Captured Sturmgeschutz III Ausf F/8 of the Central Front

Sturmgeschutz III ausf F/8 (SdKfz 142/1) is issued to Soviet tank crew of the Central Front (Central Army Corps). Known as "artsturm" to the Soviet troops, the Red Army designated the unmodified StuG III the SU-75. They were usually painted in Red Army colors and had the Red Star applied to prevent friendly fire. Hundreds of StuG IIIs and Panzerkampfwagen IIIs were captured, especially in the Battle of Stalingrad when the German 6th Army surrendered. Several hundred of these were converted to SU-76i assault guns, which removed the Panzer III's or StuG III's superstructure and replaced it with a welded armored box. Many Red Army units had SU-76i or SU-75 assault guns as part of their armored support. The Central Front was created on February 15, 1943. General Konstantin K. Rokossovsky took command, and the Central Front was instrumental in the fighting during the Battle of Kursk and subsequent offensives. The Central Front was redesignated the 1st Belorussian Front on October 20, 1943.