SdKfz 135 Marder I (Marten I) Tank Destroyer / Self-Propelled Artillery (1942)
The Marder I was designed to meet the ever-growing power of Soviet armor in the form of the T-34 and Kliment Voroshilov tanks.
The Marder I appeared in 1942 and was produced to the tune of 184 examples. In appearance, these combat systems were not unlike the self-propelled gun systems of today and featured a superstructure mounted to the rear with the engine in front. The superstructure was static in that the entire Marder I system would have to be pointed in the direction of fire. The superstructure was also opened at the top and the rear, making the gunnery crew exposed to battlefield fire and the elements in general. Nevertheless, with the turret mounting the powerful and proven PaK 40 anti-tank gun, the Marder I was a born killer ready to engage light to medium armored targets.
Production of the Marder I was split between 60 dedicated tank destroying elements and a further 100 as dedicated self-propelled artillery guns. The former would feature a version of the PaK 40 designated as the PaK 40/1 L/46 whilst the latter was armed with a 10.5-cm (4.1") OR a 15-cm (5.9") main gun. The Lorraine tractor design and arrangement proved to be quite acceptable to the task and was therefore a prime candidate for conversion. Other chassis under German control, such as the Hotchkiss H39, were also used in a few limited conversions falling under the same Marder I designation.
The engine was mounted in the front as it was in the original Lorraine tractor. This was of a DelaHaye 103TT in-line 6-cylinder engine developing 70 horsepower. The engine allowed for vehicle speeds of up to 24 miles per hour on ideal surfaces and an overall range of 93 miles. Armor protection surrounding the critical sides of the main gun was 12mm at its thickest and was sloped for added protection.
In combat, the Marder I was moderately successful. Most systems were kept within the borders of France and took part in the Invasion of Normandy to which many were lost in the fighting. The Marder II and Marder III systems would soon come online and feature many of the lessons learned from the Marder I conversion program. In any case, Marders would make up a strong arm of offensive power for the German Army through to the closing days of World War 2 though, by this time, the Marder I's were all but limited in their production quantity and surpassed by more purpose-built tank destroyer designs. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
SdKfz 135 Marder I (Marten I)
Tank Destroyer / Self-Propelled Artillery
Country of Origin: Nazi Germany
Manufacturer: Various - Germany
Initial Year of Service: 1942
Production: 184
Focus Model: SdKfz 135 Marder I (Marten I)
Crew: 4 to 5
Overall Length: 17.65ft (5.38m)
Width: 6.17ft (1.88m)
Height: 6.56ft (2.00m)
Weight: 11.0 US Short Tons (10,000kg; 22,046lbs)
Powerplant: 1 x DelaHaye 103TT in-line 6-cylinder engine developing 70hp.
Maximum Speed: 24mph (38 km/h)
Maximum Range: 87 miles (140 km)
NBC Protection: None
Nightvision: None
Armament:
1 x 7.5-cm PaK 40 main gun
Ammunition:
Not Available
Variants:
Marder I - Fitted to Lorraine tractor chassis and mounting 75mm anti-tank main gun; other chassis types included in production were from FCM 36 and Hotchkiss H39 tank series.
Marder II - Based on the Panzer II chassis.
Marder III - Based on the Panzer II chassis.
Operators: Nazi Germany
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