GERMAN TANK DESTROYERS

Pierre Tiquet

Publisher: Casemate

Web: www.casematepublishing.co.uk ISBN: 978-1-612009-06-3 Hardback: 192 pages

RRP: £35

This recent offering from Casemate is a fantastic collection of photographs, development summaries, and personal accounts bringing the story of the Panzerjagers to life.

Realisation that towed anti-tank guns needed to be motorised and offer more protection to their crews, and that the standard towed anti-tank 3.7 cm gun was ineffective against most Allied tanks, sparked tank destroyer development.

The author begins with a linear approach to development, starting with early models such as Ente, mounting a 4.7 cm Czechoslovakian gun on a Panzkerkampfwagen 1 chassis. Manned by three men, it had a high and vulnerable shield for protection. This first attempt at a mass-produced tank destroyer was insufficient based on Eastern Front experience.

The breakthrough came with Marder II, mounting a more effective 7.5 cm gun. It also used the chassis from the larger and more capable Pz.kpfw.2. The Marder III was similar but mounted a Russian 76.2 mm gun on Panzer 38(t) chassis. These mounted effective guns but had high profiles and were not fully enclosed - rendering them more visible and vulnerable to grenades.

He then goes on to Dicker Max and the lesser known Sturer Emil. The former mounted the 10.5 cm gun on a Panzer IV chassis, but only two prototypes were made. The Sturer Emil mounted a larger gun (12.8 cm) but again only two prototypes produced. Both types were tested on the Eastern Front, notching up a notable number of tank kills. Ultimately, their most important impact was influence on the design of tank destroyers like the Hornisse/nashorn, a huge improvement with the mounting of the 8.8 cm gun. This was also a much larger vehicle, its effectiveness covered in a section on the 1943 Battle of Vitebsk.

The well-known Hetzer is also examined, along with Elephant and Jagdpanzer IV/70, and finishes with the Jagdpanzer IV/70, mounting the deadly 7.5 cm long-barrelled PAK 42 L/70.

German tank destroyers were born of necessity, evolving due to the increasing threat of Allied armour and weaponry. Early designs lacked armour and had high silhouettes.

However, as with all weapon systems, improvements were made and lessons learned in losses.

By the time Hetzer, Elephant, and Jagdpanzer IV/70 entered service, and as with most Second World War German innovations, it was too little, too late.

The unique layout makes for an informative and enjoyable read. Highly recommended. Reviewed by Todd Shugart

Illustrations ✔. References/notes ✔. Appendices ✔.

Index ✔.