Development
Hetzer on display in the Royal Military Museum, Brussels
The Jagdpanzer 38(t) was intended to be more cost-effective than the much more ambitious Jagdpanther and Jagdtiger designs of the same period. Using a proven chassis, it avoided the mechanical problems of the larger armored vehicles.
It was better armored than the earlier Panzerjäger Marder and Nashorn with a sloped armor front-plate of 60 mm, sloped back at 60 degrees from the vertical (equivalent in protection to about 120 mm), carried a reasonably powerful gun, was mechanically reliable, small, and easily concealed. It was also cheap to build.
The Jagdpanzer 38(t) succeeded the Marder III (based on the same chassis) in production from April 1944: about 2,584 were built until the end of the war. The older Marder III Panzerjager-series retained the same vertically-sided chassis as Panzer 38(t). In the Hetzer, the lower hull-sides sloped slightly to increase the available interior space and enable a fully-enclosed fighting compartment. Because of the fully enclosed armor, it was 5 tons heavier than the Marder III. To compensate for the increased weight, track shoe width was increased from 293 mm to 350 mm. Additionally, in late 1944, Guderian ordered the petrol engine replaced by a 190hp air-cooled Tatra Type 928 diesel engine, a result of Germany’s rapidly diminishing supply of petrol fuel. This change was not immediately implimented to prevent disruption of production, but by spring 1945, Tatra diesel-powered Hetzers were emerging from factories.
The Hetzer equipped the Panzerjägerabteilungen (tank-destroyer battalions) of the infantry divisions, giving them some limited mobile anti-armor capability. After the war, Czechoslovakia continued to build the type (versions ST-I and ST-III for training version: about 180 units built) and exported 158 vehicles (version G-13) to Switzerland. Most vehicles in today’s collections are of Swiss origin.
By order of Adolf Hitler in November 1944, a number of Jagdpanzer 38(t)s were refurbished straight from the factory with a Keobe flamethrower and accompanying equipment instead of the normal gun. The flame projector was encased in a metal shield reminiscent of that of a gun barrel, and easily prone to damage. Less than 50 of these vehicles, designated Flammpanzer 38, were completed before the end of the war, but they were used operationally against Allied forces on the Western Front.
Further variants were a Hetzer carrying the 150 mm sIG33/2 Howitzer, of which 30 were produced before the end of the war, and the Bergepanzer 38(t)Hetzer, a light recovery vehicle of which 170 were produced. Plans were made to produce other variants, including an assault-gun version of the Hetzer carrying a 105mm StuH main cannon, and an anti-aircraft variant mounted with a flak turret. The war ended before these proposed models were put into production.
Modifications
The first series was equipped with horizontal mufflers and standard twelve hole idler wheels. They also featured a narrow main gun mantlet and flat plate side armor skirts hooked on welded brackets. Also, on the earliest vehicles, both fuel tanks were filled via the same fuel port, located on the left side. This was among the first things corrected, but the main problem was the Hetzer was critically nose heavy (which is why it never received a muzzle brake).Fixes during production
– Modified exhausts with a vertically oriented tube and flame arrester (replacing the muffler)
– Wider mantlet for the main gun (to give slightly more traverse), but lighter
– Improved elevation/traverse mechanisms
– Inwards angled side skirt corners (to avoid snagging vegetation)
– Better filler port
– Gratings over the air intake openings (to avoid vegetation being sucked into the engine compartment)
– Mechanical pump (instead of electrical)
– Riveted road wheels instead of boltened (and later welded).
– Strengthened leaf spring suspension packs (9 mm thick leaf bands)
– Improved heating arrangements in the fighting compartment (winter batteries)
– Double arm mount for the commander’s own observation telescope, hatch in two pieces
– Better ammo storage (for five more rounds)
– Hand grips welded on the ceiling of the fighting compartment over the driver’s seat
– Better final drive assemblies
– New simplified idler wheel with 10, 6 or 4 drilled lightening holes.
