Leaflet 75a/20
For official use only!
Temporary guidelines for the employment of the heavy
Tank-destroyers V "Jagdpanther"
On the 14. 6. 44
This is a confidential report. Misuse is punishable.
The Inspector-General of the Armoured Corps H.Qu.
OKH., on the 14. 6. 1944
I approve the leaflet 74a/ 20 “Temporary
guidelines for the employment the Heavy Tank-Destroyer V
"Jagdpanther" [N.f.D]. of the 14. 6.
1944”.
Guderian
I. Performances and features
The Jagdpanther is a heavy tank-destroyer. It is a
primary assault weapon for deployment by the High Command
to smash hostile tank attacks and is deployed in heavy
tank-destroyer battalions (Jagdpanther) as part of the
Army.
With its 8.8 cm s.Pak [heavy anti-tank gun] (L/ 71)
it can destroy all known enemy tanks at long ranges. Its
cross-country mobility and armour allow it to engage
enemy tanks in an offensive rôle as well as carry our
own attacks forward.
Lack of all-round firing capability, limited close
quarters defense and limited vision prohibit the use of
Jagdpanthers as tanks and require protection to be
provided by infantry or tanks.
II. Employment guidelines
The use of entire battalions is the primary condition
for a successful engagement.
If Jagdpanther companies must be deployed separately,
then they must be directly attached to units of less than
divisional status. Regiments and battalions are
instructed to cooperate with them. Prior to the issuance
of orders the commander of the Jagdpanthers must be heard
out. In any case, he remains responsible for the
completion of his orders.
The vehicle maintenance of individually deployed
companies is the responsibility of the battalion.
Deployment of individual platoons can only be
authorized for attacks against fortified positions
(Number 15) and in difficult terrain.
The deployment of single Jagdpanthers is forbidden.
To reinforce anti-tank defenses, Jagdpanthers are to
be utilized where the main thrust and direction of the
enemy’s tank attacks are evident. In these
situations the Jagdpanthers are to be deployed in force.
The Jagdpanther is not an anti-tank gun.
It is inappropriate to use them to secure positions.
The Jagdpanther is not self-propelled artillery.
The firing of high-explosive ammunition against
unarmoured targets can only be justified if, there are no
enemy tanks apparent, other heavy weapons are lacking or
unavailable, the supply of munitions permits it.
Following the completion of their orders the
Jagdpanthers are to be withdrawn from the front lines.
They are to be permitted the opportunity to attend to
maintenance and the restoration of combat readiness. The
provision of regular supplies will have a direct bearing
on the combat readiness of the Jagdpanthers.
III. Battle tactics
In battles with enemy tanks, especially when they
have numerical superiority, the long range of the main
gun is to be fully taken advantage of by opening fire
early (starting at 2500m).
When Jagdpanthers are deployed in hidden positions
and have not been spotted by enemy tanks, they should
allow the enemy tanks to reach the firing line. Firing
should commence suddenly and at short range,
concentrating fire to maximize effect.
Fire-fights are to be fought fully utilizing their
mobility, frequent position changes and opening fire from
different angles to enhance effectiveness.
Enemy tank attacks can be tied down by a number of
Jagdpanthers creating a fire front while the majority
attack from the flank or rear and destroy them.
Tasks of the Jagdpanther in the framework of a tank
attack are:
- supporting initial encounters by engaging the heavy
and heaviest tanks, - tying down the enemy’s tanks
along a front allowing them to be engaged from the flanks
or rear, - protection of one or both flanks of a tank
assault.
Jagdpanthers supporting infantry attack should follow
immediately behind the foremost troops. Their main
objective is engaging enemy tanks to the front and
flanks. Provided no enemy tanks are encountered, infantry
targets can be engaged with machine gun fire and high
explosive rounds should the success of the attack be
jeopardized.
When attacking bunkers, Jagdpanthers support the
advance of shock troops effectively by targeting the
embrasures of the bunkers. In conjunction with other
mobile units Jagdpanthers take part in chasing the
withdrawing enemy forces. Fuel and ammunition re-supply
is to be secured in advance.
