Panzer catalogue
The German Tankmuseum (Deutsches Panzer-museum) in Munster welcomes you to its museum and this catalogue. During World War II, tanks were developed at faster rate than ever before. In 1920s and 1930s many countries classified tanks as an untried weapon, not paying too much attention to their development and deployment. Germany on the other hand under Adolf Hitler’s rule was working on the new kind of warfare “Blitzkrieg” - The Lightning War that involved massive use of tanks, motorized infantry and airforce. Tactics of Blitzkrieg designed new role for tanks spearheads for quick penetration of an enemy territory. On September 1st of 1939, Germans had demostrated Panzerwaffe’s superiority to the entire world in their Blitzkrieg through Poland that only lasted five weeks. This demonstration of force started worldwide conflict known as World War II, which lasted six years.
5
The Panzerkampfwagen II
The Panzer II is the common name used for a family of German tanks used in World War II. The official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen II (abbreviated PzKpfw II). Although the vehicle had originally been designed as a stopgap while larger, more advanced tanks were developed, it nonetheless went on to play an important role in the early years of World War II, during the Polish and French campaigns. The Panzer II was the most numerous tank in the German Panzer divisions beginning with the invasion of France. It was used in both North Africa against the Western Allies and on the Eastern Front against the Soviet Union. The Panzer II was supplanted by the
cess against enemy tanks. Designs for a
Panzer III and IV medium tanks by
stopgap tank were solicited from Krupp,
1940/1941. By the end of 1942, it had
MAN, Henschel, and Daimler-Benz. De-
been largely removed from front line ser-
sign work on the Panzer II began on 27
vice and it was used for training and on
January 1934. The first experimental
secondary fronts. The turrets of the then
model was ready in February 1935. The
obsolete Panzer Is and Panzer IIs were
final design was based on the Panzer I,
reused as gun turrets on specially built
but larger, and with a turret mounting a
defensive bunkers, particularly on the At-
20 mm anti-tank gun. Production began
lantic Wall. Production of the tank itself
in 1935, but it took another eighteen
ceased by January 1944, but its chassis
months for the first combat-ready tank to
remained in use as the basis of several
be delivered.
other armoured vehicles, chiefly self-propelled artillery and tank destroyers such as the Wespe and Marder II respectively.
6
Development history
Background
Armor
In 1934, delays in the design and pro-
The Panzer II was designed before the
duction of the Panzer III and Panzer IV
experience of the Spanish Civil War of
medium tanks were becoming apparent.
1936 - 1939 showed that protection
The Panzer I had no armour defeating
against Armour-piercing shells was re-
weapons and thus no chance of suc-
quired for tanks to survive on a modern
Marder I in Russia
battlefield. Prior to that, armour was
minute sustained) from 10-round maga-
designed to stop machine gun fire and
zines. A total of 180 shells were carried.
high-explosive shell fragments. The Panzer II also had a 7.92 mm The Panzer II Ausf. A to C had 14 mm
Maschinengewehr
of slightly sloped homogeneous steel ar-
mounted coaxially with the main gun.
34*
machine
gun
mour on the sides, front, and back, with 10 mm of armour on the top and bottom.
The 2 cm auto-cannon proved to be in-
Most of them were later given increased
effective against many Allied tanks, and
armour in the front of the vehicle, most
experiments were conducted with a view
noticable by the changed appearance of
to replacing it with a 37 mm cannon, but
the front hull from rounded to boxy shape.
nothing came of this. Prototypes were
Starting with the D model, the front ar-
built with a 50 mm tank gun, but by
mour was increased to 30 mm. The Mod-
then the Panzer II had outlived its use-
el F had 35 mm front armour and 20 mm
fulness as a tank regardless of armament.
side armour. This level of protection was
Greater success was had by replacing the
still only proof against small arms fire.
standard 2 cm armour-piercing explosive
This amount of armour could be penetrat-
ammunition with tungsten cored sol-
ed by towed antitank weapons, such as
id ammunition, but due to shortages of
the Soviet 45mm, the British 2 Pdr and
tungsten this ammunition was in chron-
the canon de 47.
ically short supply.
Armament
Mobility
Most tank versions of the Panzer II were
All production versions of the Panzer II
armed with a 2 cm KwK 30 L/55 au-
were fitted with a 140 PS, gasoline-fu-
to-cannon (Muzzle velocity 1,050 m/s).
elled six-cylinder Maybach HL 62 TRM
Some later versions used the similar 2 cm
engine and ZF transmissions. Models A,
KwK 38 L/55. This auto-cannon was
B, and C had a top speed of 40 km/h.
based on the 2 cm FlaK 30 anti-aircraft
Models D and E had a torsion bar suspen-
gun, and was capable of firing at a rate of
sion and a better transmission, giving a
600 rounds per minute (280 rounds per
top road speed of 55 km/h but the cross
*The MG 34 was the most commonly used machinegun is German tanks.
7
country speed was much lower than pre-
to 14.5 mm on all sides, as well as a
vious models, so the Model F reverted to
14.5 mm floor plate, and an improved
the previous leaf spring type suspension.
transmission. It entered production in
All versions had a range of 200 km.
July 1937 and was superseded by the Ausf. B in December 1937, introducing
Crew
only minimal changes.
The Panzer II had a crew of three men. The driver sat in the forward left hull with
Few minor changes were made in the
the gearbox on the right. The commander
Ausf. C version, which became the stan-
sat in a seat in the turret, and was re-
dard production model from June 1938
sponsible for aiming and firing the can-
through April 1940. A total of 1,113 ex-
non and co-axial machine gun, while a
amples of Ausf. c, A, B, and C tanks were
loader/radio operator sat on the floor of
built from March 1937 through April
the tank behind the driver. He had a ra-
1940 by Alkett, FAMO, Daimler-Benz,
dio on the left and several 20mm ammu-
Henschel, MAN, MIAG, and Wegmann.
nition storage bins.
These models were almost identical and were used in service interchangeably. This was the most widespread tank version of the Panzer II. Earlier versions of Ausf. C have a rounded hull front, but many had additional armour plates bolted on the turret and hull front. Some were also retro-fitted with commander’s
Marder II of Helmut Kohlke. Note the barrelstripes indicating the number of confermed kills
cupolas.
