Difference between revisions of "Jagdtiger"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
<!--''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''-->
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<!--''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.''-->
 
[[File:GarageImage_Jagdtiger.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
[[File:GarageImage_Jagdtiger.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
{{break}}
 
{{break}}
The '''Jagdpanzer VI Jagdtiger''' is a Rank V German tank destroyer with a battle rating of 7.3 (AB) and 7.0 (RB/SB). It was introduced during the Closed Beta Test for Ground Forces before Update 1.41.
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The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German tank destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during the Closed Beta Test for Ground Forces before [[Update 1.41]].
  
 
The Jagdtiger is a heavy tank destroyer, designed to take out targets from a distance, this is shown as in game the tank truly shines at long range combat where maneuverability and weak spots don't become as much as a threat, but the biggest benefit for long range firing is the 128mm PaK44 L/55 Main Cannon, this gun can pierce over 200mm of non-sloped armour at '''2000 METERS''' with APCBC Rounds. The PaK44 was the largest anti-tank weapon in service during World War II, nothing rivaled its penetrating capability nor its combat range, and it was easily capable of taking out any fielded allied tank in a single hit. As it was essentially a modification of a naval gun, the ammunition was still 2-part (shot and charge) and could be fired with less charge for close range high explosive shells.
 
The Jagdtiger is a heavy tank destroyer, designed to take out targets from a distance, this is shown as in game the tank truly shines at long range combat where maneuverability and weak spots don't become as much as a threat, but the biggest benefit for long range firing is the 128mm PaK44 L/55 Main Cannon, this gun can pierce over 200mm of non-sloped armour at '''2000 METERS''' with APCBC Rounds. The PaK44 was the largest anti-tank weapon in service during World War II, nothing rivaled its penetrating capability nor its combat range, and it was easily capable of taking out any fielded allied tank in a single hit. As it was essentially a modification of a naval gun, the ammunition was still 2-part (shot and charge) and could be fired with less charge for close range high explosive shells.
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== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
<!--''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
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<!--''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat?''
  
 
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''-->
 
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''-->
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=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
<!--''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''-->
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<!--''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.''-->
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
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== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
<!--''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''-->
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<!--''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''-->
 
{{main|PaK 44 (128 mm)}}
 
{{main|PaK 44 (128 mm)}}
  
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! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
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! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 0° Angle of Attack'''
 
|-
 
|-
 
! 10m
 
! 10m
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=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
<!--''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''-->
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<!--''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''-->
 
{{main|MG 34 (7.92 mm)}}
 
{{main|MG 34 (7.92 mm)}}
  
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|}
 
|}
  
== Usage in the battles ==
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== Usage in battles ==
<!--''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''-->
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<!--''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''-->
 
Inherent as any other Tank destroyer: Limit the channel of attack by either obstacles ''or'' distance and try to pick of targets one-by-one. Despite heavy armour the Jagdtiger should retreat after every shot, if the opposition possesses weapons with penetration succeeding 180 mm, or else the lower plate will provide a big target. Make sure to take each corner with plenty of momentum though, if an enemy destroys the tracks or transmission during a turn, the remaining momentum will carry the Jagdtiger into a firing position or to safety.
 
Inherent as any other Tank destroyer: Limit the channel of attack by either obstacles ''or'' distance and try to pick of targets one-by-one. Despite heavy armour the Jagdtiger should retreat after every shot, if the opposition possesses weapons with penetration succeeding 180 mm, or else the lower plate will provide a big target. Make sure to take each corner with plenty of momentum though, if an enemy destroys the tracks or transmission during a turn, the remaining momentum will carry the Jagdtiger into a firing position or to safety.
  
