Despite the presence of Sturmgeschutz assault guns, there was a need to develop a Sturmhaubitze self-propelled howitzer capable of destroying tanks and other targets, including outside the direct line of fire. Assault howitzers differed from the basic version with a 105-mm howitzer with a barrel length of 28 calibers and ammunition. The concept of installing a 105-mm howitzer on the body of an assault gun was considered ideal. The first nine assault howitzers first took part in battle on November 22, 1942. Ausf. F/8 assault guns were used as a base. Since March 1943, assault howitzers have been produced on the basis of the Ausf. G assault guns. Changes in the design of assault guns went in parallel with changes in the design of the Sturmhaubitze. So, in 1944, some of the howitzers received cast masks in the shape of a pig's face. Along with the Sturmgeschutze, assault howitzers participated in battles until the end of the war.