Panzer II Ausf. D and E
Main production models
With a completely new torsion bar
Panzer II Ausf. A, B and C
Ausf. D was developed as a tank for use
The first true production model, the
in the cavalry divisions. Only the turret
Ausf. A, included an armour upgrade
was the same as the Ausf. C model, with
suspension with four road wheels, the
8
a new hull and superstructure design and
was the final major tank version of the
the use of a Maybach HL62TRM engine
Panzer II series.
driving a seven-gear transmission (plus reverse). The design was shorter (4.65
Panzer II (Flamm)
m) but wider (2.3 m) and taller (2.06 m)
Based on the same suspension as the
than the Ausf. C. Speed was increased to
Ausf. D and Ausf. E tank versions, the
55 km/h. A total of 43 Ausf. D tanks were
Flamm (also known as “Flamingo”) used
built from October 1938 through March
a new turret mounting a single MG34
1939 by MAN, and they served in Poland.
machine
They were withdrawn in March 1940 for
controlled flamethrowers mounted in
conversion to the flame tank Panzer II
small turrets at each front corner of the
gun,
and
two
remotely
(Flamm). The Ausf. E differed from the
vehicle. Each flamethrower could cov-
Ausf. D by having lubricated tracks, only
er the front 180° arc, while the turret
7 chassis were ever completed.
traversed 360°.
Panzer II Ausf. F
The flamethrowers were supplied with
Continuing the conventional design of
320 litres of fuel and four tanks of
the Ausf. C, the Ausf. F superstructure
compressed nitrogen. The nitrogen tanks
front was made from a single piece of
were built into armoured boxes along
armour plate with a redesigned visor.
each side of the superstructure. Armour
Also, a dummy visor was placed next to it
was 30 mm to the front and 14.5 mm to
to confuse enemy gunners. The hull was
the side and rear, although the turret was
redesigned with a flat 35 mm plate
increased to 20 mm at the sides and rear.
on its front, and the armour of the superstructure and turret were built up
Total
weight
was
12
tonnes
and
to 30 mm on the front with 15 mm to
dimensions were increased to a length of
the sides and rear. There was some minor
4.9 m and width of 2.4 m although it was
alteration of the suspension and a new
a bit shorter at 1.85 m tall. A FuG2 ra-
commander’s cupola as well. Weight in-
dio was carried. Two sub-variants existed:
creased to 9.5 tonnes. From March 1941
the Ausf. A and Ausf. B which differed
to December 1942, 524 were built; this
only in minor suspension components.
9
One hundred and fifty-five Flamm ve-
290 km (180 mi). The FuG12 and FuG
hicles were built from January 1940
Spr a radios were installed, while 330
through March 1942. These were mostly
rounds of 20 mm and 2,250 rounds of
on new chassis, but 43 were converted
7.92 mm ammunition were carried. Total
from Panzer II Ausf. D/E. The Flammpan-
vehicle weight was 11.8 tonnes.
zer II was deployed in the USSR, but was not very successful due to its limited armor, and survivors were soon withdrawn for conversion to Marder II tank destroyers in December 1941.
Panzer II Ausf. L “Luchs” A light reconnaissance tank, the Ausf. L,
Luchs
was the only Panzer II design with the Schachtellaufwerk
overlapping/inter-
leaved road wheels and “slack track” configuration to enter series production, with
Self-propelled guns on Panzer II chassis
100 being built from September 1943 to sion of the four Ausf. M tanks. Originally
15 cm sIG 33 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II (Sf)
given the experimental designation VK
One of the first gun mount variants of the
1303, it was adopted under the alternate
Panzer II design was to emplace a 15 cm
name Panzerspähwagen II and given the
sIG 33 heavy infantry gun on a turret-less
January 1944 in addition to the conver-
popular name Luchs (“Lynx”).
Panzer II chassis. The prototype utilized an Ausf. B tank chassis, but it was quick-
10
The Luchs was larger than the Ausf. G
ly realized that it was not sufficient for the
in most dimensions (length 4.63 m;
mounting. A new, longer chassis incorpo-
height 2.21 m; width 2.48 m). It was
rating an extra road wheel was designed
equipped with a six speed transmission
and built, named the Fahrgestell Panzer-
(plus reverse), and could reach a speed
kampfwagen II. An open-topped 15 mm
of 60 km/h (37 mph) with a range of
thick armored superstructure sufficient
against small arms and shrapnel was pro-
vide a large, open-topped fighting com-
vided around the gun. This was not high
partment with a Soviet 76.2mm antitank
enough to give full protection for the crew
gun, which, while not turreted, did have
while manning the gun, although they
significant traverse.
were still covered directly to the front by the tall gun shield. Only 12 were built
Only developed as an interim solution,
in November and December 1941. These
the vehicle was clearly too tall and poorly
served with the 707th and 708th Heavy
protected, but had a powerful weapon.
Infantry Gun Companies in North Africa until their destruction in 1943.
7.5 cm PaK 40 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II (Marder II) (Sd.Kfz. 131) While the 7.62 cm PaK 36(r) was a good stopgap measure, the 7.5 cm PaK 40 mounted on the tank chassis of the Ausf. F resulted in a better overall fighting machine. New production amounted to 576 examples from June 1942 to June 1943, as well as the conversion of 75 tanks after
Marder II in Russia
new production had stopped. The work was done by Daimler-Benz, FAMO, and
7.62 cm PaK 36(r) auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf. D/E (Marder II) (Sd.Kfz. 132)
MAN. A much improved superstructure
After a lack of success with conventional
with the Germans on all fronts through
and flame tank variants on the Ausf. D/E
the end of the war.
for the 7.62 cm mounting was built giving a lower profile. The Marder II served
chassis, it was decided to use the remaining chassis to mount captured Soviet antitank guns. The hull and suspension was
5 cm PaK 38 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II
unmodified from the earlier models, but
Conceived along the same lines as the
the superstructure was built up to pro-
Marder II, the 5 cm PaK 38 was an ex-
11
pedient solution to mount the 50 mm
installation of the leFH 18 in the field if
antitank gun on the Panzer II chassis.
needed.
