Jagdpanzer

[Hobilar]

A close cousin of the Sturmgeschutz was the Panzerjager. Guderian had always pressed the idea of having self propelled anti-tank guns in the Panzer Divisions as towed guns always restricted the mobility of the Divisions. Early encounters with the British Matildas in France and North Africa and with the T34 and KV1 in Russia made the production of such a vehicle a priority.

Unlike the Sturmgeschutz which was to be held at Army level for allocation to Infantry Divisions for specific operations, the Panzerjagers were to be an intregal part of the Panzer Divisions, and as there was a lot more Infantry Divisions than Panzer Divisions then far fewer Panzerjagers would be needed.

The most encountered Panzerjager throughout the war was the MARDER which matched a 75mm PAK 40 Anti-Tank gun to the chassis of the Panzer 11 or Czech 38t Light Tanks which were being phased out. Over 1500 Marders were constructed which were later supplemented by the purpose built JagdPanzer IV (769 built), a Pak 40 on a Panzer IV chassis which allowed a greater quantity on ammunition to be carried.

In 1944, calls for a PanzerJager to equip Infantry Divisions led to the production of the HETZER a PAK 39 on a Czech chassis. Although 2584 Hetzers were built there were, however, never enough to replace the towed guns in ihe Infantry Divisions.