Panzerjäger - How Germany Created The Tank Destroyer

This video outlines (in 5 vehicles) how Germany created the tank destroyer and then improved upon it. From 47mm to 128mm guns, these 5 vehicles were extremely different but shared a key concept - they were all open topped, heavily armed tank destroyers.
Stay tuned for Part 2 - the Jagdpanzers.
DISCORD: / discord
Thanks to Panzer Picture/Insight for a large chunk of the footage.
All content is presented in historical context for educational purposes. All footage is owned by it's copyright holder and is used in this channel under "fair use".
Music by Epidemic Sound

[@archiebotten4061]

when the wrench is red

[@RedWrenchFilms]

Discord moderator moment

[@scubajoe3321]

​@@RedWrenchFilms lmfao

[@fitzachella]

​@@scubajoe3321when joe is scrubbing

[@Miller_Davus]

​@@fitzachellawhen chella is fitzing

[@CrispyPratt]

​@@Miller_Davuswhen Davis is Milling

[@genericpersonx333]

In fairness, the Sturer Emil and Dicker Max were not obsolete simply because the French fortifications were no longer an issue. There were plenty of big fortified positions in the world that would need to be eliminated for the German Reich's further expansion. The Maginot Line simply was the catalyst to develop the mechanized bunker-buster, not the only reason to have such a bunker buster. Kursk might have gone a bit better in some places if there had been a couple of battalions of Sturer Emils supporting, able to precisely put 128mm shells into positions that historically took more time to reduce.

[@IanSumallo]

The problem is that thee St Emils are so unreliable mechanically that they can't position anywhere

[@genericpersonx333]

@@IanSumallo That is a technical issue, not a doctrinal one. The concept of a bunker buster, a heavy gun on motorized carriage for engagement of fortifications with direct fire was not obsoleted by the fact that the Maginot Line was no longer a strategic consideration. If Sturer Emils had been mass-produced for general service, I am sure they would have done more to resolve the reliability problems.

[@armosinz1944]

What kind of person names there tank "dicker max" ?????

[@nicktozie6685]

The guy with a huge cannon

[@BlackMan614]

Or use in Sevastopol.

[@haody3494]

In my opinion, the Panzerjäger was underrated.

[@unity3938]

In my opinion, getting shot in the head was underrated.

[@haody3494]

@@unity3938 True, having only a gun shield to protect you from small arms/heavy fire is scary.

[@unity3938]

@@haody3494 14.5mm could probably stop most 30 cal rounds except the Russian 54r but 50cal are turning that into a colander!

[@interpl6089]

They were trash, fact.

[@unity3938]

@@interpl6089 the vehicles or the crew? Trick question, it's both!

[@snappie3216]

I just noticed this video just got released, i personally love tank content and i also am a tank games fan. Your content also is great, can't wait for the jagdpanzers because i like those tank destroyers the most of all destroyers

[@RedWrenchFilms]

Such a lovely comment thank you :)

[@xcharke3126]

Great job!! nice to learn about the less-mentioned vehicles of WW2, PLEASE keep making more!!!

[@xcharke3126]

Just finished it, and I am really happy that there's gonna be one about Jagdpanzers, but will they include the Hetzer?

[@RedWrenchFilms]

Of course!

[@jurgen6902]

Greetings from Germany - a small hint for all of you. In the clip is mentioned the naming e.g. P.Z. 38 (T). The T is standing for "Tschechisch" meaning "Czech" in english. I don't know why they named it like that but thats what the T stands for as they didn't name the the french captured/procued tanks with an F. So its not a version like with the other tanks. I hope I helped at least a small bit to explain the sometimes weird names ;) At 6:59 the names translated into english mean: 10.5 cm canon armored self-propelled Tank self-propelled gun IV version A (the short description in the brackets)

[@blackginkgo8169]

The Beutepanzer or captured tanks got small letters for the nation they were coming from, because like th eczech tank they got renamed. As the Panzer 38t wasnt called like that in czech but LT VZ 38 or Praga TNH. Panzer 38 (t) for czech, russian tanks got (r) and so on.