Soviet Army capture the factories
When the Red Army liberated Czechoslovakia they conducted a stock take of what was in production at the Škoda factories at the time they came under ‘new management’. A report was filed on the possibility of completing the vehicles found at Škoda factories. The auditor found 1,200 unfinished Jagdpanzer 38(t) tank-destroyers “G-13” chassis. It was worked out that 150 of them could be finished from the parts available. The remaining 1,050 vehicles were 45%-60% percent completed and had only 78 main guns available between them. This report showed that production of the Hetzer chassis was outstripping the manufacturing capacity to build the main gun in sufficient quantities.
Историческая справка.
Во второй половине войны единственным представителем верховного командования, которому не вскружила голову гигантомания Адольфа Гитлера, был Хайнц Гудериан. Именно его упорство, к которому самовлюбленный и свято веривший в собственный военный талант фюрер иногда прислушивался, серьезно отсрочило поражение Германии. Создание маневренного и незаметного истребителя танков, которым в итоге стал «Хетцер», принадлежала именно Гудериану.
Как оказалось позже, он не прогадал. Простота конструкции ПТ, созданной на базе Pz 38t, сочитавшей в себе низкий силуэт, хорошее лобовое бронирование и достаточную огневую мощь, сделала «Хетцер» вполне эффективным противотанковым средством, которое немецкая промышленность могла выпускать в больших количествах. Эти ПТ были способны незаметно подбираться к позициям врага, успешно поражать их бронированные цели с близких и средних дистанций и уходить от возмездия, теряясь из виду в ближайшем укрытии.
В разное время эти машины классифицировались по-разному и принадлежали к различным войскам. Сначала к артиллерии, позже к истребителям танков.
К слову, эту ПТ правильнее называть JagdPanzer 38t, так как название Hetzer было закреплено за разрабатываемым истребителем танков Е-10. Однако, за схожесть, JagdPanzer 38t стал называться «Хетцер».
Ссылки
- Ресурсы World of Tanks
- Танковедение
- История танка в разделе “История” на сайте World of tanks
- Тема на официальном форуме
- Записи боев на Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer
- В сети Интернет
Hetzer // Википедия
Техника Германии
| Лёгкие танки | I Leichttraktor • II Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. D • II MKA • II Pz.Kpfw. 38H 735 (f) • II Pz.Kpfw. 35 (t) • II Pz.Kpfw. I • II Pz.Kpfw. II • III 43 M. Toldi III • III Pz.Kpfw. 38 (t) • III Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. E • III Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. J • III Pz.Kpfw. I Ausf. C • III Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. G • III Pz.Kpfw. T 15 • IV Pz.Kpfw. 38 (t) n.A. • IV Pz.Kpfw. II Luchs • V VK 16.02 Leopard • VI VK 28.01 • VII Aufklärungspanzer Panther • VII Spähpanzer SP I C • VIII leKpz M 41 90 mm • VIII leKpz M 41 90 mm GF • VIII HWK 12 • VIII HWK 30 • IX Spähpanzer Ru 251 • X Rheinmetall Panzerwagen |
| Средние танки | III Großtraktor – Krupp • III Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. A • III Pz.Kpfw. S35 739 (f) • IV Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. J • IV Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. D • IV VK 20.01 (D) • V Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. K • V Turán III prototípus • V Pz.Kpfw. III/IV • V Pz.Kpfw. IV hydrostat. • V Pz.Kpfw. V/IV • V Pz.Kpfw. V/IV Alpha • V Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. H • V Pz.Kpfw. T 25 • V VK 30.01 (H) • VI Pz.Kpfw. IV Schmalturm • VI VK 30.01 (D) • VI VK 30.02 (M) • VII Panther/M10 • VII Panther • VII VK 30.02 (D) • VIII Panther mit 8,8 cm L/71 • VIII Panzer 58 • VIII Schwarzpanzer 58 • VIII Panzer 58 Mutz • VIII M48A2 Räumpanzer • VIII Indien-Panzer • VIII Panther II • IX E 50 • IX T 55A • IX Kampfpanzer 50 t • IX Leopard Prototyp A • X E 50 Ausf. M • X Leopard 1 |