When on the defensive, Jagdpanthers are to be kept in
closed formation behind lines threatened by enemy tank
attacks; approach routes, ready areas and firing
positions are to be explored and prepared. Distributing
them mince-meal along long stretches of the front lines
diminishes the weapon’s advantage and makes
leadership and supply difficult.
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Destroyed JagdPanther,
1945
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The digging in of Jagdpanthers in the
main battle line is forbidden.
Enemy tanks that have broken through the front lines
are to be destroyed according to the guidelines in
Numbers 9-12.
When breaking off from an engagement and retreating,
the Jagdpanthers are to be used as a mobile rearguard.
Good firing positions fully utilizing the available
terrain are to be duly explored. The firing positions are
to be laid out to allow the Jagdpanthers to quickly
reverse out of their positions to take cover. For the
immediate support of the rearguard troops they are
unsuitable due to the lack of a turret and enhanced
difficulty in recovering them. Close cooperation with the
infantry is essential.
When fighting for forests or towns the Jagdpanther
provides covering fire for the attacking units until they
achieve a break-through. For fighting in forests and
towns they are of limited use, because their mobility
cannot be brought to bear and the length of the main gun
makes turning in confined areas impossible. Sufficient
infantry protection is essential at all times.
At night, after in-depth reconnaissance Jagdpanthers
can be used in close conjunction with other weapons in
localized attacks.
Appendix 1.
Composition of the heavy tank-destroyer Battalion
(Jagdpanther).
Battalion headquarters: 3 Jagdpanther.
3 Companies: each with 14 Jagdpanther (2 in the
company headquarters, 4 each in 3 platoons).
Headquarters company: Signals platoon, Engineer
platoon, Anti-aircraft platoon.
Supply company.
Workshop platoon.
Appendix 2
Technical data for the heavy tank-destroyer V
"Jagdpanther".
Armament: 8.8cm s.Pak [heavy anti-tank gun] 43/ 3 (L/
71) 1 le.MG [machine gun]. (in front glacis plate) 1
le.MG [machine gun]. (loose)
Combat weight: 46,000 kg
Maximum speed: 30 km/h
Cruising speed: Street...25 km/h, Average
terrain...15 km/h
Range: Street...140 km, Average terrain...110, km
Rough terrain...80 km
Length (over all): 9.654 m
Width (over all): 3.270 m
Height (over all): 2.715
Firing height: 1,850 m
Fording capability: 2,45 m
Stepping capability: 0.90 m
Climbing capability: upward/downward...30º/40º
Wading capability: 1.55 m
Ammunition in stowage bins: 60 rounds
Gun: elevation...13º, depression...8º,
traverse...14º == 28º
Crew: Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver, Radio
operator.
Appendix 3
Index of leaflets and regulations.
1. Leaflets
(for use only as reference in connection with the
current leaflet ):
Leaflet 471/ 32: "Guidelines for the employment
of the heavy tank-destroyer "Ferdinand" (now
Elefant), Tiger-Porsche" of the 20. 5. 43. Leaflet
75/ 3: "Guidelines for employment and application
the tank-destroyer company 7,5/IV" of the 2. 10. 43.
2. D-regulations
(for the chassis’ of the Jagdpanther):
" Panzerkampfwagen Panther, models A and D,
equipment description of the chassis" of the 1. 1.
44. " Panzerkampfwagen Panther, models A and D,
notebook for lube and regular maintenance for the
chassis" of the 1. 11. 43 (to be left in the
vehicle). " Panzerkampfwagen Panther, models A and
D, handbook for tank drivers" of the 1. 11. 43.
" Panzerkampfwagen Panther, models A and D,
guidelines for tank maintenance, running gear" of
the 24. 1. 44. "Panzerkampfwagen Panther- Maybach
motor HL 230 P--HL 210 P 30 workshop handbook."
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