The StuH 42, SdKfz 142/2, or Sturmhaubitze 42 was a self-propelled gun that was used by Germany during World War II.
Only about 1,300 StuH 42s were produced and were based on the StuG III F/8 and G models.
Description[]
It had a Maybach HL 120 engine that was capable of propelling it at speeds of up to 40 km/h. It was based upon the StuG III Ausf. F chassis with its most notable difference being the addition of an L/28 howitzer for its main gun. The purpose of this addition was so that the Wehrmacht would have an effective combat support unit that would work well against infantry.
The total weight of the StuH was around 21,780 kg and the total length of the 6.1 meters. Furthermore, it had a crew of four men and a six speed forward, 1 speed reverse transmission system.[1]Also importantly, the StuH 42 had a torsion bar suspension. Overall, the StuH like its StuG counterpart had good reliability and was well liked by its crews. Its combat effectiveness was also very good.
Variants[]
Technically, the StuH 42 had no variants besides the Ausf. G and Ausf. F models which were simply based upon different Panzer III chassis'. Although, later models of the StuH 42 oftentimes had the muzzle brake on top of the barrel removed so that the vehicle would be more cost-effective to produce.[2]
History[]
The StuH 42 was first developed in 1942 when the need for an anti-infantry support vehicle was needed and the production of StuGs was in full force. It only seemed logical to convert this already battle tested and readily available chassis into a specialist vehicle and because of the fact that many features were carried over, development time was cut short just in time for the Battle of Kursk where around seventy StuHs fought. They continued in both the Western and Eastern Fronts until the end of the war. In the end, around 1,200 were produced.
References[]
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