Jagdpanzer 38

Overview

Jagdpanzer 38
General Data
Type	Tank Destroyer
Place of Origin	Germany (Deutsches Reich)
Designed by	BMM
Designed	Dec 1943 - Jan/Feb 1944
Manufacturer	BMM Škoda
Produced	Mar 1944 - Apr 1945
Number Built	2,827 (total) • 2,047 (BMM) • 780 (Škoda) 215 were later converted to other models, leaving 2,612 as J.Pz. 38.
Serial Numbers	Fgst.Nr. 321001 - 323000 (BMM) Fgst.Nr. 325001 - 325047 (BMM) Fgst.Nr. 323001 - 323843 (Škoda)
In Service	1944 - 1945
Designations
Sd.Kfz. Designation (List)	Sd.Kfz. 138/2
Gerät (List)	Gerät 555
Development
Developed From	Panzerkampfwagen 38(t)
Armament
Main Gun	7,5cm Pa.K. 39 L/48 (41-rnds)
Main Gun Sights	Selbstfahrlafetten-Zielfernrohr 1a
Traverse	-5° to +11°
Elevation	-6° to +10°
Pintle / AA Gun	7,92x57mm M.G. 34 (600-rnds)
Crew Weaponry	1 x 9x19mm Parabellum M.P. 40 (192-rnds)
Fire Height	1.40m
Defence
Armour Layout
Misc Specs
Crew	4 • Commander • Gunner • Loader • Driver
External Communication	Fu.Spr.Ger. "f"
Dimensions
Weight	16,000kg
Length	6.27m (overall) 4.87m (hull)
Width	2.63m
Height	2.10m
Barrel Overhang	1.40m
Automotive
Engine	Praga AC I-6, water-cooled 7.75 liter gasoline 150 HP @ 2,600 rpm
Power/Weight	10hp/t
Ground Pressure	0.85kg/cm²
Ground Clearance	0.38m
Fuel Capacity	320 liters
Operational Range	180km (on-road) 130km (off-road)
Speed	40km/h (maximum) 25 ~ 30km/h (on-road) 15km/h (off-road)
Trench Crossing	1.30m
Maximum Fording Depth	0.90m
Suspension
Suspension	Leaf spring
Maximum Grade	25°
Vertical Obstacles	0.65m
Roadwheels	4 wheels, 2 by bogie
Roadwheel Diameter	825mm
Roadwheel Materials	rubber tires
Return Rollers	1
Drive Sprocket	Front, double
Idler Sprocket	Rear, double, adjustable
Track Type	Kgs 64/350/104
Pitch	104mm
Track Ground Contact	2.72m
Links	96
Track Width	350mm

The Jagdpanzer 38 (abbreviated as J.Pz. 38), was a tank destroyer developed from the Panzerkampfwagen 38(t).

The J.Pz. 38 formed the basis of a new generation of vehicles originally based on the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t), with many new vehicles using the newly modified J.Pz. 38 for their own uses. The J.Pz. 38 D followed the J.Pz. 38, forming a third generation of variants albeit mostly too late in the war to contribute to the war effort.

Names

The Jagdpanzer 38 has been known to go by the following names:

