7,5 cm Pak 40 auf Selbstfahrlafette auf Lr.S. (f)This self propelled gun more known as a Panzerjager Lr.S. fur 7,5 cm Pak 40/1, Sd.Kfz.135, or just Marder I (from 1944). Name of this tank destroyer changed 5 times
Development of this self propelled gun started in 23 may 1942, initial plan - 60 Pak 40 armed vehicles. But in june 1942 plans of production is changed - 170 vehicles. Production of 7,5 cm Pak 40 auf Selbstfahrlafette auf Lr.S. (f) started from end of june 1942 by Baukommando Becker. In july produced 104 vehicles, in august 66. Unlike 15 cm sFH 13/1 (Sf) auf Geschutzwagen Lr.S. (f) or 10,5 cm leFH 18/4 auf Geschutzwagen Lr.S. (f), tank destroyer haven't "early" or "late" series, all vehicles have same design. Deck, opened from top, has been wider than 15 cm sFH 13/1 (Sf) auf Geschutzwagen Lr.S. (f).
One of first 7,5 cm Pak 40 auf Selbstfahrlafette auf Lr.S. (f), superstructure number 708
In august 1942 54 7,5 cm Pak 40 auf Selbstfahrlafette auf Lr.S. (f) has been transferred to East Front. Tank destroyers of this type transferred to:
- 31 Infantry Division (one company with 9 vehicles);
- 35 Infantry Division (one company with 9 vehicles);
- 36 Infantry Division (one company with 9 vehicles);
- 72 Infantry Division (one company with 9 vehicles);
- 206 Infantry Division (one company with 9 vehicles);
- 256 Infantry Division (one company with 9 vehicles).
7,5 cm Pak 40 auf Selbstfahrlafette auf Lr.S. (f), Heeres Gruppe Mitte, Eastern Front, winter 1942-43
Also in december 1942 334 infantry Division vehicles (one company with 9 vehicles) has been transferred to Tunisia, last vehicles has been lost in april 1943.
7,5 cm Pak 40 auf Selbstfahrlafette auf Lr.S. (f) from 334 Infantry Division unloaded from Me-323, Tunisia, december 1942
Final of Africa career - destroyed 7,5 cm Pak 40 auf Selbstfahrlafette auf Lr.S. (f) from 334 Infantry Division, Tunisia, spring 1943
Most of 7,5 cm Pak 40 auf Selbstfahrlafette auf Lr.S. (f) has been transferred to France, lots of vehicles replace Marder III.
- H.u.D Infantry Division (one company with 9 vehicles);
- 65 Infantry Division (two company with 14 vehicles);
- 76 Infantry Division (two company with 13 vehicles);
- 94 Infantry Division (two company with 14 vehicles);
- 305 Infantry Division (two company with 13 vehicles);
- 343 Infantry Division (one company with 9 vehicles);
- 348 Infantry Division (one company with 5 vehicles);
- 158 Reserve Division (one company with 9 vehicles).
Some vehicles from France, 1942-43
In june 1944 Marder I (nickname added in february 1944) has been used in:
- PzJgAbt 709 (one company with 10 vehicles);
- PzJgKp 711 (one company with 10 vehicles);
- PzJgKp 712 (one company with 10 vehicles);
- PzJgAbt 716 (one company with 10 vehicles);
- PzJgKp 245 (one company with 10 vehicles);
Also i have information about using Marder I in 21 Panzer Division (neu):
- I./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 125 (gp) - 4 vehicles;
- II./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 125 - 3 vehicles;
- I./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 192 (gp) - 4 vehicles;
- II./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 192 - 3 vehicles.
Marder I from 21 Panzer Division (neu), summer 1944
Last Marder I used in winter-spring 1945 combats.
A this time only one Marder I officially survived. This vehicle has been captured by americans in summer 1944 and transverred to Aberdeen Proving Ground. Later this vehicle transferred to France, now preserved in Musee Blindes, Saumur.
How many Marder I survived in reality - who knows. Need to ask old french collectors, they have lots of hiding AFVs