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=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''-->
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<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".''-->
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
 
*Shares same hull as the Tiger II, so the upper glacis plate is still very tough
 
*Shares same hull as the Tiger II, so the upper glacis plate is still very tough
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== History ==
 
== History ==
<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''-->
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<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== Encyclopedia Info ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''-->
 
===Development===
 
===Development===
 
This monster of a tank destroyer was inspired by the successes of previous tank destroyers such as the [[StuG III F|StuG III]] and the [[Marder III H|Marder]] series. Their efficiency in battle called for a request by Army General Staff to mount an enormous 128 mm gun on a self-propelled vehicle for infantry support in early 1942, but then Hitler changed it from its intended role to a tank destroyer. The 128 mm design was chosen as toolings already existed for the caliber, as it originated from a naval cannon design, which also was used the basis of an anti-aircraft gun. The 128 mm cannon also had a very high hit rate when compared to other formidable calibers like the 105 mm and 88 mm.  
 
This monster of a tank destroyer was inspired by the successes of previous tank destroyers such as the [[StuG III F|StuG III]] and the [[Marder III H|Marder]] series. Their efficiency in battle called for a request by Army General Staff to mount an enormous 128 mm gun on a self-propelled vehicle for infantry support in early 1942, but then Hitler changed it from its intended role to a tank destroyer. The 128 mm design was chosen as toolings already existed for the caliber, as it originated from a naval cannon design, which also was used the basis of an anti-aircraft gun. The 128 mm cannon also had a very high hit rate when compared to other formidable calibers like the 105 mm and 88 mm.  
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== Media ==
 
== Media ==
<!--''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''-->
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<!--''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''-->
 
[https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=germany&vehicleType=tank&vehicleClass=tank_destroyer&vehicle=germ_panzerjager_tiger '''Skins''' and '''camouflages''' for the Jagdtiger from live.warthunder.com.]
 
[https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=germany&vehicleType=tank&vehicleClass=tank_destroyer&vehicle=germ_panzerjager_tiger '''Skins''' and '''camouflages''' for the Jagdtiger from live.warthunder.com.]
  
==References==
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== See also ==
<references />
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''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 +
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 +
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
  
== Read also ==
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== External links ==
* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/2655/current/ Official War Thunder forum article: [Vehicle Profile<nowiki>]</nowiki> Jagdtiger "Hunting Tiger"]
 
* [http://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/germany/tanks-2-3/jagdtiger/ World War Photoes - Jagdtiger Collection]
 
 
 
== Sources ==
 
 
<!--''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
<!--''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 +
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
 
* ''other literature.''-->
 
* ''other literature.''-->
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagdtiger [Wikipedia<nowiki>]</nowiki> Jagdtiger]
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* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/2655/current/ [Special<nowiki>]</nowiki> Jagdtiger "Hunting Tiger"]
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* [[Wikipedia:Jagdtiger|[Wikipedia<nowiki>]</nowiki> Jagdtiger]]
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* [http://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/germany/tanks-2-3/jagdtiger/ World War Photos - Jagdtiger Collection]
  
 
{{Germany tank destroyers}}
 
{{Germany tank destroyers}}

Revision as of 15:24, 5 April 2019

RANK 5 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
germ_panzerjager_tiger.png
Jagdtiger
AB RB SB
7.3 6.7 6.7
Research:35 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:210 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage Jagdtiger.jpg


The Jagdpanzer VI Jagdtiger is a rank IV German tank destroyer with a battle rating of 7.3 (AB) and 6.7 (RB/SB). It was introduced during the Closed Beta Test for Ground Forces before Update 1.41.

The Jagdtiger is a heavy tank destroyer, designed to take out targets from a distance, this is shown as in game the tank truly shines at long range combat where maneuverability and weak spots don't become as much as a threat, but the biggest benefit for long range firing is the 128mm PaK44 L/55 Main Cannon, this gun can pierce over 200mm of non-sloped armour at 2000 METERS with APCBC Rounds. The PaK44 was the largest anti-tank weapon in service during World War II, nothing rivaled its penetrating capability nor its combat range, and it was easily capable of taking out any fielded allied tank in a single hit. As it was essentially a modification of a naval gun, the ammunition was still 2-part (shot and charge) and could be fired with less charge for close range high explosive shells.

