View source for Nashorn

{{Short description|Nazi German tank destroyer}}
{{Other uses}}
{{title lang|de}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=September 2013}}
{{Infobox weapon
| is_vehicle          = yes
| name                = ''Sd.Kfz.'' 164 ''Nashorn''
| image               = Nashorn ‘131 red’ – Patriot Museum, Kubinka (26518901069).jpg
| image_size          = 300px
| caption             = A Nashorn on display at [[Patriot Park]] military museum in Moscow, Russia
| origin              = Nazi Germany
| type                = [[Tank destroyer]]
| designer            = [[Alkett]]
| manufacturer        = Alkett, Deutsche Eisenwerke (Teplitz-Schönau)
| number              = 494
| crew                = 5
| length              = {{convert|8.44|m|ftin|abbr=on}} with gun<br>{{convert|6.20| m|ftin|abbr=on}} excluding gun
| width               = {{convert|2.95|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref>3.176 m with ''Ostketten'' tracks</ref>
| height              = {{convert|2.65|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| weight              = 24 tonnes (52,900 lb)
| armour              = '''hull:''' {{convert|20|–|30|mm|in|abbr=on}}<br /> '''superstructure:''' {{convert|10|mm|in|abbr=on}}
| primary_armament    = {{convert|88|mm|in|abbr=on}} [[8.8 cm Pak 43]]/1 gun with 40-60 rounds
| secondary_armament  = 7.92 mm [[MG34]] or [[MG42]] machine gun (carried inside) with 600 rounds
| elevation           = +20/-5°
| traverse            = +/-15°
| engine              = [[List of WWII Maybach engines|Maybach HL120 TRM]] 11.9-litre V-12 gasoline engine
| engine_power        = 296 hp (300 PS, 221 kW)
| drive               =
| transmission        = [[ZF Friedrichshafen|ZF]] SSG 77 Aphon
| suspension          = [[leaf spring]]
| clearance           = {{convert| 0.4| m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| fuel_capacity       = {{convert|470| L|abbr=on}} in two fuel tanks
| steering            = Daimler-Benz/Wilson clutch/brake
| speed               = {{convert|42| km/h|abbr=on}}
| pw_ratio            = 12.3 hp/tonne
| vehicle_range       = {{convert|260|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite book |title=Panzer IV Its Variants |first= Walter J. |last=Spielberger |page=160}}</ref>
}}

'''{{lang|de|Nashorn}}''' ({{IPA|de|ˈnaːsˌhɔɐ̯n|lang}}, German for "[[rhinoceros]]"), initially known as '''{{lang|de|Hornisse}}''' ([[German language|German]] "[[hornet]]"), was a [[Nazi Germany|German]] {{lang|de|[[Panzerjäger]]}} ("tank hunter") of [[World War II]]. It was developed as an interim solution in 1942 by equipping a light turretless chassis based on the Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks with the [[8.8 cm Pak 43]] [[anti-tank gun]]. Though only lightly armoured and displaying a high profile, it could penetrate the front armour of any Allied tank at long range, and its relatively low cost and superior mobility to heavier vehicles ensured it remained in production until the war's end.

==Development==
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-279-0950-09, Russland, Jagdpanzer Nashorn-Hornisse.jpg|thumb|left|Nashorn tank destroyers on the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]] in 1944]]

After the first German experiences with the newer [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] tanks like the [[T-34]] medium tank or the [[Kliment Voroshilov tank|Kliment Voroshilov heavy tank]] during [[Operation Barbarossa]], the need for a {{lang|de|Panzerjäger}} capable of destroying these more heavily armoured tanks became clear.

In February 1942, the [[Alkett]] ({{lang|de|Altmärkische Kettenwerke GmbH}}) arms firm of Berlin designed a tank destroyer using their recently developed {{lang|de|Geschützwagen}} III/IV chassis which, as its name indicated, used components of both the [[Panzer III]] and [[Panzer IV]] medium tanks. The [[8.8 cm Pak 43|8.8 cm ''Panzerjägerkanone'' 43/1 L/71]] (PaK 43/1)<ref>D 2030 – 8,8 cm Panzerjägerkanone 43/2 (L/71), Beschreibung, 28.1.1944. Berlin.</ref><ref>D97/1+ Gerätliste, Oberkommando des Heeres Heereswaffenamt, s.45, Berlin 1.7.43</ref> a long-barreled anti-tank gun (also used, as the 8.8&nbsp;cm KwK 43, for the main armament of the [[Tiger II]] tank) was mounted on the rear of the chassis complete with its [[gun shield]], and an open-topped superstructure was built up around the gun to give the crew some protection. The gun had the same traverse and elevation as if it had been on its carriage: 15° to either side and between -5° and +15° elevation. To accommodate the long and heavy gun, the hull had to be lengthened and the engine moved from the rear to the centre of the chassis. The amount of armour provided for the crew compartment was limited. The shielding provided was adequate to protect the crew from blast and small arms, but not armour-piercing rounds. Thus, like the {{lang|de|[[Marder I|Marder]]}} series, the vehicle was not intended to engage in tank fights, but to provide mobility to a powerful anti-tank gun.

