The Nashorn (literally Rhinoceros ), indicated initially under the name of Hornisse (Frelon in German) was a German Hunter of tanks of the Second world war. It was developed as an intermediate solution in 1942 and was armed with powerful the anti-tank gun of 88 mm. Although slightly armoured and presenting a raised silhouette, it remained in service until the end of the war and showed that it was a rather good tank destroyer.

Development

After the Germans had taken the measurement of the new Soviet tanks the such T-34 or the Kliment Voroshilov during the Opération Barbarossa, the need for a hunter of tank able to destroy these heavily armor-plated tanks became obvious.

In February 1942, the waterway transport company Alkett (Altmärlische Kettenwerke GMBH) of Berlin conceived a tank destroyer on the basis of Sturmgeschütz III and IV that it had just developed and who, as their names indicates it, used components of the Panzer III and Panzer IV. The gun of DCA of 88 mm (PaK) 43/1 L/71, an anti-tank gun equipped with a long tube, was assembled to the back of the frame with its protective shield a structure without roof was built goshawks of the gun to give to the crew a certain protection. The gun had same the layer and rise that if it had been on its own mounting: 15° on each side and -5° with + 15° of rise. To adapt to length and heavy gun, the hull had had to be lengthened and the engine transferred from the back to the center of the frame. Considerations of weight caused that it been necessary to limit the quantity of shielding protecting the station from combat, the crew being only protected from the blast of the explosions and the light weapons.

This model was presented to the approval of Adolf Hitler in October 1942 and started production at the beginning of 1943. It had several official designations, such as 8,8 cm PaK 43 (L/71) auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen III/IV (Sf.) or 8,8 cm PaK 43 (L/71) auf Geschützwagen III/IV (Sd. Kfz. 164) , although it was also known like the Panzerjäger Hornisse (in French wasp).

During first half of 1943, a new model of Hornisse was put in production. This model comprised a modification of the frontal shield of the driver with other small differences. The difference between this model and its predecessor, of which few specimens had been built, could hardly be distinguished. All the vehicles were named Nashorn by order of Hitler.

The total production of Hornisse and Nashorn rose with 494 vehicles, whose majority were built in 1943. As a tank destroyer, it was quickly replaced by new models, such Jagdpanzer IV and Jagdpanther. However the production continued, although at a rather slow rate until 1945.

Two Nashorn are exposed in military museums: with the United States Army Ordnance Museum and with the Kubinka Tank Museum.

Engagements

Hornisse/Nashorn was delivered with the schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilungen (heavy Battalions anti-tank), of which six ended up being equipped about it, namely the schwere Panzerjäger Abteilungen 560,655,525,93,519 and 88. Each battalion was equipped with 30 Nashorn.

The gun of Nashorn was one of the anti-tank guns most effective to be deployed during the war. Its souscalibré shell equipped with a heart for the Carbide of tungsten, Pzgr. 40/43, was able to penetrate 190 mm of steel shielding to an angle of 30° at a distance from impact of: 1000. Exceptional qualities of the gun made it possible Nashorn to engage the enemy tanks whereas it was out of their range.

Hornisse/Nashorn made its beginnings during the Bataille of Koursk, where it was illustrated. Its capacity to engage the enemy by far cancelled the disadvantages resulting from its weak shielding and its high silhouette and showed that its gun was appropriate for the open landscapes and dishes which covered most of Russia. Like all the vehicles armed with PaK 43 or KwK 43, Nashorn could bore a hole in the frontal shield of any allied armored vehicle. It is reported that at the beginning of 1945, Nashorn put out of combat a Soviet IS-2 at a distance from: 4600 meters.

External bonds

• Achtung Panzer!- Nashorn Page

• WWII Vehicles
• Hornisse manual
• Armor penetration counts off 8.8 cm PaK 43

References