Help to ID this Marder III part

[Mike Kasputis]

Does anyone know what was stored in this container ?

171029004.SjDgc4uS.marderseat.jpg

[me6_130]

Look like ammunition grills. 7.5cm rounds?

Carles

[kefru177]

Look like ammunition grills. 7.5cm rounds?

Carles

No, I don't think that this is a Marder 3 with the A/T 75mm gun. Look at the rows behind it, this one was fitted with a howitzer. Besides this rack is far to small for a 75mm round

[Recymech]

'Mike' - Do you mean the container on the floor or the ones on the left of the picture ?



Kind regards,
Pete.

[kefru177]

'Mike' - Do you mean the container on the floor or the ones on the left of the picture ?



Kind regards,
Pete.

I was focusing on the box to the left rather than the rack in the lower fighting compartment. I have no idea what either rack was used for though !

I think that the vehicle is a Grille rather than a Marder 3

[maxfab]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GfZH06hgP4

[kefru177]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GfZH06hgP4

Ah it is marder 3, at the bottom of the hull is extra ammo stowage

[me6_130]

I'm sorry I don't really know but just some ideas:

- Hand grenades?
- Smoke pots?
- Extra fuzes?

Carles

[hatleyj]

Beer holder.

[Mike Kasputis]

Thanks for the replies - Yes the one on the left, and yes this is the Saumur Marder III. It holds 20 of something but I have never seen anyone say what or it mentioned anywhere.
I have seen this container on the late version but not the early version. I thought extra fuses also.
I like the idea of a beer holder.
Still a mystery.

[Recymech]

You can never have enough 'Beer Holders'

Something that we did was to try and find as many places on our Recovery Vehicles where you could open a Beer Bottle.

I'm sure that someone out there will know exactly what items were stowed in this container.

Kind regards,
Pete.

[rhys1]

Flares ?

[me6_130]

Flares ?

Nop, I don't think so. Flares are smaller and had a specific kind of box.

Carles

[rhys1]

I’ve just checked my MBI and Nuts and Bolts books on the Ausf H and there is no reference to that box at all. It could be from an Ausf M

[fusilier1944]

It’s definitely the M variant. It also appears that this Marder (at the Saumer museum) is a command vehicle. In the video linked above you can see radio racks on the loader’s side of the fighting compartment.

I have no clue what the box in question is. It has been bugging me since you asked. IF it were for flares, then they would have to be in the bakelite cases to fit. But looking at the lowest part of this box, it looks too shallow even for these. I don’t think that’s it.

We know there is a flare box nearby, to the left of the gun mount on the platform (beyond the gunners seat in these pics and above the fire extinguisher). It has 12-15 holes fitted for flares. Unless I’m totally wrong about that.

I also have never seen this box open or the contents listed. Now I want to know!