7.5 cm Infantry Support Gun 37
The 7.5 cm Panzerjägerkanone 37, introduced in May 1944, was renamed 7.5 cm Infanteriegeschütz 37 (IG 37) in June of that year, as it had proven effective as an infantry support weapon but lacked sufficient armour penetration. The IG 37 was based on the Krupp gun barrel developed for the 7.5 cm Infanteriegeschütz 42, which was fitted into existing carriages of the 3.7 cm PaK 36 or the identical PaK 158(r) and PaK 184(r) captured from the Soviet army. The illustration shows a simple conversion of the Matchbox (40088) 1:76 scale 3.7 cm PaK 36 fitted with a scratchbuilt muzzle brake of the 7.5 cm IG 37. A conversion like this works nicely for simulation games and dioramas, even if it cannot fool the rivet-counter for long.
Available Scale Model Kits
- 7.5 cm Infanteriegeschütz 37, 1:35 Micro Scale Design 3517
- 7.5 cm Infanteriegeschütz 37 Conversion Kit, 1:35 Custom Scale 35120
- 7.5 cm Infanteriegeschütz 37 and Ammunition, 1:72 Attack 72326
- 7.5 cm Infanteriegeschütz 37, 1:72 Unimodels UMT664
- 7.5 cm Infanteriegeschütz 37, 1:76 Airfix (Soft Plastic)
- 7.5 cm Infanteriegeschütz 37, 1:76 Matchbox 40088 (Conversion)
Technical Specifications
- Designation: 7,5 cm Infanteriegeschütz 37 (IG 37)
- Calibre: 75 mm
- Caliber Length: 1800 mm (L.24)
- Elevation: -10° to +40°
- Traverse: 58°
- Weight: 510 kg
- Rate of Fire: 8 to 12 rounds per minute
- Range: 5150 m
- Armour Penetration at 0-100 m:
- 46 mm, using A.P.H.E. (K. Gr.rot. Pz.)
- 42 mm, using A.P. (Pz.Gr. 39)
- 75 mm, using A.P.C.R. (Pz.Gr. 40)
- 90 mm, using H.C. (Igr. 38 Hl/A)
- 96 mm, using H.C. (Igr. 38 Hl/B)
- 128 mm, using H.C. (Igr. 38 Hl/C)
Historical Employment
- German Wehrmacht), 1944–1945
The 7.5 cm Infantry Gun 37 replaced the 7.5 cm Light Infantry Gun 18, particularly in the Volksgrenadier divisions newly formed in 1944. Two guns formed an infantry support gun platoon under a lieutenant or Feldwebel senior NCO as platoon leader.