Tank Craft 45: Nashorn Self-Propelled Tank Destroyer, German Army, Eastern Front 1943-1945 outlines the history, development, and use of this dedicated self-propelled gun. Initially named the Hornisse (Hornet - also the name of the Me-410 heavy fighter/fast bomber), it was soon renamed the Nashorn (pronounced Nahz-horn – Rhinoceros). From the earliest days of Operation Barbarossa, it became apparent that the German anti-tank guns of the time were underpowered, and towing them into position was problematic. The 88mm flak guns were soon given the successful anti-tank gun role. In June 1942, the 8.8cm Flak 41 entered production, and it had superior range and performance to its predecessors. It was decided to produce both a towed and self-propelled version for testing. This is the story of the self-propelled tank destroyer, Nashorn.

This 64-page book is outlined in the familiar TankCraft format and is loaded with incredible black and white photographs, color illustrations, supporting text and detailed captions, modeling references, and a bibliography in the following chapters:

• Introduction
• The Western Front, 1943-1945
• The Hornisse/Nashorn Units
• Camouflage and Markings
• Model Showcase
• Modelling Products
• Technical Details and Modifications
• The Kriegsstärkenweissungen (War Strength Predictions)
• Product Contact Details

Author Dennis Oliver continues to do an amazing job highlighting the actions, self-propelled guns, and units doing the fighting. This is further highlighted for modelers with 24 Nashorn color profiles over 12 pages, three fantastic model builds (over 14 pages), six pages of model manufacturers, the extensive technical details and modifications, but surprisingly, no information on aftermarket details. This is a treasure trove of information on the Hornisse and Nashorn, and the differences within the variants.

The Technical Details and Modifications chapter is amazing with crisp illustrations and photographs, and clearly marked arrows and captions for details. This section is worth the price of the book as the author points out manufacturing and production differences, camouflage schemes, and what makes the different variants unique.

After reading this chapter, the reader can reference the many beautiful black and white photographs and color profiles to pick out the details.

The Nashorn legacy looms large in collective memories and reports from its service. The author states,

Less than 500 examples of the Nashorn were assembled from February 1943 to March 1945, and it was always regarded as a transitional solution, bridging the gap between the improvised Panzerjäger (armor hunter/anti-tank) and the purpose-built Jagdpanzer (tank destroyer). Nevertheless, its main gun was a fearsome weapon, and although some post-war claims as to its efficacy should be viewed with some circumspection, official after-action reports consistently suggested the gun’s optimum range was 2,000 meters. The Nashorn’s failings came to the fore when it was employed as a tank, which was actually forbidden, but in its intended role as an anti-tank weapon, firing from concealed positions, it had few equals.

This is a great book if you want to learn more about modelling a Hornisse or Nashorn, particularly on the Eastern Front in 1944. The Nashorn never really struck a chord with me as a modeler; however, this book changed my opinion, and I will soon be building one of the Nashorns illustrated in the book. At this point, I’m not sure which one, perhaps there will be a few. Thanks, Dennis Oliver, for expanding my stash through this great book.

Profuse thanks to Casemate and IPMS-USA for providing the review sample.