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German Tank Destroyer Panzerjager Nashorn-Sd.Kfz.164
In the winter of 1941, German designers decided to utilize either Panzer III's or Panzer IV's chassis for anti-tank gun carrier. Since Panzer III and IV's chassis was not suited to be a self-propelled mount, the idea of using them was rejected. Instead Alkett's newly developed special chassis by Alkett - Geschutzwagen (gun carriage) III/IV was used. It combined components of both PzKpfw III (mainly Ausf J - engine, fuel pump, driving and steering mechanism) and PzKpfw IV (mainly Ausf F - suspension).
In February of 1942, Alkett designed new Panzerjager "Hornisse" (Hornet) armed with 88mm Pak 43 L/71 gun based on Geschutzwagen III/IV. In late 1942, Nashorn's chassis and hull was used in the development of Hummel (Sd.Kfz.165). The engine was moved to the center and the hull was lengthened to allow adequate room and weight distribution for the long-barreled 88mm gun. Because of the gun's great weight and the limited capacity of the chassis components, only light armor protection for the crew of 4(5) was provided.
In the early 1944, the arrangement of the driver front plate was changed during production and gun was changed to newer the 88mm Pak 43/1 L/71, creating two different models. On February 24th (or 27th) of 1944, by Hitler's order, second never model was named Nashorn (Rhinoceros). Hornisse and Nashorn were almost identical with the only difference being the driver front plate and gun version (unnoticeable). Despite their inadequate armor protection, they both provided the much needed mobility for the long-barreled 88mm anti-tank gun. Limited space provided in the fighting compartment allowed storage space for only 24 to 40 rounds. Hornisse and Nashorn's crew traveled in an open-top fighting compartment with all its weather-related disadvantages. Protection against the weather could be provided by canvas covers. Both models lacked a machine gun in the hull, so single MG34 or MG42 was carried inside the fighting compartment for local defense. From February of 1943 to March of 1945, only 474 Nashorns and 20 Hornisses were produced. Both models were designed by Alkett and produced by Deutsche Eisenwerke in Tieplitz-Schonau.
Both models were issued to the schwere Panzerjager Abteilungens and had their debut during the Kursk Offensive with 655th sPzJagAbt and/or 560 sPzJagAbt. Even with their light armor protection and high silhoutte but powerful armament, they proved to be successful tank destroyers. Six schwere Panzerjager Abteilungens (560, 655, 525, 93, 519 and 88), each equipped with 30 Nashorns, were created and saw service on all fronts (e.g. 525th schwere Panzerjaeger Abteilung in Italy, 1944). Each Abteilung was composed of command company and 2 to 3 companies with 4 platoons each. Each company had 14 to 17 Nashorn and each platoon had 4 to 5 Nashorns. Eventually, Nashorns were replaced by the new generation of more powerful and better armored Panzerjagers like Jagdpanzer IV and Panzerjager V Jagdpanther but remained in service to the end of the war.
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Main Data
| Weight, tonns |
24.4 |
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| Lenght,m |
8.44 |
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| Width, m |
2.86 |
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| Height, m |
2.65 |
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| Crew, men |
4-5 |
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Armament
| Machine gun MG-34 (MG42), mm |
1 x 7,92 |
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| Gun Pak 43 L/71 (Pak 43/1 L/71), mm |
88 |
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Ammo
| MG-34 (MG42), rounds |
600 |
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| Pak 43 L/71 (Pak 43/1 L/71), rounds |
24-40 |
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Armor thickness
| Hull front, mm |
30 |
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| Hull side, mm |
20 |
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| Hull back, mm |
20 |
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| Hull bottom, mm |
15 |
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Engine & Speed
| Engine type |
Maybach HL120TRM, carburetor |
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| Engine power, h.p. |
300 |
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| Max speed, km/h |
42 |
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| Max range, km |
260 (Road) |
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