The Nashorn, one version of which was also known as the Hornisse was a German tank destroyer of World War II. It was developed as an interim solution in 1942 and was armed with a 8.8 cm anti-tank gun. Though only lightly armoured and with a high profile, it stayed in service until the end of the war and proved to be quite successful as a tank destroyer.

Development

After the first German experiences with the newer Soviet tanks like the T-34 or the Kliment Voroshilov tank during Operation Barbarossa, the need for a Panzerjager capable of destroying these heavily armoured tanks became clear.

In February of 1942, the Alkett arms firm designed a tank destroyer using their recently developed Geschutzwagen III/IV which as its name indicated used components of both the Panzer III and Panzer IV tank. On it was mounted the 8.8 cm PanzerabwehrKanone (PaK) 43 L/71, a long anti-tank development of the famous 88 mm anti-air gun.

To accommodate this long and heavy gun, the hull had to be lengthened and the engine moved to the centre from the rear. Even then, weight considerations limited the amount of armour which could be used for the fighting compartment, leaving the crew almost unprotected, especially since it was also open-topped.

This model was presented for approval to Adolf Hitler in October 1942 and entered production in early 1943. Its official designation was 8.8cm PaK43 (L/71) auf Geschutzwagen III/IV (Sd. Kfz. 164), though it was also known as the Panzerjager Hornisse.

Nashorn

In late 1943 or early 1944, a new model of the Hornisse was introduced into production, which was armed with a newer gun: the 8.8cm PaK43/1 (L/71). This model also altered the driver's front armour plate. The difference between this model and its predecessor were small enough that they were almost impossible to distinguish from each other, unless you were looking at the gun. It was this model that was renamed Nashorn.

Total production of the Hornisse and Nashorn amounted to some 494 vehicles, of which most were built in 1943. As a panzerjager, it was soon replaced by the newer German tank destroyers, the Jagdpanzers, like the Jagdpanzer IV and the Jagdpanther. However, production continued, though at a low pace, into 1945.

Deployment

The Hornisse/Nashorn was issued to the schwere Panzerjager Abteilungens, of which eventually six would be equiped with them: schwere Panzerjager Abteilung 560, 655, 525, 93, 519 and 88. Each abteilung was equipped with 30 Nashorns.

The Hornisse/Nashorn made its debut during the Battle of Kursk, where they turned out to perform well. Their ability to attack the enemy at long distances negated the disadvantages they had of light armour and a high profile and was suited to the open, flat landscape of much of Russia.

The Nashorn Abteilungen served on all fronts until the end of the war.