Panzerja¨ger I (4.7cm PaK on Pz.Kpfw.I chassis)
The Panzerja¨ger I saw its debut on the Western Front in 1940 during the French campaign. These vehicles were used by independent anti-tank battalions. In total five Panzerja¨ger companies were equipped with a 4.7cm PaK auf Pz.Kpfw.I.
Marder I (7.5cm PaK on captured French chassis, the Lorraine 37L)
The Panzerja¨ger Marder I Sd.Kfz.135 was modified with the 7.5cm PaK gun. Most of the Marder Is were mounted on the base of the Tracteur Blinde 37L (Lorraine) French artillery armoured personnel carrier of which the Germans captured three hundred following the capitulation of France in June 1940. The vehicle is distinguishable from the Marder family by its distinctive French wheel arrangement. As with the other Marders it mounted a high box-like thinly-armoured open-topped super-structure that sloped to the rear. The 7.5cm PaK 40 anti-tank gun was mounted with its front shield fitted directly over this superstructure frame. The long overhanging cannon also required a gun cradle bolted to the front hull.
Marder II (7.5cm PaK, or from captured Soviet 76.2mm gun on Pz.kpfw II chassis)
This was based on the chassis of the Pz.Kpfw.II. There were two versions, the first mounted modified Soviet 7.62cm guns firing German ammunition, and the second mounted the powerful German 7.5cm PaK 40 gun. As with all Marders, it was designed with a high-profile and had open-topped armour with minimal protection for the crew.
Marder III (7.5cm PaK, or reused Soviet 76.2mm gun on Czech-built
Pz.Kpfw.38(t) chassis)
This vehicle mounted either Soviet 76.2mm F-22 Model 1936 divisional field guns, or the German 7.5cm PaK 40, in an open-topped cupola on top of the chassis of the Pz.Kpfw.38(t). While it offered little protection to the crew, it added significant fire-power. However, the Marder series was not fully armoured, and so was just an interim solution to the growing threat of heavier Russian armour. Basically the Marder was more of a gun carriage than a proper Panzerja¨ger that could exchange shells with enemy tanks. Nevertheless, they undertook sterling service for the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS.
Hornisse/Nashorn (Nashorn 8.8cm PaK 43 (L/71) Panzerkampfwagen III/IV (Sd.Kfz.164))
The Nashorn looked similar to the Hummel (bumblebee), but unlike the Hummel this light turretless vehicle mounted a lethal PaK 43 heavy anti-tank gun on the chassis of either a Pz.Kpfw.III or a Pz.Kpfw.IV. The Nashorn entered production in early 1943, and during a period of transformation it was given numerous official designations, such as 8.8cm PaK 43 (L/71) auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen III/IV (Sf) or 8.8cm PaK 43 (L/71) auf Geschützwagen III/IV (Sd.Kfz.164); it was also designated as a Panzerja¨ger Hornisse (hornet).
Elefant (Panzerja¨ger Tiger (P) Elefant)
This vehicle was fitted with the powerful 8.8cm Panzerja¨gerkanone 43/2 gun (early designation 8.8cm StuK 43/1). The long punchy gun had originally been developed as a replacement for the famous 8.8 FlaK, but turned into a very successful mobile PaK 43 anti-tank gun. The Elefant was a heavy tank destroyer like no other during this time. It was built in small numbers under the name Ferdinand after its designer Ferdinand Porsche, using tank hulls that had been produced for the mighty Tiger I.
Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer
This vehicle mounted the 7.5cm PaK 39 L/48 gun, which was a modified version of the 7.5cm StuK 40 L/48 and mounted on the Sturmgeschütz III/IV assault guns. These Panzerja¨ger were more than capable of destroying any Allied or Soviet tank. Unlike the Marder series where the fighting compartment was open, the Hetzer (‘agitator’) had fully enclosed armour for additional crew protection. These vehicles became one of the most common armoured vehicles in the later war period.
Jagdpanther
The Jagdpanther boasted the lethal 8.8cm KwK 43 cannon which was originally fitted to the new Tiger II and mounted on a Panther chassis. This unturreted tank destroyer had thick armoured sloped hull sides, and inside the hull was a roomy interior. For local defence it was armed with an MG34 machine gun fitted in a ball mount on the right side of the front glacis plate. There were two main variants manufactured, the first was the 1944 G1 model with a small internally bolted main gun mantlet and a modified Panther A engine deck. The later variant, built later in 1944, was known as the G2; it had a larger outside-bolted mantlet and a modified Panther G engine deck.
Jagdpanzer IV
This Panzerja¨ger, designated as the Jagdpanzer IV A-O, mounted the 7.5cm 42 L/70 gun on an unmodified Pz.Kpfw.IV chassis but with wide tracks. There was another modification of this vehicle which included the pot mantlet. This tank destroyer, also known as the Panzerja¨ger IV, mounted virtually the same cannon as the Pz.Kpfw.IV. The vehicle carried seventy-nine rounds, had a low-profile silhouette, and was a lethal component on the battlefield. The Jagdpanzer IV served in the anti-tank sections of both Panzer and SS Panzer divisions.
Jagdtiger
The Panzerja¨ger Tiger Ausf.B was based on a lengthened Tiger II chassis, and at 71 tonnes it was the heaviest fighting vehicle of the war. This tank destroyer boasted a massive 12.8cm PaK 44 L/55 cannon. However, it was so heavy and incurred so many mechanical problems that it often failed to reach the front lines. Approximately seventy-eight were produced, seeing limited action on both eastern and western fronts. Only two heavy anti-tank battalions, 512 and 653, were equipped with Jagdtigers. They arrived at the front in September 1944, and within days several were either lost in combat or destroyed by their own crews when they developed mechanical problems. Most of these problems, however, were when they ran out of fuel during the last frantic weeks of the war.