[@philo6850]

Another splendid and thoroughly enjoyable video, and you will never make awful content. As always, I'm keenly looking forward to your next one on the Jagdpanzers! 👍👍

[@hamishneilson7140]

This was an excellent video! Short and concise with each vehicles explanation, but covered everything you needed to! I look forward to the second half!

[@RedWrenchFilms]

Thanks so much Hamish - means a lot :)

[@rolfagten857]

@@RedWrenchFilms 1 of the 3 surviving Nashorn is going to Militracks Event in Overloon at 20 / 21th of may 2023!

[@alfaromeo1819]

​@@RedWrenchFilmsOh yeah Expression jager tank seems ridiculos at the end of war. ..No kidding? Tank himself was always underpowered subarmed too thirsty not enough good for sharp turn etc.Only the big tank was too hard to kill easy but not enough nomber built

[@ian_b]

I like your narration delivery. It's clear, but relaxed and a comfortable speed for listening. Thank you for a great video!

[@RedWrenchFilms]

Thank you Ian!

[@avilhelm1697]

Good overview on the Panzerjägers. Looking forward to your vid on Jagdpanzers!

[@arthurbrina111]

Very interesting and well-presented. I am sure that your series will cover the WWII German assault guns at some point.

[@herptek]

People will get offended over talk of those infamous assault weapons.

[@leopoldthedigger7062]

Yet another great video mate! We’re loving them.

[@Toulouke1]

Bro these 2 parts about the tanks are so informative. Really enjoyed it both. You should make more of these ! I subbed

[@RedWrenchFilms]

Thanks so much! Glad to have you around.

[@ToastigLP]

My new favorite Channel about Tanks

[@earlgreen1720]

It's a big thank you from me for all the work that you put in to your content.

[@RedWrenchFilms]

My pleasure! I’m really glad you’re enjoying it

[@earlgreen1720]

@@RedWrenchFilms not too sure if this a big thing but I did not get a notification off a new upload. Hey keep up the good work kind regards Earl.

[@bigboi8426]

@@earlgreen1720 make sure you hit the bell and click all when you just click the bell it defaults to only show what it thinks you wanna see

[@stoneylonesome4062]

Brian Jonestown Massacre rules. Long live Anton Newcombe.

[@johncox2865]

Great video! I didn’t know much at all about early tank destroyers.

[@dennistims2604]

Good content. Very informative. Really like the kill numbers and survival numbers.

[@danmcdonald9117]

Seriously ❤ this channel, thanks fella great content

[@7071t6]

Great stuff mate, keep up the great work. :)

[@garybiggs4614]

I accidently watched the second video first. I must say tht this first video abt the early days of panzetjagers was ever as bit interesting and well researched. Keep 'em coming!! I subscribed, by the way. Again, I am vey impressed with your commitment to great research. gb

[@RedWrenchFilms]

Thanks so much Gary! Means a lot.

[@leonardusgroenendyk6027]

very well explained. looking forward to the next video

[@SmokingRun]

Nice video. The panzerjager1 is a remarkable vehicle. That is the most footage I have seen on the subject. I noticed you didn't bring up the bison variant. Although it was probably not really a Antitank unit. Its is just nice to see what the Germans mounted on such a small chassis.

[@Careoran]

Well done video! An interesting addition from me, rather uncommon knowledge. The Nashorn was actually also used as artillery, it was fully equipped to function in that role too, it had the necessary specialized radios and optics installed. The reason for that was, that the Hummel was considered important as heavy artillery and they wanted to able to quickly replace Hummel losses with Nashorns by just replacing the 88mm gun with the 150 mm sFH18. And as I said the Nashorn was actually also used as artillery, of course with lighter impact but in a similar role as Flak units were also used in an artillery role. cheers

[@matthewmoore5698]

Nice one for including the captured stuff

[@bigboi8426]

KZbin is a real piece of work but damn am I happy when I get a actually good recommendation, great content man it’s crazy you only have 20k subs, keep it up!!

