The Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer

At the end of 1943, the situation on the eastern front definitively condemned light tanks such as Panzer 38 (t); Under the leadership of Heinz Guderian, who since March 1943 has been demanding a Jagdpanzer with a fully enclosed superstructure, the German authorities decided to start a tank destroyer with a small armor but with a bunker to protect the crew from falling fire. or throwing grenades. The specifications stipulate that the machine must have a maximum mass of 13 tonnes and that its top speed must reach 60 km / h. The focus is on mobility, not protection.

The Führer endorsed the project and on December 17, 1943, two studies were proposed. To facilitate the development of the machine, the mechanical components of Panzer 38 (t) are retained. The first is content to resume the platform of the light tank, the second modifies the chassis, including widening. This grind is finally selected. The craft is small and the casemate volume counted. At first, it is envisaged to mount a recoilless gun but, due to lack of focus sufficiently advanced, the final choice is the tube fitted to the first versions of the Jagdpanzer IV, the 7.5cm Panzer jägerkanone 39 l / 48 . This piece is indeed powerful enough to overcome the average tanks adversaries, while presenting measurements in adequacy with the small bunker. On January 24, 1944, a wooden model is assembled. Convinced by the viability of the project, the Heereswaffenamt launches an order for three pre-production machines. In March, armored vehicles are delivered and immediately begin a series of tests.

In April 1944, serial production was launched in the BMM factory in Prague, under the name of Sturmgeschutz Neuer Art mit 7.5cm Pak 39 l / 48 auf Fahrgestell Panzer 38 (t) or Panzerjger 38 (t) für 7, 5cm Pak 39. However, the vehicle is designated "Hetzer" by the British Army following errors of interpretation in the translation of German reports. The Sd.Kfz. 138/2 or jagdpanzer 38 (t) therefore takes over the modified chassis of the Czech light tank. A welded casemate is weakly shielded and grafted onto the platform. To compensate for the thinness of the cuirass, the plates adopt a strongly inclined profile to promote the ricochet of the projectiles. His cocked silhouette allows his four crew members to easily camouflage him to prepare for ambushes. Remote control from inside, a MG-34 or MG-42 machine gun of 7.92 mm ensures the close defense. Although the Jagdpanzer 38 (t) shows no serious flaws, its hasty launch did not finalize its development.
A series of modifications then occurs during production runs. The horizontal muffler gives way to a vertical model positioned at the rear of the body. An elbow tube serves as a flamethrower. The Schürzen adopt a profile that prevents them from getting stuck in the vegetation. Internal modifications are also made, such as the adoption of a more efficient water pump or a new gearbox in January 1945. To simplify the assembly, a version equipped with a Russian mortar of 120 mm is envisaged. The tests are not satisfactory, however. Mass production of the Jagpanzer 38 (t) Staar is abandoned and the chassis receive the classic 7.5cm. 2,047 copies of "Hetzer" are built by BMM and 780 by Skoda.

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