German Assault Guns
Assault guns were designed as an infantry support weapon. Early models were armed with low velocity 75mm guns which were used to target enemy strong points. The chassis chosen was from the Panzer III and given the title Sturmgeschutz. As the war went this vehicle was up-dated with thicker armour and later a longer barrelled 75mm gun, and this gave the StuG a better tank killing capability. In 1942 the German high command decided to mount a 105mm howitzer which allowed some vehicles to return to their original job of infantry support. Later versions of the Sturmgeschutz used the chassis of the Panzer IV. The Sturmgeschutz was a success not only as a support vehicle but as a tank killer, as reports say that the Sturmgeschutz accounted for over 20.000 enemy vehicles.