| Тяжёлые танки | IV Pz.Kpfw. B2 740 (f) • IV Durchbruchswagen 2 • VI Tiger 131 • VI VK 30.01 (P) • VI VK 36.01 (H) • VII VK 45.03 • VII Tiger I • VII Tiger (P) • VIII VK 100.01 (P) • VIII VK 168.01 (P) • VIII VK 168.01 Mauerbrecher • VIII VK 75.01 (K) • VIII E 75 TS • VIII Löwe • VIII Tiger II • VIII VK 45.02 (P) Ausf. A • IX E 75 • IX Mäuschen • IX VK 45.02 (P) Ausf. B • X E 100 • X Pz.Kpfw. VII • X Maus • X VK 72.01 (K) |
| ПТ-САУ | II Panzerjäger I • III Marder II • IV StuG III Ausf. B • IV Pz.Sfl. IC • IV Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer • IV Marder 38T • V StuG IV • V Pz.Sfl. IVc • V StuG III Ausf. G • VI Dicker Max • VI Jagdpanzer IV • VI Nashorn • VII E 25 • VII Krupp-Steyr Waffenträger • VII Jagdpanther • VII Sturer Emil • VIII Ferdinand • VIII Kanonenjagdpanzer 105 • VIII Rheinmetall Skorpion G • VIII Rheinmetall Skorpion • VIII Jagdpanther II • VIII 8,8 cm Pak 43 Jagdtiger • VIII Rhm.-Borsig Waffenträger • IX Jagdtiger • IX Waffenträger auf Pz. IV • X Grille 15 • X Jagdpanzer E 100 • X Waffenträger auf E 100 |
| САУ | II G.Pz. Mk. VI (e) • III Sturmpanzer I Bison • III Wespe • IV Pz.Sfl. IVb • IV Sturmpanzer II • V Grille • VI Hummel • VII G.W. Panther • VIII G.W. Tiger (P) • IX G.W. Tiger • X G.W. E 100 |
Противотанковые САУ
| Техника СССР | II АТ-1 • III СУ-76И • IV СУ-85А • IV СУ-76М • V СУ-85 • V СУ-85И • VI СУ-100 • VI СУ-100Y • VII ИСУ-122С • VII СУ-152 • VII СУ-100М1 • VII СУ-122-44 • VIII ИСУ-152 • VIII ИСУ-130 • VIII Т-103 • VIII СУ-130ПМ • VIII ИСУ-152К • VIII СУ-101 • IX Объект 704 • IX Объект 263 • X Объект 268 • X Объект 268 Вариант 4 |
| Техника Германии | II Panzerjäger I • III Marder II • IV StuG III Ausf. B • IV Pz.Sfl. IC • IV Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer • IV Marder 38T • V StuG IV • V Pz.Sfl. IVc • V StuG III Ausf. G • VI Dicker Max • VI Jagdpanzer IV • VI Nashorn • VII E 25 • VII Krupp-Steyr Waffenträger • VII Jagdpanther • VII Sturer Emil • VIII Ferdinand • VIII Kanonenjagdpanzer 105 • VIII Rheinmetall Skorpion G • VIII Rheinmetall Skorpion • VIII Jagdpanther II • VIII 8,8 cm Pak 43 Jagdtiger • VIII Rhm.-Borsig Waffenträger • IX Jagdtiger • IX Waffenträger auf Pz. IV • X Grille 15 • X Jagdpanzer E 100 • X Waffenträger auf E 100 |
| Техника США | II T3 HMC • III T56 GMC • IV M8A1 • IV T40 • V M10 Wolverine • V T67 • VI T78 • VI M18 Hellcat • VI M36 Jackson • VII M56 Scorpion • VII T28 Concept • VII Super Hellcat • VII T25/2 • VII T25 AT • VIII TS-5 • VIII T28 • VIII T28 Prototype • IX T30 • IX T95 • X T110E3 • X T110E4 |
| Техника Франции | II Renault FT AC • III FCM 36 Pak 40 • III Renault UE 57 • IV Somua SAu 40 • V M10 RBFM • V S35 CA • VI ARL V39 • VII AMX AC mle. 46 • VIII AMX AC mle. 48 • VIII AMX Canon d’assaut 105 • IX AMX 50 Foch • X AMX 50 Foch (155) • X AMX 50 Foch B |
| Техника Великобритании | II Universal Carrier 2-pdr • IV Valentine AT • IV Alecto • V Archer • V AT 2 • VI Churchill Gun Carrier • VI Achilles • VI AT 8 • VI Excalibur • VII Challenger • VII AT 15A • VII AT 7 • VIII GSOR 1008 • VIII AT 15 • VIII Charioteer • VIII Turtle Mk. I • IX Tortoise • IX FV4004 Conway • X FV215b (183) • X FV4005 Stage II • X FV217 Badger |
