SdKfz.131 Marder II

The Marder II was a self-propelled anti-tank gun based on the obsolete Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf A/B/C and F light tank. It was armed with the 75mm PaK 40/2 L/46 anti-tank gun. It was designated 7.5cm PaK40/2 auf Fahrgestell PzKpfw II (Sf). This conversion used both new and used chassis and components of the Panzerkampfwagen II light tank, which at the time, was taken out of active service as being inadequate in a combat role. The vehicle used the standard Ausf F hull and superstructure, on which a new fighting compartment was mounted. A three-man crew operated Marder II. The vehicle carried 37 rounds of ammunition. As with other Marders, it offered minimal crew protection, as its fighting compartment was open at the top and rear. The main armament could be traversed 32 degrees to the left and 25 degrees to the right. In addition to the main armament, a 7.92mm MG 34 was carried inside the fighting compartment. Armor protection ranged from 5 to 30mm.
From June 1942 to June 1943, FAMO, MAN and Daimler-Benz produced 576 Marder II vehicles. In addition, 75 were converted from July 1943 to March 1944. All Marder IIs were issued to Panzerjager Abteilungen and served on all fronts from July 1942 to the end of the war.
The Marder II came in two major versions. The first version Marder II (Sd.Kfz. 132) was based on the light Panzer II Ausf. D/E and Flammpanzer II chassis with Christie suspension. It was armed with captured Soviet 7.62 cm guns, re-chambered to accept German 7.5 cm Pak 40 ammunition, which improved its penetrative capabilities. These early Marder IIs had a very high silhouette (2.60 m high), thin armor of only 30 mm (front) and 10 to 15 mm (sides). There was no armour on the top or rear, leaving the crew with very little protection. Alkett and Wegmann produced 201 Marder II (Sd. Kfz. 132) from early 1942 to early 1943.
The second version Marder II (Sd.Kfz. 131) was based on Panzer II Ausf. A to C removed from active service but later also newly produced Ausf. F chassis were used. This Marder II had a redesigned (widened) fighting compartment and used the German 75 mm Pak 40 anti-tank gun. The silhouette was lowered by about 40 cm to 2.20 m, but the armor was thin and the compartment was open to the top and rear, as in Sd. Kfz. 132. FAMO, MAN and Daimler-Benz produced 576 Marder II (Sd.Kfz. 131) conversions from June 1942 to Mid 1943. 75 more were converted (probably by FAMO only) from mid 1943 to early 1944 when the last Panzer IIs were taken out of active service.