Panzer IV - German Medium Tank

The Pz.Kpfw IV (Panzer Kampfwagen IV) has born in 1936 as a infantry support tank when Krupp submitted the new design for a tank equipped with a high caliber gun to deal with fortifications and buildings in general.

The weapon of choice was the short barrel 75 mm KwK 37 L/24 capable of fire AP, HE, HEAT and Smoke rounds at low velocity, the secondary armament was a pair of 7.92 mm MG34 one in the turret and one in the hull. The armor was 30 mm thick, weighting 18 tons and being powered by a 230 hp Maybach HL 108 TR V12 engine, the Panzer IV Ausf. A (first production model) could reach a top speed of 33 kmh. This tank was operated by a crew of 5 men (driver, aux. driver, gunner, loader and commander).

After the initial shock caused by the Soviet T-34 and KV-1, it become clear the urgent need for a better anti-tank weapon, the  Panzer III's 50 mm and the Panzer IV short 75 mm guns proved to be incapable to penetrate the newer Soviet designs.

Improved versions of the Panzer IV (Ausf. F2 and later) used a new and more powerful gun to deal with the Soviet threat, this gun is the long barreled 75 mm KwK 40 L/43, improved engine of 265 hp Maybach HL 120 TRM V12 with a top speed of 42 kmh and thicker armor up to 50 mm. All these improvements changed the final weight to 23.6 tons.

The Panzer IV is one of the most built (more than 8200 units) and deployed German tank during World War II, used in all fronts due to it simplicity and reliability.