| Техника Китая | II T-26G FT • III M3G FT • IV SU-76G FT • V 60G FT • VI WZ-131G FT • VII T-34-2G FT • VIII WZ-111-1G FT • VIII WZ-120-1G FT • IX WZ-111G FT • X WZ-113G FT |
| Техника Швеции | II Pvlvv fm/42 • III Ikv 72 • IV Sav m/43 • V Ikv 103 • VI Ikv 65 Alt II • VII Ikv 90 Typ B • VIII UDES 03 • VIII Strv S1 • IX Strv 103-0 • X Strv 103B |
Production
On 18 January 1944, Hitler signed an order for the production of 1000 vehicles even before the final blueprints were delivered. A very optimistic schedule was defined, which required growing production capacity from BMM and, later, Škoda, revving up from 20 vehicles in April, to 200 in July and 500 in March 1945. It should be noted that, together, the factories never delivered as much as 300 vehicles monthly. The maximal output was performed by BMM, 155 in a month.
Another G13 modified to look like a Hetzer on display at the HMG Wheels and Tracks exhibition, Vienna, 2010.
Nevertheless, the first production Hetzers were delivered in March 1944, as scheduled, and accepted by the Waffenamt in early April. The first 20 were demonstrated in front of Hitler on April, 20. However, production goals were significantly hampered by the delivery of the gun mounts. There were a few corrections to be made also, quickly detected in the first batches: leaking gaskets, deficient air filtration, carburetors, governor, incorrect spark plug types and the layout of the connecting lines between the fuel tanks.
External links
- Jagdpanzer 38(t) ‘Hetzer’
- Hetzer
| Germany tank destroyers | |
|---|---|
| Based on Pz.38(t) | Marder III · Marder III H · Jagdpanzer 38(t) |
| Based on Pz.I | Panzerjäger I |
| Based on Pz.II | 15cm sIG 33 B Sfl |
| Based on Pz.III | StuG III A · StuG III F · StuG III G · StuH 42 G |
| Based on Pz.IV | Jagdpanzer IV · Panzer IV/70(V) · Panzer IV/70(A) · Brummbär · Dicker Max · Nashorn |
| Based on Pz.V | Jagdpanther · Bfw. Jagdpanther |
| Based on Pz.VI | Sturer Emil · Ferdinand · Jagdtiger |
| JPz 4-5 · Waffenträger · VFW · VT1-2 | |
| Wheeled/Half-track | Sd.Kfz.251/10 · 8,8 cm Flak 37 Sfl. · Sd.Kfz.234/3 · Sd.Kfz.234/4 |
| Rocket/Missile | 15 cm Pz.W.42 · RakJPz 2 · RakJPz 2 (HOT) |
Usage in battles
The Jagdpanzer 38(t) tank destroyer is armed with a 75 mm PaK39 L48 cannon, making it quite capable of taking out enemy armour at its battle rating. Use its speed — up to 42 km/h (26 mph) — to take up sniping positions while the enemy is still deploying. Keep the distance while engaging, as this allows the Jagdpanzer 38(t) to get more mileage out of its thin but heavily sloped armour on the small size. Watch out for aircraft and artillery.
The Jagdpanzer 38(t)’s front armour is thick, but be wary of its weak armour (which is pretty much everywhere else). The top and bottom of the Jagdpanzer 38(t) are exceptionally thin, making it very vulnerable to aircraft, artillery fire, and explosive rounds on the bottom. The side and rear armour are also very thin, so any exposure of those towards the enemy is sure to end with the Jagdpanzer 38(t) as a flaming hulk. While the front armour is thick, weaknesses on upper frontal glacis is the driver’s vision port, some small spots around the gun mount, and the lower glacis. The driver’s vision port and gun mount spots are tiny and so only a lucky round would be able to reliably hit these areas, but make sure to try and conceal as much of the lower glacis plate as possible as it is easier to penetrate.
