Sturmgeschutz III (Stug III) was armor assault gun platform built on Panzer III chassis, depending on its armament it can deployed as infantry-support assault gun or anti-tank engagements. Originally designed artillery to assist infantry against fortified targets (buildings, pillboxes, earthen works), its anti-tank capabilities emerged as more powerful guns were installed. Hull vehicle numeral 115 referred to 1st Company, 1st Zug (platoon), 5th vehicle in platoon.

One advantage via this gun arrangement was that a larger caliber gun could be mounted directly into tank chassis, thus lowering vehicle silhouette. In addition, gun's weight and internal crew space no longer limited by turret assembly (turret had to carry gun's weight as it transversed). Via German nomenclature, this vehicle designated 7.5cm Sturmgeschutz 40 Ausfuhrung G (SdKfz 142/1). Sturmgeschütz III - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StuG_III

Inset 1 : Stug III derived from Panzer III tank chassis. Panzer III tanks above knocked out during July 1943 Battle of Kursk Salient on Eastern Front, to date the largest tank battle in military history with Germans fielding circa 2,700 tanks countered by Soviets fielding 3,600 tanks of various sizes and capabilities. Left is regular Panzer III with applique armor on gun mantle / driver glacis and turret schurzen. Right is a Panzerbefehlswagen III (command tank with extra radios for armor coordination during fluid engagements) armed with a fake tank gun and one MG34 machine gun. Towards back is Panzer III wreck with a blown gun turret. Battle of Kursk - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_kursk

Rollover : ( Rollover JPG link ) option for web browser not able to render graphic rollover code | Stug III introduced in various models, the Ausfuhrung G model depicted above had a Prismenspiegelkuppel (commander's cupola), enlarged superstructure for more ammunition storage, machine-gun shield for gun loader's side. Given cramp conditions inside vehicle, braced rear deck used for equipment stowage. Model spray painted in acrylic POLLY-S Light Tan, paint washed acrylic POLLY-S Dark Earth, dry brushed with enamel TESTOR Tan.

Inset 2 : First Stug III assault gun version deployed in Feb 1940, armed with short-barrel 7.5cm StuK37 L/24 gun. It provided mobile artillery support for advancing infantry against fortified targets, only 35 Ausf E versions were built by manufacturer Alkett. No ball machine gun or pistol ports existed on vehicle, hence its crew had to open top hatches to fire their pistol, machine pistol (submachine gun), or MG34 machine gun. Its official title was Gepanzerter Selbstfahrlafette fur Sturmgeschutz 7.5cm Kanone Ausf A (Armored Even Drive Carriage for 7.5cm cannon-armed Assault Gun model A), or simply as StuG Ausf A 1 Serie. Sturmgeschütz III/IV - www.achtungpanzer.com/stug.htm

Inset 3 : Typical Stug III camouflage for European and Mediterranean fronts, this one with African Yellow base color with soft-edged green mottle design, number 307 referred to 3rd Company, Platoon Staff Unit, 7th vehicle in platoon.

As with German Luftwaffe, Panzer, and Waffen-SS formations, Assault Gun units also had their own marching song called Lied der Sturmartillerie (Song of the Assault Artillery). Lied der Sturmartillerie (MP3) - www.wargamer.com/Hosted/Panzer/songsturmartillerie.htm

German Lyrics :

Wenn der Kampf um den Sieg am wildesten braust, 
Panzer voran voran! 
zieht die Sturmart'lerie wie die eiserne Faust,  
Panzer voran voran! 
Alles reissen wir mit, niemand remmt unsern Schritt,  
weder Wälder noch Wüste noch Moor, 
mit Gott der Eisen wachsen ließ, 
Sturmart`lerie bricht vor!

Was die Technik uns schuf, wir fahen's an den Feind, 
Panzer voran voran! 
so sind wir mit der Heimat im Geiste vereint, 
Panzer voran voran! 
Und die Kampfmelodie uns'er Sturmart'lerie, 
ist so hart, wie wir selbst Mann fur Mann

Und nach dem wir dann Tod und Verderben gespien, 
Panzer voran voran! 
Nun hinein in die bessere ZuKunft wir zieh'n, 
Panzer voran voran! 
Uns're Wunsche so Ziel 
Brechen Deutschlands Zurkunft wir Bahn!
			

English Translation :

When the battle for victory reaches the wildest tumult 
Panzer forwards forwards! 
The assault artillery moves like an iron fist 
Panzer forwards forwards! 
We tear everything along, no one can halt our step 
Neither forests nor desert nor swamp, 
With God who let iron grow 
Assault artillery breaks forwards! 

What technology created for us, we drive it towards the enemy, 
Panzer forwards forwards! 
That's how we are with the homeland in spirit united, 
Panzer forwards forwards! 
And the battle song of our assault artillery, 
Is so hard, as we are ourselves man for man. 

And after we then perceive death and decay, 
Panzer forwards forwards! 
Now into a better future we go, 
Panzer forwards forwards! 
Our wishes become goals 
We force a way for Germany's future