Sturmgeschutz III ausf. B of Sonderverband 288. Most historians claim that this is a ausf. D, but the lower hull is fitted with the headlamp covers found on the ausf. A and B versions.

StuG III ausf. B

The StuG IV was first considered as an alternative to Panzer III based vehicles in 1943 when trials were carried out to test whether the superstructure of the StuG III could be fitted on the hull of the Panzer IV. These early tests proved fortuitous when the StuG III factory at Alkett was heavily damaged in bombing and production stopped. 

As an alternative, StuG IV production was started at Krupp in December 1943 and by January 1944 all Panzer IV production at Krupp had switched to the StuG IV.

The StuG IV was soon being issued to the independent Sturmgeschütz brigades of the Wehrmacht, Panzerjäger units, and Panzer units. It was used as both an assault gun in support of the infantry as well as a tank hunter, proving equally deadly in both roles. 

It has 80mm of front armour, 30mm of side and 11mm on top. Armed with the 7.5cm StuK40 and a MG34. 

[High Resolution]

Sturmgeschütz IV, 7.5cm StuK L/48. Sd Kfz 167 [HR]

Panzer IV tank of German Army Group North in northern Russia, Sep 1943