Jagdpanzer IV

This casemate-style turretless German tank destroyer with steeply-sloped armor and a low profile was based on the Panzer IV chassis and built in three main variants. The first of these was armed with the 7.5 cm Pak 39 L/48 main gun, and German factories built approximately 784 between late 1943 and April 1945. This main gun was the same as that carried on the Pz. IV Ausf. F2-J, which was not as effective against armor as the longer-barreled 75 mm gun carried by the Jagdpanzer IV/70 (and Panzer V Panther tank). The gun fired both anti-tank and anti-personnel rounds. The Jagdpanzer IV was intended to replace the StuG III, but the latter vehicle remained in service until war's end. It could achieve a top speed of 16 mph. The Jagdpanzer (“hunting tank”) IV fought against Western Allied forces in Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, and Soviet tanks and troops on the Eastern Front. It was very successful as a tank destroyer due to its low profile, accurate gun and good armour protection, but performed poorly when used out of role as a substitute for tanks or assault guns to support infantry. This was increasingly necessary in the later stages of the war from late 1944 to 1945, because there was often nothing else available to the badly depleted German armoured units.