This model was presented for approval to [[Adolf Hitler]] in October 1942 and entered production in early 1943. It had numerous official designations, such as 8.8&nbsp;cm Pak 43 (L/71) {{lang|de|auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen}} III/IV (Sf) or 8.8&nbsp;cm Pak 43 (L/71) {{lang|de|auf Geschützwagen}} III/IV (Sd. Kfz. 164), though it was also known as the {{lang|de|Panzerjäger Hornisse}} (in English "tank-hunter Hornet")

During the first half of 1943, a new model of the {{lang|de|Hornisse}} was introduced into production. This model altered the driver's front armour plate, along with other minor differences. This model and its predecessor, the few early production vehicles, were almost indistinguishable. It was renamed {{lang|de|Nashorn}} by Hitler in 1944.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}

Total production of the {{lang|de|Nashorn}} amounted to some 494 vehicles, most of which were built in 1943. In January 1944, Hitler favored production of a newer, fully-[[Casemate#Armoured vehicles|casemated]] tank destroyer, the {{lang|de|[[Jagdpanzer IV]]}}, which had a much lower silhouette, thicker frontal armor (60&nbsp;mm frontal plate), and an effective though less powerful 7.5&nbsp;cm gun. Though still primarily an ambush weapon, this vehicle was better built for armoured engagements. Production of the {{lang|de|Nashorn}} continued into 1945, although at a slow pace.

==Combat service==
[[File:Zdobyty niemiecki sprzęt przez żołnierzy 2 Korpusu Polskiego podczas walk na Linii Gotów (24-494-8).jpg|thumb|right|Nashorn captured by soldiers of the Polish [[2nd Polish Corps (Polish Armed Forces in the West)|2nd Corps]] during fighting somewhere along the [[Gothic Line]] in Italy, August 1944.]]
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-313-1004-10A, Italien, Panzer VI (Tiger I), Panzerjäger Nashorn-Hornisse.jpg|thumb|A Nashorn somewhere in Italy in April or May 1944]]

The {{lang|de|Hornisse/Nashorn}} was issued to the heavy anti-tank [[battalion]]s ({{lang|de|Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilungen}}); six would eventually be equipped: {{lang|de|Schwere Panzerjäger Abteilung}} 560, 655, 525, 93, 519 and 88. Each battalion was equipped with 45 {{lang|de|Nashorns}}. Most of the {{lang|de| Nashorns}} in these units fought either on the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]] or [[Italian campaign (World War II)|in Italy]], few having been sent to [[Western Front (World War II)|Western Europe]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}

The {{lang|de|Nashorn's}} gun was a variant of the [[Pak 43]], closely related to guns used later for the {{lang|de|[[Elefant|Ferdinand/Elefant]]}}, [[Tiger II]] and {{lang|de|[[Jagdpanther]]}}. Its [[tungsten carbide]]–cored round, the ''Pzgr. 40/43'', was capable of penetrating 190&nbsp;mm of [[Rolled homogeneous armour|rolled steel armour]] at a 30° angle of impact at a distance of 1&nbsp;km.{{citation needed|date=June 2012}} The gun's performance enabled {{lang|de|Nashorns}} to penetrate the front armour plating of any Allied combat vehicle and to engage enemy units while staying out of range themselves, thanks to its combination of excellent gunsights, optics, and accuracy.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}

The {{lang|de|Hornisse/Nashorn}} made its debut during the [[Battle of Kursk]] in 1943, where it performed extremely well. The ability to engage the enemy at long distances negated the disadvantages of its light armour, lack of a roof and a large profile, and revealed that the weapon was well suited to the open and flat [[steppe]]s that made up much of the landscape of the western Soviet Union. In Italy, however, the generally hilly terrain was not as favourable to the harnessing of the {{lang|de|Nashorn}}'s full ability at accurate long-range fire against enemy forces as in Russia.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}

On 6 March 1945, a US Army [[M26 Pershing]] heavy tank was knocked out by a {{lang|de|Nashorn}} in the town of Niehl near [[Cologne]], at a close range of under {{convert|300|yd|m|abbr=on}}.<ref>YouTube video by Mark Felton Productions - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRDnJ-_Kbk8</ref>

==Survivors==
There are two {{lang|de|Nashorns}} on display in military museums: one in the [[U.S. Army Armor & Cavalry Collection]] and at the new Patriot Park military museum in Moscow, Russia (it was formerly on display in [[Kubinka Tank Museum]]).