However, the much greater effectiveness of the 75 mm antitank gun made this option less desirable. Production quantity is unknown.
Limited production, experiments and prototypes
Leichte Feldhaubitze 18 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II (Wespe)
Panzerkampfwagen II mit Schwimmkörper
After the development of the Fahrgestell
One of Germany’s first attempts at devel-
Panzerkampfwagen II for mounting the
oping an amphibious tank, the Schwim-
sIG 33, Alkett designed a version mount-
mkörper was a device built by Gebr
ing a 10.5 cm leichte Feldhaubitze 18/2
Sachsenberg that consisted of two large
field howitzer in an open-topped super-
pontoons, with one attached to each side
structure.
of a Panzer II tank. The tanks were specially sealed, some modifications to the
This was Germany’s only widely produced
engine exhaust and cooling were needed,
self-propelled 105 mm howitzer. Be-
as was an inflatable rubber ring used to
tween February 1943 and June 1944,
seal the turret during amphibious oper-
676 were built by FAMO, and it served
ation. A propeller linked by a universal
on all major fronts.
joint to an extension was linked to the tank’s engine provided motive pow-
12
Munitions Selbstfahrlafette auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II
a rudder mounted behind the propeller.
To support the Wespe in operation, 159
Speeds of up to 6 mph in dead calm were
Wespe chassis were completed without
claimed, as was the ability to cope with
installation of the howitzer, instead func-
conditions up to sea state 4. Once ashore
tioning as ammunition carriers. They car-
the pontoons were detachable. The modi-
ried 90 rounds of 105 mm calibre. These
fied tanks were issued to the 18th Panzer
could be converted to normal Wespes by
Regiment, which was formed in 1940.
er, steering in water being effected by
However, with cancellation of Operation
reverse) similar to that of the PzKpfw
Sealion, the plan to invade England, the
38(t) n.A. Only prototypes were ever com-
tanks were used in the conventional man-
pleted by the time of cancellation in Sep-
ner by the regiment on the Eastern Front.
tember 1942.
Panzer II Ausf. G (PzKpfw IIG)
Panzer II Ausf. J (Pz.Kpfw. IIJ)
The fourth and final suspension configu-
Continued development of the recon-
ration used for the Panzer II tanks was
naissance tank concept led to the much
the five overlapping road wheel configu-
up-armoured Ausf. J, which used the
ration termed Schachtellaufwerk by the
same concept as the Pz.Kpfw. IF of the
Germans. This was used as the basis for
same period, under the experimental
the redesign of the Panzer II into a re-
designation VK 1601. Heavier armour
connaissance tank with high speed and
was added, bringing protection up to
good off-road performance. The Ausf. G
80 mm on the front (similar to the max-
was the first Panzer II to use this con-
imum armour found on the KV-1 model
figuration, and was developed under the
1941 Soviet heavy tank) and 50 mm
experimental designation VK 901. There
to the sides and rear, with 25 mm roof
is no record of the Ausf. G being issued
and floor plates, increasing total weight
to combat units, and only 12 full vehicles
to 18 tonnes. Equipped with the same
were built from April 1941 to February
Maybach HL45P as the Pz.Kpfw. IF, top
1942 by MAN. The turrets were subse-
speed was reduced to 31 km/h (19 mph).
quently issued for use in fortifications.
Primary armament was the 2 cm KwK
Two were converted to use the 50mm Pak
38 L/55 gun. 22 were produced by MAN
38 and troop-tested on the Eastern Front.
between April and December 1942, and seven were issued to the 12th Panzer Di-
Panzer II Ausf. H (Pz.Kpfw. IIH)
vision on the Eastern Front.
Given experimental designation VK 903, the Ausf. H was intended as the production model of the Ausf. G, with armor for the sides and rear increased to 20 mm and a new four speed transmission (plus
13
The Panzerkampfwagen I I I
The Panzerkampfwagen III, commonly known as the Panzer III, was a medium tank developed in the 1930s by Germany, and was used extensively in World War II. The official German ordnance designation was Sd.Kfz. 141. It was intended to fight other armoured fighting vehicles and serve alongside and support the Panzer IV; however, as the Germans faced the formidable T-34, more powerful anti-tank guns were needed, and since the Panzer IV had more development potential, it was redesigned to mount the long-barrelled 7.5 cm KwK 40 gun. The Panzer III effectively became obso-
primary tasks when assisting infantry in
lete in the anti-tank role and was sup-
breakthroughs, and exploit gaps in the
planted by the Panzer IV. From 1942, the
enemy lines where opposition had been
last version of Panzer III mounted the 7.5
removed, moving through and attack-
cm KwK 37 L/24, better suited for infan-
ing the enemy’s unprotected lines of
try support. Production of the Panzer III
communication and the rear areas. The
ended in 1943. However, the Panzer III’s
first task was direct combat against oth-
capable chassis provided hulls for the
er tanks and other armoured vehicles, r
Sturmgeschütz III assault gun until the
equiring the tank to fire armour piercing
end of the war.
(AP) shells. On January 11, 1934, following specifications laid down by Heinz* Guderian,
*Heinz Guderian had pioneered motorized tactics in the pre-war army, while keeping himself well informed about tank development in other armies.
the Army Weapons Department drew up plans for a medium tank with a maximum weight of 24,000 kg (53,000 lb) and a top speed of 35 km/h (22 mph). It was intended as the main tank of the Gun of the Panzer III with muzzle break.
German Panzer divisions, capable of engaging and destroying opposing tank forc-
14
Background
es, and was to be paired with the Panzer
At the time, German (non-light) tanks
IV, which was to fulfil the second use:
were expected to carry out one of two
dealing with anti-tank guns and infantry
Standard hullmounted machinegun in German tanks
strong points, such as machine-gun nests,
Much of the early development work on
firing high-explosive shells at such soft
the Panzer III was a quest for a suitable
targets. Such supportive tanks designed
suspension. Several varieties of leaf-
to operate with friendly infantry against
spring suspensions were tried on Ausf. A
the enemy generally were heavier and
through Ausf. D, usually using eight rela-
carried more armour.
tively small-diameter road wheels before the torsion-bar suspension of the Ausf.