Modules
| Tier | Mobility | Protection | Firepower | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Tracks | Parts | Horizontal Drive | ||
| II | Suspension | Brake System | FPE | Hl.Gr 38B | Adjustment of Fire |
| III | Filters | Crew Replenishment | PzGr 40 | Elevation Mechanism | |
| IV | Transmission | Engine | K.Gr.Rot Nb. |
As with any vehicle, research Parts and FPE modifications first to prevent any early knock-outs from fire or disabled systems. After these two, try to upgrade the vehicle’s mobility and firepower, and aim towards the PzGr 40 shell, this will give a real edge in combat. Don’t use the Hl.Gr 38B HEAT round as it doesn’t give enough penetration, but it can help against hull-breakable vehicles.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Even for its rank, the Hetzer is small and can use corners and cover that other tanks can’t
- At its rank, its main gun is very capable of dealing with any threat
- Sloped armour on all sides, however, the sides and rear are thin
- Equal armour all over the front with extreme sloping, so it has essentially no frontal weak spots
- Hard to hit at range due to its size, and difficult to pen due to its armour angles
- At long range, the sloped armour can even make high calibre shells ricochet
Cons:
- As with all tank destroyers, side and rear armour is thin and any shots can often be fatal
- Not great in close-quarters, this vehicle is more suited for long-range engagements
- With the gun being placed to the right of the vehicle it has a limited traverse range to the left
- The roof armour is fairly thin, which makes the Hetzer vulnerable to artillery barrages and aircraft
- Lower front glacis plate is thin in comparison to the entire front, cover this if possible
- As with turretless vehicles, the Hetzer is more vulnerable to being flanked
- Floor armour is very thin and can be penetrated by 105 mm shrapnel.
- While the gun can penetrate most targets at its rank, it suffers at long range against some more heavily armoured targets
- Driver, Gunner, and Loader are in-line with each other, making it easy to knock out the vehicle with a penetrating shot from the driver’s visor
- Poor mobility for a vehicle on the 38(t) platform
Armaments
Main armament
Main article: PaK39 L48 (75 mm)
The main gun is a decent 75 mm gun with a stock APCBC shell penetrating 140 mm of armour at most. This penetration allows the vehicle to pierce through almost all tanks around its BR, and upon penetration the 28.9 g of explosives will do a great job finishing off the crew thus destroying the tank. The fast reloading time allows it to deal with multiple enemies effectively. However, sometimes it will face well-armoured opponents like the Jumbos and the Churchill VIIs, in which case the player will struggle to penetrate them with the stock round. This is when the researchable APCR becomes useful. Remember to shoot at the flat armour plates, not the angled parts.
The horizontal and vertical guidance are average. The player might want to aim higher due to the fact that the cannon is quite short-barreled which makes the shell drop more. Also note that because of its gun placement (at one side), when firing to the left side the recoil will actually push the tank to the right, so the player will have to adjust the hull position. In addition, because it is a pretty small vehicle, the gun feels less stable and more wobbly when the player stops and aims.
