The Marder II and III were two German tank destroyers based on the Panzer II and Panzer 38(t) chassis, respectively. There were two versions for each, the first mounted modified captured Soviet 7.62 cm F-22 Model 1936 field guns firing German ammunition, while the other mounted the German 7.5 cm Pak 40 gun. 

Marder II and III were more of a gun carriage than a proper Panzerjäger that could exchange shells with enemy tanks. They were an interim solution to penetrate the armor of new Soviet tanks such as the T-34 and KV-1.

Both of them added significant firepower compared to contemporary German tanks. Marder IIs and IIIs fought on all fronts of the war, but especially on the Eastern Front. Several German factories produced and converted 651 Marder IIs from June 1942 to early 1944. In case of the Marder IIIs were produced and converted 1736 units from April 1942 to May 1944.

They were used by the Panzerjäger Abteilungen of the Panzer divisions of both the Wehrmacht and the Waffen SS, as well as several Luftwaffe units, uch as the Hermann Göring division.

The Marder's weaknesses were mainly related to survivability. The combination of a high silhouette and open-top fighting compartment made them vulnerable to indirect artillery fire, aircraft strafing, and grenades. The armor was also quite thin, making them vulnerable to enemy tanks or infantry.

The Marders were not assault vehicles or tank substitutes; the open top meant that operations in urban areas or other close-combat situations were very risky. They were best employed in defensive or overwatch roles. Despite their weaknesses, they were much more effective than the towed antitank guns that they replaced.