Nashorn (Hornisse, Sd.Kfz. 164)
In service 1943 - 1945
The long 88 on a lightly armoured chassis - a sniper that killed at ranges nothing else could reach.
Built byDeutsche Eisenwerke
Photograph pending. No clearly licensed photograph of this vehicle was found.
Development history
Built on the Geschutzwagen III/IV chassis shared with the Hummel, the Nashorn carried the enormous PaK 43 in an open superstructure. Protection was nominal, so crews fought from ambush at long range, where the gun could penetrate any Allied tank frontally. Nashorn units on the Eastern Front and in Italy racked up remarkable kill claims, including the longest confirmed tank kills of the war, while remaining desperately vulnerable once spotted.
Variants
One canonical record, 2 recorded variants.
Hornisse
1943Original designation until early 1944
Nashorn
1944Renamed, minor superstructure and stowage changes
Notable actions
- Battle of Kursk
- Italian Campaign
- Eastern Front 1944-45