Jagdpanzer

The designs followed on from the more lightly armored ("tank hunter") designs, which took an anti-tank gun and mounted it on top of a tank chassis with supplementary armor fitted around the gun crew. However, the armor typically had an open rear and top, almost never providing the crew with full protection from the elements. In addition, much experience was gained from the series of assault guns for infantry support, which already used heavily armored casemates, completely enclosing the vehicle's crew. Although they were associated with artillery and infantry support, they were often used in the anti-tank role. ==Tactical use==

On the battlefield when the Germans had to retreat, their line of retreat would preferably pass the location of their anti-tank units, who would use their superior firepower to stop the enemy, perhaps even open the possibility of a counter-attack. Due to the lack of a turret and the armor being concentrated at the front, the ideal combat situation for units was in the planned ambush, and the skill of the commander of such units lay in correctly choosing and preparing such places long before needed. ==Types==

The list below comprises some of the -type tank destroyers made by Germany. ==Post-war usage==

After the war, the name was kept in use in the Bundeswehr for a number of armored vehicles used for anti-tank duties. This included the , a casemate vehicle intended for infantry support. and the series. The first was the built on the chassis of the SPz Lang HS.30 and armed with SS.11 missiles. The was built on the same chassis as the , but was equipped with two SS.11 launch-rails instead of carrying a gun. Later, the 2 and the were upgraded to Jaguar 1 and Jaguar 2 tank destroyers, armed with HOT or TOW missiles. ==See also==