In general, the Hetzer was classified as early and late types, and differed in road wheels, panel hatch and Saukopf gun mantlet by production lots. It was a successful light weight tank destroyer with low production cost and simple mechanical operation. A lot of Hetzer were issued to many different units in the last stages of WWII. They were involved in hard combat actions on both Eastern and Western Fronts. Despite poor armor and a very cramped interior, it was recorded that a Hetzer even destroyed a Soviet heavy tank, the JS-2.