Rear deck showing assorted equipment, spare road wheels were frequently used to repair mine damage in Ostfront campaigns. The Ausf G model had widened hull over running tracks to accommodate additional radio sets inside crew compartment. Machine gun shield on gunner side has two MG42 brackets, one for firing through aperture, other on top for air defense against Tieffliegar (enemy low-flying aircrafts). Postwar Stug III and Maybach Engine - www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Vbz_rN9XjQ

Inset 1 : A common scene in all WW2 armor forces, Stug transporting stacks of Landser (infantrymen) among front sectors, given posture of lead Landser sitting on gun barrel, this is probably a Ausf G version with Saukopfblende (pig head mantle).

Landser worn M42 reversible-mouse grey winter parkas (other side was white) designed in 1942. Once issued, Landser hardly (if never) took off their parka to be cleaned, hence given environment and sunlight exposure the mouse-grey portion could be seen in light grey, greyish-green, to outright dark purple colors.

Germans woefully unprepared for Ostfront winter conditions in 1941, although German civilian drive attempted to donate winterized attire for frontline troops, very few donated equipment reached intended men due to massive frontline railroad traffic jams for Germans had to transfer men and cargo from western Europe standard gauge carriages to Soviet wide gauge carriages. Deutsche Reichsbahn - The German State Railway in WWII - www.feldgrau.com/dreichsbahn.html

In late-1880s as Czarist Russia began establishing nationwide railroad network, they were convinced by American railway consultants to deliberately establish a rail gauge system different from western Europe to forestall potential enemy use during times of invasion. These Americans based their experience on two military breakthroughs of 1861-1865 US Civil War, namely use of telegraph to electronically dispatch remote messages and efficient mass deployment of men/material via railway conduits. By mismatching the rail gauges, defacto logistical problems can be inflicted upon the enemy. Rail gauge - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_gauge

Inset 2 : M42 reversible winter parkas and overtrousers were standard attire for German Heere units from 1942-1945. Example below shows Landser in reversible-white parka riding atop Stug III Ausf G with Saukopf. Parka shell fabric made from rayon fabric with a tight popline weave and softer gabardine weave.

Insulating layers made of spun rayon and kept soldiers warm so long as temperature remained above freezing point, but all insulating properties are lost when uniform became wet since rayon used was a form of artificial silk, hence highly absorbent.

As previously stated, Landser fought, slept, and worked in their winter parkas. The white uniform portion quickly lost its camouflage appeal being soiled in dirt, grim, grease, mud, as shown in inset. Note, Soviets worn a comparable winter-white camouflage jumpsuit, thus to distinguish friend-versus-foe, Germans usually appended a red or black arm band (on one or both arms) as friendly forces indicator.

Soviet Ostfront winter combat was as unique combat environment as Italian/Balkan mountain warfare or North African desert campaigns. In addition to localized winter attire, other tactical priorities include : 1) Infantrymen stamina wading through waist-deep snow <ability to use mechanized transports somewhat alleviated this challenge>, 2) Control of shelters <ex. blockhouses, small villages, logged cabins> to protect men from the elements, 3) Proper oil for operating machines and weapons, 4) Proximity to transport and supply centers. Significance of Ostfront winter combat was such that US conducted several postwar military studies in anticipation of potential war against Soviet Union. Fighting the Russians in Winter: Three Case Studies : U.S. Army Command and General Staff College - www-cgsc.army.mil/carl/resources/csi/Chew/CHEW.asp