[@RedWrenchFilms]

I had 2k subs 6 months ago! So I am just very grateful. Appreciate the comment :)

[@JohnSmith-se9yl]

Excellent work! Very informative! Great footage too... Thanks for a well presented video

[@RedWrenchFilms]

My pleasure, John!

[@user-rg8sx8gk8q]

Excellent detail. Great video.

[@richi7494]

Thank you for this video, I love your style of presenting vehicles less represented in the modern spotlight

[@waterboy4056]

Hello, just found your channel . Very good work. Subscribed and liked. Keep up the solid work

[@ianbell5611]

Thanks Great video. Great information. Cheers

[@leongaultier554]

Very interesting and informative video. I would have loved to watch about Wespe and Hummel category too.

[@user-op8fg3ny3j]

I always got confused between the Panzerjägers and the Jagdpanzers.

[@Anlushac11]

Panzerjager is armor hunter, big gun light armor. Jagdpanzer, Jagdpanther, Jagdtiger means hunting vehicle name here. Big gun but usually good frontal armor to be able to engage with a reasonable chance of holding position. Side armor was usually a lot weaker so if the vehicle was flanked it was in trouble.

[@jamesgoldring1052]

@@Anlushac11 i always wondered why they didn't tow extra armor plates, And attach them when they got into position With a quick release system for when they are ordered to advance?

[@henrynagel7175]

@@jamesgoldring1052This is Germany, there is no way they could spare the material to do that. The process would also take too much time for the little amount of extra protection it would give.

[@Ben-mw9vz]

@@jamesgoldring1052 fuel and logistics

[@dnocturn84]

@@Anlushac11 Sorry, I don't want to be that guy, but: "Panzerjäger" correctly translates to "tank hunter" and was Germanys take on what the Allies would later call "tank destroyers". "Armor hunter" isn't the right translation for it. A "Panzer" is the German term for a "tank". We call "armor" "Panzerung" (when you're refering to medival "armor", we call that "Rüstung", which sometimes also appears in military matters), but the shorter word "Panzer" does sometimes casually also refer to armor as well, so you're not entirely wrong here.

[@StefanGMarcello87]

Love this mate. Bravo.

[@Whatisthisstupidfinghandle]

Very interesting and informative video ! 8:46 I believe the same or very similar iii/iv chassis was also used on the Hummel

[@polishpepe239]

Great vid waiting for the second one

[@bassplayersayer]

Well done. Battle records are very interesting.

[@RedWrenchFilms]

Thanks! I thought so too.

[@ps1_hagrid_gaming517]

Your videos are so good

[@salsheikh4508]

One of the best videos I've seen on this machine.

[@RedWrenchFilms]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MGB-learning]

Great video!

[@biggaminggamers1073]

Hey Next video idea after part 2 of the panzerjager vid Do a video about the EBR, like why they designed it, for what purpose, and how it was used

[@timothywood4402]

Great video but you forgot some open topped tank destroyers. The late war 251/22 and 234/4 both had the pak 40. Plus there were panzer 1 A's with the stuk 43/48 cannon.

[@iformaddox3652]

Great video, thank you

[@Mumbamumba]

Interesting video!

[@henrynagel7175]

I wouldn’t really say that Germany “created” the tank destroyer, rather was an early pioneer along with other countries. Considering that the United States had their own type of tank destroyer, the m3 gmc go into production the same year as the panzerjeager 1, the French even had concepts and prototypes built before that with the Lorraine 37l and the soviets with the su-5. I don’t mean to be a pain or anything but I just thought the title seemed a bit misleading to the viewer.

[@executivedirector7467]

I made a very similar comment but you beat me to it. The M3 75mm GMC did not get developed till after the 1940 campaign. But still - the idea was definitely around in other armies.

