German Marder I self-propelled gun, 1943 (c)

Photograph by Major Wilfred Herbert James Sale, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), World War Two, North Africa, 1943 (c).

The Germans often used and adapted equipment and vehicles captured from the countries they occupied, such as this 150 mm howitzer mounted on a French Chenillette Lorraine tractor chassis.

Self-propelled guns like this Marder I (SdKfz 135/1) were used as mobile artillery, but they could also be fitted with anti-tank or anti-aircraft guns. Self-propelled guns were more lightly armoured than tanks as they were primarily used as combat support weapons. Without an enclosed turret gun crews could be vulnerable to enemy fire.

From an album containing 45 photographs compiled by Major W H J Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), 1938-1945.