leichter Panzerjäger auf 38(t) Wa Prüf 6. (7 January 1944) Pz.Jäger 38(t) KTB, GenStdH/Gen.d.Art. (18 January 1944) Sturmgeschütz neuer Art Gen Insp.d.Pz.Tr. an OKH/Wa Prüf. (28 January 1944) Le. Pz.Jäger (38t) Gen Insp.d.Pz.Tr. an OKH/Wa Prüf. (28 January 1944) leichtes Sturmgeschütz auf 38(t) Führer Konferenz (28 January 1944) Panzerjäger 38 für 7,5cm Pak 39 (L-/48) (Sd Kfz 138/2) K.St.N. 1149. (1 January 1944) leichter Panzerjäger auf 38(t) Wa Prüf 6. (28 February 1944) Stu.Gesch.n.A mit 7.5cm Pak 39 L/48 auf Fgst.Pz.Kpf.Wg.38(t) Waffen bzw.Geräte. (March 1944) le.Pz.Jg.38t Gen.lnsp.d.Pz.Tr.Akten. (4 March to October 1944) Pz.Jäger 38(t) KTB, GenStdH/Gen.d.Art. (16 April 1944) 7,5 cm Panzerjäger 38(t) Chef.H.Rüst.u.BdE, Wa.Abn. (6 April to 31 July 1944) Stu.Gesch.38(t) Chef.H.Rüst.u.BdE, Wa.Abn. (6 April to 6 June 1944) Stu.Gesch.n.Aa mit 7.5cm Pak 39 L/48 auf Fgst.Pz.Kpf.Wg.38(t) Überblick über den Rüstungsstand des Heeres Chef.H.Rüst.u. BdE/Stab Rüst lil. (15 May to 15 October 1944) le.Pz.Jäg.38(t) GenSTdH/General der Artillerie Kriegstagebuch. (7 June to 30 July 1944) Stu.Gesch.38(t) GenSTdH/Org.Abt. Bericht. (12 June and 28 June 1944) I.Pz.Jg.38(t) Wa Prüf 6. (23 June 1944) G13 Internal manufacturer code at Škoda. (~July 1944) le.Pz.Jg.38t Panzerjäger-Abteilung 743. (3 August 1944) Sturmgeschütz 38(t) Wa Prüf 4, when referencing the vehicle in relation to the starr models. 11 August 1944. Ie.Pz.Jg.38(t) mit 7,5cm Pak L/48 auf Fgst Pz 38t GenSTdH/Org.Abt./Gen.lnsp.d.Pz.Tr. (8 September 1944) le. Panzerjäger 38t GenSTdH/Org.Abt./Gen.lnsp.d.Pz.Tr. (8 September 1944) Jagdpanzer 38 GenSTdH/Org.Abt./Gen.lnsp.d.Pz.Tr. (11 September 1944) Pz.-Jäger 38(t) GenSTdH/General der Artillerie Kriegstagebuch. (12 September 1944) Jagdpanzer 38 Gen.lnsp.d.Pz.Tr.Akten. (19 October 1944 to 6 April 1945) Jagdpanzer 38 D 652/63. (1 November 1944) Jagdpanzer 38 und Panzerjäger 38 (7,5cm Pak 39 (L/48) (Sd.Kfz 138/2) K.St.N. 1149. (1 November 1944) Jagdpz. 38 Combat readiness report by Panzergrenadier Division “Feldherrnhalle”. None were shown on strength. (3 November 1944) Jagdpanzer 38, Panzerjäger 38 (m 7,5cm Pak 39 (L/48) (Sd.Kfz 138/2) Überblick über den Rüstungsstand des Heeres, Chef H.Rüst u. BdE/Stab Rüst III. (15 November 1944 to 15 March 1945) Jagdpanzer 38 WaA/Wa Prüf 6. (17 November and 19 December 1944) Hetzer The origin of this name was explained in this document as coming from the troops to denote the Jagdpanzer 38. Gen. Insp.d.Pz.Tr. Guderian. (4 December 1944) Hetzer / Pz.Jg.38(T) IX. Waffen Gebirgs-Armeekorps der SS. (19 December 1944) Jagdpanzer 38 T (Hetzer) Chief General Quartermaster I.A.Gschwender, Luftwaffe High Command telex. (16 February 1945) Jg.Pz.38 t SS-Sturmbannführer combat readiness report. (March 1945) Jg.Pz.38 t Hetzer SS-Sturmbannfüher combat readiness report. (March 1945) Panzerjägerwagen 638/10 ..?

The name 'Hetzer' is not an official nickname, used only by select units in the field. The only vehicle to receive the name 'Hetzer' officially, is the E 10.

Development

Following a bombing raid on the Alkett plant, BMM was pushed to manufacture tank destroyers whilst Alkett was out of action. BMM however did not have the capacity to manufacture the 24-ton Sturmgeschütz III due to the lack of equipment capable of lifting a vehicle of that weight.

In early December 1943 the design for a leichten Sturmgeshütz auf 38(t) was started. The following characteristics were to be included;

• Automotive components from the standard 38(t) and from the 38(t) n.A..
• A weight of 13,000kg.
• Primary armament consisting of a 7,5cm L/48 cannon.
• Maximum speed of up to 60km/h.
• Frontal armour sufficient against anti-tank guns.
• Side and rear armour consisting of 20mm low alloy SM steel (equivalent to 14.5mm of armour steel, providing protection against armour-piercing 7.92mm ammunition and artillery fragments).