[@Panzerbak]

"Completely ridiculous" -which one ? I think that they ALL make completely sense. A real economical way to get a lot of mobil firepower to the front, even the Dicker Max!

[@craigfitzpatrick4810]

I now look forward to Friday afternoons for more rather lovely Red Wrench content. Keep er lit!

[@whattodotoday5690]

Great Videos keep it up

[@forevermorbid8949]

After listening to so many videos by Military History Visualized, I am just choked every time you don't say the vehicles full name. As its super satisfying on his channel lol. Enjoyed your video nonetheless.

[@RedWrenchFilms]

Hahaha he has the very real advantage of knowing how to pronounce them!

[@rbob4931]

Just came across your channel. Excellent work. Good illustrations, comparison, archive footages, and pronunciations!!! A rare find these days. Keep up the good work!

[@RedWrenchFilms]

Thank you very much!

[@simonkevnorris]

Thanks for an interesting and informative video.y

[@mariebcfhs9491]

When ever I heard "Max und Moritz" while learning German on Duolingo, I immediately remember the Sturer Emils

[@nortoncomando3728]

Really enjoyed the content. Always interested in lesser known AV especially A/T machines built on older chassis like Panzer 1 Czech 38 and the various French tanks. Question ,was the Czech 35 ever converted to an A/T gun platform?

[@RedWrenchFilms]

Thanks! Yeah the Romanians turned them into the TACAM R-2 tank destroyer.

[@parrot849]

I think it was a Nashorn in a hull-down position that knocked out one of the U.S. Army’s 3rd Armored Divisions’ new M-26 Pershing medium tanks from around 1200 yards. Please correct me if I’m wrong….

[@RedWrenchFilms]

Yeah it was - destroyed an M26 just before the war ended.

[@michaeltelson9798]

Dicker Max means fat truck and was a slang for a furniture van. It was also the nickname that was given to the B-17 and B-24

[@Tconcept]

Very good thank you 👍

[@PrussianPoe]

A lightly armoured fast tank destroyer that can take out allied tanks relatively quickly and was an important part in the early years of the blitzkrieg

[@azharmarkovich7785]

Nice video ,next Please explain about rare heavy tank,Neubaufahrzeug in your opinion,is that tank are exsist?,Thank you

[@skajuoker23]

very interesting video

[@Kyitz255]

Please make a video on the Waffenträgers, yes i know only prototypes and a few were built but i want to see it

[@redonut4737]

Ah red wrench has blessed us with yet another video!

[@michaeltelson9798]

You should mention Major Becker who was with the 21 PD, at least later in the war. An engineer by trade and his family’s company produced the shielding he designed the shield used on many Marder I’s. His first attempt s were on captured British MK VI light tanks using the 75mm PAK 40 and the 105 howitzer. They were used around Leningrad and he earned the Iron Cross for his work. Later when the 21 PD was refitting in France prior to the Normandy invasion he took Hotchkiss H39 chassis and built a battalion with the 2 guns mentioned earlier. They fought against the invasion force, I believe in the British sector.

[@giovanniguzman1654]

Thanks for this documentary, I like it a lot the PANZER WAFFEN, particulár the Panzer Jager Waffen.

[@SonaNerikov]

Just wishing you would continue to other types like jagdpanzer, sturmgeschutz and waffenträger

[@Loneman_OG]

I do like the _sneaky, sneaky, I kemp boosh tenks,_ and I'm looking forward to your vijayo on the Jagdpanzer range of pew-pews; it's always cool to get a grounded perspective on the fictional (no matter how they strive for realism) vehicles many of us have experience with, in games. 👍

[@bright3944]

It was mainly issues with the kv series tanks that inspires Marders to be made, T-34's were regularly taken out by panzer III's because of technically unpenetrable (by German KwK 38/39) but highly brittle armor

[@dnocturn84]

