Anderson - Sturmgeschütz: Panzer, Panzerjäger and Luftwaffe Units 1943-45

Generaloberst Heinz Guderian, Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppen, making a speech to an assembly of tank crews while standing on the engine deck of a Sturmgeschtz. Initially he had vehemently opposed the introduction of the type, but by 1943 he was forced to realize that the Sturmgeschtz was vital if the combat strength of his armoured forces was to be maintained. (Historyfacts)

Introduction

The Sturmgeschtz was a genuine German invention and, although the idea of mounting a gun in a fixed superstructure was neither new nor future-looking, the type became a vital weapon in the arsenal of the Third Reich and was produced in very large numbers.

As described in my book Sturmartillerie (Osprey, 2016) the Sturmgeschtz assault gun was originally intended to be a support weapon for the assault infantry. The requirement for such a vehicle was noted in a letter, dated 8 June 1936, written by an officer of the Generalstab des Heeres (GenStdH General Staff of the Army) to his superiors:

We have to ascertain that the Panzerwaffe and the Sturmartillerie, which are both similarly equipped, will follow absolutely different tactical approaches.

I.) Panzerverbnde [tank formations, here Panzer divisions (PzDiv), author] are mixed units able to fight independently and pursue their own combat missions. These PzDiv are equipped with motorized artillery and infantry to enable success.

II.) Panzerbrigaden [tank brigades] is the force for the focal point of an attack. In contrast to the PzDiv, the Panzerbrigade is unable to operate independently.

III.) Sturmartillerie, it is relevant as to whether it will be produced as a tank or a self-propelled gun, or a support weapon for the infantry. It should be able to provide support fire at a minimum range of 7km as part of the divisional artillery. The Sturmartillerie is deployed as escort artillery to support an infantry assault by directly attacking dangerous targets. Unlike a tank formation, which attacks in large numbers, the Sturmartillerie will only be committed in platoon strength.

Each infantry division will have to be issued at least with one battalion of Sturmartillerie formed of five batteries with six assault guns each. The division should consider the removal of a light artillery battalion or the tank destroyer battalion.