Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.G is the last version of the series of StuG III and the most known and especially produced. This version makes its appearance at the beginning of the year 1943. This new design is in fact an improvement of the preceding model StuG III Ausf.F8. The chassis known hardly change if not that at the beginning the nose had a shielding of 50mm which was increased to 80mm by the addition of plates of 30mm (bolted or welded). With the wire of the production a thick nose of 80mm will be introduced to facilitate the production. On the level of the superstructure the shielding of the frontal part is standardized to 80mm by means of additional plates of 30mm bolted on the thick normal shielding of 50mm. By after the front part of superstructure will consist of only one plate of 80mm. Let us note that the sight of the pilot is always that conceived for the shielding of 50mm and that on the whole first it is still surmounted by the two holes of the binocular glasses (fahrerfernohr).

Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.G (Sd.Kfz 142/1) mit 75mm StuK 40 L/48. Early production model with the parallepipedic mantlet.

src: Tamiya

But the most notable fact is that the superstructure was widened on the overhangs of the tracks in order to provide a interior space more consequent. This profit of space was used to install the radio operator material inside the vehicle (thus disappearance of outside radio-basket) and to load additional ammunition. The roof was still high on its back part to accomodate a commander cupola of cylindrical of form with 8 episcopes. The trap door of the cupola was equipped with a small valve which made it possible to use binocular glasses when that this one was closed. Let us note what the episcopes was protected by transparent plastic plates.

Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.G (Sd.Kfz 142/1) mit 75mm StuK 40 L/48. Early production model with the parallepipedic mantlet.

src: Tamiya

Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.G of a unit's commander.

src: site "Germany's Vehicle History"

Always on the roof, on the first vehicles, the ventilator was assembled on the back part of this one but on the following it was moved on the back plate of the superstructure. The shield protecting the MG34-gunner was standardized on StuG III Ausf.G. At the beginning much of vehicles were also equipped with smoke-producing grenade throwers on the sides of the superstructure. During the production the armoured skirts (Schürzen) of 5mm became a standard element of the model. On the level of the gun, the only change is the standardization during the production of the mask in the shape of face mask of pig (Saukopf) easily recognizable. During the production, the parts of the trap door of the loader underwent a rotation of 90° to open on the sides and a coaxial machine-gun will be installed on the mantlet. Some were equipped with a grenade thrower of 90mm on the roof (360°). A total 7893 specimens of StuG III Ausf.G were produced by firms Alkett and MIAG between December 1942 and Mars 1945.

On these two images one sees perfectly the mask in the shape of face mask of pig "Saukopf" and the cover of Zimmerit.
src: site "Panzer Page von Reitsch"

In 1944 and 1945 some StuGs III Ausf.G were converted into transport of ammunition. These specimens without gun (the opening being covered by an armour-plate) were indicated Munitionspanzer auf Fahrgestell Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.G .

Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.G (Sd.Kfz 142/1) armé du 75mm StuK 40 L/48.

src: site "Germany's Vehicle History"

Some members of my familly on a StuG III Ausf.G (Saukopf) in Bourcy (Bastogne), early 1945.

src: Vincent Bourguignon