Tank origin

By 1940, Germany had modified and renamed the LT vz. 38 tanks that it had acquired through its occupation of Czechoslovakia. The newly designated Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) was deployed throughout Europe until the arrival of updated Soviet tanks rendered it less effective. Still, several of its components remained viable and were incorporated into a later anti-tank vehicle. The resulting Jagdpanzer 38(t) was a low-profile tank destroyer equipped with a 75mm PaK 39 gun and given the unofficial nickname “Hetzer.” Production began in 1944.