| 75 mm PaK39 L48 | Turret rotation speed (°/s) | Reloading rate (seconds) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mode | Capacity | Vertical | Horizontal | Stabilizer | Stock | Upgraded | Full | Expert | Aced | Stock | Full | Expert | Aced |
| Arcade | 41 | -6°/+10° | -5°/+11° | N/A | 7.04 | 9.75 | 11.84 | 13.09 | 13.93 | 7.67 | 6.78 | 6.25 | 5.90 |
| Realistic | 4.76 | 5.60 | 6.80 | 7.52 | 8.00 |
Ammunition
| Penetration statistics | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Type ofwarhead | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm) | |||||
| 10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1,000 m | 1,500 m | 2,000 m | ||
| PzGr 39 | APCBC | 140 | 137 | 125 | 112 | 100 | 89 |
| Hl.Gr 38B | HEAT | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| PzGr 40 | APCR | 166 | 162 | 146 | 128 | 112 | 98 |
| Sprgr. 34 | HE | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Shell details | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Type ofwarhead | Velocity(m/s) | ProjectileMass (kg) | Fuse delay(m) | Fuse sensitivity(mm) | Explosive Mass(TNT equivalent) (g) | Ricochet | ||
| 0% | 50% | 100% | |||||||
| PzGr 39 | APCBC | 750 | 6.8 | 1.2 | 14.0 | 28.9 | 48° | 63° | 71° |
| Hl.Gr 38B | HEAT | 450 | 4.4 | N/A | 0.1 | 872.1 | 62° | 69° | 73° |
| PzGr 40 | APCR | 930 | 4.1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 66° | 70° | 72° |
| Sprgr. 34 | HE | 550 | 5.74 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 686 | 79° | 80° | 81° |
| Smoke shell characteristics | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Velocity(m/s) | ProjectileMass (kg) | Screen radius(m) | Screen deploy time(s) | Screen hold time(s) | Explosive Mass(TNT equivalent) (g) |
| K.Gr.Rot Nb. | 540 | 6.2 | 13 | 5 | 20 | 50 |
Ammo racks
Ammo racks of the Jagdpanzer 38(t)
| Fullammo | 1strack empty | 2ndrack empty | 3rdrack empty | Visualdiscrepancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 28 (+13) | 14 (+27) | 1 (+40) | Yes |
| 7.92 mm MG34 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount | Capacity (Belt) | Fire rate | Vertical | Horizontal |
| Pintle | 2,000 (150) | 900 | ±10° | -90°/+120° |
Škoda’s tank hunter
When Nazi Germany ruthlessly seized the industrial jewels of Czechoslovakia prior to the war, it also acquired a treasure of tank manufacturing skills that was to provide the Nazi war machine with more than 5,000 extremely reliable tanks during the war. The whole family was derived from a single model: the Škoda/Praga Lt vz.38, or Panzer 38(t) in German service, a light tank which was used until 1943-44, but also gave birth to one of the most prolific German tank hunters of the war, the Jagdpanzer 38(t) or, as it is commonly known today, the Hetzer.
G13 modified to look like a Hetzer on display at the Overloon War Museum in the Netherlands.
Development
Although the development of the Mareșal and the Hetzer advanced in parallel in 1943 (it was even estimated that common production would take place in the future), the Germans were quick to have a finished prototype ready for production. The first wooden mock-up was ready in January 1944, presented and accepted by the Waffenamt. A decision was made to mount the 7.5 cm Pak 39, shared with the early versions of the Jagdpanzer IV. Oberst Thomale signed an agreement for the delivery of the first three prototypes in March 1944, for pre-production trials. Development then went at breakneck speed -in fact it remains a record- the prototypes were built, but since they were based on an already well proven chassis, the model was accepted into service without a pre-series or further testing.
Wooden mock-up of the Jagdpanzer 39(t) Hetzer with muzzle brake.
The Hetzer in action
It was originally planned to test the vehicle as early as April 1944, but delays ensured the first batch of Jagdpanzer 38(t)s reached the ordnance depot in May. They were tested by Wa Prüf 2 and joined training groups in the summer, until July. The first 45 entered service with the Heeres Panzerjäger-Abteilung 731 on 4-13 July 1944 (Army Group North, Eastern Front, later Mitte). One of the first engagement occurred in Warsaw in August 1944, during the famous uprising. At least one was captured, renamed and restored by Partisans, but never used (“Chwat”).
Other units that received it were the 741st (September), 561st (January 1945) and 744th (February). The 741st was eventually split in two, one half being shipped to the Western Front for operation Wacht am Rhein. They were organically attached to infantry divisions and issued to Jäger, Kavalerie and Grenadiers corps within the infantry, rather than independent units. By late 1944, each company was given 14 Hetzers, but, after February 1945, this number fell to 10.
