This tank destroyer Jagdpanzer 38(t) – Hetzer – Sd.Kfz. 138/2 belongs to a private owner. The tank was photographed at Militracks, Liberty Park, Overloon, Netherlands 2012.
The Jagdpanzer 38(t), commonly known as the Hetzer, was a German tank destroyer used during World War II. Built on the chassis of the Czechoslovakian Panzer 38(t) light tank, it was designed to offer a highly effective, cost-efficient vehicle for the German Army. Produced from 1944, the Hetzer was compact and highly mobile, with a length of 4.72 meters, a width of 2.22 meters, and a height of just 2.14 meters, making it a low-profile vehicle ideal for ambush tactics.
The Jagdpanzer 38(t) was armed with the 7.5 cm Pak 39 L/48 anti-tank gun, which was effective against most Allied tanks of the time, including the Soviet T-34 and the American Sherman. The gun was mounted in a fully enclosed superstructure, offering better protection than earlier tank destroyers like the Marder series. Its armor thickness ranged from 50 mm to 60 mm, providing reasonable protection, though it was still vulnerable to more powerful Allied weapons.
The vehicle was powered by a 160-horsepower Praga AC/2 engine, giving it a top speed of 42 km/h (26 mph) and a range of around 200 km (125 miles). Despite its limited armor, the Hetzer’s small size, firepower, and tactical use made it an effective anti-tank weapon. Over 2,500 units were built, and it saw service on both the Eastern and Western Fronts.
