Traffic Control

ukasz Orczyc-Musiaek presents an unusual late-war scene.

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Ta German light tank destroyer based on a modified Czechoslovakian Panzer 38(t) chassis. Interestingly, the name ‘Hetzer’ (transl. ‘baiter’ or ‘chaser’) was not intended for this particular vehicle, but for its planned replacement, the E-10. The Škoda factory for a short period confused the two vehicles in its documentation, and the first unit equipped with the until the matter was clarified. Evidently, Guderian reported to Hitler that the unofficial name, ‘Hetzer’, had been coined by the troops. Post-war historians, along with military vehicle enthusiasts and modellers, have continued to use the name in their work, though the vehicle was never referred to as such in any official documentation.

One of the most common late-war tank destroyers, the JgPz38 was generally mechanically reliable. It was armed with a 75mm Pak 39 L/48 gun in a fixed mounting, as well as a remotely-controlled MG 34 machine gun; it was capable of destroying almost all Allied tanks at long ranges (with the exception of heavy tanks).