5 JAGDPANZER IV (SD.KFZ.162)

The Jagdpanzer IV (Sd.Kfz 162) was a German armored gun and tank destroyer of the Second World War. The first prototypes of the vehicle were built in 1943, and serial production continued in the period 1944-1945, ending with the production of about 2,000 vehicles. The Jagdpanzer IV was powered by a single 300hp Maybach HL 120 TRM engine. It was armed with 1 75mm PaK 39 or PaK 42 gun and 2 7.92mm MG42 machine guns. The Jagdpanzer IV was created as a supplement to the StuG III vehicle, and its chassis, drive and drivetrain were taken from the PzKpfw IV tank. The new vehicle was characterized by good armament, low overall silhouette, which made it easier to organize ambushes, well-shaped armor - especially at the front of the hull - and high maneuverability. Three development versions were created in the course of serial production. The first one was called Jagdpanzer IV L / 48, was armed with the 75mm PaK 39 L / 48 anti-tank gun, and was produced at the Vomag factory. The second and third versions - very similar - the Jagdpanzer IV L / 70 (V) and L / 70 (A) were armed with the 75mm long-barreled PaK 42 L / 70 gun. The L / 70 versions were produced by Vomag and Alkett, differing only marginally. The Jagdpanzer IV began arriving in line units in March 1944. The first combat operations with the use of the new tank destroyer were carried out on the Italian front, and shortly thereafter - also on the eastern front. The Jagdpanzer IV was used extensively in the Normandy campaign (summer 1944) and in the Ardennes offensive in 1944-1945.