7,62 cm FK 296(r) auf gp. Selbstfahrlafette (Sd.Kfz.6/3)

In 1941, the company Alkett created this interesting conversion Sd.Kfz.6 (semi-track tractor of weight category 5 tons) to tank destroyer, in response to the need for effective anti-tank defense against strong Allied armored vehicles on the African battlefield. The platforms used were BN 9b (Fgst.Nr. 5091 - 7000 manufactured by Bussing NAG in 10-11/1941).
Behind the driver's compartment, a simple high box superstructure made of 10 mm steel plates was created (the armor withstood only missiles with a soft 7.92 mm caliber core). A complete Russian anti-tank cannon was inserted into it M 1936 (F-22) The Germans referred to as 7.62 cm Feldkanone F.K. 296 (r). The cannon was also placed in the superstructure with wheels and shortened supports. The roof of the car was of open construction. Conversion to fighters began at the end of 1941 and 9 pieces of ordered machines were completed at the beginning of the following year. The first six machines were moved to the African battlefield in 1/1942 and the remaining 3 pieces in 2/1942. From the machines was assembled 3.Komp. 605.Pz.Jg.Abt.[/I:aaaaaa]. 1. and 2.Comp. were armed 4.7cm PaK (t) auf PzKpfw .I Ausf.B. Self-propelled guns took part in the battle of Bir Hakeime, when the whole Pz.Jg.Abt.605 was included in the status for this action created by Kampfgruppe Marcks. They fought against the units of of the Free French led by Col. Pierre Konig, which caused considerable losses. Later, the machines participated in actions of minor importance, later fought in the battle of El Alameine, when they operated Kampfgruppe Sud. This was followed by a retreat to Tunisia, where the unit was disbanded and the crew and functional vehicles assigned to other units. All but one of those captured by British troops were destroyed. The machines were simply numbered 1 to 9.

These machines are often referred to as "Diana".[/I:aaaaaa] However, this is a mistake. The designation "Diana" belonged to an improved version 7.62 cm PaK 36 (r) auf 5t Zgkw. (Diana) with cannon 7.62 cm PaK 36 (r). The cannon PaK 36 (r) was modified by the Germans in the original Russian F.K.296 (r) (ex. M1936). After assembly, this machine was to be tested in Libya in the summer of 1942, but more detailed information about this project is missing.

Thomas L. Jentz, Hilary Louise Doyle - Panzer Tracts No.7-2, Panzerjeager (7,62 FK (r) auf Sfl. to Marder 38T) development and employment from 1941 to 1943, year of publication 2005, ISBN: 0-9744862-9-9
Thomas L. Jentz - Rommel´s funnies, year of publication 1997, ISBN 0-9648793-6-0

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