SD2:Marder III M

 is a German Anti-tank unit in Steel Division II.

Background
It is in essence a PaK 40 mounted on an open-top Panzer 38(t) chassis (a design of Czech origin), making it a mobile gun carriage that packs a punch but is incredibly vulnerable to any form of enemy fire. The Marder series consisted of using obsolete Panzer chassis to use as a carriage for the potent Pak 40 gun, which in 1942 was heavily depended upon to combat Soviet medium & heavy tanks on the Eastern front.
 * Marder I: PaK 40 mounted on the French Lorraine chassis (artillery tractor / APC)
 * Marder II: PaK 40 mounted on the Panzer II chassis
 * Marder III: PaK 40 mounted on the Panzer 38(t) chassis

While the Germans managed to defeat various Soviet armies with tactics, air support and training, the need for a more powerful gun was apparent as soon as the first German troops encountered the T34 and the KV-1. Amongst other solutions to quickly upgrade German forces was the Marder series, a series of Pak 40s mounted on obsolete chassis. production of Marders started in 1942 and they saw service on the Eastern front as well as the Western front.

It was respected for its firepower, though its armour was insufficiently thick and its main weakness was its survivability. As an open-top vehicle, it suffered from weather conditions as well as possible attacks from small arms, machine guns and artillery. Furthermore, Marders had a high silhouette and was more prone to being detected and hit.

17. SS-Panzergrenadier (SD2)'s SS-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 17 were still waiting for their Jagdpanzer IV (SD2) but their third Kompanie were equipped with three Marder III and 9 Marder III M.