. The lack of machine guns and the open-top turret made it extremely vulnerable to enemy infantry attack, therefore it needed support from allied troops at all times.

Its 76mm gun, although it had less armor penetration capacity than the ZiS-30, fired more powerful explosive projectiles. The SU-76 was deployed in order to confront infantry and light vehicles; against tanks, the ZiS-30 was the better choice.

SU-122

Based on the chassis of the successful T-34 and armed with a 122mm howitzer, the SU-22 could fire indirectly against infantry and fixed defensive positions. Like other Soviet propelled guns, it did not have a defense machine gun, and therefore always had to operate with infantry support.

It did not have as much range as the propelled artillery of other nations, but its inclined 45mm armor allowed it to be exposed to enemy artillery fire and medium caliber anti-tank weapons. Nevertheless, due to the lack of penetrating power of its projectiles, it could not confront enemy tanks.

ISU-152

This 152mm weapon caused such massive impact, regardless of range, that it was capable of completely destroying the inside of enemy tanks, including the powerful German Panthers and Tigers.

Constructed on the chassis of the IS series heavy tanks and fitted with a 152mm howitzer, the ISU-152 excelled at bombarding enemy infantry positions and fixed guns. Heavily armored and equipped with a heavy machine gun mounted on the turret, it could operate from the front line of battle to give close support even though its rate of fire could not equal that of other smaller caliber weapons.

German

Hetzer

The most notable characteristic of the Hetzer was its small size and low profile, which made it easy to hide. It was a very difficult target for enemy tank crews to reach. Its armor was inclined such that it offered effective protection far superior to what could be hoped for from its 60mm thickness.

Just like the rest of the German tank destroyers, the gun was mounted on the hull, restricting its ability to aim and putting it out of service if it became immobilized. It was equipped with an upper machine gun that was remotely controlled from the inside of the vehicle and could fire at any angle without exposing crewmembers to enemy fire.

Hummel

The Panzer divisions revolutionized the war by creating battalions that had to be entirely motorized. They could not have self-propelled artillery until the Wespe and Hummel entered service.

The Hummel was an adaptation of one of the most iconic tanks of the German Army: the Panzer IV. The gun mounted on the chassis of this tank was widely used by the Wehrmacht (the sFH-18 of 150mm).

sIG 33

The sIG 33 was quickly designed to allow artillery to keep up with the advance of the German Blitzkrieg. The 150mm howitzer was mounted onto a PzKfw I chassis and given a lightly armored superstructure. Later models used a PzKfw II chassis, which provided greater balance and stability.

StuG IV Ausf. G

Compared to the Hetzer, the StuG had a slightly higher gun and stronger armor on the front and sides. However, the hull plates were not as inclined as those of the Hetzer, especially on the sides. It also had a machine gun mounted on the turret that could only fire to the front, which, along with its lack of turret, weakened its defense against infantry attack.

Designed to provide infantry support, the StuG IV became famous for its tank destroying work. This model, the most widespread and manufactured, was in reality an adaptation of the Panzer IV. Since the first StuG IV produced in 1943 entered service, approximately 1,100 units were manufactured.