Schwere Panzerjager Abteilung 654 were the first operational unit to be issued with the Jagdpanther in May 1944. Following training in France, the second and third companies went into action in Normandy in July. The combination of the Panther's proven chassis; good armour protection and the awesome 88mm L71 armament should have ensured that this new tank destroyer was an immediate success. The reality was very different with the overburdened steering gears and final drives failing with alarming regularity. The maintenance troops worked round the clock to keep their Jagdpanthers operational. In addition to mechanical issues, the Normandy bocage with its narrow lanes and impenetrable hedges severely restricted the effectiveness of the Jagdpanther. Combat reports suggest that targets were often observed but not engaged, as the crews were unable to turn their vehicles in the narrow French lanes. Manoeuvring in the tight hedgerows often resulted in damage to the vehicle, with external fittings and tools ripped off and lost. Almost immediately, the maintenance companies reworked all vehicles by removing the stowage frames from the sides of the hull and remounting the tools on the less vulnerable engine deck and rear faces of the vehicle. Interestingly, the Battalion Commander of the 654th, Hauptmann Noak sent a request in writing, complete with dimensioned drawings, suggesting that manufacturers of the Jagdpanther install the tools to the rear of the vehicle in the factory. It was 1945 before this request was realised on production machines, although his proposal that a cupola be fitted was never adopted. When the first company of the 654th received their Jagdpanthers in early August 1944, the maintenance company was already at the front with the second and third companies. As a result, these Jagdpanthers were not modified and went into combat with factory fitted tool stowage.
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