Land Weapons

Tank Destroyer (1942)

Alkett

Marder II

SdKfz 132 (Heer)
SdKfz 132
SdKfz 131

The Marder II was an attempt to fit a powerful anti-tank gun on the PzKpfw II chassis. This light tank had been largely considered obsolete by the mid-war period yet remained in production as of 1942. The Marder II retained the hull of the PzKpfw II with the turret removed in favor of a large fixed superstructure which like most similar vehicles, was open at the top and rear. Armor was kept light and this gave it only minimal protection against armor-piercing rounds and the open top also offered limited defense to the crew against shrapnel. Two versions of the Marder II were built, the first which fitted captured Soviet 7.62cm Pak 36 guns on either a PzKpfw Ausf D, E or (Fl) while the second was armed with the 7.5cm PaK 40/2 mounted on an Ausf F. The latter had a revised superstructure that was slightly lower and wider. Marder IIs were delivered to Army units in early 1942 and served primarily on the Eastern Front. Those with the 7.62cm gun were mostly retired by 1944 but 7.5cm armed versions remained in service until the end of the war.

Initial orders for mounting captured 7.62cm guns on the PzKpfw II were given in December 1941, this resulted in the initial version of the Marder II (SdKfz 132). This was followed by the SdKfz 131, ordered initially in May 1942 with the 7.5cm PaK 40/2 plus the modifications mentioned above. Use of the 10.5cm howitzer resulted in the Wespe (SdKfz 124) and is described separately.

Preceded by:

Marder I (1942)

Succeeded by:

Marder III (1942)

Datafile

DesignFg PzKpfw II Ausf DFg PzKpfw II (Sf)
NameMarder IIMarder II
TypeTank DestroyerTank Destroyer
Year19421942
Crew43
Dimensions
Length (w/Gun)4.50 m (5.65 m)4.50 m (6.36 m)
Width2.300 m2.280 m
Height2.600 m2.200 m
Ground Clearance0 m0 m
Track0 m0 m
Track on Ground0 m0 m
Weight
Combat11,500 kg10,800 kg
Ground Pressure0.87 kg/cm²0.89 kg/cm²
SuspensionLeaf springsLeaf springs
Performance
Speed (Off-Road)55 km/h (20 km/h)40 km/h (19 km/h)
Range (Off-Road)220 km190 km (126 km)
AmphibiousNoNo
Fording0.85 m0.90 m
Vertical Obstacle0.42 m0.42 m
Trench1.75 m1.80 m
Gradient24%57%
Powerplant
Engine1 x 140-hp
Maybach
HL 62 TRM
1 x 140-hp
Maybach
HL 62 TRM
FuelGasolineGasoline
Power/Weight12.17 hp/t12.96 hp/t
Armament
Main1 x 76.2-mm L/51.5
7.62cm PaK 36(r)

Rifled Gun
↑ 16° / ↓ -5° / ↔ 50°
Secondaryloose:
1 x 7.92-mm
MG 34
loose:
1 x 7.92-mm
MG 34
Ammo7.92-mm: 900
7.92-mm: 600
Armor
TypeSteelSteel
Thickness5 - 30 mm5 - 35 mm
Max Effective17 - 30 mm RHAe9 - 36 mm RHAe
Hull Upper Front30 mm / 9°30 mm / 10°
Hull Lower Front30 mm / 9°35 mm / 13°
Hull Upper Sides14.5 mm / 20°10 mm / 8°
Hull Lower Sides14.5 mm15 mm
Hull Lower Rear14.5 mm15 mm
Hull Top5 mm5 mm
Hull Bottom5 mm5 mm
Turret Front14.5 mm / 30°8 mm / 30°
Turret Sides14.5 mm / 15°-
Production
Built201651
Total852

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