The Assault Gun (Sturmgeschutz) was a turret less self-propelled gun. It mounted its weapon in a fixed position in the forward hull. There was elevation, but no traverse. To aim, gunner and driver had to co-operate fully. The original intention was to provide Stug's merely to provide support for the infantry, but the situation in the east changed this. They were issued to Panzer Grenadier Divisions to equip their single panzer Battalion. They cropped up in the anti tank Battalions of all Divisions. As losses increased, they also infiltrated the Panzer Battalions themselves, often equipping the fourth Company instead of tanks.
