Self-propelled artillery 12.8 cm Panzer-Selbstfahrlafette V in the courtyard of the Rheinmetall factory

It is traditionally believed that the Germans set about creating heavy anti-tank guns when they encountered Soviet T-34 and KV tanks. However, this is not entirely true, since for the first time they had to deal with tanks that had anti-ballistic armor during the French campaign.

So it is not surprising that already in May 1941, at a meeting in Berghof, Hitler ordered the development of self-propelled anti-tank systems with powerful 105 and 128 mm cannons to be tested and tested against captured heavily armored French and English tanks. We decided to use two VK 3001 (H) chassis as a base. These were the chassis of an experienced 30-ton tank. The frontal armor of the hull was 60, and the side armor was 50 mm. A suspension with a staggered arrangement of track rollers and a caterpillar 520 mm wide was used in the chassis. The machine was installed Maybach HL116 engine with a capacity of 300 hp Based on this chassis, Rheinmetall-Borsig in Düsseldorf manufactured heavy 12.8 cm Panzer-Selbstfahrlafette V. self-propelled guns. The 128-mm Gerat 40 gun with a 61-caliber barrel and an initial projectile speed of 910 m / s, created on the basis of an anti-aircraft gun, installed in the open deckhouse in the rear of the hull. To accommodate a gun weighing 7 tons, it was necessary to lengthen the chassis by introducing the eighth track roller. Five crew members and 18 cannon shots were located in the cabin with a wall thickness of 30 mm. The mass of the vehicle reached 36 tons. After clarifying the characteristics of the guns, the Arms Department came to the conclusion that at an initial armor-piercing projectile speed of 900 - 920 m / s, any tank is practically unprotected from firing of this self-propelled gun at all distances of actual fire. However, the available guidance tools made it possible to conduct effective fire from this gun at distances up to 1,500 m.

The first model of self-propelled guns was made in August 1941, and at the end of the year two vehicles of this type were sent to the Eastern Front for testing in combat conditions. In the winter of 1943, one of them was captured by the Red Army in the region of Stalingrad. This machine was received at the NIBT Polygon GBTU of the Red Army in Kubinka, where it is still located. The fate of the second car is unknown.

Since the German self-propelled gun arrived at the landfill in a malfunctioning state, it was not possible to carry out its full tests, however, the trophy underwent a thorough study, as evidenced by excerpts from the report.

Panzer-Selbstfahrlafette V in the assembly shop

“The main feature of this assault gun is its powerful armament from a 128-mm cannon, which makes it possible to effectively hit all types of Soviet tanks at very great distances (about 1,500 m or more). Since the gun is partially defective, it was not tested in-place with standard ammunition.

Despite the fact that in the ammunition of the guns there are shots with a fragmentation shell, the prisoners show that practically no fire was fired from the guns on infantry (only for tanks and cars). The power of the fragmentation shell is sufficient to destroy light tanks and vehicles of any type.

The gun does not have a regular defensive machine gun, which makes it easy prey for infantry and small-sized firearms.

The new type of six-cylinder engine used in the machine is very successful in terms of its design and reliability. However, this type of engine is very critical to fuel cleanliness and requires special training in maintenance (adjustment and repair).

Of the types of assault guns currently available in the German army, this type of assault gun is the most interesting and promising for mass use, both in offensive and defense. "

The Soviet experts analyzed the specifics of using self-propelled guns, as well as ways to deal with it.

“According to the testimonies of the prisoners, the indicated heavy assault vehicle was used by German troops in a special unit (division) to repel the attacks of Soviet heavy and medium types of tanks ... mainly at the positions of the maneuvers for the attack. Using weapons from a powerful long-barreled gun, the German heavy assault gun can be effectively used against all types of our tanks at all ranges of actual fire within sight.

The interior of the fighting compartment. Starboard view

By the time of the capture, the assault gun crew had destroyed at least 7 Soviet tanks, mostly of a heavy type, in about a month of battle (the destruction of 6 marked tanks was additionally confirmed). An assault gun was not used against light tanks.

View of the carriage and guidance mechanisms of the 128-mm gun

The armor of a tank of type KB, even taking into account its maximum permissible build-up, is not an obstacle to the armor-piercing projectile of a heavy gun K.40 (R) at all firing ranges.

At present, the most effective means of protection against such a heavy assault gun is, apparently, not an increase in the thickness of the armor (which does not make sense anymore), but a significant improvement in mobility and a decrease in the size of domestic tanks and other armored vehicles. The prisoners show that conducting targeted fire against moving Soviet light tanks of the T-60, T-70 and Valentine type is much more difficult than against heavy tanks (KB and T-34).

Due to the installation of the gun in a non-rotating installation and the use of separate loading shots in it, the most effective way of counteracting it should be considered the constant maneuvering of the tank, making it difficult to calculate the product of the aimed shot. The gun is easy to detect by observation, because when shots due to the action of the muzzle brake a large cloud of powder gases rises.

128-mm German self-propelled guns at the exhibition of captured weapons in TsPKiO them. Gorky. Moscow, spring 1943

"The Germans avoid using such assault guns in battle without the support of light and medium tanks, as well as anti-tank and assault guns of medium and small caliber."

Krupp 128 mm anti-tank Cancer 44 in stowed position

Apparently, the German command did not experience any illusions about the further use of the 12.8 cm Panzer-Selbstfahrlafette V. However, including this experience forced the Arms Department in the summer and fall of 1942 to turn to the idea of \u200b\u200bcreating specialized fully armored anti-tank self-propelled guns armed with guns medium and large calibers. At the same time, the development of a new self-propelled gun with a 128-mm gun was not initially envisaged. But already on February 2, 1943, the Arms Directorate transferred the tactical and technical requirements for the heavy Yagdpantser to the Friedrich Krupp AG artillery design bureau in Essen. Technical requirements included the creation of a 128-mm self-propelled guns based on the Tiger NZ (Tiger II) tank with a cabin located in the aft. The contract for the supply of the chassis was concluded with the company Henschel & Sohn in Kassel. By mid-April 1943, the latter had proposed two versions of the 12.8 cm Panzerjager project on the Tiger NZ chassis (Tigerjager). One - with a felling of the cabin, the other - with a cabin installed in the middle of the hull. As a result, preference was given to the second option, which was most unified with the Tiger NZ tank.

The prototype "Jagdtigra" with the chassis of the design F. Porsche at the training ground. Armament has not yet been established. Spring of 1944

On the front-mounted self-propelled guns, it was supposed, by the way, to install a 128-mm gun with a barrel length of 70 calibers. It was extremely difficult to place this gun in a car with a layout like that of a Tiger II tank. In this case, the barrel overhang outside the self-propelled gun body would be 4.9 m. In addition, the charge for this gun had an ISO length of 8 mm versus 870 mm for the Cancer 44 gun with a barrel length of 55 calibers. As a result, preference was given to the latter.

The prototype "Jagdtigra" with the chassis of the design of F. Porsche in the assembly shop. The flanges of the suspension carriage are clearly visible

In the assembly shop, there is a prototype of the Yagdtigr with a running gear borrowed from the Royal Tiger. Well visible holes in the side of the housing, designed to install torsion shafts

It should be noted that the serial production of the 128-mm gun Cancer 44 began in December 1943 as a towed anti-tank. The gun was designed based on the ballistics of a 128-mm anti-aircraft gun, but unlike the latter, it had a separate-shell, rather than unitary, loading. Despite this, the gun had a rate of fire up to 5 rounds / min. The gun was mounted on a cross-shaped carriage, providing circular firing. Due to the large mass of the artillery system - more than 10 tons - only 12- and 18-ton semi-tracked tractors could tow it. A total of 18 such guns were made.

The first prototypes of the Jagdtiger arrived at the Kummersdorf training ground in February (with Porsche suspension, above) and in May (with Henschel suspension, below) in 1944, respectively.

The Cancer 44 ammunition included shots with an armor-piercing shell weighing 28.3 kg and a fragmentation mass of 28 kg. Penetration Cancer 44 was 200 mm at a distance of 1.5 km. The gun could hit any Soviet, American or English tank at distances beyond their reach. In addition, due to the large mass of the shell when it hit the tank, even without breaking through the armor, in 90% of cases it still crashed.

In February 1944, the production of 128-mm anti-tank guns Cancer 80 began. They differed from Cancer 44 mainly due to the absence of a muzzle brake. Since the carriage was not designed for it, the swinging part was installed on the carriages of the captured Soviet 152-mm M-10 howitzers, ML-20 howitzers, and French 155-mm cannons. In total, in January 1945, 132 guns were manufactured, of which 80 were installed in self-propelled guns, the Maus superheavy tank, and also used to train crews.

A full-size wooden model of self-propelled guns was shown at the Aris training ground in East Prussia. The self-propelled guns made the Führer the most favorable impression, and the "highest" order followed to begin its serial production next year. On April 7, 1944, the car was named Panzerjager Tiger Ausf.B (Sd.Kfz.186), later simplified to Jagdtiger. After 13 days, the first sample was made in metal.

Assembly shop of the Nibelungenwerke factory in St. Valentine (Austria)

The production of "jagdigers" (more precisely, their manufacture) began in July 1944 in the shops of the Niebelungenwerke factory in St. Valentine, owned by the Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG concern. Apart from the first three prototypes, 74 Jagdtigers were made.

Production of self-propelled guns "Yagdtigr"

The plans provided for the manufacture of 150 "jagdigers" in 1944, and in 1945 another 100 until the month of May. Then the production was supposed to be transferred to the Jung factory in Jungenthal. At the new place, the Germans were going to produce 5 cars in May, 15 in June, and then produce 25 units a month until the end of 1945. These plans were not destined to come true. Only the Niebelungenwerke factory was engaged in the production of “jagdigers,” and, as can be seen from the table, with a significant lag behind the schedule, which is not surprising. On October 16, 1944, the Allied Air Force raided a plant in St. Valentine and dropped about 143 tons of bombs on it. The production of “jagdigers” completely ceased for some time, and then it was carried out at a very slow pace, reaching its maximum in March 1945 (most likely due to the commissioning of machines, the assembly of which was begun in February). But on March 23, 1945, the Niebelungenwerke plant was subjected to yet another massive bombardment (about 258 tons of high-explosive bombs were dropped), which practically stopped production. The last 4 Jagdtigers were assembled by April 15, 1945. These vehicles were received by the 653rd battalion of heavy tank destroyers (Panzerjager Abteilung 653), with the last self-propelled gun being handed over to the crew on May 4, 1945. Four days later, the plant in St. Valentine was occupied by the Red Army.

