The Sturmgeschütz III (StuG III) assault gun was Germany's most produced armored fighting vehicle during World War II. It was built on the chassis of the proven Panzer III. Initially intended as a mobile, armored light gun for infantry support, the StuG was continually modified and was widely employed as a tank destroyer.
When the Sturmgeschütz IV entered production in late 1943 and early 1944, the "III" was added to the name to separate it from the Panzer IV-based assault guns. All previous and following models were thereafter known as Sturmgeschütz III.