A third privately owned {{lang|de|Nashorn}} with the hull serial number 310163 has been restored to running condition in the Netherlands.<ref name=tfss46 /> The hull and a number of the parts came from Kaliningrad.<ref name=tfss46 /> In 2019, this third surviving vehicle had reached the stage where it was driveable when it suffered severe damage after being caught in an accidental garage fire.<ref name=tfss46 /> The restoration has made this {{lang|de|Nashorn}} operational again.<ref name=tfss46>{{cite book|date=2023|title=Tankfest Souvenir Special |publisher=The Tank Museum |pages=46–49 |isbn=9781739354725}}</ref> The engine and steering system are not original due to cost.<ref name=tfss46 /> The engine is a Deutz FL12814 V12 while the steering system was taken from an [[FV432]].<ref name=tfss46 /> The tracks were originally of World War II vintage but they proved too brittle and have been replaced with newly manufactured tracks.<ref name=tfss46 />

==Armor==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;"
|-
|+ Thickness and slope of armour{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}
|-
! rowspan=2 |
! colspan=2 | Front
! colspan=2 | Side
! colspan=2 | Rear
! Top/bottom
|-
!Thickness<br />mm (in))
!Slope
!Thickness<br />mm (in))
!Slope
!Thickness<br />mm (in))
!Slope
!Thickness<br />mm (in))
|-
! Turret/gun shield
| {{convert|10|-|15|mm|in|abbr=values}}{{efn|15mm after May 1943}} ||30°
| ||
| ||
| open
|-
! Superstructure
| {{convert|15|mm|in|abbr=values}} ||30°
| {{convert|10|mm|in|abbr=values}} ||15°
| {{convert|10|mm|in|abbr=values}} ||10°
| {{convert|10|mm|in|abbr=values}}
|-
! Hull
| {{convert|30|mm|in|abbr=values}} ||12°
| {{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=values}} ||0°
| {{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=values}} ||21°
| {{convert|15|mm|in|abbr=values}}
|-
| colspan=8 | <small>{{notelist}}</small>
|}

==Technical data==
*Tracks: single pin, 400&nbsp;mm wide
**Ground contact length: 3.80&nbsp;m
**Shoes(links)/track: 104
**Ground pressure: 0.85&nbsp;kg/cm<sup>2</sup>
*Obstacle performance
**Vertical obstacle: 0.6&nbsp;m
**Trench: 2.3&nbsp;m
**Fording: 0.8&nbsp;m
*Gearbox: synchromesh manual with six forward and one reverse gear
*Clutch: Fichtel & Sachs La 120 HDA dry, triple disc
*Primary gun sight: {{lang|de|Selbstfahrlafetten-Zielfernrohr}} 1a, 5× magnification and 8° field of view
*Indirect fire sight: {{lang|de|Aushilfsrichtmittel}} 38, 3x magnification and 10° field of view
*Radio: FuG Spr. f

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|auto=1}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080612092913/http://www.achtungpanzer.com/pz2.htm Achtung Panzer!-Nashorn Page]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130811223837/http://wwiivehicles.com/germany/tank-hunters/nashorn.asp World War II Vehicles]
* [http://www.tarrif.net/wwii/img/manuals/hornisse/ Hornisse manual]
* [http://www.tankmuseum.ru/nashorn/ Nashorn in Kubinka tank museum]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110927135908/http://www.freeweb.hu/gva/weapons/german_guns7.html Armour penetration table of 8.8 cm Pak 43]
* [http://the.shadock.free.fr/Surviving_Panzer_IV_variants.pdf Surviving Panzer IV variants] - {{lang|de|Jagdpanzer IV, Hummel, Nashorn, Brummbär, StuG IV, Flakpanzer}} tanks and prototypes based on Pz IV

{{WWIIGermanAFVs}}

[[Category:World War II tank destroyers of Germany]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced from 1940 to 1944]]