"Jagdtiger" in the assembly shop. Henschel's suspension balancers are clearly visible

Due to the shortage of 128-mm guns of Cancer 44, it was decided to install the 88-mm gun Cancer 43/3 on the "Yagdtigr". It was planned in April 1945 to make 4 such machines, and in May - 17. The Panzerjager Tiger fur 8.8 cm Pak 43/3 self-propelled gun project (Sd.Kfz.185) was developed, but not a single machine was made in metal.

Design description

The layout of the tank destroyer "Jagdtiger"

The overall layout of the Jagdtiger self-propelled guns has generally remained the same as that of the Tiger II. However, the load on the chassis during the shot was assumed to be greater than that of the tank, so it was lengthened by 260 mm.

The control unit was in front of the self-propelled guns. It housed the main clutch, gearbox and rotation mechanism. To the left of the gearbox were controls, control devices and the driver's seat. On the right was the machine gun and the seat of the gunner-radio operator. The radio station was also in the control compartment - above the gearbox and the right final drive.

The fighting compartment was located in the middle of the self-propelled gun. Above it was placed an armored cabin in which the gun was mounted. To the left of the gun were a periscope sight, guidance mechanisms and gunner’s seat. The commander’s seat was to the right of the gun. Ammunition was located in niches along the walls of the wheelhouse hull and on the floor of the fighting compartment. In the back of the cabin there were two loaders.

In the engine compartment, located in the rear of the hull, housed the engine, fans and radiators of the cooling system, fuel tanks. There was a partition between the engine and combat compartments.

It should be noted that the armored hull of the tank almost did not undergo changes in either the design part or the armor thickness part. The sides of the cabin were one with the sides of the hull and had the same thickness - 80 mm. The frontal and aft cabin leaves were connected to the sides “into a thorn”, reinforced with dowels, and then scalded. The thickness of the frontal sheet of the cabin reached 250 mm, it was located at an angle of 75 ° from the horizontal, which made it practically invulnerable to all anti-tank weapons of the enemy at a distance of more than 400 m.The aft sheet had a thickness of 80 mm. It housed a hatch for dismantling the gun, loading the ammunition and evacuating the crew, which was closed with a double-wing hinged lid. The roof of the wheelhouse was made of a 40 mm armored plate and bolted to the hull. In the right front of the cabin roof was a commanding rotating observation turret with a viewing device covered by a U-shaped armor bracket. In front of the device in the roof of the turret there was a hatch for installing a stereo tube. Behind the commander’s turret was the commander’s landing hatch, and to the left of it was an embrasure of the gun’s periscope sight. In addition, a fan, a “melee device” and four surveillance devices were installed in the cabin roof.

Jagdtiger (chassis No. 305003) with a Porsche suspension before being sent to the front

In the embrasure of the front deckhouse, covered by a massive cast mask, a 12.8 cm Pak 44 (Pak 80) cannon of 128 mm caliber was installed. The initial velocity of the armor-piercing projectile reached 920 m / s. The length of the gun’s barrel, developed by Kgarr and manufactured at Bertha-Werke in Breslau, was 55 calibres (7020 mm). The mass of the gun is 7000 kg. The shutter was wedge-shaped, horizontal, had 1/4 automatic, that is, the shutter was opened and the cartridge was extracted manually, and after the projectile was charged and the shutter was closed, the shutter closed automatically. The gun was mounted on a special machine installed in the ACS case. Vertical guidance was carried out in the range from -7 ° to + 15 °, horizontal - 10 ° to the side. Anti-recoil devices were located above the gun barrel. The maximum rollback length is 900 mm. The highest firing range with a high-explosive fragmentation shell reached 12.5 km. As already noted, the Cancer 44 gun differed from the 128-mm Flak 40 anti-aircraft gun by separate-shell loading. In the narrow cabin of the self-propelled guns with a bulky and heavy "unitary" there was no opportunity to turn around. To accelerate the loading process, two loaders entered the Yagdtiger's crew: while one sent a shell into the chamber, the other supplied a shell with a charge. Nevertheless, the rate of fire "Yagdtigra" did not exceed 2 - 3 rounds / min.

Jagdtiger, rear view. Noteworthy are the exhaust pipe shields and the massive double-winged armored door in the aft deckhouse

Panzerjager Tiger Ausf.B

The drawing was made by V. Malginov

Machine128mm guns:

1 - an arm of fastening of a pin;

2 - axle;

3 - rollback brake;

4 - horizontal flywheel;

5 - drive to the sight;

6 - flywheel vertical aiming

The ammunition of the self-propelled guns was located on the floor of the fighting compartment and on the sides of the cabin in collar stacks and amounted to 38 - 40 rounds.

The periscope sight WZF 2/1 had a tenfold increase and a field of view of 7 °, which made it possible to hit targets at a distance of up to 4000 m.

Auxiliary weapons "Yagdtigra" consisted of a machine gun MG 34, located in a ball mount in the frontal sheet of the body. Machine gun ammunition - 1,500 rounds. On the roof of the cabin was mounted "melee device" - a 26-mm anti-personnel grenade launcher. On machines of later releases, the MG 42 anti-aircraft machine gun began to be installed.

The fighting compartment of the self-propelled guns "Jagdtigr." In the foreground - the breech of the 128-mm gun. To her left is the gunner’s workstation and horizontal flywheel. Above it, in the cabin roof, the so-called "melee device" is installed - a breech-loading mortar for firing with smoke and fragmentation grenades. On the sides of the cabin - racks for pencil cases with charges

The Yagdtigr installed the same power unit as the Royal Tiger tank — a 12-cylinder, 700-horsepower Maybach HL 230P30 four-stroke carburetor engine. (515 kW) at 3000 rpm (in practice, the speed did not exceed 2500). The cylinders were V-shaped at an angle of 60 °. The compression ratio is 6.8. The dry weight of the engine was 1300 kg. Leaded gasoline with an octane rating of at least 74 was used to power the engine. The capacity of seven gas tanks was 860 liters. Compulsory fuel supply using two Solex diaphragm pumps. There are four carburetors, brands Solex 52FFJIID.

The workplace of the driver. The steering wheel, instrument panel (right above the gearbox) and the driver’s observation device are clearly visible. Left - lever and servomechanism for opening the cover of the landing hatch of the driver

Lubrication system - circulating, under pressure, with a dry sump. The oil was circulated by three gear pumps, of which one pump and two suction.

The cooling system is liquid. There are four radiators connected in two in series. The capacity of the radiators is about 114 liters. Zyklon fans were located on both sides of the engine.

To accelerate the start of the engine in the cold season, a thermosiphon heater, heated by a blowtorch, which was installed on the outside of the aft sheet of the hull, was intended.

The engine was started normally using an electric starter. If necessary, it was possible to start the engine manually or using a launcher. The crank handle was connected to a cam clutch on the crankshaft of the engine. The handle was inserted into a small hole in the aft housing sheet on the right side, just below the exhaust pipe. The hole was closed with an armored cover.

Laying the charges of the 128-mm gun in the combat compartment of the Yagdtigr

To start the engine with the help of the launcher, the cover of the large hatch was removed at the level of the crankshaft of the engine. The launcher was fixedly fixed on the armor of the self-propelled gun with the help of two holders, and the gear on the launcher shaft was engaged with the gear on the crankshaft of the engine.

General view of the suspension carriage designed by F. Porsche (left and center), which broke during the tests due to poor-quality material

Using a special device, it was possible to start the self-propelled guns from the engines of Kubelwagen or Schwimmwagen cars.

The transmission consisted of a driveline, a gearbox with an integrated main clutch, a steering mechanism, final drives and disc brakes. At the same time, the main clutch, gearbox and rotation mechanism, which consisted of two summing planetary gear sets, were structurally integrated into a single whole - a dual-flow transmission and rotation mechanism.

The steering wheel of the chassis of the design F. Porsche

The Maybach OLVAR OG (B) 40 12 16V gearbox manufactured by Zahnradfabrik in Friedrichshafen is a shaftless, longitudinally mounted axle, eight-speed, with permanent gearing, with a central synchronizer and individual brakes, with semi-automatic control. The box provided 8 forward gears and 4 reverse gears. Its feature was the absence of common shafts for several gears, each gear was mounted on separate bearings. The box was equipped with an automatic hydraulic servo. To shift gears, it was enough to translate the lever without squeezing the pedals of the main clutch. The servo drive automatically, without the participation of the driver, turned off the main clutch and previously engaged gear, synchronized the angular velocities of the gear clutches engaged, switched on a new gear, and then gradually switched on the main clutch.

Tank destroyer "Jagdtiger" with the chassis of the design F. Porsche.

Yagdtigr tank destroyer with 88-mm Cancer 43/4 cannon (draft)

The roof of the cabin "Jagdtigra." At the top right is the commander’s cupola with a hatch for the stereo pipe, in front of it is the commander’s landing hatch, at the top left is the arched embrasure of the periscope sight

In case of damage to the hydraulic equipment, gear shifting and turning off the main clutch could be done mechanically. The gear lubrication system is jet, with oil supplied to the gearing point with a dry crankcase.

The layout of the fighting compartment of the tank destroyer "Jagdtiger"

The multi-disc main clutch with friction of the working surfaces in oil was structurally integrated into the gearbox, as well as the parking brake.

