On the shortcomings of the "tank destroyer" "Hetzer" from one of the commanders of self-propelled guns

During the Second World War, Czech manufacturers made a significant contribution to equipping the Third Reich with military equipment. It was the Czechoslovak designers and engineers who in many respects provided the needs of Nazi Germany in armored vehicles.

One of the machines of the Czech industry deserves special attention: self-propelled artillery fighter class tanks "Hetzer" ("Huntsman"). It was developed in the years 1943-1944 by the Czechoslovak BMM and was intended primarily for the acquisition of anti-tank units of cavalry and infantry divisions.

In close combat, as well as in operations from an ambush, the Hetzer was a serious adversary. However, this car also had flaws (for example, cramped interior space and weak side armor), which crew members were well aware of.

In this video, one of the Hetzer commanders, based on his personal experience, will talk about the characteristic shortcomings of this machine, on which he went through the crucible of hostilities. His opinion is purely subjective and is not the ultimate truth, but still worthy of attention.

It is worth adding that the Hetzer was also exploited after the defeat of the Third Reich - right up to the start of the 1970's.

Comments

[Boris00]

Any armored vehicles always have disadvantages, as well as advantages! But virtues should outweigh.

[The leader of the Redskins]

When I saw him live and even touched my arm in the Museum of the Polish Army in Warsaw, I was generally surprised at how four people fit in it! Visually, the object is very small. Consequently, tightness is guaranteed.

[Zliy_mod]

I read somewhere: The Czechs did not in vain treat our soldiers with beer in 45g. To make amends, they worked conscientiously for the Reich the whole war from bell to bell.

[Alien From]

I don’t know how about beer, but the fact that they gladly gear the Nazi dives, an absolute fact!

[Alien From]

Why did the freaks squeamish ????

[evgic]

Well, you're wrong. They resisted very much, and even for some time they all came to work in black shirts, as a sign of disobedience. The Germans were so upset, they couldn’t eat already)))).

[max702]

30% of all armaments of fascist Germany ... And not one case of sabotage! Cattle worked hard ..
Another brothers Slavs ..

[eagle owl]

But now the victory in the war is celebrated shockingly ... How - how, then, they defeated Hitler. yeah! And with them, all sorts of French defeated him.

[tatarin1972]

Their whole protest was that the workers went to work in black shirts. Does it remind you of anything ?! the full-time mentality of Europeans was already being watched. Now their descendants are wearing skirts, protesting violence against women by refugees from the Middle East.

[Kosty]

There was no mass resistance, such is Europe. But all under one comb ... Remember the episode with the Czech-Russian dictionary, which was found in an unexploded bomb, which German planes dropped on the roof of the Moscow Pedagogical Institute. And the designer of the Czech VMM tank plant Alexei Surin, who was engaged in sabotage?

[Bolo]

Thank you, kind hardworking Czechs, I’m just sorry for you, the freaks haven’t been crushed into minced meat with this wonderful product!

[Alien From]

Czechs are a priori enemies of Russia! Do not watch publications with signs ........

[NF68]

Forced decision in the absence of time and resources. Using a proven and tested chassis.

[svp67]

Quote: NF68

Forced decision in the absence of time and resources. Using a proven and tested chassis.

And with all the shortcomings, more technically successful and massive than our ZIS-30

And it’s worth strongly regretting that in the series in 1943 the SU-57b did not go

[Zliy_mod]

It looks like the chassis of a captured German T-3 tank.

[svp67]

Quote: Zliy_mod

It looks like the chassis of a captured German T-3 tank.

No. Used elements of the chassis t-70m,

this self-propelled gun, like its "sister" with a 76,2 mm gun,

SU-76D for a long time competed in the competition with what we now know as SU-76.

Recognized the layout, with a far protruding barrel is not very successful, although, for me, it's really different in purpose

[NF68]

Quote: Zliy_mod

It looks like the chassis of a captured German T-3 tank.

PC-3 has 6 track rollers.

[eleronn]

If this one "... of the commanders of the Hetzer ..." survived, then there can be no talk of any crucible of hostilities.

[Krasnodar]

In WOT, a good machine for its level)))

[meandr51]

By the way, they built their weapons factories on the Russian gold reserve, which was stolen in Siberia in 1918 during the rebellion of the Czechoslovak Corps.
It is not clear why there is still not a single lawsuit on this subject.

[Crimea26]

Although the machine and uncomfortable, but in the battles - proved to be dangerous. In addition, the Germans knew about the shortcomings, the E-10 and E-25 did not just appear. And if the E-10 needed to be rated as technically too complicated for a bug of this size, then the E-25 was perfect.

I still do not understand what prevented the rear (overmotor) sheet from being made - horizontal, flush with the roof ??? it was possible to get an extra volume for the motor group, and slightly ease the crew conditions ...