At mid-long range is invincible versus APHE & the majority of HESH ammunition, only APDS & HEAT can penetrate it frontally. Common enemies are end of the line T-10M and the American M103 both of which can pierce any part of tank armour with ease. Fortunately the pure armour strength limits the amount of spalling.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides (Slope angle) Rear (Slope angle) Roof
Hull 150 mm (49°) Front glacis
100 mm (49°) Bottom glacis
80 + 5 mm (26°) 80 mm (28-29°) 50 mm
Superstructure 250 mm (2-28°) 80 mm (26°) 80 mm 45 mm

Notes:

  • Front of the tank is almost impossible to defeat, its armour is great, only the sides and rear are vulnerable.
  • The lower glacis is pretty vulnerable, but a hulldown position can protect it.
  • The superstructure side is covered with tracks, which provides another 30 mm extra armour to the sides.

Mobility

Mobility characteristic
Weight (tons) Add-on Armor
weight (tons)
Max speed (km/h)
75.2 N/A 45 (AB)
42 (RB/SB)
Engine power (horsepower)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 994 ___
Realistic/Simulator 619 700
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 13.22 __.__
Realistic/Simulator 8.23 9.31

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: PaK 44 (128 mm)
128 mm PaK 44
Capacity Vertical
guidance
Horizontal
guidance
Stabilizer
40 -7°/+14° ±10° N/A
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode Stock Upgraded Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade 4.40 _.__ _.__ _.__ _.__
Realistic 4.40 _.__ _.__ _.__ _.__
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
23.60 _.__ _.__ _.__
Ammunition
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration in mm @ 0° Angle of Attack
10m 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m
PzGr APC 266 264 237 207 180 157
PzGr 43 APCBC 269 267 253 237 222 208
Sprgr HE 36 36 36 36 36 36
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
in m/s
Projectile
Mass in kg
Fuse delay

in m:

Fuse sensitivity

in mm:

Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent):
Normalization At 30°
from horizontal:
Ricochet:
0% 50% 100%
PzGr APC 930 28 0.8 28 786.5 -1° 48° 63° 71°
PzGr 43 APCBC 930 28 0.8 28 786.5 +4° 48° 63° 71
Sprgr HE 750 28 0.1 0.5 3,700 +0° 79° 80° 81°
Ammo racks
Ammo racks of the Jagdtiger.
Full
ammo
Ammo
Part
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
6th
rack empty
7th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
40 Projectiles
Propellants
33 (+7)
33 (+7)
28 (+12)
28 (+12)
23 (+17)
23 (+17)
17 (+23)
17 (+23)
11 (+29)
11 (+29)
(+34)
(+34)
(+39)
(+39)
no

Machine guns

Main article: MG 34 (7.92 mm)
7.92 mm MG 34
Hull mount
Capacity (Belt capacity each) Fire rate
(shots/minute)
Vertical
guidance
Horizontal
guidance
3,000 (150) 900 -6°/+4° ±7°

Usage in battles

Inherent as any other Tank destroyer: Limit the channel of attack by either obstacles or distance and try to pick of targets one-by-one. Despite heavy armour the Jagdtiger should retreat after every shot, if the opposition possesses weapons with penetration succeeding 180 mm, or else the lower plate will provide a big target. Make sure to take each corner with plenty of momentum though, if an enemy destroys the tracks or transmission during a turn, the remaining momentum will carry the Jagdtiger into a firing position or to safety.

As expected close-quarter-combat (CQC: Urban areas, cities, ravines, etc) should be avoided as they invite ambushes to the very weak side of Jagdpanzer. Of course narrow passage ways can also be turned into chokepoints (see above).

Sitting at an uneasy spot with BR 7.0 in all game modes, facing off top rank vehicles and a variety of WW2 machinery. All encountered vehicles can penetrate the side armour. Henceforth all medium vehicles are dangerous and their engines should be disabled ASAP.

Foes able to frontally penetrate the Jagdtiger in hull down position (hiding the lower glacis) are labeled in ☠red.

