Jagdpanzer IV was an improved and modified version of Stug III, designed as eventual replacement for it. In December of 1942, new tank destroyer with 100mm frontal armour, armed with 75mm Pak 42 L/70 gun and based on PzKpfw IV was requested by the Waffenamt. The vehicle was to have low silhouette with main gun mounted in a superstructure. The new vehicle was designated as Sturmgeschutz neuer Art mit 7.5cm PaK L/48 auf Fahrgestell PzKpfw IV but was also known as Jagdpanzer E 39 and more commonly as Jagdpanzer IV. Work on its design took place in early 1943 and on May 13th of 1943, Vomag produced a wooden mock-up, which was show to Hitler in September of 1943. The main role of the new vehicle was to be a tank destroyer and first soft steel prototype was ready in October of 1943, which was then shown to Hitler as well. In December of 1943, final prototype of Jagdpanzer IV was ready and Vomag was ordered to start production as soon as possible.
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