Sd.Kfz. 164 Nashorn (originally named Hornisse before Hitler ordered the name change in early 1944) was a German heavy tank destroyer introduced in early 1943 during World War II to counter heavily armored Soviet tanks like the T-34 and KV series. Built on the hybrid Geschützwagen III/IV chassis—which combined key mechanical components from the Panzer III with the suspension and hull base of the Panzer IV—it served as a lightly armored, open-topped self-propelled gun platform. Its primary weapon was the formidable 8.8 cm PaK 43/1 L/71 anti-tank gun, making it the first operational vehicle to field this high-velocity gun capable of penetrating 160 mm of armor at a range of 1,000 meters. Designed specifically for long-range engagements rather than direct close-quarters battles, the Nashorn successfully demonstrated the power of the 8.8 cm gun before it was later integrated into heavier designs like the Elefant, Jagdpanther, and Tiger II.
