Osprey New Vanguard 36 : Jagdpanzer 38 'Hetzer' 1944-1945

This book provides an in-depth coverage of the Jagdpanzer 38t. Following Allied bombing successes against Sturmgeschuetz production facilities it was demanded that Czech factories take over production of the tank. As the factories were not equipped to produce so large a vehicle they responded by quickly designing a new light Sturmgeschuetz based on the Panzer 38t chassis, with a gun that was essentially a variant of that used in the Sturmgeschuetz - the Jagdpanzer 38t. In 14 months 2,627 were built. This book concentrates on the production life and combat experiences of the Jagdpanzer 38t, as well as the different modifications and variants created directly from the Jagdpanzer such as the Bergepanzer 38 and Jagdpanzer 38 Starr. Many different colour schemes were employed during this period, and so close attention is paid to this in the colour illustrations. Text by Hilary Louis Doyle with illustrations by Mike Badrocke.

Contents

• Design and Development
• Production Modifications and Improvements March 1944 to 1945
• Production History - Design and Manufacture by BMM and Later Skoda
• Capabilities in Combat
• Operational History
• Tactical Employment
• Organisation
• Combat History Examples
• Development of Variants - Bergepanzer Recovery Vehicle and Rigid Mounted Gun Version
• Commentary on the Colour Artwork
• Index