"Panzerjager ready for battle!"
Marder III or Marder is a heavy vehicle unit featured in Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts
Game Info
Marder III or Panzerjager(Tank Hunter)38(t) by the German, is a tank destroyer or self-propelled Anti-tank gun built on the base chassis of the old and obsolete Panzer 38t. The Marder III is armed with the 75mm PaK 40/3 Anti-tank gun capable of dealing with most of the Allied tank throughout the war. Marder III is used and fielded by the Panzer Elite, and is available when Axis Commander construct the Panzerjager Kompanie and upgrade the Panzerjager Command. Marder III can rival its counterpart- the M10 Tank Destroyer. Unlike the M10 Wolverine, it has no turrent and does not use speed to flank other vehicle unit. But its secret lies within its main gun and its rate of fire. The 75mm PaK 40/3 AT-gun has a very good range, twice the range of the M10 Tank Destroyer and slightly further than the standard AT-gun. Marder III also can lock itself down to fully utilize its main gun. Although immobile, can fire twice as fast as it is on the move. The lock down abilities also increase the Marder III range of sight, allowing it to fire beyond the normal range. Marder III can return mobility quicker than other Panzer Elite Panzer Unit. Marder III is an excellent tank hunter, if set up in a chokepoint it can take out incoming armor with minimum effort. Because of its poor armor protection, it is not a panzer design to storm the front along with Infantry like the Panzer IV Infantry Support Tank and the Panther, rather it is more suited to provide heavy fire support. Panzer Elite also used the Marder III to fight along with the Panzer IV Infantry Support Tank and Panzer Grenadier. The Panzer IV Infantry Support Tank and Panzer Grenadier cut down Infantry while the Marder III turn armored tanks into scrap metal. The Marder IIIs greatest advantages are its long range, power, and low cost.
Weakness
Like the M10 Tank Destroyer, Marder III has trades its armor protection for its main gun, thus it is a lightly armored panzer. Its panzer armor is so light that small armed fire can damage the Marder III. AT weapons and tank fire can also do severe damage to it. As it has no secondary weapon, it can't surpress infantry. Allied Infantry that carry light AT weapons such as AT Recoiless rifle, Sticky bomb, bazooka, PIAT, and mines can be very hazardous to the lightly armored Marder III. As it has no turret, like the Stug IV it's slow at turning, alliowing most infantry can outmaneuver it and avoid its main gun. Marder III is also vunerble to artillery strike, especially if it's locked down, as it takes around 5 second to return mobile. By the time it moves, it will be rained upon by artillery shell. The Marder III is best used when supported by infantry and and on a raised vantage point. The Marder III requires more to build than the similar function M-10 tank destroyer, and takes more population. It also is easier to hit, making it a long distance weapon, requiring other units to shield it, such as Hetzers, or Infantry Support Panzer IVs.
Marder III open top that houses the PaK 40/3 Anti tank gun with two gun crew,the gunner/loader(left)