The direct infantry-support role was to
E was standardized, using the six road
be provided by the turret-less Sturm-
wheel design that became standard. The
geschütz assault gun, which mounted a
Panzer III, along with the Soviet KV heavy
short-barrelled gun on a Panzer III chas-
tank, was one of the early tanks to use
sis.
this suspension design first seen on the Stridsvagn L-60 a few years earlier.
Development history
A distinct feature of the Panzer III,
Development
(1924), was the three-man turret. This
Daimler-Benz, Krupp, MAN, and Rhein-
meant that the commander was not dis-
metall all produced prototypes. Testing
tracted with another role in the tank (e.g.
of these took place in 1936 and 1937,
as gunner or loader) and could fully con-
leading to the Daimler-Benz design being
centrate on maintaining awareness of the
chosen for production. The first model of
situation and directing the tank. Most
the Panzer III, the Ausführung A. (Ausf.
tanks of the time did not have this ca-
influenced by British Vickers tanks
A), came off the assembly line in May
pability, providing the Panzer III with a
1937. Ten, two of which were unarmed,
combat advantage versus such tanks. For
were produced in that year. Mass produc-
example, the French Somua S-35’s turret
tion of the Ausf. F version began in 1939.
was manned only by the commander, and
Between 1937 and 1940, attempts
the Soviet T-34 originally had a two-man
were made to standardize parts between
turret crew. The Panzer III, as opposed
Krupp’s Panzer IV and Daimler-Benz’s
to the Panzer IV, had no turret basket,
Panzer III.
merely a foot rest platform for the gunner.
15
The Panzer III was intended as the pri-
try and close-support work. For defensive
mary battle tank of the German forces.
purposes, the Ausf. N was equipped with
However, when it initially met the KV-1
rounds of HEAT ammunition that could
and T-34 tanks it proved to be inferior in
penetrate 70 to 100 millimetres (2.76
both armour and gun power. To meet the
to 3.94 in) of armour depending on the
growing need to counter these tanks, the
round’s variant, but these were strictly
Panzer III was up-gunned with a longer,
used for self-defence.
more powerful 50-millimetre (1.97 in) gun and received more armour but still
Armour
was at disadvantage compared with the
The Panzer III Ausf. A through C had
Soviet tank designs. As a result, produc-
15mm (0.59 in) of rolled homogeneous
tion of self-propelled guns, as well as the
armour on all sides with 10mm (0.39 in)
up-gunning of the Panzer IV was initiated.
on the top and 5mm (0.20 in) on the bottom. This was quickly determined to be insufficient, and was upgraded to 30mm (1.18 in) on the front, sides and rear in the Ausf. D, E, F, and G models, with the H model having a second 30mm (1.18 in) layer of face-hardened steel applied to the front and rear hull. The Ausf. J model had a solid 50mm (1.97 in) plate on the front and rear, while the Ausf. Jš,
Panzer III ausfurung N
L, and M models had an additional layer of offset 20mm (0.79 in) homogeneous
In 1942, the final version of the Pan-
16
steel plate on the front hull and turret,
zer III, the Ausf. N, was created with
with the M model having an additional
a 75-millimetre KwK 37 L/24 cannon
5mm (0.20 in) SchĂźrzen spaced armour
(muzzle velocity: 1020 m/s), the same
on the hull sides, and 8mm (0.31 in) on
short-barreled howitzer-like gun used
the turret sides and rear. This additional
for the initial models of the Panzer IV, a
frontal armor gave the Panzer III frontal
low-velocity gun designed for anti-infan-
protection from most British and Soviet
anti-tank guns at all but close ranges.
By 1942, the Panzer IV was becoming
However, the sides were still vulnerable
Germany’s main medium tank because of
to many enemy weapons, including an-
its better upgrade potential. The Panzer
ti-tank rifles at close ranges.
III remained in production as a close support vehicle. The Ausf. N model mounted
Armament
a low-velocity 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 gun
The Panzer III was intended to fight oth-
- the same used by the early Panzer IV
er tanks; in the initial design stage a
Ausf. A to Ausf. F models. These guns
50-millimetre gun was specified. How-
had originally been fitted to older Panzer
ever, the infantry at the time were being
IV Ausf A to F1 models and had been
equipped with the 37-millimetre PaK 36
placed in storage when those tanks had
(muzzle velocity: 762 m/s), and it was
also been up armed to longer versions of
thought that, in the interest of standard-
the 75mm gun.
ization, the tanks should carry the same armament. As a compromise, the turret
All early models up to and including the
ring was made large enough to accommo-
Ausf. F had two 7.92-mm MG 34 ma-
date a 50-millimetre gun should a future
chine guns mounted coaxially with the
upgrade be required. This single decision
main gun, and a similar weapon in a hull
later assured the Panzer III a prolonged
mount. Models from the Ausf. G and later
life in the German Army.
had a single coaxial MG34 and the hull MG34.
The Ausf. A to early Ausf. F were equipped with a 3.7 cm KwK 36 L/45, which
Mobility
proved adequate during the campaigns
The Panzer III Ausf. A through D were
of 1939 and 1940, but the later Ausf.
powered by a 250 PS (184 kW), 12-cyl-
F to Ausf. J were upgraded with the 5
inder Maybach HL 108 TR engine, giving
cm KwK 38 L/42 (muzzle velocity: 685
a top speed of 35 km/h (22 mph). All
m/s) and the Ausf. J to M with the longer
later models were powered by the 300
5 cm KwK 39 L/60 gun in response to
PS (221 kW), 12-cylinder Maybach HL
increasingly better armed and armoured
120 TRM engine. Regulated top speed
opponents.
varied, depending on the transmission
17
and weight, but was around 40 km/h (25
In the Polish and French campaigns, the
mph).
