The Jagdpanzer 38 ( Sd.Kfz. 138/2 ), originally the Leichter Panzerjäger 38(t) , known mostly postwar as the Hetzer , was a German light tank destroyer of World War II based on a modified Czechoslovakian Panzer 38(t) . ) chassis. German armored troops in the Second World War created a variety of equipment, installing anti-tank guns on the chassis of outdated tanks. These machines performed even better than expected, but were still vulnerable due to the high machine profiles and open-topped turrets. Allied bombing took a heavy toll on German production capacity and further increased the need for a lightly built but effective light tank destroyer to replace vehicles such as the StuG III and the Marder series (Marder I, II and III). Prototypes of the Jagdpanzer 38 were ready by 1944, and serial production began in April of the same year. The Jagdpanzer 38 was completely covered in sloped armor and had a compact shape and low silhouette, giving it a significantly better defensive capability compared to other self-propelled guns. Armament consisted of a 7.5 cm Pak 39 L/48 gun and a remote-controlled MG 34. It had a wide hull to accommodate a crew of four, as well as a reinforced lower hull with enlarged wheels, guide rollers and tracks. Jagdpanzer 38s first entered service in July 1944 and were subsequently assigned to a number of units, including infantry, Panzerjäger and Volksgrenadier divisions. BMM and Škoda continuously modified and improved the Jagdpanzer 38 during the production run of more than 2,800 vehicles. Due to the ease of production and high performance, the Jagdpanzer 38 became the main tank destroyer of Germany in the last period of the war, making an important contribution on both the Eastern and Western fronts.