In the Ardennes, no less than 18 companies participated in the offensive (295 in all). On 30 December, only 131 were reported operational. Other independent units also received Hetzers instead of other, more powerful, tank hunters, mostly due to production delays, namely the 16th SS Panzergrenadier Division, the Abteilung Jüteborg and Schliesen, FHH PZd and PZGd, even the StuG Brigade 266. There was also plans to deliver these to Allies, but while Romania never received a single one, Hungary got 75, which arrived by train between December 1944 and January 1945. They fought in support of Heeresgruppe Sud.
An interesting experiment began with the the constitution of the mixed independent Pz.Jagd.Brigade 104 as a hunter-killer unit on the Eastern Front, but it was short lived. The tank hunters were scattered around in order to plug holes in depleted units all along the Eastern Front. By March 1945, only 359 Hetzers were reported operational, out of 529 still in the registry.
From German reports, kill/loss ratios were excellent. Early on, one of the first units engaged claimed 20 kills with no loss. Another unit, also on the Eastern front, reported 57 kills without losses, engaging IS-2s at 800 m (880 yd) and more. It was also reported that the whole unit reached its objective, 160 km (100 mi) from its base, without a single breakdown en route. Crews were also delighted by the frontal protection and remote “Rundumsfeuer” machine gun.
Little known, however, were the Hetzers deployed in Northern Italy. Four companies operated 56 Hetzers there in 1945. At the same date, they reported only 37 operational Panzerjagers, while only 137 were still enlisted on the Western front. This was, noticeably, one of the highest operational percentage of all German tanks units. Later in the war, however, officer mismanagement of the Hetzer and poor training took their toll on units.
Abandoned Hetzer inspected by US troops, Belgium, winter 1944-45.
Generally speaking, the Hetzer was a good generic tank hunter. It was well armed and well protected from the front, presenting a small silhouette and narrow target. It could be concealed quite easily and was difficult to spot even after firing and, crucially, was also very reliable. However, it had shortcomings too, that were only partially compensated by its great availability. From 1944 and until the end of the war, it became the most current German tank hunter, not counting the heavier StuG III. In October 1944, Wa Prüf 1’s report on penetration values showed that it could be defeated by the Cromwell’s and Churchill’s 75 mm (2.95 in) gun from up to 2500 to 3600 m (1.5-2 mi) from the sides and rear. However, it could be penetrated by the late M4 76(W) Sherman’s M1A1 gun from 800 m (880 yd) from the front and from closer than 100 m (110 yd) through the cast mantlet. But it could defeat most versions of the M4, Cromwell and Churchill at any angle from as much as 1,700-1,800 m (1900-2000 yd).
The Hetzer was also slow and completely blind from the right side, which was a liability in urban combat. Many were captured this way and it was never really corrected.
Hetzer stuck at a barricade, Warsaw Uprising, August 1944.
Performance
Hetzer on the front
Hetzer belonging to 2nd Pz Div, probably in Normandy during the Falaise pocket battle
The Jagdpanzer 38(t) fitted into the lighter category of German tank-destroyers that began with the Panzerjäger I, continued with the Marder series, and ended with the Jagdpanzer 38(t). The 75 mm gun fitted on the Jagdpanzer 38 (t) was a modified 75 mm Pak 39 L/48, very similar to the late Panzer IV marks. The 75 mm kwk 40 L/48 could destroy nearly all allied tanks in service at long ranges, and its fully-enclosed armor protection made it a safer vehicle to crew than the Marder II or Marder III series.
The Jagdpanzer 38(t) was one of the most common late-war German tank-destroyers. It was available in relatively large numbers and was generally mechanically reliable. Also, its small size made it easier to conceal than larger vehicles.
Like some other late-war German SPGs, the Hetzer mounted a remote-control machine gun mount which could be fired from within the vehicle. This proved popular with crews, though to reload the gun, a crewmember needed to expose themselves to enemy fire.
Производство
18 январе 1944 года Гитлер подписал приказ о выпуске 1000 танков Hetzer еще до того, как были закончены испытания. От заводов BMM и Škoda потребовали выпускать до 300 танков ежемесячно, а через год по 500 танков. Первое серийное производство Hetzer было запущено в марте 1944 года, как и было запланировано. Однако использование боевых машин затруднялось сложностью их доставки. После первого выпуска был отмечен также и ряд недостатков: протекание прокладок, плохая фильтрация воздуха, неправильный тип свечей и другие. Эти недостатки исправлялись уже в процессе запуска производства.
