TANK DESTROYERS
Germany produced a number of tank destroyers throughout the war. They are distinguished from assault guns in that thier primary focus was to hunt and destroy tanks, hence the name JagdPanzer or "tank hunter." As newer, heavier tanks were deveoped, the chassis were used to produce larger and more powerful tank destroyers.
The main focus of the tank destroyer was in a defensive role, where it could utilize it's heavy firepower to defend against attacking tanks. They tended to be less mobile than tanks, had no turrets, and in fact often had open tops so their gun crews were not provided overhead protection from shrapnel. They were, however, cheaper and faster to produce than tanks.
The Rhinocerous was an early purpose-built tank destroyer, based on the reliable Pz IV chassis and fitted with the Pz III engine. It mounted the powerful 88mm L/71 gun in an open, thinly armored superstructure.
JagdPanzer IV Rhinocerous
The next step in the improvement in armored vehicles was to mount the 75mm L/48 anti-tank gun from the StuG III to the heavier Pz IV chassis. This was designated the StuG IV, and was eventually armed with the powerful 75mm L/70 gun, the same as the Panther. The StuG IV was protected with 80mm of frontal armor. While technically an assault gun, with the powrful new gun and thick armor, the StuG IV was definitely a tank hunter. The very low profile made the vehicle difficult to see by enemy tanks.
StuG IV with 75mm L/70 gun and side skirting StuG IV with 105mm gun from D-Day to Berlin
The JagdPanzer VI JagdTiger was outfitted with a massive 105mm high velocity gun that could destroy anything on the battlefield. They suffered the same mechanical problems and poor mobility of the Tiger, on who's chassis the JagdTiger is based.
The ultimate evolution of the tank destroyer was the JgPz VIB (PanzerJager VI Ausf B), built on the hull of the massive King Tiger. Outweighing even that behemoth at an earth-shaking 72 tons, it was armed with a 128mm L/55 gun. This extremely powerful, very high-velocity gun firing a 63 pound armor-piercing projectile, could easily smash anything on the battlefield, including the Russian heavy tank JS 2 or JS 3, had it seen service. Combined with a battleship-like 250mm of sloping armor, it was virtually invulnerable to ground fire. Like its brother the Pz VIB, it was powered by an inadequate 700 hp gas engine, and with its massive weight it was even less mobile and less reliable than the King Tiger. And like the King Tiger, with a tactical range of less than 40 miles, its greatest threat was running out of fuel.
JagdPanzer VIB
The World's Great Tanks
D-Day to Berlin
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by Chris Shimp March 1, 2001