Nashorn in Action !
The most notable Nashorn ace was platoon commander of 1st company of sPzJagAbt 519, Junior Lieutenant Albert Ernst. He later commanded the 1st company of sPzJagAbt 512 (equipped with
Jagdtigers). On December 23rd of 1943, he destroyed some 14 Soviet tanks in a single day using only 21 round of ammunition. The engagement took place near Vitebsk and Albert Ernst received a nickname "Tiger of Vitebsk". In December of 1943, Ernst destroyed total of 19 enemy tanks and on January 22nd of 1944, he was awarded the Knight’s Cross.
It is reported that in early March of 1945, Lieutenant Beckmann from sPzJagAbt 88 destroyed Soviet IS-2 at the range of 4600 meters near Marzdorf.
Some Nashorn crews reported that they were able to knock out Soviet T-34 tanks at distance as great as 4000 meters. Nashorn crews also reported numerous kills of KV and IS-2 tanks as well as SU-152, ISU-122 and ISU-152 assault guns.
Nashorn from 2nd Company of schwere Heeres Panzer Jaeger Abteilung 93 was also responsible for the destruction of the only M26 Pershing, destroyed in Europe. Pershing from the 3rd Armored Division was knocked out at the distance of 250 meters with a single shot. This engagement took place in the town of Niehl, north of Cologne on March 6th of 1945.
Nashorn Interior
Nashorn - Interior with 88mm Pak 43/1 L/71 gun.
Specifications
Weight: 24000kg
Crew: 4-5 men
Engine: Maybach HL 120 TRM / 12-cylinder / 300hp
Speed: Road: 42km/h
Cross-Country: 20-24km/h
Range: Road: 260km
Cross-Country: 130km
Fuel Capacity: 470 litres
Lenght: 8.44m (with the gun)
Width: 2.86m
Height: 2.65m
Armament: 88mm Pak 43/1 L/71 & 1 x 7.92mm MG34/42
(1 x MG - carried inside)
Ammo: 88mm - 24-40 rounds
7.92mm - 600 rounds
Armor (mm/angle): Front Hull: 30/20
Front Superstructure: 10/37
Side Hull: 20/0
Side Superstructure: 10/16
Rear Hull: 20/10
Rear Superstructure: 10/10
Hull Top / Bottom: 15/90
Gun Shield: 10/37
Penetration of Armor Plate at 30 degrees from Vertical. Ammunition: 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m Panzergranate 39 203mm 185mm 165mm 148mm 132mm Panzergranate 40/43 237mm 217mm 193mm 171mm 153mm Pzgr.39 (APCBC) - Armor Piercing Composite Ballistic Cap Pzgr.40/43 (APCR) - Armor Piercing Composite Rigid (Tungsten Core)