The friction-gear turning mechanism with double power input provided the tank with two fixed turning radius in each gear. In this case, the maximum radius was 114 m, the minimum - 2.08 m. Steeper turns with the gear engaged, including around the lagging track, were not provided with a transmission. With the gearbox neutral, it was possible to rotate around the center of gravity of the self-propelled guns by moving the running track forward and lagging behind with a radius of B / 2, where B is the width of the self-propelled guns.

Final drives - two-row, combined, with an unloaded driven shaft.

It should be emphasized that the engine and transmission of the self-propelled guns were borrowed from the Tiger II tank with minimal changes. For example, there was no power take-off for the tower turning hydraulic drive, due to its absence.

"Jagdtiger" with the suspension of F. Porsche on a railway platform. By car transport tracks, bulwarks dismantled

The chassis was also basically similar to the tank. The lengthening of the body by 260 mm entailed an increase in the length of the supporting surface from 4120 to 4240 mm. However, due to an increase in the mass of self-propelled guns compared to the tank by 5 tons, the specific ground pressure not only did not decrease, but even increased from 1.02 to 1.06 kg / cm2.

Assembling the undercarriage of the Jagdtigr self-propelled gun (as well as the Royal Tiger itself) was one of the most labor-intensive operations that seriously delayed the production process. Therefore, the design bureau of Ferdinand Porsche on the initiative proposed to use the suspension on the Jagdtigr, similar to that installed on the tank destroyer Ferdinand.

A feature of this suspension was that the torsion bars were not located inside the case, but outside, inside the trolley. Each of these longitudinally arranged torsion bars "worked" on two road wheels. The gain in the mass of the suspension was 2680 kg, and in the time of manufacture and installation - 390 kg.

This Yagdtiger (chassis No. 305032) is loaded onto a railway platform without changing tracks. It is clearly seen how fighting tracks are beyond the dimensions of the platform

In addition, the installation and tightening of the torsion bars of the standard suspension were possible only in the assembled housing, in strict sequence and using a special winch. Replacement of torsion bars and suspension balancers could be made only in the factory. The assembly of Porsche suspension trolleys was possible separately from the body, and their installation could be carried out without the use of special equipment.

It was not difficult to repair and replace failed suspension trucks in front-line conditions.

American soldiers visiting the abandoned Germans "Jagdtiger" from the 653rd battalion of heavy tank destroyers. Germany, April 1945. The car got tangentially hit in the eye of the left front towing earring (photo below), because of which the final drive failed

Seven cars were built with Porsche suspension (two prototypes and five production ones), the first of which was tested even earlier than the Henschel suspension car. Nevertheless, despite all the advantages of the chassis of the design of F. Porsche, the Arms Department did not recommend it in mass production. The main reason was more than a strained relationship between officials and the designer. The failure of the suspension carriage during the tests, which occurred due to the fault of the manufacturer, also played its role. However, one cannot discount the desire for elementary unification between the tank and self-propelled guns.

As a result, the chassis of the Jagdtigr self-propelled guns applied to one side consisted of nine all-metal dual track rollers with internal cushioning staggered in two rows (five rollers in the outer row and four in the inner row). Roller dimensions - 800x95 mm.

Suspension - individual, torsion bar, single shaft. The diameter of the torsion bar is 60 ... 63 mm. The balancers of the front and rear track rollers were equipped with hydraulic shock absorbers located inside the housing.

The front drive wheels had two removable gears with 18 teeth each. Pinion gearing. Guide wheels with a diameter of 650 mm had metal bandages and crank mechanisms for tensioning the tracks.

Caterpillars are steel, small-sized, of 94 tracks each (47 smooth tracks, 47 - double-track tracks). The width of the Kgs 73/800/300 combat tracks is 818 mm, the transport Kgs 73/660/52 is 658.5 mm. The Yagdtigra transport caterpillars were Panther war caterpillars and were used for transportation by rail.

TACTICAL AND TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS SPG Jagdtiger

American soldiers unload from the captured "Yagdtigra" (chassis number 305004) ammunition. Germany, 1945

Combat use

The first 14 serial “Yagdtigers” were supposed to enter the 3rd company of the 130th training battalion of tank destroyers of the Training Tank Division. In German it sounds 3.Companie Panzerjager Lehr Abteilung Panzer Lehr Division. The full German name is not accidental. The fact is that in literature the word Abteilung is translated either as a battalion or as a division. Both that, and another correctly, everything depends on a context. If a tank, then a battalion, if an artillery, then a division. With tank destroyers there is confusion, the end of which is not visible. I would like to put an end to this issue, since there is an explicit clue - the word Companie. This is a company, but not a battery, as some authors translate (the battery in German is Battarie). Well, if a company, then, then, a battalion.

So, the 130th battalion was supposed to receive the “jagdtigers” in March 1944. It was about 14 vehicles - two to the headquarters and four to each of the three platoons. However, as you know, in February 1944, only two prototypes were made, which were delivered to the Kummersdorf training ground in May 1944. So short of new vehicles, the company in June 1944 departed for the front, incorporating 9 Jagdpanzer IV tank destroyers.

In reality, the 653rd battalion of heavy tank destroyers received the first “yagdtigers”. This battalion fought on the Eastern Front and in Italy, being equipped with tank destroyers "Elephant" ("girlhood" - "Ferdinand"). By August 1, 1944, the battalion had lost 60% of its materiel - only 12 “elephants” remained in the ranks, who were assembled in the 2nd company. In December 1944, this unit was renamed the 614th separate company of heavy tank destroyers. The rest of the personnel of the battalion went to Austria to retrain on the Jagdtiger tank destroyers. By the end of November 1944, the battalion received 16 "yagdtigrov".

"Jagdtiger" (chassis No. 305004), prepared for towing. This vehicle, equipped with a Porsche chassis, is on display at the British Royal Tank Museum in Bovington.

The Wehrmacht command planned to use the 653rd battalion of heavy tank destroyers in an offensive in the Ardennes in December 1944. Since the battalion was not fully staffed, only the 1st company with its 14 “yagdtigers” went to the front from the Dellersheim training camp. Her journey turned into a separate saga. By December 12, by three railway trains, the company’s equipment was delivered to Witlich, which is 50 km from the front line of Army Group B. From here the “jagdtigers” had to be delivered to Kal at the disposal of the 6th Panzer Army. But for this purpose only one train was provided (we are talking about special platforms for transporting heavy tanks, which, apparently, were in great shortage), with the help of which 6 “yagdtigers” were delivered to Blankenheim by December 21. Here, 10 km from the front line, they remained and did not participate in the offensive, contrary to the claims of individual publications that "The division inflicted heavy losses on the advancing Anglo-American tank units, armed mainly by the Shermans, who represented an excellent target for the German gunners due to their exorbitant height."

"Jagdtiger" (chassis No. 304004) during towing

Without commenting on the style, spelling and grammar of this quote, I would like to draw the reader’s attention to the fact that in December 1944 the Germans were attacking, as well as to the fact that the height of the Sherman, depending on the modification, ranges from 2743 to 2972 \u200b\u200bmm . For comparison, the height of the T-34-85 is 2720 mm, that is, the Sherman is either 2.5 or 25 cm higher. You will not say anything, it is prohibitive! This greatly facilitated the shooting of German gunners, especially from 2 km! How much can readers feed fables? However, we will return to the “jagdtigrams” of the 653rd battalion.

Jagdtiger (chassis No. 304004) on a trolley-trailer for transportation

On December 23, 1944, the battalion received orders to take part in Operation Nordwind. This time the battalion was provided with special platforms, but due to the lack of locomotives and damage to the Allied air routes, the transfer of the “jagdigers” to the concentration area near Zweibrucken never started. In the following days, unreasonable attempts were made to reach this area both with the help of railway transport, and under its own power. The latter led to the failure of most combat vehicles. As a result, on January 2, 1945, only four Jagdtigers reached Zweibrucken, who joined the three self-propelled guns that arrived on December 30 from Austria.

"Jagdtiger" (chassis No. 305058) from the 653rd battalion of heavy tank destroyers, captured by US troops. March 1945

The same "Jagdtiger", rear view

In accordance with Hitler's order, the 653rd battalion of heavy tank destroyers was transferred to the operational subordination of the 17th SS motorized division Getz von Berlichingen, which was part of the 1st Field Army of Army Group G. By the beginning of the offensive on December 31, 1944, the battalion had only three combat-ready “yagdtigers”. There is no information about their participation in the hostilities. However, the operation “Nordwind” was a local success, and by January 5 it became clear that it had failed.

Meanwhile, the formation of a new 2nd company began, and by the 23rd of January 1945, the 653rd battalion had finally acquired its finished appearance. To the 33 “jagdtigrams” already available, another 11 vehicles from the reserve of the High Command were transferred to it. This number includes all seven self-propelled guns with Porsche suspension. These 11 "jagdtigers" were previously used in Milau and Dellersheim for training crews.

The same "Jagdtiger." The original installation of the MG42 anti-aircraft machine gun on the roof of the engine compartment (left) is clearly visible

It should be noted, however, that the staff strength of the 653rd battalion achieved with such difficulty was conditional, since part of its vehicles were scattered over a fairly large territory from Witlich to Bonn. All of them were in malfunctioning condition, were evacuated or prepared for evacuation. Some were repaired on the spot and entered the battle. So, for example, two “jagdtigers” supported the infantry of the 14th SS corps near Auenheim. In this battle, by the way, they successfully fired counterattacking “Shermans” with HE shells. In January 1945, the first Jagdtiger was irretrievably lost.

Serviceable "Jagdtiger" (chassis No. 305020), captured by US troops, prepared for shipment to the United States. 1945 year. This machine is now on display at a military museum at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in the United States.

