Jagdpanzer 38(t) (SdKfz 138/2)

When Czechoslovakia fell in April 1939, the Germans took over the Skoda munitions factory and thousands of tanks, including the 38(t) tank, an excellent light tank with good performance and high reliability. When the Germans invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, They found that their tanks were not as strong as the T-34/76 tanks the Soviets operated. Experience and superior communications wouldn't hold the T-34s in check forever, so they developed a number of stopgap tank destroyers. The first versions, Marder and Nashorn, were open vehicles that did not protect the crew from small arms or shrapnel. Using the now obsolete 38(t) chassis, Skoda married the 75mm Pak 39 L/48 to an armored sloped box. Despite having low elevation and limited traverse, the Jagdpanzer 38(t) was popular with its crews for its fighting ability, especially its ability to lie in wait for Allied tanks. Over 2,500 Jagdpanzers were built. Note the panzergrenadier with the panzerfaust. Right-click and choose "view image" to enlarge.

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