The Sturmgeschutz III (StuG.III) has the distinction of being Germany’s most widely produced AFV of WWII, with 10,619 eventually manufactured. Based on the chassis of the Panzer III, it was cheaper and faster to build since it did not have a rotating turret. The Ausf.E, still equipped with the same short-barreled 75mm StuK37 L/24 gun as preceding marks, was produced from September 1941 through to March 1942. Some 272 rolled off Germany’s factory floors in that period. This variant’s major improvement over its predecessor was a new armored pannier on the right side of the superstructure to accommodate radio equipment. Increased space inside allowed an extra six 75mm rounds to be carried. An MG34 was stowed internally too, and smaller hinges for the inspection hatches were another distinguishing feature of the Ausf.E.