- For the Steel Division II unit see SD2:Jagdpanther
Jagdpanther is a German Anti-tank unit. It is the most powerful anti-tank unit exclusive to the 352. Infanterie. The Jagdpanther is the result of mounting the infamous Pak 43 gun (also found on the Tiger II) onto the Panther chassis. Turretless, it is mainly suited to long-range open ground warfare where its gun packs a big punch, while its armour gives it adequate protection from a wide range of Allied anti-tank fire. It is a very powerful late-game addition to the German infantry division, in line with the more defensive doctrine of the division and providing a fearful amount of firepower.
Overview
The Jagdpanther is in essence a Panther G chassis modified to fit the Pak 43 gun, and was produced in small numbers during the last years of Nazi-Germany. Production started in January 1944 and only over 400 Jagdpanthers were produced in total, as German industrial power was waning under continual Allied bombing raids.
Schwere Panzerjager Abteilung 654 brought eight Jagdpanthers to Normandy with their 2. Kompanie arriving in June 29. This unit was the only unit to use Jagdpanther in the Normandy theater. The planned composition was that each Kompanie will get 14 Jagdpanthers and the Abteilung command element will get three command Jagdpanther. But lack of deliveries of Jagdpanther prevent the rest of 2. Kompanie and 3. Kompanie from training on Jagdpanthers until July 1 when 17 more Jagdpanther were delivered.
Strategy
Veteran Jagdpanthers become available in phase C, giving the 352. Infanterie access to an expensive yet devastating anti-tank weapon. Its armour, however, is only marginally better than that of a Panther tank, not enough to be completely impervious against the British 17-pdr. This, coupled with the fact that the turretless tank destroyer must rotate its entire tank body in order to shoot, makes the Jagdpanther particularly vulnerable since it is much more prone to revealing its sides to enemy fire. One should best regard the Jagdpanther as a somewhat forgiving glass cannon, though poor management of this unit will rapidly result in its costly destruction.
It is not well-suited for leading armoured thrusts, and fits more in a defensive position, in line with the doctrine of the German division it is attached to. Nevertheless, it is a powerful veteran unit and its accurate gun is capable of destroying any Allied tank with ease, allowing the 352. Infanterie to stay relevant in the late game.
Gallery
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