Panzer III formed a small part of the German armoured forces. Only a few hun-
The fuel capacity was 300 l in Ausf
dred Ausf. A through F were available in
A-D, 310 l in Ausf. E-G and 320 l in all
these campaigns, most armed with the
later models. Road range on the main
37-millimetre (1.46 in) gun. They were
tank was 165 km in Ausf. A-J, the heavi-
the best medium tank available to the
er later models had a reduced range of
Germans at the time.
155 km. Cross-country range was 95 km in all versions.
Around the time of Operation Barbarossa, the Panzer III was numerically the most important German tank. At this time, the majority of the available tanks (including re-armed Ausf. E and F, plus new Ausf. G and H models) had the 50-mm KwK 38 L/42 cannon, which also equipped the majority of the tanks in North Africa. Initially, the Panzer IIIs were outclassed by Soviet T-34 and KV tanks. However, the most numerous Soviet tanks were the T-26 and BT tanks. This, along with suSTUG III on the Eatern front
Combat history
perior German tactical skill, crew training, and the good ergonomics of the Panzer III all contributed to a favourable kill ratio for German tanks of all types in 1941.
The Panzer III was used in the campaigns
18
against Poland, France, the Soviet Union
With the appearance of the T-34 and
and in North Africa. A handful were
KV tanks, rearming the Panzer III with a
still in use in Normandy, Anzio, Norway,
longer, more powerful 50-millimetre gun
Finland and in Operation Market Garden
was prioritised. The T-34 was generally
in 1944.
invulnerable in frontal engagements with
the Panzer III until the 50mm KwK 39
guns, which were in high demand due to
L/60 gun was introduced on the Panzer
the defensive warfare style adopted by
III Ausf. J in the spring of 1942 (the gun
the German Army by then.
was based on the infantry’s 50mm Pak 38 L/60). This could penetrate the T-34
Abroad
frontally at ranges under 500 metres.
The
Against the KV tanks, it was a threat if
two Panzer IIIs from their German al-
Japanese
government
bought
armed with special high velocity tung-
lies during the war (one 50mm and
sten rounds. In addition, to counter an-
one 75mm). Purportedly this was for
ti-tank rifles, in 1943 the Ausf. L version
reverse
began the use of spaced armour skirts
Japan put more emphasis on the devel-
engineering
purposes,
since
(Schürzen) around the turret and on the
opment of new military aircraft and naval
hull sides. However, due to the introduc-
technology and had been dependent on
tion of the upgunned and uparmoured
European influence in designing new
Panzer IV, the Panzer III was, after the
tanks. By the time the vehicles were de-
Battle of Kursk, relegated to secondary
livered, the Panzer III’s technology was
roles, such as training, and it was re-
obsolete.
placed as the main German medium tank by the Panzer IV and the Panther. The Panzer III chassis was the basis for the turretless Sturmgeschütz III assault gun, one of the most successful self-propelled guns of the war, and the single most-produced German armoured fighting vehicle design of World War II. By the end of the war, the Panzer III saw almost no frontline use and many v ehicles
had
been
returned
to
the
factories for conversion into StuG assault
19
The Panzerkampfwagen IV
The Panzerkampfwagen IV (PzKpfw IV), commonly known as the Panzer IV, was a German medium tank developed in the late 1930s and used extensively during the Second World War. Its ordnance inventory designation was Sd.Kfz. 161. The Panzer IV was the most widely manufactured German tank of the Second World War, with some 8,500 built. The Panzer IV was used as the base for many other fighting vehicles, including the Sturmgeschütz IV assault gun, Jagdpanzer IV tank destroyer, the Wirbelwind self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, and the Brummbär self-propelled gun. The Panzer IV saw service in all com-
300 sold to Finland, Romania, Spain and
bat theaters involving Germany and was
Bulgaria. After the war, Syria procured
the only German tank to remain in con-
Panzer IVs from France and Czechoslova-
tinuous production throughout the war.
kia, which saw combat in the 1967 Six-
Upgrades and design modifications, in-
Day War. 8,553 Panzer IVs of all versions
tended to counter new threats, extended
were built during World War II, with only
its service life. Generally, these involved
the StuG III assault-gun/tank destroyer’s
increasing the Panzer IV’s armor protec-
10,086 vehicle production run exceeding
tion or upgrading its weapons, although
the Panzer IV’s total among Axis armored
during the last months of the war, with
forces.
Germany’s pressing need for rapid replacement of losses, design changes also included simplifications to speed up the manufacturing process. The Panzer IV was partially succeeded Brummbär based on PzKpfw IV
by the Panther medium tank, which was *The T-34 is a Soviet medium tank that had a profound and lasting effect on the field of tank design.
20
introduced to counter the Soviet T-34*, although the Panzer IV continued as a
Development history
significant component of German armoured formations to the end of the war.
Origins
The Panzer IV was the most widely export-
The Panzer IV was the brainchild of the
ed tank in German service, with around
German general and innovative armored
Jagdpanzer IV
warfare theorist Heinz Guderian. In con-
a torsion bar system. Permitting greater
cept, it was intended to be a support tank
vertical deflection of the roadwheels, this
for use against enemy anti-tank guns
was intended to improve performance
and fortifications. Ideally, each tank bat-
and crew comfort both on- and off-road.
talion in a panzer division was to have
However, due to the urgent requirement
three medium companies of Panzer IIIs
for the new tank, neither proposal was
and one heavy company of Panzer IVs.
adopted, and Krupp instead equipped it
On 11 January 1934, the German army
with a simple leaf spring double-bogie
wrote the specifications for a (medium
suspension, with eight rubber-rimmed
tractor), and issued them to a number
roadwheels per side.
of defense companies. To support the Panzer III, which would be armed with a
The prototype required a crew of five
37-mm (1.46 in) anti-tank gun, the new
men; the hull contained the engine bay
vehicle would have a short-barreled, how-
to the rear, with the driver and radio
itzer-like 75-millimetre (2.95 in) as its
operator, who doubled as the hull ma-
main gun, and was allotted a weight limit
chine gunner, seated at the front-left
of 24 tonnes. Development was carried
and front-right, respectively. In the tur-
out under the name Begleitwagen (ac-
ret, the tank commander sat beneath his
companying vehicle), or BW, to disguise
roof hatch, while the gunner was situat-
its actual purpose, given that Germany
ed to the left of the gun breech and the
was still theoretically bound by the Treaty
loader to the right. The turret was offset
of Versailles ban on tanks. MAN, Krupp,
66.5mm to the left of the chassis cen-
and Rheinmetall-Borsig each developed
ter line, while the engine was moved
prototypes, with Krupp’s being selected
152.4mm to the right. This allowed the
for further development.
torque shaft to clear the rotary base junction, which provided electrical power to
The chassis had originally been designed
turn the turret, while connecting to the
with a six-wheeled Schachtel-laufwerk
transmission box mounted in the hull
interleaved road-wheel suspension (as
between the driver and radio operator.