American soldiers visiting the Jagdtiger from the 3rd company of the 512th heavy tank destroyer division, destroyed on April 15, 1945 north of St. Andreasberg (Germany)

On February 1, 1945, in the 653rd battalion there were 22 combat-ready “yagdtigers”, 19 vehicles needed repairs. The battalion was used as a mobile reserve on the left flank of Army Group “G”. At the end of March, the transfer of the 653rd battalion to the Stuttgart area began. At the same time, in the process of withdrawing combat vehicles from the frontline, 7 faulty “yagdtigers” had to be exploded, since their towing was impossible. A similar phenomenon subsequently became commonplace. As a result, by March 30, 1945, the battalion already numbered 28 “yagdtigers,” and by April 14th it was 17. Two days later, four “yagdtigers” were transferred to the crews of the 653rd battalion from the army arsenal in Linz. Collected into a battle group, they fought the last battles east of Linz, until May 5, 1945 in Amsteten were captured by American and Soviet troops. One of the “jagdtigers” captured there is now on display at the Military History Museum of Armored Arms and Equipment in Kubinka, Moscow Region.

One of the last “Yagdtigers” released in March 1945. Apparently, this car, equipped with narrow transport tracks, simply buried in the ground, and then was blown up by the crew. Germany, April 1945

In the summer of 1944, the 512th battalion began to form on the basis of the 500th reserve battalion in Paderborn. The personnel in the newly formed battalion of heavy tank destroyers were transferred from heavy tank battalions. The 512th battalion took place at the training ground at Dellersheim, from where it went to the front of its 1st company on February 11, 1945.

"Jagdtiger" with a Porsche chassis (chassis No. 305001) from the 653rd battalion of heavy tank destroyers, a victim of American aviation. In the background is another lined "Jagdtiger"

On March 10, the 1st company of the 512th battalion of heavy tank destroyers entered battle with the American forces in the area of \u200b\u200bthe town of Remagen on the banks of the Rhine. The cannons of the Yagdtigers hit American tanks at a distance of 2500 m. After the battles near Siegen, the company included several StuG III assault guns and Pz.IV tanks and converted it into an Ernst battle group, named after its commander, Captain Albert Ernst. The battle group held the defense at the heights dominating the terrain on the bank of the river. Ruhr.

The remnants of the 1st company of the 512th heavy division of tank destroyers surrender to US forces. Germany, Iserlohn, April 16, 1945

Another blown up and burnt "Jagdtiger". 1945 year

When a large column of American troops appeared, the Germans rained down heavy fire on it. The Yagdtigers fired at long-range targets, while assault guns and tanks fired at close ones. As a result of a fleeting battle, the Americans lost 11 tanks and up to 50 other military and transport vehicles. The Germans lost one Yagdtiger, which was hit from the air by a missile launched from the Mustang R-51 fighter.

The meeting of Soviet and American soldiers in May 1945. Behind the SU-76M is the Yagdtiger. Location unknown

On April 16, the 1st company, consisting of 6 relatively operational “yagdtigers,” surrendered to American troops in the area of \u200b\u200bIserlohn.

The 2nd company of the 512th battalion, commanded by German tank ace Otto Carius, went to the front near Siegburg on March 8, 1945. During the march to the front line, the Allied fighter-bombers destroyed two Jagdtigers, one more was shot down several days later in the battle of Waldenau.

Carius' Jagdtigers took part in the battles in the Ruhr Sack. According to some foreign sources, on April 11, 1945, in the area of \u200b\u200bUnna, Carius shot down about 15 enemy tanks. However, this seems unlikely. In any case, judging by the recollections of Carius himself, there was nothing of the kind. This, most likely, is about tanks that were hit by the whole company. In the last weeks of the war, self-propelled guns of the 2nd company took part in the defense of Dortmund, where on April 15 they surrendered to American troops. Some combat vehicles were destroyed by crews.

Trophy "Yagdtiger" during tests at the NIBTPolygon in Kubinka. 1947 year

As for the 3rd company, in which, as of March 26, 1945, there were 10 “yagdtigers,” she was at that time in the Zennelager. Nothing is known about further hostilities of this company.

On May 2, 1945, approximately 40 tankmen of the 501st SS Heavy Tank Battalion arrived in St. Valentine at the Niebelungenwerk factory to receive six "Yagdtigers." However, "put on the move" managed only two cars. On May 5, they took up defensive positions in the area of \u200b\u200bSt. Pelten. On May 8–9, the remaining personnel of the battalion retreated west and surrendered to the Americans.

Following the tradition that was formed in the early years of World War II, which consisted in the use of tanks in service, to create self-propelled artillery installations on their basis by mounting a larger caliber gun on their chassis, German designers saw in the new tank PzKpfw VI “Tiger II An excellent base for heavy-duty self-propelled guns. Since the heavy tank was armed with an 88 mm long-barreled gun, the self-propelled gun, logically, needed to be equipped with a more powerful 128 mm gun, which was also developed on the basis of an anti-aircraft gun. Despite the fact that the 128-mm shell had lower initial velocity, the penetration of the gun at long distances was much higher. The self-propelled guns equipped with this gun became the most powerful German production vehicle, which during the battles was assigned the role of supporting infantry, as well as fighting long-range armored vehicles.

Experimental design work on heavy self-propelled artillery systems has been carried out in Germany since the 1940s. These works had local successes. In the summer of 1942, two 128-mm self-propelled guns based on the VK 3001 (H) were sent to Stalingrad on the Eastern Front. One of these vehicles was lost in battle, the other, along with the remaining equipment of the Five Hundred and Twenty-First Division of tank destroyers, was abandoned in early 1943 after the defeat of the German group near Stalingrad.

The prototype of the heavy tank destroyer "Jagdtiger" with the chassis of the design F. Porsche during testing at the test site. Armament in the wheelhouse has not yet been established. Spring of 1944

The picture on the left is the prototype of the Jagdtiger with the undercarriage of F. Porsche in the assembly shop. The flanges of the suspension carriage are clearly visible. Autumn of 1943.
The photo on the right in the assembly shop is the prototype “Yagdtigr” with the chassis of the Henschel firm borrowed from the Royal Tiger. Clearly visible holes in the side of the housing, designed to install torsion shafts. Autumn of 1943.

At the same time, even the death of the Sixth Army of Paulus did not affect the launch of these self-propelled guns in a series. The ruling circles and society were dominated by the idea that for Germany the war would end in victory. Only after the defeat in North Africa on the Kursk Bulge and the landing of Allied troops in Italy, many, blinded by propaganda, the Germans realized the reality - the forces of the anti-Hitler coalition far exceeded the forces of Japan and Germany, to save the German state, which was on the verge of destruction, could only be a “miracle”.

At the same time, talk began about creating a “miracle” that would change the course of the war. Such rumors became officially propaganda of the country's leadership, which promised the German people an early change in the situation on all fronts. Moreover, effective developments on a global scale (for example, nuclear weapons, as well as their analogues) in Germany were not in the final stage of readiness. In this regard, the Reich leadership clutched at any significant military-technical projects capable of performing their psychological functions with their unusualness and originality, together with their defensive capabilities, that is, inspiring people with thoughts about the power and strength of a state capable of creating such sophisticated equipment. It was in this situation that the Jagdtiger heavy tank destroyer was created and launched into the series. Jagdtiger became the most difficult serial model of armored vehicles of the Second World War.

The new self-propelled gun was classified as a 128 mm heavy assault gun. Its main armament was supposed to be the PaK 44 128 mm caliber gun, created on the basis of the Flak 40 anti-aircraft gun. The high-explosive fragmentation shell of this gun had a higher explosive effect compared to a similar anti-aircraft gun. A wooden model of the future self-propelled artillery installation was presented to Hitler on 10/20/1943 in East Prussia at the Aris training ground. "Jagdtiger" on the Fuhrer made a favorable impression, after which he ordered to begin its mass production in 1944.

Design description

The general layout of the Jagdtiger self-propelled gun mount was largely the same as the King Tiger. At the same time, the load on the chassis during the shot increased, in connection with which the chassis was extended by 260 millimeters. The control compartment was located in front of the self-propelled gun. Here were the turning mechanism, the main clutch and gearbox. The driver’s position, respectively, the dashboard and controls were to her left. To the right in the case there was a seat for a radio operator arrow and a machine gun. There was also a radio station above the right final drive and gearbox.

In the Yagdtigr case six types of armor plates 40 - 150 millimeters thick were used. The thickness of the upper frontal sheet of the hull was 150 millimeters; it was continuous. It was made only one embrasure for the installation of a machine gun course. In the upper part was made special. a cutout providing the driver with an improved view of the self-propelled gun. In addition, in the roof of the hull in the front part there were landing hatches of the driver and the radio operator arrow.

In the middle part of the self-propelled gun was located fighting compartment. There was an armored tube with a gun. The gunner’s seat, periscope sight and guidance mechanisms were located to the left of the gun. To the right of the gun was the commander’s seat. The ammunition for the gun was located on the walls of the wheelhouse and the floor of the fighting compartment. In the wheelhouse in the rear were two places for loaders.

In the engine compartment, which is located in the rear of the hull, housed a propulsion system, fans, radiators, cooling systems, fuel tanks. The motor was separated from the fighting compartment by a partition. The same engine was installed on the Yagdtigr as on the PzKpfw VI Tiger II - the carburetor Maybach HL230P30, V-shaped, 12 cylinder (cylinder collapse 60 degrees). The maximum power at 3 thousand rpm was 700 hp. (the number of revolutions in practice did not exceed 2.5 thousand rpm).

It should be noted that the armored hull "Jagdtigr" in terms of design and reservation has practically not changed. The sides of the cabin were one with the sides of the hull, having the same thickness of the armor - 80 millimeters. Onboard armored plates of the cabin were installed at an angle of 25 degrees. The stern and frontal leaves of the wheelhouse were connected to each other “into a thorn”, reinforced with dowels and scalded. The frontal sheet of the cabin was 250 millimeters thick and was installed at an angle of 15 degrees. None of the means of combating the tanks of the Allied forces from a distance of more than 400 meters could penetrate the Jagdtiger self-propelled guns in the forehead. The aft felling sheet had a thickness of 80 millimeters. In the aft sheet there was a hatch for evacuating the crew, dismantling the gun and loading the ammunition. The hatch was closed with a double-wing hinged lid.

