In 1942 the German army converted a StuG, SturmGeschutz, into a close support infantry weapon. Although the StuG started out as infantry support weapon, over time it became a successful tank destroyer and fulfilled another role. This gap was filled in by placing a 10.5 cm light Field Howitzer 18/1 on a StuG III and giving the infantry back their close support weapon in the form of the Sd.Kfz 142/2 Sturmhaubitze 42 (StuH 42) self-propelled howitzer. The powerful gun made the StuH 42 effective for bombarding enemy positions, providing suppression, and supporting infantry assaults. The base of the StuH 42 is the Panzer III chassis.
The vehicle had a fully enclosed superstructure, offering better protection for the crew compared to traditional towed howitzers. It was powered by a Maybach HL 120 TRM engine that produced 265 horsepower, enabling a top speed of around 40 km/h (25 mph) and a range of about 200 km (124 miles) on roads.
With a crew of 5 (commander, driver, gunner, loader, and radio operator), the StuH 42 had a weight of approximately 24 tons and was armored up to 80mm on the front. The vehicle proved versatile in combat, seeing action on both the Eastern and Western Fronts, where it contributed to German fire support capabilities. Around 1,200 units were produced from 1942 to 1944.
Shells of the 10,5 Howitzer weighed 15,55 kg instead of the 5,74 kg from the StuG. It had a maximum distance of 5400 meters. Normally targets at the battlefield were no more than 2000 meters away.
Next to usual howitzer shells it could fire armor piercing shells which penetrated 90 to 100 mm of armor regardless of the distance.
The StuH 42 on the photos is on display in the Musée des Blindes, Saumur, France.