German half-tracks had already adopted),
Due to the asymmetric layout, the right
but the German Army amended this to
side of the tank contained the bulk of its
21
stowage volume, which was taken up by ready-use ammunition lockers.
chassis, and 20mm on the turret. This was only capable of stopping artillery fragments, small-arms fire, and light an-
Panzer IV Ausf. C
ti-tank projectiles.
The first mass-produced version of the Panzer IV was the Ausführung A in 1936. It was powered by Maybach’s HL 108TR, producing 250 PS, and used the SGR 75 transmission with five forward gears and one reverse, achieving a maximum road speed of 31 kilometres per hour. As main armament, the vehicle mounted the short-barreled, howitzer-like 75mm (2.95 in) Kampfwagenkanone 37 L/24 tank gun, which was a low-velocity weap-
Panzer IV with exploded ammorack
on mainly designed to fire high-explosive
22
shells. Against armored targets, firing
PzKpfw IV Ausf. D
the Panzergranate (armor-piercing shell)
After manufacturing 35 tanks of the A
at 430 m/s the KwK 37 could penetrate
version, in 1937 production moved to
43mm, inclined at 30 degrees, at ranges
the Ausf. B. Improvements included the
of up to 700 metres. A 7.92mm MG 34
replacement of the original engine with
machine gun was mounted coaxially with
the more powerful 300 PS Maybach HL
the main weapon in the turret, while a
120TR, and the transmission with the
second machine gun of the same type
new SSG 75 transmission, with six for-
was mounted in the front plate of the hull.
ward gears and one reverse gear. Despite
The main weapon and coaxial machine
a weight increase to 16 tons, this im-
gun were sighted with a Turmzielfernrohr
proved the tank’s speed to 42 kilometres
5b optic while the hull machine gun was
per hour. The glacis plate was augmented
sighted with a Kugelzielfernrohr 2 optic.
to a maximum thickness of 30mm, while
The Ausf. A was protected by 14.5mm
a new driver’s visor was installed on the
of steel armor on the front plate of the
straightened hull front plate, and the
hull-mounted machine gun was replaced
In October 1940, the Ausf. E was intro-
by a covered pistol port and visor flap.
duced. This had 30 millimetres of armor
The super-structure width and ammuni-
on the bow plate, while a 30-millimetre
tion stowage were reduced to save weight.
appliqué steel plate was added to the gla-
A Nebelkerzenabwurfvorrichtung (smoke
cis as an interim measure. A new driver’s
grenade discharger rack) was mounted
visor, adopted from the Sturmgeschütz
on the rear of the hull starting in July
III was installed on the hull front plate. A
1938 and was back fitted to earlier Ausf.
new commander’s cupola, adopted from
A and Ausf. B chassis starting in August
the Panzer III Ausf. G, was relocated for-
1938. Forty-two Panzer IV Ausf. Bs were
ward on the turret eliminating the bulge
manufactured before the introduction of
underneath the cupola. Older model Pan-
the Ausf. C in 1938. This saw the turret
zer IV tanks were retrofitted with these
armor increased to 30mm, which brought
features when returned to the manufac-
the tank’s weight to 18.14 tons. After
turer for servicing. 206 Ausf. Es were pro-
assembling 40 Ausf. Cs, the engine was
duced between October 1940 and April
replaced with the improved HL 120TRM.
1941.
The last of the 140 Ausf. Cs was produced in August 1939, and production changed to the Ausf. D; this variant, of which 248 vehicles were produced, reintroduced the hull machine gun and changed the turret’s internal gun mantlet to a 35mm thick external mantlet. Again, protection was upgraded, this time by increasing side armor to 20mm. As the German invasion of Poland in September 1939 came to an end, it was decided
PzKpfw IVs ready to charge in the battle of Kursk
Ausf. F2 to Ausf. J
to scale up production of the Panzer IV,
On 26 May 1941, mere weeks before Op-
which was adopted for general use on
eration Barbarossa, during a conference
27 September 1939 as the Sonderkraft-
with Hitler, it was decided to improve
fahrzeug 161 (Sd.Kfz. 161).
the Panzer IV’s main armament. Krupp
23
was awarded the contract to integrate
could penetrate 77mm of steel armor at
again the 50mm Pak 38 L/60 gun into
a range of 1,830 m.
the turret. The first prototype was to be delivered by 15 November 1941. With-
The Ausf. F tanks that received the new,
in months, the shock of encountering
longer, KwK 40 L/43 gun were tempo-
the Soviet T-34 medium and KV-1 heavy
rary named Ausf. F2 (with the designa-
tanks necessitated a new, much more
tion Sd.Kfz. 161/1). The tank increased
powerful tank gun. In November 1941,
in weight to 23.6 tonnes. Differences
the decision to up-gun the Panzer IV
between the Ausf. F1 and the Ausf. F2
to the 50-millimetre (1.97 in) gun was
were mainly associated with the change in
dropped, and instead Krupp was con-
armament, including an altered gun man-
tracted in a joint development to modify
tlet, internal travel lock for the main weap-
Rheinmetall’s pending 75mm (2.95 in)
on, new gun cradle, new Turmzielfernrohr
anti-tank gun design, later known as 7.5
5f optic for the L/43 weapon, modified
cm Pak 40 L/46.
ammunition stowage, and discontinuing of the Nebelkerzenabwurfvorrichtung in
Because the recoil length was too great for
favor of turret mounted Nebelwurfgeraet.
the tank’s turret, the recoil mechanism
Three months after beginning production,
and chamber were shortened. This result-
the Panzer IV Ausf. F2 was renamed
ed in the 75-millimetre (2.95 in) KwK 40
Ausf. G.