Due the potency of the 128mm APHE shell, specific modules must not be target. A successful hit into the crew compartment will sent any tank exploding.

  • IS-3: Shoot the pike, albeit it can be difficult to get through if it is angled straight forward.
  • IS-4M: The drives hatch is hard to get through with the tiny hole behind the additional armour. More favourable is the lower plate, or the gun mantlet on his left side.
  • T-10M: Shoot the lower glacis when not angled, or shoot the cupolas with HE.
  • SU-122-54: Anywhere, except try to avoid the gun mantle. No noteworthy armour, but it has a dangerous gun.
  • T-44: The frontal chassis can be very trolly with its ricochets. Turret and lower glacis nearly guaranteed a penetration and knocking them out instantly.
  • T-54s & mod.51: All can be penetrated through the turret front (left and right of gun mantlet) from closer than 500m. Except for the mod.47 the Jagdtiger may also shoot the chassis' armour plate, if it is pointed straight toward the Jagdtiger.
  • M47: Pretty much anywhere.
  • M60: Lot's of sloped armour. Frontally the commanders hatch can be picked, the turret ring, or gun mantle. Basically an armoured up Leopard.
  • T95: Albeit a rare sight, the few speciment encountered are driven by madmen, or masochist. Either way both tend to have good understanding of enemy weakpoints. Inside 500m the T95's stock AP shell can penetrate the upper and lower frontal plate and the APCR can pierce the superstructure, but not the chassis. Fortunatly the raw armour strength limits shrapnel power and penetrated shots will do minor area damage in the spacious crew compartment. Damage can be avoided entirely by staying at distances exceeding 500m.
    The T95's armour is in all due respect superior to the Jagdtiger, yet features two protruding weakspots: The two cupolas, hitting them is another issue though. Combat should be engaged in ranges less than 500m, beyond that accuracy will not allow to aim for weakspots.
  • M103: So much sloped armour. Try to shoot into the turret trap (lower gun mantlet) or the turrets cheeks.
  • Panthers/Pershing/M46: Entire front is penetrable.
  • Tiger II (H): Right turret cheek to disable the turret for a safe reload. Alternatively the lower glacis to get the transmission and a chance to knock out the entire crew.
  • Maus: Turret cheeks, multiple hits will be necessary. If possible a shot into either the fuel tanks or chassis ammo rack for the 12,8cm cannon should insta-knock-out the behemoth.
  • Jagdtiger: The lower plate is a good place to shoot. Make sure to hit at a good angle as the APBC can still bounce. Also, the flat parts of the superstructure when not angle work at close range.
  • Leopard: Shoot it anywhere. Don't miss.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Shares same hull as the Tiger II, so the upper glacis plate is still very tough
  • The front of the superstructure is very difficult to get through with anything less than APDS or HEAT
  • With its 6 man crew and thick armour, it's difficult to knock out this tank with one shot from an APDS or HEAT shell
  • Even better gun mantlet than the one on the T95. Totally and utterly impenetrable
  • 128 mm PaK 44 cannon is an accurate cannon with a surprisingly quick to reload. It takes 20 seconds to reload with decent crew. That is not bad considering the size and weight of the projectile that this gun fires
  • PzGr 43 round has the second highest penetration of any APCBC round in the game
  • Both the stock PzGr and PzGr 43 shells have an equivalent TNT explosive mass of 786 gram, ensuring devastating post-penetration damage
  • When hull down, the Jagdtiger is a true terror on the battlefield. Especially when there are few post-war tanks in the game

Cons:

  • Big target with a lot of ammunition in its hull. Shells that penetrate through the side can prove fatal
  • Despite having a better engine than the Tiger II(H), the Jagdtiger weighs 7 more tons. This leave a lot to be desired when it comes to maneuverability and acceleration
  • 20 second reload can be disastrous if the first shot missed
  • Like most other tank destroyers, the Jagdtiger doesn't have a traversable turret. This makes dealing with flanking enemies a nightmare
  • Just like all the other Tiger II's, the lower glacis is a easy target if not hull down
  • Matchmaking can constantly uptier the Jagdtiger
  • Corners of the superstructure are vulnerable to high penetration shells such as the M103's 120mm AP shell, T-10's 122mm APHE shell, British 183mm and 120mm shells, and Jagdtiger's own 128mm APHE shell

