Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer

The Jagdpanzer 38(t) fur 7.5-cm PaK 39 "Hetzer" (meaning "baiter") was yet another in the long line of Nazi Germany conversions of the successful Czech-designed 38(t) tank chassis. The Hetzer was easily identifiable by its hull-mounted main gun, low profile and large road wheels. Up to this design, previous conversions yielded a high profile, making them easy targets on the battlefield. The Hetzer design was a departure from this norm and produced one of the most highly regarded Panzerjager systems of the war - a system that would see production in the post-war years as well, this time for the Czech Army.

The Hetzer was fitted with the powerful PaK 39 artillery gun, already a proven weapon in other platforms. Where the Hetzer shined was in the use of the Czech 38(t) chassis, a mobile, small yet reliable system that, when mated to the PaK 39, produced equal successful results. The Hetzer shown impressive road speed for a vehicle of this time. The armor protection was more than adequate for the crew of four, making the Hetzer itself a tough vehicle to knock out. The top hull was mated over the 38(t) chassis and featured sloping sides for increased deflection capability. A single MG 34 or MG42 machine gun was fitted to the top of the hull for anti-infantry defense. The powerful PaK 39 gun was capable of knocking out any known Allied armor.

The Hetzer became one of those German weapons that would see entire production lines dedicated to itself. Such was the potency of the weapon that the need outweighed actual production allotment with just 1,577 units by 1944. In the end, the Hetzer was done in only by the advancement of Allied ground forces into Germany. Other than that, there was very little working against this powerful little system.

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Last Updated: 9/21/2009