ZiS-3 (M1942)

History

One of the key field artillery pieces available to the Soviet Army during World War II (1939-1945) was the "76mm (76.2mm) Division Gun, M1942" - better known as the "ZiS-3". This caliber weapon later became the standard Soviet anti-tank weapon in the war, with the total production of the ZiS-3 artillery series exceeding 100,000. Many entered the postwar years and were promptly adopted by the Soviet Union and satellite states.

Some are still serving in the military today (2014) - although Soviet-Russian use has long since been abandoned. ZiS-3 guns fought in the Korean War (1950-1953) and were taken care of by longtime Soviet military customer North Korea.

The ZiS-3 was actually the culmination of work starting with the Type 1936 field gun, of which 2,844 were produced. The Soviet authorities considered this weapon too heavy and too long for actual frontline use, and modifications were made in 1939, which naturally allowed the line to develop further.

The revised design has lighter overall handling and travel weight, as well as a shorter barrel assembly for more compactness. Production was reordered as "Type 1939".

On June 22, 1941, the German invasion of the Soviet Union began on the Eastern Front, and many Soviet guns, planes, tanks, and soldiers fell as the German-led Axis advanced rapidly toward Moscow. The service of the Model 1936 as an anti-tank gun exceeded its field gun standards in continued combat, so identifying the gun's projectiles may have helped slow down German armor. The Germans also found these guns useful and rebuilt the captured guns as their own under the names 7.62 cm PaK 36(r) and 7.62 cm PaK 39(r) - the "r" signifies their Russian origin.

While some operated in the original 76.2mm form, large stocks were sent to Germany for conversion to local German ammunition. Other captured guns were in service on the "Marder" artillery carriage.

As the Germans slowed down in the winter and supply lines were stretched, the Soviets continued to produce the ultimate 76.2mm gun of the war - the 1942 "Type 1942" (ZiS-3), retaining the powerful 76.2mm Caliber. This gun served Red Army troops well because it was an excellent battlefield weapon, reliable and easy to maintain and operate. Gunners can quickly be trained on the type and stability of a solid gun platform. It could easily deal with German tanks of the first and second generation up to the Panzer IV medium tanks, although the appearance of the heavier Panther medium tanks (Panzer V) as well as the Tiger and Konigstiger heavy tanks increased the usefulness of the Die ZiS-3 series at Fontal The attack was tested to the extreme.

Rifle crews need some fairly accurate shots along these tanks' key weak points to get a significant hit. As the war progressed, their effectiveness in defeating the new German armor showed better on the more vulnerable sides or rear of such tanks.

In addition to its role as a tank killer, the ZiS-3 retains the ability of a field gun, capable of hitting soft targets through the use of high-explosive (HE) projectiles - albeit only through line-of-sight capabilities.

By design, the ZiS-3 follows the traditional. The gun is mounted on a two-wheeled, rubber tire, split trailer system, with tubular legs used both to support the gun when firing and when towed by a moving vehicle as tow arm. The wheels also allowed the crew to make more precise changes to the gun's position and even propel it short distances. Mounting hardware allows a natural height range of +37 to -5 degrees.

Traverse 54 degrees from the centerline. A simple angled gun shield provides protection in front of the notch, and there are cutouts on the plate for aiming or optics.

Trained crew can fire up to 25 rounds per minute with a range of 8.25 miles. As a field gun, the ZiS-3 is a direct line-of-sight weapon, which means the target must be visible, unlike howitzers that can throw projectiles at the enemy.

The total weight of the entire system is 2,645 pounds, and the typical operator is 7 people. The official shell caliber is 76.2x385mmR.

Many consider the ZiS-3 to be the best anti-tank gun of the war, regardless of its battlefield role or owner. It served the warring factions of World War II and found value as a vehicle weapon in the "SU-76" line of tracked vehicles introduced in 1942.

Such a combat history led to its widespread adoption in the postwar years.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

for everyone else in our database)

Armor

Depends on the ammunition carrier.

Changes