The Sturmgeschütz (litteraly "assault gun" shortened as "StuG") could be found inside Von Manstein's "Sturmartillerie" concept...Production data doesn't lie. Although quite underrated by allied intelligence during WW2 and still somewhat underestimated today, the STUG-III was nonetheless the most produced of any german tank during the conflict. The irony of its evolution mirrored the more famous Panzer IV. At first, this was a simple derivative of the Panzer III for infantry support only, ending as German main battle tank. With its low-profile and low-cost, the real battlehorse of the Wehrmacht was the STUG, shifting for a close support vehicle to a tank-hunter of first magnitude, soldiering without interruption anywhere from North Africa to Europe and Russia. The crews loved it because of its low profile and heavy armor, and the infantry it was supporting for its firepower and availability. Tanks Encyclopedia is about to gave justice to the STUG...