History

Development

This monster of a tank destroyer was inspired by the successes of previous tank destroyers such as the StuG III and the Marder series. Their efficiency in battle called for a request by Army General Staff to mount an enormous 128 mm gun on a self-propelled vehicle for infantry support in early 1942, but then Hitler changed it from its intended role to a tank destroyer. The 128 mm design was chosen as toolings already existed for the caliber, as it originated from a naval cannon design, which also was used the basis of an anti-aircraft gun. The 128 mm cannon also had a very high hit rate when compared to other formidable calibers like the 105 mm and 88 mm.

In early 1943, the armoured chassis that was to carry the 128 mm gun was to be either the Tiger I or Panther. However, early modeling showed that the installment of the 128 mm onto the Panther chassis was unsuitable. In October 20, 1943 the design was changed to use the Tiger II chassis and a wooden model was constructed for presentation to Hitler. Approved for further production, two prototypes were produced by Porsche and Henschel. Porsche version had a eight-wheel suspension system while the Henschel version had a nine-wheel overlapping suspension system similar to the Tiger II construction. The rest of the body was consistent to the current German tank destroyer designs, an armoured casemate structure was used to hold the new 128mm Pak 44 L/55 gun. The prototypes were completed and presented in February 1944, and were approved for service, earning the designation Jagdpanzer VI, but was later renamed to Jagdtiger. 150 of these Jagdtigers were ordered by the army, but only 88 (at most) were produced before the end of the war. Eleven of the Jagdtigers used the Porsche suspension system while the rest were using the Henschel suspension system.

What made the Jagdtiger very special was its enormous gun, the 128 mm Pak 44 L/55. At its introduction, no allied armour could withstand the shell it fires, and though the same lethality could be shared with the Tiger II's 88 mm Pak 43 , it has a much greater effective range of over 3.5 kilometers (though a variant of the Jagdtiger was equipped with the 88 mm Pak 43 due to 128 mm gun shortages, but this never entered service). The gun could penetrate an enemy tank hiding behind cover, such as a house, shooting right through the house and hitting the target on the other side. A disadvantage of the gun was its two-part ammunition, the shell and the propellant, which increases the loading time of the gun. The armour of the front of the Jagdtiger was 250 mm and 150 mm on the glacis plate. Like almost every casemate design, the Jagdtiger suffered from lack of turret traverse and must have the entire vehicle rotate when a target moves out of its traverse range. The Jagdtiger has the distinct title of the heaviest armoured fighting vehicle produced, weighing about 71 tons, but like most of Germany's heavy armoured vehicles late in the war, the Jagdtiger also suffered mechanical and mobility issues. The heavy weight caused it to be slow, and was easy to break down if the vehicle had to rotate to aim the gun, due to the heavily strained transmission and suspensions. Also, the gun had to be locked down (cannot traverse) when not in use to avoid wearing out the mounting brackets, and a crew member had to exit the vehicle to unlock it before firing.

