In the midst of World War II, Romania embarked on an ambitious project to develop a homegrown tank hunter. Inspired by the German Hetzer tank destroyer, the Mareșal emerged as a testament to the nation's ingenuity and resourcefulness.
The concept of the Mareșal tank hunter took shape as an attempt to create a locally manufactured solution with the resources at hand. The project was led by a dedicated team, including Major Nicolae Anghel, Captain Gheorghe Sambotin, and engineer Lt. Colonel Constantin Ghiulai. Their initial experiments involved mounting a 122 mm Putilov-Obuhov howitzer on the chassis of a T-60 tank. The new configuration featured an exceptionally sloped armoured casemate, providing protection despite its modest thickness of 20-30 mm. The angle of the Armor dramatically increased its effective thickness against direct fire, rendering it virtually impervious to the 76 mm gun mounted on the T-34 tank.
Trials of the Mareșal tank hunter began in July 1943, revealing various issues that needed to be addressed. As a result, three more prototypes were constructed and subjected to testing until October 1943. The tank was named in honor of the country's leader, Marshal Ion Antonescu.
Subsequent tests in Sudiți involved using a Romanian anti-tank gun, the 75 mm DT-UDR No.26. Based on the recommendation of Colonel Paul Draghiescu, this gun was adopted for production. The Mareșal was further enhanced with components sourced from multiple nations. French H39 engines and gearboxes were incorporated, while Czech tracks, German optics, and radio equipment were utilized.
The Mareșal tank hunter garnered some international attention, particularly from the Germans. In December, Marshal Antonescu presented the tank to the German High Command. The fifth prototype underwent testing and received modifications with the assistance of specialists from Alkett and Vomag between March and May 1944.
The Romanian High Command placed an order for 1,000 Mareșal tank hunters in May 1944. However, due to Allied bombing campaigns, the production of the initial series was delayed until November 1944. A joint bi-national production program with the German Hetzer tank destroyer was established. Extensive testing continued until August 1944, when the armistice led to the cancellation of the Mareșal project. All associated assets and materials were subsequently confiscated by the Soviets.
The Mareșal, though never fully realized in combat, remains a symbol of Romania's ambition and technical expertise during a challenging period of the Second World War. Despite the project's cancellation, it serves as a testament to the nation's determination and innovation in the field of armoured warfare, showcasing its ability to adapt to the circumstances of a global conflict.