Combat on the Russian Front

[Mad Russian]

Germans modified many of the captured 76mm guns to use 75mm ammo.

I have heard that the Soviets made a conscious effort to make their weapons that would use enemy ammunition. That's why they were always a mm or two larger than their enemies weapons systems. I have never heard of this regarding the T-34 but it could easily be possible.

From April 1942 through October 1942 the Germans produced the Marder II/III (Sdkfz 139) early versions which had the 76mm Soviet gun. There were 344 of these made with an additional 19 converted in 1943. There were 242 Marder II/III late (SdKfz 138) made with the 75mm gun.

I have never heard that the Germans took captured vehicles and modified the guns on them but in one instance. The Germans really like the KV-1 and there was an attempt to upgun it to a German gun. I have never seen an instance of a T-34 with a 75mm gun in it.

I don't know if German ammo would work in Soviet tank guns or not. Most German ammo was specific to a particular gun. A 75mm shell for a 75L24 for instance would not to my knowledge work in a 75L43 gun. They each had shells that were designed to fire their own rounds.

Someone who knows more about tank guns can probably shed more light on this subject than I can.

Good Hunting.

MR