This rare photograph shows an impressive piece of Wehrmacht equipment: the 8.8 cm Pak 43/1 “Hornisse,” also known as the Nashorn, during transport on a ferry. This massive tank destroyer was one of the most dangerous tank destroyers of World War II – and became famous for its ability to destroy even heavily armored Allied tanks at long range.

The Pak 43 was originally developed as a stationary anti-tank gun, but its enormous penetration power led to its adoption as a mobile vehicle. Mounted on the chassis of the Panzerkampfwagen IV and III, the Hornisse was a vehicle that took firepower and mobility to a new level. The weapon could penetrate almost any enemy tank from a distance of over 2,000 meters—a feat that commanded respect from the Allies.

The image depicts not only the weapon itself, but also the logistical challenges of war: How do you transport a 24-ton combat machine across rivers or canals? The answer: with improvised or specially prepared ferries. The sight of the Hornet on a swaying pontoon seems almost surreal—a mixture of technical precision and improvised madness.

Such images are rare and valuable because they depict the reality behind the front lines. A technical masterpiece, preserved today in only a few museums, recalls a time when technology and destruction went hand in hand.