L/43. When the new KwK 40 was loaded with the Pzgr. 39 armor-piercing shell,
24
the new gun fired the AP shell at some
Combat history
750 m/s, a substantial 74% increase over
The Panzer IV was the only German tank
the 430 m/s over the howitzer-like KwK
to remain in both production and combat
37 L/24 gun’s muzzle velocity Initial-
throughout World War II, and measured
ly, the KwK 40 gun was mounted with
over the entire war it comprised 30% of
a single-chamber, ball-shaped muzzle
the Wehrmacht’s total tank strength. Al-
brake, which provided just under 50% of
though in service by early 1939, in time
the recoil system’s braking ability. Firing
for the occupation of Czechoslovakia, at
the Panzergranate 39, the KwK 40 L/43
the start of the war the majority of Ger-
man armor was made up of obsolete Pan-
less than 10% of Germany’s armored
zer Is and Panzer IIs. The Panzer I in
strength. The 1st Panzer Division had a
particular had already proved inferior to
roughly equal balance of types, with 17
Soviet tanks, such as the T-26, during
Panzer Is, 18 Panzer IIs, 28 Panzer IIIs,
the Spanish Civil War.
and 14 Panzer IVs per battalion. The remaining panzer divisions were heavy with obsolete models, equipped as they were with 34 Panzer Is, 33 Panzer IIs, 5 Panzer IIIs, and 6 Panzer IVs per battalion. Although the Polish Army possessed less than 200 tanks capable of penetrating the German light tanks, Polish anti-tank guns proved more of a threat, reinforcing German faith in the value of the close-support Panzer IV. Despite increased production of the medium Panzer IIIs and IVs prior to the German invasion of France on 10 May 1940, the majority of German tanks were still light types. According to Heinz Guderian,
PzKpfw IV Ausf.G with rude camouflage
the Wehrmacht invaded France with 523 Panzer Is, 955 Panzer IIs, 349 Panzer IIIs, 278 Panzer IVs, 106 Panzer 35(t)s
Western Front and North Africa (1939-1942)
and 228 Panzer 38(t)s. Through the use
When Germany invaded Poland on 1 Sep-
Germans were able to outmaneuver and
of tactical radios and superior tactics, the
tember 1939, its armored corps was com-
defeat French and British armor. How-
posed of 1,445 Panzer Is, 1,223 Panzer
ever, Panzer IVs armed with the KwK 37
IIs, 98 Panzer IIIs and 211 Panzer IVs;
L/24 75-mm tank gun found it difficult
the more modern vehicles amounted to
to engage French tanks such as Somua
25
S35 and Char B1. The Somua S35 had
ber 1942, their numbers were insignifi-
a maximum armor thickness of 55mm,
cant compared to the amount of matériel
while the KwK 37 L/24 could only pen-
shipped to British forces.
etrate 43mm at a range of 700 m. The British Matilda II was also heavily armored, with at least 70mm (2.76 in) of steel on the front and turret, and a minimum of 65mm on the sides. but were few in number. Although the Panzer IV was deployed to north Africa with the German Afrika PzKw IV
Korps, until the longer gun variant began production, the tank was outperformed
26
by the Panzer III with respect to armor
Eastern Front (1941-1945)
penetration. Both the Panzer III and IV
With the launching of Operation Barbaros-
had difficulty in penetrating the British
sa on 22 June 1941, the unanticipated
Matilda II’s thick armor, while the Matil-
appearance of the KV-1 and T-34 tanks
da’s 40-mm QF 2 pounder gun could
prompted an upgrade of the Panzer IV’s
knock out either German tank; its major
75mm (2.95 in) gun to a longer, high-ve-
disadvantage was its low speed. By Au-
locity 75mm gun suitable for anti-tank
gust 1942, Rommel had only received 27
use. This meant that it could now pen-
Panzer IV Ausf. F2s, armed with the L/43
etrate the T-34 at ranges of up to 1,200
gun, which he deployed to spearhead his
m (3,900 ft) at any angle. The 75mm
armored offensives. The longer gun could
KwK 40 L/43 gun on the Panzer IV could
penetrate all American and British tanks
penetrate a T-34 at a variety of impact
in theater at ranges of up to 1,500 m
angles beyond 1,000 m range and up to
(4,900 ft), by that time the most heav-
1,600 m). Shipment of the first model to
ily armored of which was the M3 Grant.
mount the new gun, the Ausf. F2, began
Although more of these tanks arrived in
in spring 1942, and by the summer of-
North Africa between August and Octo-
fensive there were around 135 Panzer IVs
with the L/43 tank gun available. At the
such losses were becoming increasingly
time, these were the only German tanks
difficult to replace. Nevertheless, due to
that could defeat T-34 or KV-1 with sheer
a shortage of replacement Panther tanks,
firepower. They played a crucial role in
the Panzer IV continued to form the core
the events that unfolded between June
of Germany’s armored divisions, includ-
1942 and March 1943, and the Panzer
ing elite units such as the II SS Panzer
IV became the mainstay of the German
Corps, through 1944.
panzer divisions. Although in service by late September 1942, the Tiger I was not
In January 1945, 287 Panzer IVs were
yet numerous enough to make an impact
lost on the Eastern Front. It is estimat-
and suffered from serious teething prob-
ed that combat against Soviet forces ac-
lems, while the Panther was not delivered
counted for 6,153 Panzer IVs, or about
to German units in the Soviet Union until
75% of all Panzer IV losses during the
May 1943. The extent of German reli-
war.
ance on the Panzer IV during this period is reflected by their losses; 502 were de-
Western Front (1944-45)
stroyed on the Eastern Front in 1942.
