The E-60 Ausf. D Late Type was the final mass-production model of the E-60 series, incorporating all lessons learned from earlier variants to create the most optimized and battlefield-effective version. Unlike previous models that relied on borrowed turret designs, the Ausf. D featured a fully customized turret, improving both armor protection and crew efficiency.

With a total production of approximately 1,500 units, the E-60 Ausf. D became the most widespread heavy tank variant in the series, serving in frontline assault roles, defensive operations, and night combat missions.

Design and Features

The E-60 Ausf. D introduced several key enhancements over its predecessors, including:

• A fully customized turret, designed specifically for the E-60 chassis, improving armor angling and shell deflection.
• Primary Armament:
  • 12.8cm high-velocity tank gun, offering superior long-range anti-armor capability.
  • Ammunition capacity: 40 rounds for sustained engagements.
• Improved crew protection and infantry defense systems:
  • Front-mounted hull machine gun, providing better close-range defense against infantry threats.
  • Some units received additional secondary turret-mounted armor, increasing protection against HEAT (high-explosive anti-tank) rounds.
• Modular armor configurations, allowing weight to range between 60-65 tons, depending on specific battlefield adaptations.
• Infrared night vision equipment, installed on most late-production units, enabling superior effectiveness in night operations.

Combat Performance

The E-60 Ausf. D Late Type was deployed in high-intensity engagements, excelling in:

• Tank duels against enemy heavy armor, utilizing its superior firepower and sloped armor design.
• Defensive fortifications, where its reinforced turret armor and additional protective layers made it highly resistant to enemy AT fire.
• Night combat missions, leveraging its infrared night vision systems to maintain an advantage in low-light conditions.