On 24 January 1944 a wooden mockup was completed, and was inspected on the 26th. Production began in the following months with the first three vehicles being completed in March 1944. The vehicle was known internally as G13 by the BMM plant, with earlier tank destroyers being designated G12 and G11.

The production vehicle ended up exceeding the 13-ton weight limit, reaching 16-tons. As a result, automotive components were overtaxed and the top speed was only 40km/h instead of the required 60km/h.

In July 1944 Škoda joined BMM in production of the Jagdpanzer 38, producing 780 through April 1945.

Throughout production multiple changes were made to the vehicle, including;

• Replaced tow hooks with drilled hull extensions. (April 1944)
• Addition of a commander's hatch with two access hatches to the rear deck.
• Removal of the early heat resistant muffler.
• Addition of three welded Pilze to the roof. (June 1944)
• Replaced gun mantlet with a lighter version.
• New roadwheels with larger diameter discs.
• New idler, six different types during production. (August 1944)
• Bends in Schürzen added.
• Strengthened leaf springs (up to 9mm thick). (September 1944)
• Removal of the driver's periscopes armour guard.
• Replaced roadwheel bolted construction with riveted construction.
• Addition of the Flammvernichter muffler. (October 1944)
• Increased ammunition stowage for the main gun by five rounds. (November 1944)
• Increased final drive gear ratio from 7.33 to 8.00. (January 1945)
• Reinforced hull side extension towing eyes, or replaced with U-hooks. (March 1945)
• Welding on rings to attach camouflage netting. (March 1945)

Some examples had a muzzle brake for the 7,5cm Pa.K. 39. The muzzle brake was phased out as it proved to not be as beneficial as first thought, not helping with recoil and only reducing heat.

Variants

Jagdpanzer 38 Base model tank destroyer. Jagdpanzer 38 als Befehlswagen Tank destroyer with command equipment (Fu.G. 8). Jagdpanzer 38 starr Model with rigid gun mount, fitting a rücklauflose Kanone. A 0-serie of 10 was made in Dec 1944 / Jan 1945 by BMM. Jagdpanzer 38 starr mit 7,5cm Pa.K. 39 Model with rigid gun mount, fitting the same 7,5cm Pa.K. 39 cannon. A single example was ordered in Mar 1945 to be presented in mid Apr 1945. Jagdpanzer 38 mit 7,5cm Pa.K. 42 Proposed model to replace the Panzer IV/70(V) in service. Armed with a 7,5cm Pa.K. 42. Designed Nov 1944, has a rear mounted gun compartment with more armour than the traditional J.Pz. 38. Derivatives 3cm Fla.K. 103/38 auf Bergepanzer 38 Converted Bergepanzer 38 fitting a single 3cm Fla.K. 103/38 in a cut out roof section of the superstructure. 3cm Zwilling-Flak auf Panzerkampfwagen 38 Self-propelled anti-aircraft design fitting twin 3cm Fla.K. 103/38 derived from 3cm M.K. 103. Bergepanzer 38 Armoured recovery vehicle. Fahrschulepanzer 38 Driver training model. Jagdpanzer 38 (Flamm) Model with the main gun replaced with a 1,4cm Flammenwerfer concealed by a barrel shroud. Jagdpanzer 38 D Modernized model with many changes. Kätzchen K1 Armoured personnel carrier by Auto Union. Kätzchen K2 Armoured personnel carrier by Auto Union with suspension from BMM. Kätzchen 38 Armoured personnel carrier by BMM. Panzer-Aufklärer auf 38(t) Proposed reconnaissance model with the 2cm Hängelafette 38 turret. Panzerkampfwagen 38 mit 7,5cm Kw.K. 40 Proposed medium tank fitting a Pz.Kpfw. IV turret with the 7,5cm Kw.K. 40 L/48 main gun. Panzerkampfwagen 38 mit 8cm P.A.W. 600 Proposed medium tank fitting a Pz.Kpfw. IV turret with the 8cm P.A.W. 600 main gun. Vollkettenaufklärer 38 Reconnaissance model with a 7,5cm K. 51 L/24 in a superstructure. Foreign Panzerjäger G13 Swiss model manufactured post-war. Utilizes the 7,5cm Pa.K. 40 instead of the 7,5cm Pa.K. 39. PM-1 Czech post-war flamethrower tank. ST-I Czech post-war model. Many were captured from the Germans prior to the end of the war. 249 entered service. ST-III/CVP Czech post-war driver training model.

