Hetzer
The Panzer 38(t) was a Czechoslovakian tank used by Germany during World War II. (The Czech military designation was LT-38. Manufacturer's designations included TNH series, TNHPS, LTP and LTH).
The Panzer 38(t) was manufactured up to the middle of World War II. Manufacture ceased because the small turret wasn't capable of taking a weapon big enough to destroy the latest tanks. However, because the chassis was mechanically reliable, turretless versions were built with a weapon mounted on the superstructure. Assault guns, anti-tank guns and antri-aircraft guns were mounted on the chassis. A Swedish variant, the Sav m/43, remained in use until 1970, which is probably a longevity record for a pre-WW2 tank.
History
In 1935, Czech tank manufacturer CKD were looking at as replacement for the LT-35 tank they were jointly producing with Skoda. The LT-35 was complex and had shortcomings, and CKD felt there would be orders both from the expanding Czech army and for export.
CKD decided to use a form of the Christie suspension for their new tank. The resulting vehicle was reliable, and an export success: 50 were exported to Iran, 24 each to Peru and Switzerland. Latvia also ordered some.
In early 1938, Czechoslovakia ordered 150 of the TNHPS model. After the German takeover, Germany kept producing the model, as it was considered an excellent tank, especially compared to the Panzer I and Panzer II tanks that were the Panzerwaffe's main tanks.
Variants
- TNH export version to Iran
- LTP export version to Peru
- LTH export version to Switzerland
- Str m/41 version built under license in Sweden
- Sav m/43 assault gun on TNH hull, built by Sweden
- Panzer 38(t) A-D TNH tank in German manufacture
- Panzer 38(t) E-G Pz 38(t) with frontal armour increased to 50 mm
- SdKfz 138 Marder carried German 75 mm gun in open-top superstructure
- SdKfz 139 Marder carried Russian 76.2 mm gun in open-top superstructure
- SdKfz 138/1 Grille carried German 150 mm infantry gun; also munition variant which carried ammunition
- SdKfz 140 Flakpanzer 38(t) carried a 20 mm anti-aircraft gun
- SdKfz 140/1 reconnaisance tank
- Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer a tank destroyer carrying a 75 mm L/48 anti-tank gun
Combat performanace
Panzer 38(t) performed well in the Polish campaign in 1939 and the Battle of France in 1940. It was also used in the German invasion of Russia from 1941 onwards but was outclassed by Russian tanks such as the T-34.
Hetzer was an excellent tank-destroyer: it was well armoured, carried a powerful gun, mechanically reliable and small and easily concealed. it was also cheap to build. Its main failings were the cramped working condition of the crew and the gun mounting, which only allowed a limited traverse leftwards.
Flakpanzer 38(t) was not a success as it was too poorly armed. In fact, it often became the target of allied fighter-bombers. Its armour was too thin to prevent damage from heavy aircraft machine guns.
Characteristics
Panzer 38(t) Aus. A
- Role: medium tank
- Power plant: 95 kW (126 hp)
- Speed: road 42 km/h
- Range:
- Length: 4.61 m
- Width: 2.14 m
- Height: 2.40 m
- Weight: 9.5 tonnes
- Crew: 4
- Armament: 37 mm A7 gun with 90 rounds, 2 mgs.
- Armour: front 25 mm, side 15 mm
Hetzer
- Role: tank destroyer
- Power plant: 120 kW (160 hp)
- Speed: road 42 km/h
- Range:
- Length: 6.38 m
- Width: 2.63 m
- Height: 2.17 m
- Weight: 15.75 tonnes
- Crew: 4
- Armament: 75 mm L/48 Pak39 gun with 50 rounds; remote-controlled mg on roof
- Armour: front 60 mm, side 20 mm
See also
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