![]() ![]() ![]() The first attempt to produce an improvised self-propelled anti-tank vehicle was made just prior to the German invasion of the West in May 1940. Given the lack of German industrial production capacity, little could be done in this regard prior to the war. An anti-tank mounted on a tank chassis that had sufficient mobility to follow tanks and motorized units was seen as a desirable concept even before the war. Later, stronger anti-tank guns provided a huge boost in firepower when engaging enemy armor, but their weight greatly increased too, which limited their mobility. Despite being lightweight, this gun still needed to be towed for longer distances and required some time to be set up for combat. It could be easily concealed or transported by a few men. This was an effective anti-tank gun when used against pre-war tank designs. The German Army’s main anti-tank weapon before and in the first period of the Second World War was the 3.7 cm Pak 36. Source: The Need for a Mobile Anti-Tank Vehicle Further development of the StuG III concept armed with even stronger guns would lead to the creation of Germany’s first dedicated anti-tank vehicle, the Jagdpanzer IV. Additionally, a series of vehicles, such as the StuG III, performed excellently in the anti-tank role when equipped with long guns. ![]() ![]() On the other hand, their survivability was quite limited due to their limited armored protection. While these were nothing more than ad hoc solutions, they were effective thanks to their powerful guns and cheap cost. Due to losses and meager production capabilities, the Germans were forced to introduce a series of improvised anti-tank vehicles. As the Second World War progressed, the German Army faced an ever-increasing amount of enemy armor, while its own tank forces were steadily being reduced. ![]()
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