The command that lead to the development of the Panzerjäger Marder series did say: "to counter the threat of the T-34 and KW (that's how Germans called the KV-tanks) tanks". Not actually a word for word quote, just the part that I remember without looking it up again, but I'm very sure the real one inculded both of them. The narrator actually just quoted this popular line. But sure, the Pzkpfw III was able to destroy T-34s, but it required a lot of luck and would lead to many losses. The German war strategy against the SU was based on the asumption of superiority. A German gun had to destroy a good number of enemies, before it was allowed to be killed by the enemy. Otherwise the disadvantage of numbers would not have worked out for the Germans. And it ultimately did not work out. So meeting tanks, that stripped their expected advantage away, was a wake-up-call to quickly develop solutions, to turn the tide again in their favor.

[@pedrofelipefreitas2666]

The t-34 was very vulnerable on the sides, as any medium tank, and the visibility was terrible. So Pzkfw III were capable of destroying t-34 by flanking it. The report from the soviets report that most t-34 in 41 (or 42, not entirely sure now) were destroyed by 50mm projectiles.

[@generacionmarttin]

Fantastic video, lots of information very well shortened into a 10 minute video. Keep it up.

[@interpl6089]

They were basically mobile anti-tank guns. Everything including 12.7 Dushka could take these Panzerjagers out.

[@mattbowden4996]

True, but a Nashorn could (and at least once, did) kill a T34 at 4000 metres. A 12.7mm HMG wasn't a lot of threat at that sort of range...

[@rodblievers620]

This is an excellent production. The clearest explanation yet as to the various Mardel variants, a topic that usually very obscurely explained. Dare we hope for a series on German SPG’s ie artillery not Panzerjager or Jagdpanzers?

[@festiverespecttrackingfanc6644]

I would love to see an analysis on the IS 2 tank

[@mauriciomorais7818]

About the Nashorn, do you know why the Geschutzwagen III/IV had Panzer III transmission and steering? Were these better than the Panzer IV ones?

[@jorgeponcebianchi6211]

good job

[@Orion76239]

I feel like the waffentrager should have had an honorable mention here, different kind of vehicle but similar in design and use. Either way, very good video. I actually learned a good bit about panzejagers that I had no clue about.

[@steelblackbird8802]

Super! how about making a video about the interesting American T95E1 tank? or about the Chinese T34-3 medium tank project. It is very similar to the T54, but in World of Tanks it has a 122 mm gun.

[@poopjeans1135]

3/4 of the vehicles in world of tanks existed in blueprint form only. So you can't do a comparison because there is NOTHING to compare them to.

[@rm5902]

Very Good

[@executivedirector7467]

Good statement of the tactical problem that led to the idea of self-propelled anti tank vehicles. To be fair, the concept was in play in other armies also. Both Belgium and France had self-propelled, armored AT vehicles in the 1940 campaign. So the Germans didn't 'invent' the vehicle class. Still, this minor issue aside, great video.

[@lebawsski]

Nashorn is a great Jagd panzer. Der dicker Max was just a monster. It was a great demolition device.

[@rolfagten857]

The Tamiya 1:35 scale model Marder was cool.

[@cryptickcryptick2241]

Modern forces don't really use tank destroyers, but your point of how they already had obsolete tanks, and available big guns, combining the two into an effective weapon makes pragmatic sense. Tank destroyers were a lot cheaper than tanks, about half to 1/3 the price, so having three times the number of vehicles and being able to strategically place big guns where needed added a lot of value to the military force.

[@foxi13x]

3:27 good old 4,7 Centimeter Panzerabwehrkanone (tschechoslowakisch) (Selbstfahrlafette) auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen 35 R 731 (französisch)

[@TallDude73]

What a great way to divide the vehicles. A third class would be the assault gun, I suppose.

[@HamanKarn567]

I read a lot of them were basically just guns placed on British and French vehicles taken during fall of France. I realized later those were more for self propelled guns at least but I thought the same for the panzerjager but not anymore.

