WW2 StuG III Ausf G - Sturmgeschütz III Saukopf - footage part 4

The role of a self-propelled gun came from combat experiences in World War I and from Von Manstein’s “Sturmartillerie” concept. During the German offensives on the Allied front, infantry lacked artillery support against fortifications in places out-ranged by their heavy artillery behind the lines. A need for a mobile artillery piece was necessary to keep up with the German infantry and fight enemy fortifications with a direct-fire assault role. On June 15, 1936, Daimler-Benz AG was ordered to develop a support vehicle mounting the 75 mm howitzer as its armament in a casemate structure with a traverse of 25 degrees. The vehicle was to provide full protection for its crew and be no taller than an average soldier. Daimler-Benz repurposed the chassis and running gear of their Panzer III design for the role. These new vehicles were named the Sturmgeschütz III, and the finished designs were sent to Alkett for prototype production and five were produced in 1937. These prototypes were made of mild ste