Jagdpanzer 38t Hetzer
Tank Destroyer
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Jagdpanzer 38(t) 38 'Hetzer' Tank Destroyer
The 'Mailed Fist' of 2.
Panzer, the Jagdpanzer 38(t) was produced by the Skoda Works, 2,584 being built
from April, 1944 to May, 1945. It has a crew of 4: commander, gunner, loader and
driver.
It weighs 15.75 metric tons, has a length of
6.38m, a width of 2.63m and a height of 2.17m. Its top speed is 42 kph;
maximum range is 177 km. Its armament includes a 7.5cm Pak39 anti-tank gun and a
7.92mm MG34 in a remote-controlled roof mount.
The Hetzer was developed based on the chassis of the Pz
Kpfw 38(t). The Pz Kpfw 38(t) began as the Czech LT Vz 38, which was captured
after the 1939 occupation. After the end of its usefulness as a front-line
battle tank, the Wehrmacht created many vehicles, the Hetzer included, based on
the well-proven components of the Pz 38(t). Crews generally liked the
Hetzer because of its low silhouette, good armor protection, good gun and quick
speed. However, the fighting compartment was cramped and traverse of the main
armament was limited.
Our Hetzer came to us from the Swiss. The vehicle was
built for the Wehrmacht and is full of waffenamt codes. After the war, it was
sold to the Swiss under the designation G13. After fulfilling its useful service
life with the Swiss, it ended up on one of their live fire ranges. Eventually it
was sold for scrap, and made its way to us. It underwent an extensive
restoration with a considerable amount of TLC, to become 232.
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