Combat usage

The Jagdtiger was first issued on September 1944 to the Western front in the hands of the 512th and 653rd Heavy Panzerjäger Battalions. Otto Carius, a Tiger Ace, commanded the 2nd Company of 512th to defend against the Allied offensives. He comments that the Jagdtigers could not be brought to their full potential on the battlefield due to many pressing issues. The two most pressing issues of the Jagdtiger was the mechanical failures and lack of crew training on the heavy beasts. The mechanical issues forced many Jagdtigers to be disabled and eventually destroyed by their own crew as they abandoned it. Only 20% of the Jagdtigers on the Western Front were lost in combat, the rest were due to the mechanical failures or out of fuel. Crew training was insufficient with the Jagdtiger and so was morale, Otto Carius noted that two Jagdtigers failed to fire on Allied armour more than a mile away in fear of an air attack, even though they were well concealed, and both broke down as they tried to withdraw from the fear of air attacks. One was disabled when it fell into a bomb crater and another was lost because of friendly fire from Volksstrum, as they had never seen a Jagdtiger before. In another instance, a lone Jagdtiger engaged an American tank platoon. When the tank platoon opened fire, the Jagdtiger withdrew not by backing up, but turned around due to inexperienced crew training, exposing the weaker side armour and was destroyed. Eventually, Otto Carius's company was surrounded in the Ruhr pocket and he ordered the guns of the surviving Jagdtigers destroyed and to surrender to the Americans. Of the ten tigers in Otto's 2nd Company of the 512th batallion, one was lost to friendly fire, another by combat, and the rest by breakdown or crew destruction. The total American armour kills reached was ten American tanks, making one Allied tank loss for each Jagdtiger loss.

Though Otto's memoir left a sour note on the Jagdtiger's combat effectiveness, it had some success. On Janurary 17, 1945, two Jagdtigers engaged fortified positions near Auenheim with no loss. The next day, they engaged four bunkers at a distance of 1,000 meters. The combat had 46 high-explosive and 10 armoured-piercing shells fired on fortifications and tanks, the Jagdtigers were able to destroy a few Allied bunkers and tanks with no losses. Then in April 1945, 512th Battalion saw lots of action when the 1st company engaged Allied tanks and trucks in April 9th, destroying 11 tanks and over 30 other AFVs, the distance of engagement was more than 4,000 meters and ended with only one Jagdtiger lost due to an air attack. The next few days, the 1st company proceeded to destroy five more Shermans before surrendering at Iserlohn. All activity of the 512th Battallion ended with the surrender of the last of the 2nd company April 15th in the same city.

The Jagdtiger's impact on the war for Germany was negligible. There were not enough of them to change the course of the situation for Germany, plus the kill-to-loss ratio makes its production a waste of resources when much better models like the StuG were able to get even higher combat performances for a much more economical cost. It represents one of Germany's last attempts to model the belief that more armour and more firepower could equal success in a battlefield against a numerically superior enemy.

Survivors

Today, three Jagdtigers survive in museums. One is in Bovington Tank Museum in England, which is one of the 11 Porsche-suspension version and was captured in April 1945 by the British. Another is a Henschel-version at the National Armor & Cavalry Museum in Fort Benning, Georgia of America after being moved from the US Army Ordinance Museum, this was captured in March 1945. The last is in Kubinka Tank Museum in Russia, a Henschel-version that was captured in May 5, 1945 in Austria and is in the best mint condition of the three survivors.

Media

Skins and camouflages for the Jagdtiger from live.warthunder.com.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the vehicles;
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External links


Germany tank destroyers
Pz. I Derivatives  Panzerjäger I
Pz. II Derivatives  15cm sIG 33 B Sfl
Pz. 38(t) Derivatives  Marder III · Marder III H · Jagdpanzer 38(t)
Pz. III Derivatives  StuG III A · StuG III F · StuG III G · StuH 42 G
Pz. IV Derivatives  Jagdpanzer IV · Panzer IV/70(A) · Panzer IV/70(V) · Dicker Max · Nashorn · Brummbär · VFW
Pz. V Derivatives  Jagdpanther G1 · Bfw. Jagdpanther G1
Pz. VI Derivatives  Sturer Emil · Elefant · Ferdinand · 38 cm Sturmmörser · Jagdtiger
Wheeled/Half-track  8,8 cm Flak 37 Sfl. · Sd.Kfz.251/9 · Sd.Kfz.251/10 · Sd.Kfz.251/22 · Sd.Kfz.234/3 · Sd.Kfz.234/4 · 15 cm Pz.W.42
ATGM Carrier  RakJPz 2 · RakJPz 2 (HOT) · Wiesel 1A2
Other  Waffenträger · M109G · JPz 4-5 · Raketenautomat · VT1-2