Trying to figure out the German “storm artillery” fighting vehicle mentioned in the Soviet reports. Best as I can tell, it’s a StuG III, but not clear whether it’s the short-barrelled A or B version, or the long-barrelled G. Considering the Soviets are calling it “storm artillery” which is a rough translation of the German term “Sturm Geschutz”, I tend to believe it’s the StuG and not reference to the Marder series of self-propelled anti-tank gun.
The ammunition capacity of 50 rounds is more in line with the StuG and not the Marders, which generally carried 35-40 rounds.
What threw me was the claim that the Soviet 45mm anti-tank gun being an easy counter to these vehicles. The Marders were quite limited in armor and vulnerable, while the StuG had tougher hide and should have been able to withstand a 45mm round from medium to long range.
The germans called several of their self propelled guns ‘storm’ such as: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15_cm_sIG_33_%28Sf%29_auf_Panzerkampfwagen_I_Ausf_B
But that one was lighter than the article says so I am thinking they mean this one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummel_%28artillery%29