The roof of the wheelhouse was made of a 40-mm armored plate and was bolted to the hull. On the front right was a commander’s rotating turret equipped with a viewing device, which was covered by an armored U-shaped bracket. There was a hatch in the roof of the cabin in front of the turret, which serves to install a stereo tube. The hatch for landing and disembarking the commander was behind the commander’s turret, and to the left of the hatch of the embrasure of the periscope sight. In addition, a melee device, a fan and 4 surveillance devices were installed here.

In the embrasure of the frontal armor plate of the cabin, covered with a massive cast mask, a 128 mm caliber StuK 44 (Pak 80) gun was mounted. The armor-piercing projectile of this gun had an initial speed of 920 m / s. The length of the gun was 7020 millimeters (55 calibers). Gross weight - 7 thousand kg. The gun had a horizontal, wedge bolt, which was automated by ¼. The shutter was opened, the cartridge case was extracted by the gunner, and after the charge and the projectile were sent, the shutter closed automatically.

The gun was mounted on a special machine installed in the body of a self-propelled gun. The angles of vertical guidance -7 ... +15 degrees, the angle of horizontal guidance in each direction - 10 degrees. Anti-recoil devices were located above the gun barrel. The length of the rollback was 900 millimeters. The longest range of firing a high-explosive fragmentation shell - 12.5 thousand meters. The StuK 44 gun from the Flak 40 gun was distinguished by a separate-shell loading. In a tight cabin of self-propelled guns with large unitary ammunition, it would simply not turn around. To speed up the loading process, the Jagdtiger had two chargers. While one loader sent a shell into the chamber of the gun, the second served the sleeve. Despite the presence of 2 loaders, the rate of fire did not exceed 3 rounds per minute. The ammunition of the gun included 40 shots.

Used on a self-propelled gun, the WZF 2/1 periscope sight had a tenfold increase and a field of view of 7 degrees. This sight allowed to hit targets at a range of 4 thousand m.

Auxiliary weapons "Yagdtigra" - MG 34 machine gun, located in the frontal sheet of the body in the ball special. installation. The ammunition of the machine gun was 1.5 thousand rounds. Additionally, a melee weapon, a special 92 mm anti-personnel grenade launcher, was installed on the roof of the cabin. On machines of a later release, a special was also installed on the roof of the cabin. bracket for installing the MG 42 machine gun.

The heavy fighter of the Yagdtiger tanks of the first series (chassis N ° 305003) with the Porsche undercarriage before being sent to the training unit. The machine is partially coated with Zimmerite and painted with Dunkel Gelb dark yellow paint. 1944 year.

Epic with a suspension

The assembly of the Jagdtiger self-propelled vehicle (as well as the Tiger II tank) was the most time-consuming operation, significantly delaying the production process of machines. That is why the Design Bureau F. Porsche, as a private initiative, made a proposal to use a suspension similar to that installed on the Ferdinand anti-tank self-propelled gun on this self-propelled gun.

The peculiarity of this suspension was that its torsions were installed inside special trolleys outside the case, and not inside the case. Each such longitudinally located torsion served 2 road wheels. When using this suspension, the weight was reduced by 2680 kg. In addition, the installation and tightening of the torsion bar suspension from the Henschel company was carried out only in the assembled case, in a certain sequence when using special. winches. Suspension torsions and balancers could be replaced only in a factory. At the same time, the assembly of the Porsche suspension could be performed separately from the body, and installation was carried out without the use of special equipment. Replacement and repair of suspension units were carried out in front-line conditions and did not cause special difficulties.

In total, seven cars were manufactured with Porsche suspension (2 prototypes and 5 production samples), the first Jagdtiger with this suspension was put to the test earlier than the self-propelled gun with Henschel suspension. However, despite the advantages of the Porsche suspension, a completely different machine went into the series on the recommendation of the Arms Directorate. The main reason was the strained relationship between the officials of the ministry and the famous designer, as well as damage during the testing of one of the carts. It should be noted that this failure occurred through the fault of the manufacturer. The fact that the Arms Department wanted to achieve maximum unification between the Royal Tiger tank and self-propelled guns should not be discounted.

As a result, the chassis of the serial “Yagdtigr” included 9 twin all-metal track rollers, which had internal shock absorption (from each side). The rollers were staggered (4 in the inner row and 5 in the outer). The size of the rollers is 800x95 millimeters. Their suspension was individual torsion bar. The balancers of the rear and front rollers were equipped with hydraulic shock absorbers located inside the casing.

In total, 70-79 such self-propelled guns were collected in Germany from July to April 1945, in connection with this there was no talk of any mass use of Jagdtiger. Self-propelled guns "Jagdtigr" most often entered the battle platoon or by piece as part of hastily formed groups. Too overloaded undercarriage caused frequent breakdowns and low mobility. In this regard, the design of self-propelled guns provided for the installation of a pair of stationary subversive charges. The first was located under the engine, the second under the breech gun. Most of the self-propelled guns were destroyed by their own crews due to the inability to tow the car for repair. The use of Jagdtigers was episodic in nature, however, any appearance of these vehicles in battle was a big headache for the Allied forces. The gun mounted on self-propelled guns, without any problems allowed to hit any of the Allied tanks from a distance of 2.5 thousand meters.

People

  6 people Story Years of production   1944-1945 Years of operation   1944-1945 The number of issued, pcs.   79 cars Key Operators Dimensions Body length mm 10654 Length with gun forward, mm 10654 Width mm 3625 Height mm 2945 Clearance mm 980 Reservation Type of armor   Steel rolled and cast Forehead of the body (top), mm / city.   150/50 ° The forehead of the body (bottom), mm / city.   100/50 ° Board of the case, mm / city.   80/0 ° Feed housing, mm / city.   80/30 ° Housing roof, mm 40 Cutting forehead, mm / city.   250/15 ° Cutting board, mm / city.   80/25 ° Cutting feed, mm / city.   80/10 ° Cutting roof, mm / city. 45 Armament Caliber and brand of guns   Pak 44 L / 55 caliber 128 mm Gun type   Anti-tank gun Barrel length, calibres 55 Gun ammunition   40 shells Angles VN, deg.   −6 ... + 15 ° Corners GN, hail.   ± 10 ° Machine guns   1 MG 34 machine gun, 7.92 mm caliber Mobility engine's type Maybach HL 230 P45,12-cylinder, carbureted, V-shaped, liquid-cooled; power 650 hp (478 kW) at 2600 rpm, displacement 23095 cc Engine power, l from.   700 h.p. Speed \u200b\u200bon the highway, km / h   41.5 km / h Cross country speed, km / h   15.5 km / h Cruising on the highway, km   170 km Cruising cross country, km   70 km Suspension type   Individual torsion bar Ground pressure, kg / cm² 1,06 Gradeability, hail.   35 ° The overcome wall, m   0.85 m The overcome ditch, m   2.5 m Fording, m   1.75 m   Jagdtiger on Wikimedia Commons

Ammunition for a 128 mm gun

Cannons 12.8 cm PaK 44 L / 55
Shells	Armor-piercing projectile Panzergranate 39/43 APC	Armor-piercing projectile Panzergranate 40/43 APBC (with ballistic cap)	High-explosive fragmentation shell Sprenggranate
Weight		28.3 kg	28.0 kg
Explosive mass		0.55 kg	3.6 kg
Propellant charge		15 kg	12.2 kg
Projectile length		49.65 cm	62.3 cm
Starting speed		930 m / s	750 m / s
Penetration at a meeting angle of 30 ° to the vertical
At a distance of 500 m	166 mm	235 mm
At a distance of 1000 m	143 mm	210 mm
At a distance of 2000 m	117 mm	190 mm

Means of observation and communication

The binocular periscope Fahrerfernrohr K.F.F. was installed for the driver. 2 with a field of view of 65 ° and a magnification of 1x. For the frontal machine gun, a monocular K.Z.F. sight was used. 2 with a field of view of 18 ° and a magnification of 1.8x. The gun used a Winkelzielfernohr monocular sight (W.Z.F.) 2/7 or 2/1 with a magnification of 10x and a field of view of 7 °.

Engine and transmission

Neither the engine nor the Yagdtigr transmission differed from a linear tank equipped with a Maybach HL 230 P30 12-cylinder petrol engine with a capacity of 700 liters. from. at 3000 rpm

Chassis

The chassis was almost completely borrowed from the base tank and, for one side, consisted of a front-wheel drive wheel, five double rollers with support on the outside of the track, four double track rollers with support on the inside of the track and guide wheel. True, unlike a tank, in which the guide wheel halves partially overlapped the ninth track roller, due to the increased body length, the guide wheel was carried back. The track width was 800 mm. M. Svirin claims that the chassis of the self-propelled guns was of two types: Henschel type with torsion bars and Porsche type with two-axle carts and spring balancers. With the tacit consent of OKNX, the second undercarriage was accepted for execution. And it turned out to be more successful. It was lighter than Henschel’s suspension, moreover, it allowed for repairs in the field. The winch that performed the “pre-spin” torsion bar was available at only one factory - in St. Valentine.

Mass production

Total 88, while according to various sources, there were from 70 to 79 ...

In fact, only 80 cars were assembled. Of these, 11 had a Porsche chassis (February - 1, July - 3, August - 3, September - 4). In April 1945, only 3 self-propelled guns were completed, the remaining 8 were not assembled by the end of the war. It is worth noting that 4 installations of the release of April 1945 were armed with 88-mm guns, but since they did not receive sights, they were not finally accepted and did not participate in hostilities.

Organizational structure

The Jagdtigers entered service with individual heavy anti-tank battalions (schwere Panzerjagerabteilung, s.Pz.Jgr.Abt). It was planned that they will replace Ferdinand self-propelled guns in these units. However, due to the difficulty in production and the constant bombing of the Allied aircraft, a relatively small number of cars were released, and these plans were not destined to come true. As a result, the “Yagdtigers” were armed with two of the three companies in two heavy anti-tank battalions - the famous 653rd and 654th, which had previously proved themselves on the Kursk Bulge.

