This book is about the famous Hetzer tank destroyer. Based on the chassis of the obsolete Czechoslovak designed Panzer 38(t) light tank, it was developed quickly at the end of the war and produced in relatively large numbers (for a German AFV that is). In a way this vehicle was ideal for the type of fighting that the German troops encountered in late 1944 and early 1945. Cheap and fast to produce, it then filled the gaps on the front line, ambushing the more numerous enemy tanks, when German industry struggled to get enough Panthers and Tiger IIs off the production lines. In the tactical conditions encountered by German troops at this time of WWII it was an effective weapon in the right hands. It had nonetheless serious disadvantages such as a restricted field of vision, thin side and rear armour, low speed and a cramped interior. Sometimes its effectiveness was also hampered by poorly trained crew and inept orders from unit commanding officers.

The book is logically laid out and the authors start with design and development, then go on with production and operational history, followed by operational characteristics, crew testimony and combat service to end with variants.

As usual with Jentz’s books I found the chronological list of modifications introduced during production most interesting. The German combat reports were also fascinating. Finally, I really enjoyed the thorough coverage of the camo schemes used on the Hetzer. The information on a scheme of overall red primer with dark yellow and white stripes AND olive green patches confined to the lower areas of the tank was new to me.

While it was logical not to cover the flame throwing tank variant (described in New Vanguard 15 “Flammpanzer”), I wonder why experimental SPGs (20mm FlaK, SiG33, etc...) were not mentioned. On the other hand the recovery versions (Bergepanzer 38) and Jagdpanzer 38 Starr (with rigid mounted gun) are discussed in detail.

Most if not all photographs will not be new to those who have other reference books on the Hetzer, but they are well chosen. There are also some 1/76th scale drawings by Hilary Doyle. The artwork by Mike Badrocke is competent enough although I feel Peter Sarson, who did a few earlier New Vanguard titles, would have done a better job.

The Jagdpanzer 38  has already been covered in many different books. Those looking for a photobook should look elsewhere, like perhaps Schiffer’s Hetzer book while others who would like a more thorough coverage of development and technical aspects would probably be better off with Spielberger’s  books or even Kliment and Francev’s (see selected bibliography at the end of this review).

Nonetheless this New Vanguard volume is a welcome addition to my reference library and I highly recommend it. If you can afford it, Spielberger’s “LEICHTE JAGDPANZER” book with its many photos and 1/35th scale line drawings would be an ideal companion for this volume.

Selected bibliography :

LEICHTE JAGDPANZER, ENTWICKLUNG - FERTIGUNG - EINSATZ
By Walter J. Spielberger, Hilary L. Doyle, Thomas L. Jentz
Band 14 der Serie Militärfahrzeuge
MOTOR BUCH VERLAG 1992 (ISBN 3-613-01428-9)
(German text)

DIE PANZER-KAMPFWAGEN 35(t) UND 38(t) UND IHRE ABARTEN
By Walter J. Spielberger
Band 11 der Reihe Militärfahrzeuge
MOTOR BUCH VERLAG 1990 (ISBN 3-87943-708-4)
(German text)

CZECHOSLOVAK ARMORED FICHTING VEHICLES 1918-1948
By Charles K. Kliment & Vladimir Francev
SCHIFFER PUBLISHING 1997 (ISBN 0-7643-0141-1)

HETZER JAGDPANZER 38(t) AND G-13
By Horst Scheibert
SCHIFFER PUBLISHING 1990 (ISBN 0-88740-238-0)
(originally published in German by Waffen-Arsenal)

JAGDPANZER 38(t) “HETZER”
By Janusz Ledwoch
WYDAWNICTWO MILITARIA 1997 (ISBN 83-86209-82-8)
(Polish text, dual Polish and English captions)

PANZER TRACTS NO 9 “JAGDPANZER” - JAGDPANZER 38 TO JAGDTIGER
By Thomas L. Jentz, Hilary L. Doyle
DARLINGTON PRODUCTIONS 1997 (ISBN 0-9648793-3-6)