They mounted either the modified ex-Soviet 76.2 mm F-22 Model 1936 divisional field gun, or the German 7.5 cm PaK 40, in an open-topped fighting compartment on top of the chassis of the Czechoslovakian Panzer 38(t).

They offered little protection to the crew, but added significant firepower, which was able to destroy the thick-armored T-34s, compared to contemporary German tanks.

In the early stages of Operation Barbarossa, the Wehrmacht felt the need for a more mobile and more powerful anti-tank solution than the existing towed anti-tank guns, such as the 3.7 cm Pak 36, or self-propelled tank destroyers, such as the Panzerjäger I (mounted with the 4.7 cm PaK (t)).

This thin upper armor formed a gunshield, only protecting the crew from shrapnel and small arms fire on the front and sides.

All Marder series had open tops—although some were issued with canvas tops to protect the crew from the elements.

In this regard, the Marder was more of a gun carriage than a proper Panzerjäger that could exchange fire with enemy tanks.

G was halted, and a modified superstructure was bolted onto the standard tank chassis in lieu of a gun turret.

[1] This next variant of the Marder III fielded the standard 7.5 cm PaK 40 German anti-tank gun on a slightly modified Panzer 38(t) Ausf.

This allowed the crew to stay low in the center of the vehicle, lowering their exposure to small arms fire and shell fragments.

M was the final variant of the Marder series, and was a significant improvement over previous models, with its lower silhouette, sloped armor, and much more functional fighting compartment.

The fighting compartment could be lowered down to the bottom floor level where the engine used to be, which decreased crew exposure and visibility.

Unlike the previous two Marder III variants, the fighting compartment was closed at the rear, protecting the crew up to their midsection.

Only 27 rounds of 7.5 cm ammunition were carried, but combat effectiveness increased because the vehicle commander was freed from manning the gun.

The combination of a high silhouette and open-top armor protection made them vulnerable to indirect artillery fire.

The armor was also quite thin, making them highly vulnerable to enemy tanks, and to close-range machine gun fire.

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.

Among the many German casemated tank destroyers, one based on the Panzer 38(t) chassis was built in numbers from 1944: the Jagdpanzer 38(t).

One of the Marders, under the command of Private Matej Buc, destroyed three German tanks and two anti-tank guns.

During the German assault on 3 September, Commander Matej Buc and loader Štefan Kováč, who were sitting in an open hull, were shot.