[@panmarmartin8550]

Im not saying that ur wrong on everything. But the Sturer Emil was dubbed the Stubborn Emil bc of its consistent want to work against the crew. I quote this loosely off of Cone of Ark

[@kbilsky]

Technically, Poland develop first tank destroyer. And not only one, but at least 2 or 3. 1. TKS-D. Open-top, 37mm AT gun, on TKS tankette chassis. 2 prototypes were made, and that 2 vechicles was used in combat in september 1939, against Germans. 2 TKS 20mm n.k.m. TKS tankette armed with 20mm n.k.m. FK-A autocannon. It was recon vechicle, but often used as a tank destroyer, especially in ambush because of its small size. It proves to be very effective, check out Roman Edmund Orlik, first ace tanker of WW II, 10 german takns destroyed. 3. PZInż 160 (project) - extremly low-profile (main armament was just about 1 meter above ground) tank destroyer armed with 37mm AT gun, on 4TP light tank chassis.

[@itscloudy6242]

Nice to hear about some less known ww2 stuff, but i think you forgot the sdkfz 124 wespe wich is also a german tank destryer in ww2.

[@RedWrenchFilms]

It was a self propelled gun, not an anti-tank platform. Same with the Hummel, Bison etc.

[@matstick199]

Dicker? I barely know her!

[@istvanszoke381]

Will you mention the most numerous, most successful TD of the german army The StuG? Although it was a self propelled gun originally with a short barreled 75mm, later upgraded to the long barreled 75mm. It was superior in many ways compared to all other TDs. It was built during the whole war, had sufficient numbers. It had low profile, was a lot harder to hit.

[@RedWrenchFilms]

See my Jagdpanzer video!

[@JayHawke84]

There was also a cold war Bunderswher Panzerjager that carried an American 90mm cannon

[@hitechinc.7875]

How to pronounce Nashorn? Because I keep pronounce it Na Shorn. Is it true or Nas Horn?

[@Galaxy-oy4nj]

I think the 128mm of Sturer Emil was later used on the Jagdtiger, but im not sure.

[@america_ig]

man i lovew the Dicker Max

[@Caozhang89]

I love the asthetic from the Marder III

[@explorer1968]

The Nashorn was the king of the Panzerjaggers, destroying enemy tanks at even 3 km. away!

[@tinchorb1340]

epic

[@kiowhatta1]

Firstly, the Nashorn and Hummel were mounted on the III/IV Geschutzwagen. I‘ll never understand why the Waffenamt didn’t develop and refine both the Dicker Max and Sturer Emil into SPAG‘s with fully enclosed superstructures, ditching the erroneous Tiger program in favour of Panthers who I‘m sure could have been mounted with an 88. The Russian IS2 weighed just 45 tonnes as did the panther not to mention nearly 7,000 were built compared with only about 1,500 Tiger I‘s and II‘s.

[@Millie_oo0]

Around 6:30 I got an ad and red wrench was cut off saying shi-

[@andrewmencer916]

What would the waffentrager be classified as panzerjager or not it is lightly armored with the king tigers gun it's a really cool designers for your dad and they were built I don't think made it into combat but then again I haven't really done much research into the waffentragers

[@RedWrenchFilms]

There were a number of waffentrager designs, come artillery pieces and some anti-tank, but none made it into service.

[@dinamitemaster]

I know what you meant but 2:47 makes it sound like Germany sent one tank destroyer with 3 dudes and an MP40 to invade France on their own, and that's so funny to imagine

[@sargonsblackgrandfather2072]

Ah the Nashorn, my fav vehicle in War Thunder.

[@nevik2506]

From what i can tell, the marder 3 ausf M producion ended in May of 44. At the end of the war there was still 350. So attrition wasnt excessive. They arent tank fighters, they are mobile AT guns.

[@Jonahch2v9]

Germany captures one good Czech. light tank; turns it into a tank destroyer (marder 38t), an armored tank destroyer (hetzer) and artillery (grille). That's logistical genius.