Jagdpanzer IV (Sd.Kfz 162) is a German armored tank destroyer of World War II. The first prototypes of the car were built in 1943, and serial production continued in the period 1944-1945, ending with the release of about 2,000 cars. Jagdpanzer IV was equipped with one Maybach HL 120 TRM engine with a capacity of 300 hp. It was armed with 1 75 mm PaK 39 or PaK 42 cannon and 2 7.92 mm MG42 machine guns. The Jagdpanzer IV was created as an addition to the StuG III vehicle, and its chassis, drive and transmission were taken from the PzKpfw IV tank. The new machine was characterized by good armament, a low overall silhouette, which facilitated the organization of ambushes, well-thought-out armor - especially in the front part of the body - and high maneuverability. During serial production, three developments were created. The first was called Jagdpanzer IV L/48, was armed with a 75-mm anti-tank gun PaK 39 L/48 and was produced at the Vomag plant. The second and third versions are very similar - the Jagdpanzer IV L / 70 (V) and L / 70 (A) were armed with the 75 mm PaK 42 L / 70 long-barreled gun. The L / 70 versions were produced by Vomag and Alkett, differing only slightly. Jagdpanzer IV began to enter line units in March 1944. The first combat operations using the new tank destroyer were carried out on the Italian front, and soon after - on the eastern front. The Jagdpanzer IV was widely used in the Normandy campaign (summer 1944) and in the Ardennes offensive in 1944-1945.