Дополнительные умения и модули.
Исходя из выбранной тактики применения, необходимое доп. оборудование будет также разнится:
– 75мм PaK40 L/48. Вам будет полезно установить досылатель (увеличит урон в минуту), усиленные приводы наводки (чтоб орудие успевало свестись в аккурат к концу перезарядки) и стереотрубу (плохой обзор «Хетцера»).
– 10.5мм L/28
Целесообразно установить досылатель (увеличение урона в минуту), вентилятор (улучшение всех качеств в ближнем бою наиболее важно), просветленноая оптика (недостаток обзора «Хетцера»)
Умения:
– 75мм PaK40 L/48. Маскировка и боевое братство. Также из важных: улучшаем обзор (радиоперехват и орлиный глаз у командира), ввиду скорострельности – злопамятного.
При игре с фугасницей при вышеуказанных умениях полезно иметь снайпера,что увеличит вероятность нанесения критического повреждения – а это сильная сторона фугасного орудия.
Performance
Hetzer on the front
Hetzer belonging to 2nd Pz Div, probably in Normandy during the Falaise pocket battle
The Jagdpanzer 38(t) fitted into the lighter category of German tank-destroyers that began with the Panzerjäger I, continued with the Marder series, and ended with the Jagdpanzer 38(t). The 75 mm gun fitted on the Jagdpanzer 38 (t) was a modified 75 mm Pak 39 L/48, very similar to the late Panzer IV marks. The 75 mm kwk 40 L/48 could destroy nearly all allied tanks in service at long ranges, and its fully-enclosed armor protection made it a safer vehicle to crew than the Marder II or Marder III series.
The Jagdpanzer 38(t) was one of the most common late-war German tank-destroyers. It was available in relatively large numbers and was generally mechanically reliable. Also, its small size made it easier to conceal than larger vehicles.
Like some other late-war German SPGs, the Hetzer mounted a remote-control machine gun mount which could be fired from within the vehicle. This proved popular with crews, though to reload the gun, a crewmember needed to expose themselves to enemy fire.
Its main failings were comparatively thin armor, limited ammunition storage, as well as torsion-bars and drive wheels that were prone to failure due to the increased weight of the Hetzer body on the Type 38 (t) suspension.
The G-13 name
G-13 – It is just the internal manufacturer’s code name for the Jagdpanzer 38(t) in the Skoda Factory. A WW2 wartime Skoda Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer was called a G-13 in the factory and on all internal documentation.
G = tank destroyer, 1 = light, 3 = model i.e number 3.
G-11 was Panzerjaeger I,
G-12 was Marder III.
Postwar – the 75 mm PaK 40 with a muzzel brake was used instead of the 75mm PaK 39 on Jagdpanzer 38 (t). The Skoda Factory did not have access to PaK 39 guns and used the PaK 40. In the Swiss Army this tank destroyer was known by the factory code G-13 rather than the Jagdpanzer 38(t) or Hetzer name.
Gallery
A ST-I tank destroyer, practically a Czech post-war production Hetzer, in running condition at an exhibition at Lešany, Czech Republic.
Swiss G13, Steel Parade, 2006. The G13 was kept in service right into the 1970s.
Video about German assault guns
| Dimensions (L W H) | 4.83m (without gun) x 2.63m x 1.87 m (15’10” x 8’7.5″ x 6’1″ ft.in) |
| Total weight, battle ready | 15.75 metric tonnes (34,722 lbs) |
| Armament |
75 mm (2.95 in) PaK 39 L/48, 41 rounds 7.92 mm (0.31 in) MG 34, 1,200 rounds |
| Armor | 8 to 60 mm (0.3 – 2.36 in) |
| Crew | 4 (driver, commander, gunner, loader) |
| Propulsion | Praga 6-cyl gas. 160 ,800 rpm (118 kW), 10 hp/t |
| Speed | 42 km/h (26 mph) |
| Suspension | Leaf springs |
| Range | 177 km (110 mi), 320 l |
| Total production | 2,827 |