Combat use. After several days of fighting, when the German troops in the Ruhr bag surrendered, almost all the equipment was destroyed by the Germans themselves, so that the enemy would not get it.

Machine rating

There is no doubt that the “Jagdtiger” in the issue of anti-tank struggle exceeded all tanks and self-propelled guns of both the anti-Hitler coalition and the Third Reich itself. At least until 1948, there was no tank in the world that could withstand a shot of this car even in the forehead. The PaK 44 cannon with a barrel length of 55 calibers, created on the basis of anti-aircraft guns, made it possible to hit any tank at all reasonable battle distances.

At the same time, the self-propelled gun had a whole set of significant shortcomings, the most important of which were the following:

• The chassis of the Yagdtigra was extremely overloaded, which led to a very low reliability of the machine. For this reason, the design of the self-propelled guns consistently included two stationary subversive charges for its destruction in the event of a technical malfunction. One charge was placed under the engine, the second - under the breech of the gun.

• Engine power of 700 liters. from. for a machine weighing 75 tons was clearly insufficient. The consequence of this was the poor mobility of self-propelled guns, which to a certain extent reduced the advantages of powerful frontal armor and weapons. For comparison, a similar engine was installed on the Panther tank, which weighed 30 tons less. For this reason, self-propelled guns were mainly used in shelters in stationary positions, where its low driving performance did not play a special role.

• In the absence of a rotating tower, low rate of fire due to separate loading and the numerical superiority of the enemy, an attack on the flank of the Jagdtiger became more than likely. In 1944-1945 its side armor did not provide reliable protection against modern tank and anti-tank guns of the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition. The same circumstance made the machine vulnerable to infantry attacks with means of close antitank battle - Bazooka grenade launchers or trophy faustpatrons.

• The high cost and low production technology.

• The self-propelled guns were extremely heavy, easily stuck on soft ground (plowed arable land) and could not pass on a number of bridges due to the large mass.

As a result, the number of vehicles produced was very small, and they did not have any significant impact on the outcome of the hostilities.

Bench Modeling

Jagdtiger is widely represented in poster modeling. Prefabricated plastic replicas of the Yagdtiger of various modifications on a scale of 1:35 are produced by Tamiya (Japan) companies with Henschel and Dragon (China) chassis.

9-01-2015, 09:25

Hello everyone and welcome to the site! Today, our guest is quite famous and what is there to hide, a strong car that inspires fear with only one view. It's about Germany’s ninth-tier tank destroyer, in front of you Jagdtiger guide.

Despite the fact that in appearance the car is really very formidable, in reality everything is not as good as it seems at first glance. In the realities of battle Jagdtiger world of tanks  capable of much, but even knowing all of his strengths, the gameplay is not so simple, since the car also has enough weaknesses, as you can see for yourself.

TTX Jagdtiger

As in most cases, we will begin our acquaintance with the fact that this unit has a very impressive margin of safety, which will help you in battle more than once, in addition, Jagdtiger Review  in basic condition it is 390 meters, which is very worthy by the standards of tank destroyers of our level.

If we talk about survival, then in our case everything is completely relative, and so that you feel the contrast, let's start with the bad. It’s about Jagdtiger Specifications  even though the armor reservations in the frontal projection seem impressive, in fact the VLD in the gearbox has 233 millimeters of armor. It breaks through like all classmates, and the lower frontal part with a thickness of 156 millimeters helpfully accepts damage even from sevens, that is, in most cases it is better to hide the case.

The frontal part of the cabin is protected much more seriously, even with almost complete absence of inclination here german tank Jagdtiger  It boasts 259 mm armor plate. This figure indicates that we can tank many classmates, but the top self-propelled guns, as well as anyone who charges the gold, can easily damage us. Regarding the large mask of the gun there are no complaints, it is really incredibly durable.

As for the side projection, there is nothing particularly surprising. Anyone who drives in from the side can easily knock out Tank Destroyers Jagdtiger WoT  strength points, artillery when hit on board often does full damage and can withstand “blows” only by turning the hull and exposing the board at an acute angle, but this must be done confidently and carefully.

It is impossible not to draw your attention to the fact that Jagdtiger tank  has a truly shed dimensions. Of course, our disguise suffers from this, and it’s far from every concealment to hide from incoming damage, especially from artillery suitcases.

Of course, for conditionally powerful reservations and huge dimensions, we fully pay with mobility. Maximum speed Jagdtiger world of tanks  not bad, but because of the terribly low ratio of horsepower per ton of weight, we only accelerate to the maximum when descending the hill, and maneuverability is so frail that a heavy tank with medium mobility can spin us.

Gun

If, in terms of the general characteristics of this German woman, if there are strengths, then they are relatively strong, the weapons in almost everything please the eye and inspire fear in the hearts of enemies.

First of all Jagdtiger gun  possesses powerful alfastrake, but even more pleased with the fast reload speed, due to which PDM exceeds all expectations, even without perks and equipment, we have the ability to inflict almost 3000 damage per minute.

You will also be extremely pleased with the penetration indicators, because with a standard armor-piercing projectile Tank Destroyers Jagdtiger World of Tanks  can cause damage to almost everyone, especially if you will target vulnerable areas. As for the monstrous subcaliber, you also need to have them with you, for example, to break through the strong E 100 tower in the forehead.

It becomes even warmer in the soul from the realization of how accurate our top gun is. Jagdtiger tank  He is an excellent sniper due to his excellent scatter rate of one hundred meters, as well as quick intelligence. Of course, stabilization fails us a little, but it is not as bad as some.

Perhaps the only drawback of this self-propelled gun in terms of armament can be called only the angles of vertical and horizontal aiming. Fact that down Jagdtiger wot  the barrel can lower by 7 degrees, and that's nothing, but the total UGN of 20 degrees is not enough with our mobility and dimensions, so be prepared for the fact that you will have to turn the case very often and translate.

Advantages and disadvantages

Due to the fact that we have already familiarized ourselves with the characteristics of the anti-tank installation, it is time to summarize all of the above, that is, for ease of perception and understanding of gameplay, to highlight the most obvious advantages and disadvantages Jagdtiger world of tanks.
Pros:
  Large margin of safety;
  Good reservation of forehead felling;
  Powerful one-time damage;
  Excellent damage per minute;
  Gorgeous parameters of armor penetration;
  Excellent accuracy (scatter and flattening);
  Good basic review.
Minuses:
  Weak reservation of the hull and sides;
  Large size and weak camouflage;
  Very poor mobility;
  Mediocre angles of vertical and horizontal aiming.

Equipment for Jagdtiger

In almost every case, the installation of additional modules plays an important role. At least this aspect allows to significantly increase the initial parameters of the machine, in this case by jagdtiger tank equipment  it is better to set the following:
1. - no matter how high the damage per minute, there is no limit to this parameter, so it always makes sense to improve it.
2. - in view of the mediocre UGN and frequent rotations by the hull, to improve the speed of mixing will be a reasonable decision.
3. - Having received a comprehensive 5 percent boost of characteristics, you will improve firepower, make the mix even more enjoyable, and also increase your visibility.

However, it is worth noting that until your crew has studied the perks for the review, the last item makes sense to replace with OPTICS. In addition, due to the shed dimensions and poor mobility, it makes sense to install on this self-propelled gun, so as to suffer less from the focus of artillery, the choice is yours.

Crew training

As you know, another very effective way to strengthen your tank is to train the crew. The choice of skills should always be approached very responsibly, since there are really few really right options for distributing skills, but for Tank destroyers Jagdtiger perks  should be downloaded in this order:
  Commander -,,,.
  Gunner -,,,.
  Driver mechanic - , , , .
  Radio operator -,,,.
  Charger -,,,.
  Charger -,,,.

Equipment for Jagdtiger

In terms of buying consumables, as in most cases, you will be forced to be guided by your silver reserves. If you have a little game currency, take, and. But the truth is that on this machine, often, you have to get a lot of damage, so it’s better to carry on Jagdtiger outfit  as , , . By the way, this creation of German engineers burns infrequently, which means you can also take it.

Jagdtiger Tactics

At the very beginning it was said that this is a powerful machine that inspires fear only by its presence. But by this moment you should have understood that everything is not so simple, because Jagdtiger tank  although it is endowed with a large number of advantages, some of them are relative and are exacerbated by the influence of serious shortcomings.

The point now is that in terms of booking you can only rely on the forehead of the cabin, while the hull and sides make their way easily. Hence we conclude that for Jagdtiger tactics  consists in occupying a favorable position on the front line, where you can only tank with the wheelhouse and artillery cannot shoot at you. The problem is that there are very few such positions on the cards and it is far from always becoming ideal.

So, if the card came across the wrong, completely open, it’s not profitable to become Tank Destroyers Jagdtiger WoT  can play from a distance, taking advantage of his magnificent weapon. It is important to understand that due to very poor camouflage you need to get really far, only this way you can not glow after a shot and continue to realize your excellent firepower.

If you talk about what you can’t do, first of all try not to let yourself be merry-go-round. Jagdtiger world of tanks  it has very poor mobility, loose sides and bad UGN, which is why even a heavy tank can spin us, it’s enough just to rub ourselves on board or in the stern.

Besides, german tank Jagdtigerif you have chosen an active style of play, is a machine of one direction. Choosing this direction, think about the fact that you can get to it, and upon reaching it, you have the opportunity to become the most profitable for yourself, given all of the above.

As a result, I just want to say that this unit is really strong, but a lot depends on the situation and if everything turns out to be disadvantageous for you, realize the potential Jagdtiger wot  it will not be easy at all.

