The Sturmgeschütz 40 Ausf. G (StuG 40) was the most prolific variant of the German StuG III assault gun, with over 7,000 units produced between 1942 and 1945. Built on an adjusted Panzer III chassis, it is distinguished by its low profile and the absence of a revolving turret.
With its powerful 75 mm gun and protected by up to 80 mm of armor, the vehicle was highly versatile, proving effective in both infantry support and anti-tank roles. Notably, the Finnish Army acquired 30 of these units in 1943 for their Assault Gun Battalion, affectionately naming them “Sturmi’s.” Its reliability and combat effectiveness made it one of Germany’s most successful armored vehicles throughout World War Two.
Ps. 531-6, “Liisa”
The Ps. 531-6, “Liisa” assault gun served in the 1st Company of the Assault Gun Battalion. On June 14, 1944, Lieutenant Olli Aulanko, the 2nd Platoon Leader, took the vehicle into service. During the Battle of Kuuterselkä on June 15, his gunner, Corporal Taponen, destroyed two enemy T-34/85 tanks and one heavy ISU-152 assault gun with “Liisa”. The loader, Tanker Havu, was killed when an enemy shell struck the loading compartment (the impact marks are visible on the front of the loader’s hatch). Aulanko was wounded but bravely continued the counterattack. On these grounds, he was appointed Knight of the Mannerheim Cross, number 133.
Later, during the battles of Tali-Ihantala on June 25, 1944, in a counterattack conducted in the Portinhoika crossroads area, Taponen, who had been promoted to vehicle commander, destroyed two more T-34/85 tanks while serving in the gunner’s position, though he was wounded in combat. Finally, during the Battle of Vuosalmi on July 11, 1944, gunner Corporal Juomoja destroyed one T-34/85 tank and three heavy ISU assault guns with “Liisa,” bringing the total number of enemy vehicles destroyed by “Liisa” to nine.
Technical Specifications (Ausf. G)
- Chassis: Modified Panzer III
- Chassis number: 95450
- Crew: 4 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver)
- Combat Weight: Approx. 25.5 tonnes
- Armor Thickness:
- Frontal Glacis: Up to 80 mm
- Side/Rear Armor: 30–50 mm
- Engine: Maybach HL 120 TRM (V12 liquid-cooled gasoline engine)
- Engine Output: 300 hp (approx. 224 kW)
- Top Speed: ~40 km/h (on roads), ~20 km/h (off-road)
Armament Specifications
- Main Gun: 7.5 cm StuK 40 L/48¹
- Muzzle Velocity: Approx. 792 m/s (2,600 ft/s)
- Effective Combat Range: ~1,000–1,500 meters (depending on target type)
- Secondary Armament: Soviet 7.62 mm DT light machine gun² (Finnish modification, originally a 7.92 mm German MG 34)
¹ The L/48 designation in the gun name refers to the barrel length being 48 times the caliber of the gun (75mm × 48 = 3.6 meters). This high-velocity barrel was the primary reason “Liisa” was able to successfully penetrate the heavy armour of Soviet ISU-152s and T-34/85 tanks during the battles of Kuuterselkä and Tali-Ihantala.
² Soviet 7.62 mm DT light machine gun not present at current display.
Legacy preserved
Today Ps. 531-6 “Liisa” stands outside the Parola Armoured Brigade Barracks as one of the most significant pieces of Finnish armoured history and as a monument to the Finnish soldiers who fought during the 1944 defensive battles.
Visit
You can admire the Sturmgeschütz 40 Ausf. G tank destroyer – Ps. 531-6, “Liisa” in front of the main entrance of the Parola Armoured Brigade Barracks in Finland.
Sources
- sotamuseo.fi
- andreaslarka.net
- panssarimuseo.fi
- sa-kuva.fi
