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Conversion of postwar Swiss G-13 tank destroyer back into wartime Hetzer via removal of gun muzzle brake, repositioning of spare wheel and tracks, install V-shield remote control machine gun, and painting of 3-tone ambush camouflage. Modern successor to this low silhouette compact tank destroyer design is Sweden's Stridsvagn 103 tank (also known as S-Tank), which utilizes suspension hydraulics to control gun aim and pitch. Swedish Stridsvagn 103 - www.cidwebs.com/armorinscale/referencesstank6.htm
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Scandinavian forces (Norwegians - Swedes - Finns - Danes), usually create hard-edged green-tone splinter camouflage to match local terrain. Scandinavian Armor - www.haaland.info/sweden/tank/index.html
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Swiss Army operated G-13 tank destroyers until 1973 before changing over to German Leopard II tanks. Retired G-13s were sold to military restoration organizations since very few wartime Hetzers survived WW2 intact. Hetzer Rebuilt - www.vmmv.org/tanktk/hetzer/hetzer.htm
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Rollover : Hetzer at Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor, freshly painted in dapple pattern to mimic German ambush camouflage. Hetzer with only its light tan coat before dapple application, tall antenna mount on rear engine deck indicates this Hetzer was formerly a postwar . Patton Museum refers to Gen. George S. Patton, leading American armor strategist during WW2, commanding multiple formations including US Fifteenth Army, US Third Army, US 2nd Armored Division, etc. Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor Vehicle Collection List - www.armorfortheages.com/index.htm
- Patton's personality was controversial, such as belittling and physical abuse of American soldiers for
battlefield Shell-Shock fatigue during 1943 Sicilian campaign, or his refusal to comply with Gen. Eisenhower's order for De-Nazification of postwar Germany in 1945. Being deeply religious, some say he opted for a quasi-Judeo-Christian crusade against atheists Soviet regime dominating Eastern Europe at that time. George S. Patton - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_S._Patton
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Nevertheless, Patton military prowess in armored warfare was indispensable American asset during WW2. Despite calls for his removal from certain military and political circles, US Gen. Eisenhower keep critics at bay and continued his support for Patton. Patton died from traffic accident injuries in Heidelberg - Germany, and is buried among American troops at Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial in Hamm, Luxembourg. LUXEMBOURG AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL - www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/lx.php
- Inset : In addition to Jadghetzer design, Panzer 38t chassis also incorporated into Marder III ausf M version, or via formal German nomenclature Panzerjäger 38(t) für 7.5cm PaK40/3 Ausf M, SdKfz 138, Marder III. Vehicle had rear open fighting compartment (engine moved to the front) which gave its crew better field of vision, but also vulnerable to enemy light caliber fire and shrapnel. Note German classification between a Jadgpanzer versus Panzerjadger, former was tank destroyer in enclosed armor structure so it can both ambush and duel with enemy tanks, latter was incorporation of anti-tank gun in open fighting compartment hence suited more for ambushes rather armor slugging matches. Marder (Marten) Series - www.achtungpanzer.com/marder.htm
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