Service History

Unit	Amount	Date	Chassis No.	Notes
Panzerjäger-Abteilung 561	45	Feb 1945
Panzerjäger-Abteilung 731	45	4 - 13 Jul 1944
Panzerjäger-Abteilung 741	45	Sep 1944
Panzerjäger-Abteilung 743	45	19 - 28 Jul 1944
Panzerjäger-Abteilung 744	45	Mar 1945

Germany (Deutsches Reich) Land Vehicles 1919 - 1945

Half-Tracked Vehicles
Offensive / Defensive	SPAA	2cm Fla.K. 30 auf Fgst. le.Zgkw. 1t • 2cm Fla.K. 38 auf Fgst. le.Zgkw. 1t • 2cm Fla.K. 38 (Sf.) auf le.Zgkw. 1t • 2cm Fla.K. 38 Vierling (Sf.) auf m.Zgkw. 8t • 3,7cm Fla.K. 43/1 auf Sfl. s.W.S. • 5cm Fla.K. 41 (Sf.) auf m.Zgkw 5t • 8,8cm Fla.K. 18 (Sfl.) auf s.Zgkw 12t • 8,8cm Fla.K. 37 (Sfl.) auf s.Zgkw 18t
	Armoured Recon	le.S.P.W. (2cm) • le.S.P.W. (3,7cm) aA • le.S.P.W. (3,7cm) nA • Pz.Spw. RK A
	Fire Support	le.S.P.W. (7,5cm) • le.S.P.W. (s.Pz.B. 41)
	SPM	8cm R-vielfachwerfer auf Fahgestell S 303(f) • leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (schwerer Granatwerfer) • mittlerer Schützenpanzerwagen S307(f)
	SPRA	8cm R.W. auf Fgst. S303(f) • 8cm Reihenwerfer auf Fahgestell S303(f)
	SPATG	5cm PaK 38 (Sf) auf leichter Zugkraftwagen 1t • 7,5cm PaK 40 (Sf) auf Fahrgestell S 307(f) • 8,8cm FlaK 18 (Sf) auf schwerer Zugkraftwagen 12t • 8,8cm FlaK 37 (Sfl.) auf schwerer Zugkraftwagen 18t • leichter Schützenpanzerwagen mit Sfl 5cm PaK 38 L/60 • Panzerjäger S307(f) mit 7,5cm PaK 40 L/46
Utility	Ammunition Carriers	l.gp.Mun.Tr.Kw. • le.Mun.Pz.Wg. (A • B)
	Command	le.Beob.Pz.Wg. n.A.
	Communication & Cable Related	kl.Kett.Krad. f. Fe.Kab. • kl.Kett.Krad. f. s.Fe.Kab. • leichter Fernsprechpanzerwagen • leichter Funkpanzerwagen
	Engineering	m.S.P.W. (Pi)
	Observation, Spotting & Survey	leichter gepanzerter Beobachtungskraftwagen • leichter Beobachtungspanzerwagen Alte • le.Messtrupp-Pz.Wg. • m.S.P.W. (IR)
	Transport & Towing	gepanzerter Transportkraftwagen P380(f) • kl.Kett.Krad • leichter Schützenpanzerwagen Series • leichter Schützenpanzerwagen Alte • le.S.P.W. n.A. • le.S.P.W. U304(f) • le.Zgkw 1t • le.Zgkw 3t • le.Zgkw S307(f) • m.gep.Zgkw S303(f) • m.Zgkw 5t • m.Zgkw 8t • S.P.W. M2(a) • S.P.W. M3(a) • s.Zgkw 12t • s.Zgkw 18t • Zgkw P302(b) • Zgkw P302(f) • Zgkw P304(f)

Sources
Books	Online	Documents
• Panzer Tracts No. 9 • Panzer Tracts No. 23	• Tank Encyclopedia