Panzer IVs comprised around half of the
The Panzer IV continued to play an im-
Western Front prior to the Allied invasion
available German tank strength on the portant role during operations in 1943,
of Normandy on 6 June 1944. Most of
including at the Battle of Kursk. Newer
the 11 panzer divisions that saw action in
types, such as the Panther, were still ex-
Normandy initially contained an armored
periencing crippling reliability problems
regiment of one battalion of Panzer IVs
that restricted their combat efficiency, so
and another of Panthers, for a total of
much of the effort fell to the 841 Panzer
around 160 tanks, although Waffen-SS
IVs that took part in the battle. Through-
panzer divisions were generally larger and
out 1943, the German army lost 2,352
better equipped than their Heer counter-
Panzer IVs on the Eastern Front; some
parts. Regular upgrades to the Panzer IV
divisions were reduced to 12-18 tanks by
had helped to maintain its reputation as
the end of the year. In 1944, a further
a formidable opponent. The bocage coun-
2,643 Panzer IVs were destroyed, and
tryside in Normandy favored defense, and
27
German tanks and anti-tank guns inflict-
on the Sherman at normal combat ranges,
ed very heavy casualties on Allied armor
though the turret remained vulnerable.
during the Normandy campaign, despite the overwhelming Allied air superiority.
The British up-gunned the Sherman with
German counter-attacks were blunted in
their highly effective QF 17 pounder
the face of Allied artillery, infantry-held
anti-tank gun, resulting in the Firefly;
anti-tank weapons, tank destroyers and
although this was the only Allied tank
anti-tank guns, as well as the ubiqui-
capable of dealing with all current Ger-
tous fighter bomber aircraft. The rugged
man tanks at normal combat ranges, few
terrain caused the side-skirt armor used
(342) were available in time for the Nor-
to predetonate shaped charge anti-tank
mandy invasion. From D-Day to the end of
weapons, such as the British PIAT, to be
the Normandy campaign, a further 550
pulled away. German tankers in all the-
Fireflies were built. A second British tank
aters were “frustrated by the way these
equipped with the 17pdr gun, the Cruiser
skirts were easily torn off when going
Mk VIII Challenger, could not participate
through dense brush�.
in the initial landings having to wait for port facilities to be ready to land. It was
The Allies had also been developing le-
not until July 1944 that American Sher-
thality improvement programs of their
mans, fitted with the 76-mm (3-inch) M1
own; the widely used American-designed
tank gun, achieved a parity in firepower
M4 Sherman medium tank, while me-
with the Panzer IV.
chanically reliable, suffered from thin armor and an inadequate gun. Against
28
However, despite the general superiori-
earlier-model Panzer IVs, it could hold its
ty of its armored vehicles, by 29 August
own, but with its 75mm M3 gun, strug-
1944, as the last surviving German troops
gled against the late-model Panzer IV
of Fifth Panzer Army and Seventh Army
(and was unable to penetrate the frontal
began retreating towards Germany, the
armor of Panther and Tiger tanks at vir-
twin cataclysms of the Falaise Pocket
tually any range). The late-model Panzer
and the Seine crossing had cost the Weh-
IV’s 80mm frontal hull armor could easily
rmacht dearly. Of the 2,300 tanks and
withstand hits from the 75mm weapon
assault guns it had committed to Nor-
mandy (including around 750 Panzer IV),
give mobility, several tank destroyers and
over 2,200 had been lost. Field Marshal
infantry support guns were built around
Walter* Model reported to Hitler that his
the Panzer IV hull. Both the Jagdpanzer
panzer divisions had remaining, on aver-
IV, initially armed with the 75-millime-
age, five or six tanks each.
tre L/48 tank gun, and the Krupp-manufactured Sturmgeschütz IV, which was
During the winter of 1944-45, the Panzer
the casemate of the Sturmgeschütz
IV was one of the most widely used tanks
III mounted on the body of the Panzer
in the Ardennes offensive, where further
IV, proved highly effective in defense.
heavy losses - as often due to fuel short-
Cheaper and faster to construct than
ages as to enemy action - impaired major
tanks, but with the disadvantage of a very
German armored operations in the West
limited gun traverse, around 1,980 Jagd-
thereafter. The Panzer IVs that took part
panzer IVs and 1,140 Sturmgeschütz IVs
were survivors of the battles in France be-
were produced. Another tank destroyer,
tween June and September 1944, with
the Panzer IV/70, used the same basic
around 260 additional Panzer IV Ausf. Js
75 millimeter L/70 gun that was mounted
issued as reinforcements.
on the Panther.
*Walter model is noted for his defensive battles in the latter half of the war, mostly on the Eastern Front but also in the west.
Also based on the Panzer IV chassis was the Sturmpanzer IV 150-millimetre infantry-support self-propelled gun (Brummbär) These vehicles were primarily issued to four Sturmpanzer units and used during the battle of Kursk and in Italy in 1943. Two separate versions of The front of a PzKpfw Iv
Variants
the Sturmpanzer IV existed, one without a machine gun in the mantlet and one with a machine gun mounted on the
In keeping with the wartime German de-
mantlet of the casemate. Furthermore, a
sign philosophy of mounting an existing
105-millimetre artillery gun was mounted
anti-tank gun on a convenient chassis to
in an experimental demountable turret
29
on a Panzer IV chassis. This variant was called the Heuschrecke (“Grasshopper”). Another 105mm artillery/anti-tank prototype was the 10.5 cm K nicknamed Dicker Max. Four
different
self-propelled
anti-air-
craft vehicles were built on the Panzer IV hull. The Flakpanzer IV Möbelwagen was armed with a 37-millimetre anti-aircraft cannon; 240 were built between 1944 and 1945. In late 1944 a new Flakpanzer, the Wirbelwind (“Whirlwind”), was designed, with enough armor to protect the gun’s crew and a rotating turret, armed with the quadruple 20mm Flakvierling anti-aircraft cannon system; at least 100 were manufactured. Sixty-five similar vehicles were built, named Ostwind (“East wind”), but with a single 37-millimetre anti-aircraft cannon instead. This vehicle was designed to replace the Wirbelwind. The final model was the Flakpanzer IV Kugelblitz, of which only five pilot vehicles were built. This vehicle featured an enclosed turret armed with twin 30-millimetre Rheinmetall-Borsig MK 103 aircraft autocannon.
30
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