SdKfz 131/132 Marder II (Marten II)

History of SdKfz 131/132 Marder II (Marten II)

Much like the previous Marder I, the Marder II (Marten II) is a modified tank destroyer based on an existing tank chassis - this applies to the Marder II, which delivered the outdated Panzer II tank system in large numbers. The Marder II formed a large part of the German tank destroyer force from the beginning and played an important and prominent role in almost all German infantry operations until the end of the war.

The vehicle is mounted on a ferocious 7.50cm Pak 40 anti-tank gun - already a proven weapon - as a modification of an existing chassis, it is relatively easy to produce from existing shops and Panzer II tanks still in operation Medium-bulk purchasing production lines.

The Marder II design features an almost complete Panzer II tank chassis with five wheels on one side. The turret was removed and a solid superstructure was added to the hull. The turret was designed only to cover the exposed crew from the front and provide some protection on the sides.

In addition to this, the main battery works atop the engine compartment (now moved to the rear of the Panzer II hull design to offset the weight of the main gun) and is equally exposed to the elements and battlefield operations. The front shield is sloped and provides 10mm thick highly concentrated armor. Since the superstructure is attached to the hull, the vehicle must rotate fully to engage the targetif the vehicle finds itself at a disadvantage in mobile combat.

Otherwise, a properly placed and supported Marder II could wreak havoc on Allied armor at will.

The main armament of the Marder II prototype was originally a 5 cm (1.97") gun. Upgraded by adding PaK 40/2 7.5 cm (2.95"). ) main gun (based on the proven standard German anti-tank weapon PaK 40 and replacing the Soviet 7.5cm gun of the earlier Marder II) is now found in production Marder II models. Self-defense is provided by a 7.92mm anti-infantry machine gun that operates from the top of the open turret position.

The main gun is armed with a 37 x 7.5 cm projectile, while providing 600 rounds of 7.92 mm ammunition. A group of four is the best option, although a group of three may suffice.

The only Maybach brand HL 62 TRM petrol engine producing 140 hp for maximum performance. It can reach a top speed of 40 kilometers (just under 25 miles per hour), climb inclines up to 57 percent and ford nearly 3 feet.

The range is just under 120 miles, which is reasonable considering the type is likely to travel with infantry and other armoured units. The weight is generally between 10,000 and 11,000 tons.

Marder II appeared in an earlier version officially known as Sd. The Kfz 132 is armed with a captured Soviet 7.62 cm gun. This particular version is based on the existing Panzer II Ausf D and E models and a handful of Flammpanzer units that were also thrown through the conversion process. From 1942 to 1943, more than 200 copies were produced.

The series was followed by the Marder II (previously known as the Sd. Kfz 131) and was modeled after the Panzer II Ausf. A, B, C and F models. This new production model uses a modified superstructure with a version of the PaK 40 anti-tank gun.

Aside from a few improvements, the weapon changes are the most important.

Marder II was mainly used on the Eastern Front. Their combination of mobility (thanks to the Panzer II pedigree) and firepower (thanks to the tried-and-true German 7.5cm gun) proved invaluable on this ever-changing mobile front. The advantage of this system is to achieve a high kill probability on the first hill, as the system is not really suitable for open warfare with armor or most other offensive weapons. Putting aside the Russian heavy tanks, the main gun was strong enough to penetrate most Allied armor. If the Marder II had one weakness, it was that even close-range shelling, anti-tank shells, or airstrikes could knock out the gunner and/or vital engine components.

The person sitting on the fuselage is the only person who can provide any degree of protection away from the front of the Marder II. Production of the Marder II system as a whole continued until 1944, with parts continuing into the final days of the war, although the classification was abandoned in favor of specially designed tank killers.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

37 x 7.5 cm shells

600 x 7.92mm ammo

Changes