The suggestive name Marder II was used for two different vehicles during the Second World War. One, the subject of this article, mounted the 7,62 cm Pak 36, orignally captured from the Russians, on the chassis of the Pz Kpfw II (F). The other mounted the 7,5 cm Pak 40 on a regular Pz Kpfw II chassis.

While the vehicles were employed in the same way, and had very similar anti-tank combat abilities, they were still considered seperate vehicles. Referring to them both as Marder II is mainly a matter of expedience; some of the more long-winded names also used, such as 7,62 cm Pak (r) auf Fgst. Pz Kpfw II (Sf) (Sd. Kfz. 132), are less well suited for normal conversation.

Production

The initial order of 150 vehicles was based on Pz Kpfw II (F) chassis completed by MAN, the contract for which had been cancelled. A subsequent contract called for 60 conversions based on the Pz Kpfw II Ausf. D1, as these were returned for homefront repair.

Month Inventory Planned Wa AAbbreviation for: Heeres-Waffenamt
office of armaments
Look up term		 Fz InAbbreviation for: Feldzeuginspektion
ordnance inspectorate
Look up term		 Combat Losses
1942
April - 45 60 58 1Details not available, as losses were grouped with those of the 7,62 cm Pak (r) until January 1943.
May 58 75 90 92
June 150 30 - 12
July 162 - - 9
August 2Not available, as inventory was grouped with that of the 7,62 cm Pak (r) between August 1942 and February 1943. - - -
September - 15 -
October - 7 15
November - - 7
December - - 3
1943
January 3Not available, as inventory was grouped with that of the 7,62 cm Pak (r) between August 1942 and February 1943. - - - 4Details not available, as losses were grouped with those of the 7,62 cm Pak (r) until January 1943.
February - - - 675Includes all losses up to February 1943.
March 92 - - 4 -
April 536Inventory verified on this date. The 39 vehicle discreprency is not accounted for. - - 8 18
May 43 - 4 3 -
June 46 - 4 4 -
July 50 - - 2 -
August 52 - - - -
September 52 - - 1 1
October 697Inventory verified on this date. The 17 vehicle discreprency is not accounted for. - - 3 4
November 68 - - 2 -
December 70 - - - 7
1944
January 63 - - 1 4
February 60 - - - 5
March 55 - - - -
April 55 - - - -
May 55 - - - -
June 55 - - - 1
July 54 - - - -
August 54 - - - -
September 54 - - - -
October 54 - - - -
November 55 No further reports.
Total - 2108Including additional contract for 60 conversions, without any set deadline. 180 2249Including a total of 202 factory conversions. 107

Technical Information

Marder II (7,62 cm Pak 36)
Crew
Crew
  • Commander
  • Gunner
  • Loader
  • Driver
Physical Characteristics
Weight 11.5 t
Length, without gun 5.65 m
Length, with gun 4.81 m
Width 2.30 m
Height 2.60 m
Firing height 2.20 m
Ground clearance 0.29 m
Steering ratio 1.15 m
Ground contact length 2.20 m
Ground pressure 0.87 kg/cm²
Suspension Torsion bar
Number of roadwheels Four
Track type Kgs 61-300/100
Number of track links 96
Armor
Hull, front 30 mm
Hull, sides 14.5 mm
Hull, rear 14.5 mm
Hull, top 10 mm
Hull, bottom 5 mm
Superstructure and gun shield, front 14.5 mm
Superstructure and gun shield, sides 10 mm
Performance
Maximum speed 55 km/h
Road speed 35 km/h
Cross-country speed 18-20 km/h
Maximum grade, upwards 24°
Trench crossing 1.87 m
Vertical obstacle 0.42 m
Fording depth 0.85 m
Fuel capacity 200 l
Cruising range 220 km
Cross-country range 130 km
Mileage (road) 0.91 l/km
Mileage (cross-country) 1.54 l/km
Engine
Make and model Maybach HL 62 TRM
Type Water cooled
Cylinders 6
Displacement 6200 cc
Fuel Gasoline
Max. governed speed 2600 rpm
Net h.p. 140
Armament
Main weapon 7,62 cm Pak 36
Main weapon traverse 50°
Main weapon maximum elevation 16°
Main weapon minimum depression 5°
Secondary weapon M G 34
Auxillary weapon 9 mm M P
Ammunition Storage
Main weapon 30
Secondary weapon 900
Auxillary weapon 192
Optics
Gunner's sight 3×8°
Driver's optics Fahrerfernrohr KFF 2 (1×65°)
Radio Equipment
External radio Funksprechgerät d
Internal communication Intercom

Additional Reading

Pz Kpfw II
Information about the Panzerkampfwagen II.
Marder II (7,5 cm Pak 40/2)
Information about the Marder II equipped with the 7,5 cm Pak 40/2.

Notes

  1. Details not available, as losses were grouped with those of the 7,62 cm Pak (r) until January 1943. Back
  2. Not available, as inventory was grouped with that of the 7,62 cm Pak (r) between August 1942 and February 1943. Back
  3. Not available, as inventory was grouped with that of the 7,62 cm Pak (r) between August 1942 and February 1943. Back
  4. Details not available, as losses were grouped with those of the 7,62 cm Pak (r) until January 1943. Back
  5. Includes all losses up to February 1943. Back
  6. Inventory verified on this date. The 39 vehicle discreprency is not accounted for. Back
  7. Inventory verified on this date. The 17 vehicle discreprency is not accounted for. Back
  8. Including additional contract for 60 conversions, without any set deadline. Back
  9. Including a total of 202 factory conversions. Back

Sources

  1. Überblick über den Rüstungsstand des Heeres - Waffen- u. Gerätegebiet : Stand: 1.12.1942. Berlin, 1942. 124 p. Der Chef der Heeresrüstung und Befehlshaber des Ersatzheeres - Stab Rüst IIIc Nr. 3100/42 g.Kdos.. NARA T78 R166.
  2. Überblick über den Rüstungsstand des Heeres - Waffen und Geräte : Stand: 1.12.1943. Berlin, 1943. 224 p. Der Chef der Heeresrüstung und Befehlshaber des Ersatzheeres - Stab Rüst IIIc Nr. 3600/43 g.Kdos.. NARA T78 R167.
  3. Überblick über den Rüstungsstand des Heeres - Waffen und Geräte : Stand: 1.10.1944. Berlin, 1944. 238 p. Der Chef der Heeresrüstung und Befehlshaber des Ersatzheeres - Stab Rüst IIIc Nr. 5040/44 g.Kdos.. NARA T78 R169.
  4. JENTZ, Thomas L. & Doyle, Hilary Louis. Panzer Tracts No. 7-2 - Panzerjaeger : (7.62 cm F.K.(r) auf gp.Sfl. to Marder 38T) - development and employment from 1941 to 1943. Boyds, MD : Panzer Tracts, 2005. 96 p. ISBN 0-9744862-9-9.
  5. PAWLAS, Karl R. Waffen-Revue W 127 - Datenblätter für Heeres-Waffen, -Fahrzeuge und Gerät. Nurnberg : Publizistisches Archiv für Militär- und Waffenwessen, 1976. 248 p. ISBN 3-88088-213-4.