Reservation Type of armor

Steel rolled and cast

Forehead of the body (top), mm / city. The forehead of the body (bottom), mm / city. Board of the case, mm / city. Feed housing, mm / city. Housing roof, mm Cutting forehead, mm / city. Cutting board, mm / city. Cutting roof, mm / city. Armament Caliber and brand of guns

Pak 44 L / 55 caliber 128 mm

Gun type

Anti-tank gun

Barrel length, calibres Gun ammunition

40 shells

Angles VN, deg. Corners GN, hail. Machine guns

1 MG 34 machine gun, 7.92 mm caliber

Mobility engine's type

Maybach HL 230 P45,12-cylinder, carbureted, V-shaped, liquid-cooled; power 650 hp (478 kW) at 2600 rpm, displacement 23095 cc

Engine power, l from. Speed \u200b\u200bon the highway, km / h Cross country speed, km / h Cruising on the highway, km Cruising cross country, km Suspension type

Individual torsion bar

Ground pressure, kg / cm² Gradeability, hail. The overcome wall, m The overcome ditch, m Fording, m

Ammunition for a 128 mm gun

Cannons 12.8 cm PaK 44 L / 55
Shells	Armor-piercing projectile Panzergranate 39/43 APC	Armor-piercing projectile Panzergranate 40/43 APBC (with ballistic cap)	High-explosive fragmentation shell Sprenggranate
Weight		28.3 kg	28.0 kg
Explosive mass		0.55 kg	3.6 kg
Propellant charge		15 kg	12.2 kg
Projectile length		49.65 cm	62.3 cm
starting speed		930 m / s	750 m / s
Penetration at a meeting angle of 30 ° to the vertical
At a distance of 500 m	166 mm	235 mm
At a distance of 1000 m	143 mm	210 mm
At a distance of 2000 m	117 mm	190 mm

Means of observation and communication

Engine and transmission

Neither the engine nor the Yagdtigr transmission differed from a linear tank equipped with a Maybach HL 230 P30 12-cylinder petrol engine with a capacity of 700 liters. from. at 3000 rpm

Chassis

The chassis was almost completely borrowed from the base tank and, for one side, consisted of a front-wheel drive wheel, five double rollers with support on the outside of the track, four double track rollers with support on the inside of the track and guide wheel. True, unlike a tank, in which the guide wheel halves partially overlapped the ninth track roller, due to the increased body length, the guide wheel was carried back. The track width was 800 mm. M. Svirin claims that the chassis of the self-propelled guns was of two types: Henschel type with torsion bars and Porsche type with two-axle carts and spring balancers. With the tacit consent of OKNX, the second undercarriage was accepted for execution. And it turned out to be more successful. It was lighter than Henschel’s suspension, moreover, it allowed for repairs in the field. The winch that performed the “pre-spin” torsion bar was available at only one factory - in St. Valentine.

Mass production

Total 88, while according to various sources, there were from 70 to 79 ...

In fact, only 80 cars were assembled. Of these, 11 had a Porsche chassis (February - 1, July - 3, August - 3, September - 4). In April 1945, only 3 self-propelled guns were completed, the remaining 8 were not assembled by the end of the war. It is worth noting that 4 installations of the release of April 1945 were armed with 88-mm guns, but since they did not receive sights, they were not finally accepted and did not participate in hostilities.

Organizational structure

The Jagdtigers entered service with individual heavy anti-tank battalions (schwere Panzerjagerabteilung, s.Pz.Jgr.Abt). It was planned that they will replace Ferdinand self-propelled guns in these units. However, due to the difficulty in production and the constant bombing of the Allied aircraft, a relatively small number of cars were released, and these plans were not destined to come true. As a result, the “Yagdtigers” were armed with two of the three companies in two heavy anti-tank battalions - the famous 653rd and 654th, which had previously proved themselves on the Kursk Bulge.

Combat use

For the first time, the Jagdtigers were used in battles on the Western Front in March 1945. They confidently hit the American "Sherman" in any projection from a distance of 2500-3000 m. At the beginning of April 1945, there were 24 Yagdtigers in combat units on the Western Front. All produced "Jagdtigra" made up two battalions. One battalion was stationed on the Western Front, the other participated in Operation Spring Awakening in Hungary in March 1945.

The battalion of self-propelled guns operating on the Western Front participated in battles in the Ruhr area and was surrounded by the Ruhr Cauldron. After several days of fighting, when the German troops in the Ruhr bag surrendered, almost all the equipment was destroyed in order not to fall to the allies, and the personnel were demobilized and sent home.

Machine rating

There is no doubt that the “Jagdtiger” in the issue of anti-tank struggle exceeded all tanks and self-propelled guns of both the anti-Hitler coalition and the Third Reich itself. At least until 1948, there was no tank in the world that could withstand a shot of this car even in the forehead. The PaK 44 cannon with a barrel length of 55 calibers, created on the basis of anti-aircraft guns, made it possible to hit any tank at all reasonable battle distances.

At the same time, the self-propelled gun had a whole set of significant shortcomings, the most important of which were the following:

• The chassis of the Yagdtigra was extremely overloaded, which led to a very low reliability of the machine. For this reason, the design of the self-propelled guns consistently included two stationary subversive charges for its destruction in the event of a technical malfunction. One charge was placed under the engine, the second - under the breech of the gun.

• Engine power of 700 liters. from. for a machine weighing 75 tons was clearly insufficient. The consequence of this was the poor mobility of self-propelled guns, which to a certain extent reduced the advantages of powerful frontal armor and weapons. For comparison, a similar engine was installed on the Panther tank, which weighed 30 tons less, but already with its weight did not have sufficient mobility. For this reason, self-propelled guns were mainly used in shelters in stationary positions, where its low driving performance did not play a special role.

• In the absence of a rotating tower, low rate of fire due to separate loading and the numerical superiority of the enemy, an attack on the flank of the Jagdtigra became more than likely. In 1944-1945 its side armor did not provide reliable protection against modern tank and anti-tank guns of the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition. The same circumstance made the machine vulnerable to infantry attacks with means of close antitank battle - Bazooka grenade launchers or trophy faustpatrons.

• The high cost and low production technology.

• The self-propelled guns were extremely heavy, easily stuck on soft ground (plowed arable land) and could not pass on a number of bridges due to the large mass.

As a result, the number of vehicles produced was very small, and they did not have any significant impact on the outcome of the hostilities.

Bench Modeling

Jagdtiger is widely represented in poster modeling. Prefabricated plastic replicas of the Yagdtiger of various modifications on a scale of 1:35 are produced by Tamiya (Japan) firms with Henschel and Dragon (China) in two versions with Henschel and Porsche.

JagdTiger in the gaming industry

The self-propelled gun is also presented in the computer games Operation Europe: Path to Victory 1939-1945, Panzer General, Panzer Front, "Sudden Strike", "World War II", "Behind Enemy Lines 2", "Blitzkrieg", World of Tanks, War Thunder, Company of Heroes 2, Wild Tanks Online, Heroes and Generals.

And in the mobile games Armored Aces and "World of Tanks: Blitz" (Android and iOS).

Write a review on Jagdtiger

Notes

Literature

• M. Svirin.  Heavy tank destroyer "Jagdtiger". - M.: Exprint, 2004 .-- 39 p. - (Armored Fund). - 3000 copies. - ISBN 5-94038-048-4.

Engineering and reconnaissance vehicles

Excerpt from the Jagdtiger

Zherkov was touched by the spurs of a horse, which, three times, hotly, knocked down, not knowing where to start, managed and galloped, overtaking the company and catching the stroller, also in time with the song.

