Hetzer

Overview

The Jagdpanzer 38 (or Sd.Kfz. 138/2) was a German tank destroyer in service from 1944 to 1945, and is often referred to by its nickname Hetzer, though it was never officially named as such during the war.

The Hetzer was small and agile tank destroyer that was easier to hide than larger tank destroyers such as the Jagdpanther or Jagdtiger. It was based on the chassis of the Czech 38(t) tank, and was, compared to other German tank chassis, very cost effective and reliable. As a main armament it was equipped with a 75mm cannon that was capable of defeating all Allied medium tanks, and some Allied heavy tanks. It was also equipped with a remote-controlled machine gun atop the chassis. In less than a year of production almost 3000 vehicles were produced, and it was an important part of the armored forces of Germany in the final year of the war.

The Czechoslovakian factory that built the vehicle continued building it after the war was over, most of these were exported to Switzerland where they were known as the G-13, and in Czechoslovakia proper as the ST-I.

In games

• The Hetzer is part of the German tank destroyer tree in World of Tanks.
• The Hetzer is available to be researched in the German tank destroyer tree in War Thunder.
• It is also available to the German forces in Company of Heroes.
• It is available to German forces in the Men of War series.