The first unit to take the "Sturmpanzer" into battle was "Sturmpanzer-Abteilung 216". It was formed at the end of April 1943 and transferred in early May to Amiens to train on its new assault guns. It was organized into 3 line companies, each with 14 vehicles, and a battalion headquarters with 3 vehicles. It arrived in Central Russia on 10 June 1943 to prepare for "Unternehmen Zitadelle" (Operation Citadel), the German attack on the Kursk salient. For this action, it was temporarily assigned as the third battalion of "schweres Panzerjäger Regiment 656" ("Heavy Anti-tank Regiment 656") under the command of the 9th Army of Army Group Center.