Returning from the viewing, Kutuzov, accompanied by an Austrian general, went into his office and, clicking on the adjutant, ordered to give himself some papers related to the state of the incoming troops, and letters received from Archduke Ferdinand, who was in command of the advanced army. Prince Andrei Bolkonsky with the required papers entered the office of the commander in chief. In front of the plan laid out on the table sat Kutuzov and an Austrian member of the gofkrigsrat.
  “Ah ...” said Kutuzov, looking back at Bolkonsky, as if inviting the adjutant to wait with this word, and continued the conversation in French.
“I only say one thing, general,” said Kutuzov with a pleasant grace of expression and intonation, which made me listen to every leisurely spoken word. It was evident that Kutuzov himself listened to himself with pleasure. “I only say one thing, General, that if the matter depended on my personal desire, the will of His Majesty Emperor Franz would have long been fulfilled.” I would long ago have joined the Archduke. And believe my honor, that for me to personally transfer the highest command to the more competent and skillful general with whom the army is so abundant, and to give up all this heavy responsibility would personally be a joy to me. But circumstances are stronger than us, general.
  And Kutuzov smiled with such an expression, as if he were saying: “You have every right to not believe me, and even I do not care whether you believe me or not, but you have no reason to tell me that. And that’s the whole point. ”
  The Austrian general had a displeased look, but could not answer Kutuzov in the same tone.
  “On the contrary,” he said in a grouchy and angry tone, so contrary to the flattering meaning of the words uttered, “on the contrary, the participation of Your Excellency in the common cause is highly appreciated by His Majesty; but we believe that a real slowdown deprives the glorious Russian troops and their commanders-in-chief of those laurels that they used to reap in battles, ”he concluded the apparently prepared phrase.
  Kutuzov bowed without changing his smile.
  - And I am so convinced and, based on the last letter honored by His Highness Archduke Ferdinand, I assume that the Austrian troops, under the command of such an expert assistant as General Mac, have now won a decisive victory and no longer need our help, - said Kutuzov.
  The general frowned. Although there was no positive news of the defeat of the Austrians, there were too many circumstances confirming the generally unfavorable rumors; and therefore Kutuzov’s assumption of the victory of the Austrians was very similar to mockery. But Kutuzov smiled meekly, all with the same expression that said that he had the right to assume this. Indeed, the last letter he received from Mac’s army informed him of the victory and the most advantageous strategic position of the army.
“Let me get this letter here,” said Kutuzov, addressing Prince Andrey. - Here you are pleased to see. - And Kutuzov, with a mocking smile at the ends of his lips, read the following passage from the letter of Archduke Ferdinand, according to German Austrian general: “Wir haben vollkommen zusammengehaltene Krafte, nahe an 70,000 Mann, um den Feind, wenn er den Lech passirte sch zengenfen zergenf konnen. Wir konnen, da wir Meister von Ulm sind, den Vortheil, auch von beiden Uferien der Donau Meister zu bleiben, nicht verlieren; mithin auch jeden Augenblick, wenn der Feind den Lech nicht passirte, die Donau ubersetzen, uns auf seine Communikations Linie werfen, die Donau unterhalb repassiren und dem Feinde, wenn er sich gegen unsere treue Allirte mit ganzer Macht wendendelte wendendelt Wir werden auf solche Weise den Zeitpunkt, wo die Kaiserlich Ruseische Armee ausgerustet sein wird, muthig entgegenharren, und sodann leicht gemeinschaftlich die Moglichkeit finden, dem Feinde das Schicksal zuzubereiten, so er verd [We have quite concentrated forces, about 70,000 people, so that we can attack and defeat the enemy if he crosses through Leh. Since we already own Ulm, we can retain the benefit of commanding both banks of the Danube, therefore, every minute, if the enemy does not cross Lech, cross the Danube, rush to his communication line, then go back to the Danube and the enemy, if he decides to turn all his strength on our faithful allies, not to let his intention be fulfilled. Thus, we will cheerfully expect the time when the imperial Russian army will be completely manufactured, and then together we will easily find the opportunity to prepare for the enemy the fate that he deserves. ”]
  Kutuzov sighed heavily, ending this period, and carefully and kindly looked at a member of the gofkrigsrat.
  “But you know, Your Excellency, a wise rule prescribing the worst,” said the Austrian general, apparently wanting to end the jokes and get down to business.
  He involuntarily looked back at the adjutant.
“Sorry, General,” Kutuzov interrupted, and also turned to Prince Andrei. “That's what, my dear, take all the reports from our scouts from Kozlovsky.” Here are two letters from Count Nostitz, here is a letter from His Highness Archduke Ferdinand, here's another, ”he said, handing him a few papers. - And from all this, cleanly, in French, make up a memorandum, a note, for the visibility of all the news that we had about the actions of the Austrian army. Well, then, and imagine His Excellency.
  Prince Andrei bowed his head in a sign that he understood from the first words not only what was said, but also what Kutuzov would like to tell him. He collected the papers, and, giving a general bow, quietly striding along the carpet, went out to the reception room.
  Despite the fact that not much time has passed since Prince Andrew left Russia, he has changed a lot during this time. In the expression on his face, in his movements, in his gait, there was almost no noticeable previous pretense, fatigue, and laziness; he looked like a person who does not have time to think about the impression he makes on others, and is busy with business that is pleasant and interesting. His face expressed more satisfaction with himself and others; his smile and his eyes were more cheerful and attractive.
  Kutuzov, whom he had already caught up in Poland, received him very affectionately, promised not to forget him, distinguished him from other adjutants, took him with him to Vienna and gave more serious instructions. From Vienna, Kutuzov wrote to his old friend, the father of Prince Andrei:
  “Your son,” he wrote, “gives hope to be an officer, one of the ranks of his occupation, firmness and diligence. I consider myself happy, having such a subordinate at hand. "
  At the headquarters of Kutuzov, between his comrade-in-arms and generally in the army, Prince Andrey, like in St. Petersburg society, had two completely opposite reputations.
  Some, the smaller part, recognized Prince Andrei as something special from themselves and from all other people, expected great success from him, listened to him, admired him and imitated him; and with these people, Prince Andrei was simple and pleasant. Others, most of them, did not like Prince Andrei, considered him a pouty, cold and unpleasant person. But with these people, Prince Andrey was able to put himself in such a way that he was respected and even feared.
  Having gone to the reception room from Kutuzov’s office, Prince Andrei with papers approached his comrade, on duty adjutant Kozlovsky, who was sitting by the window with a book.
  - Well, what, prince? - asked Kozlovsky.
  - It is ordered to draw up a note why we are not getting ahead.
  - And why?
Prince Andrew shrugged.
  “No news from Mac?” - asked Kozlovsky.
  - Not.
  “If it were true that he was broken, then the news would come.”
  “Probably,” said Prince Andrei and headed for the exit door; but at the same time, slamming the door towards him, he quickly entered the waiting room of a tall, obviously visiting, Austrian general in a frock coat, with his head tied to a black shawl and with the order of Maria Theresa around his neck. Prince Andrew stopped.
  - General Anshef Kutuzov? - the guest general said quickly with a sharp German reprimand, looking back at both sides and walking nonstop to the cabinet door.
  “The general is busy,” said Kozlovsky, hurriedly approaching the unknown general and blocking the way for him from the door. - How do you order to report?
  The unknown general scornfully looked down on Kozlovsky's short stature, as if surprised that they might not know him.
  “General Anshef is busy,” Kozlovsky repeated calmly.
  The general's face frowned, his lips twitched and trembled. He took out a notebook, quickly drew something with a pencil, pulled out a sheet, gave it away, walked quickly to the window, threw his body on a chair and looked around at those who were in the room, as if asking why they were looking at him? Then the general raised his head, craned his neck, as if intending to say something, but at once, as if casually starting to hum to himself, made a strange sound, which immediately stopped. The cabinet door opened, and Kutuzov appeared on its doorstep. The general with his head tied, as if running away from danger, bending over, with large, quick steps of thin legs, approached Kutuzov.
  “Vous voyez le malheureux Mack, [You see the unfortunate Mac.]” He said in a broken voice.
  The face of Kutuzov, who was standing in the door of his office, for several moments remained completely motionless. Then, like a wave, a wrinkle ran across his face, his forehead smoothed out; he bowed his head respectfully, closed his eyes, silently let Mac through him, and shut the door behind himself.
  The rumor, already widespread before, about the defeat of the Austrians and the surrender of the entire army near Ulm, turned out to be fair. Half an hour later, adjutants were sent in different directions with orders proving that soon the Russian troops, still inactive, would have to meet with the enemy.
Prince Andrei was one of those rare officers in the headquarters who believed his main interest in the general course of military affairs. Seeing Mack and hearing the details of his death, he realized that half of the campaign was lost, he understood the whole difficulty of the situation of the Russian troops and vividly imagined what the army was expecting and the role that he would have to play in it.
  Involuntarily, he felt a thrilling joyful feeling at the thought of the shame of arrogant Austria and that in a week he might have to see and take part in the clash of Russians with the French, for the first time after Suvorov.
  But he was afraid of the genius of Bonaparte, who could be stronger than all the courage of the Russian troops, and at the same time could not allow shame for his hero.
  Excited and annoyed by these thoughts, Prince Andrei went to his room to write to his father, whom he wrote every day. He met in the corridor with his roommate Nesvitsky and the joker Zherkov; they, as always, were laughing at something.
  - Why are you so gloomy? Asked Nesvitsky, noting the face of Prince Andrei, pale with shining eyes.
  “There is nothing to have fun,” answered Bolkonsky.
  While Prince Andrei met with Nesvitsky and Zherkov, on the other side of the corridor Strauch, an Austrian general who was at Kutuzov’s headquarters to observe the food of the Russian army, and a member of the gofkrigsrat who had arrived the day before, came to meet them. There was enough space along the wide corridor so that the generals could freely part with the three officers; but Zherkov, pushing away with the hand of Nesvitsky, said in a breathless voice:
  “They are coming! ... they are coming! ... get out of the way!” please go!
  The generals passed with a look of desire to get rid of troubling honors. On the face of the joker Zherkov suddenly a silly smile of joy was expressed, which he seemed to be unable to keep.
  “Your Excellency,” he said in German, moving forward and addressing the Austrian general. - I have the honor to congratulate.
  He bowed his head and awkwardly, as the children who are learning to dance, began to shake one foot or the other.
  The general, a member of the gofkrigsrat, looked sternly at him; not noticing the seriousness of the stupid smile, he could not refuse a minute attention. He squinted, indicating that he was listening.
  “I have the honor to congratulate you, General Mack arrived, very well, only a little hurt here,” he added, beaming with a smile and pointing to his head.
  The general frowned, turned away, and went on.
  - Gott, wie naiv! [My God, how simple it is!] - he said angrily, stepping back a few steps.
Nesvitsky laughed hugging Prince Andrei, but Bolkonsky, even paler, with an evil expression in his face, pushed him away and turned to Zherkov. The nervous irritation in which he was brought to the sight of Mack, the news of his defeat and the thought of what the Russian army was expecting, found an outcome in anger at Zherkov’s inappropriate joke.
  “If you, gracious sovereign,” he spoke piercingly with a slight trembling of the lower jaw, “want to be a jester, then I cannot prevent you from doing this;” but I declare to you that if you dare to humble yourself another time in my presence, then I will teach you how to behave.
  Nesvitsky and Zherkov were so surprised by this trick that they silently opened their eyes and looked at Bolkonsky.
  “Well, I congratulated only,” said Zherkov.
  - I'm not joking with you, if you please be silent! - shouted Bolkonsky and, taking Nesvitsky’s hand, went away from Zherkov, who couldn’t find what to answer.
  “Well, what are you, brother,” Nesvitsky said reassuringly.
  - Like what? - spoke Prince Andrew, stopping from excitement. “Yes, you understand that we, or the officers who serve our king and our country and rejoice in the common success and grieve over the common failure, or we are lackeys who do not care about the master’s business.” "Quarante milles hommes massacres et l" ario mee de nos allies detruite, et vous trouvez la le mot pour rire, "he said, as if to reinforce his opinion with that French phrase. - C" est bien pour un garcon de rien, comme cet individu , dont vous avez fait un ami, mais pas pour vous, pas pour vous. [Forty thousand people died and the army allied to us is destroyed, and you can joke with it. It’s forgivable to an insignificant boy, like this gentleman whom you made yourself a friend, but not for you, not for you.] Boys can only be so amused, ”said Prince Andrei in Russian, speaking this word with a French accent, noting that Zherkov could still hear him.