German T4 Tiger tank technical specifications. Mikhail Baryatinsky - Panzer IV medium tank

On January 11, 1934, at a meeting of the Wehrmacht Armament Directorate, the basic principles of arming tank divisions were approved. Soon after this, a prototype of the future PzKpfw IV tank was born, which for conspiracy purposes was called the already familiar definition of “medium tractor” - Mittleren Tractor. When the need for secrecy disappeared and the combat vehicle began to be openly called the tank of the battalion commander - Batail-lonfuhrerswagen (BW).

This name lasted until the introduction of a unified designation system for German tanks, when the BW finally became the PzKpfw IV medium tank. Medium tanks were supposed to serve as infantry support. The weight of the vehicle was not supposed to exceed 24 tons, and it was supposed to be armed with a short-barreled 75-mm cannon. It was decided to borrow the general layout, the thickness of the armor plates, the principle of crew placement and other characteristics from the previous tank - PzKpfw III. Work on creating a new tank began in 1934. The Rheinmetall-Borsig company was the first to present a plywood model of the future machine, and the following year a real prototype appeared, designated VK 2001/Rh.

The prototype was made of mild welded steel and weighed approximately 18 tons. No sooner had he left the walls of the manufacturing plant than he was immediately sent for testing to Kummersdorf. (It was in Kummersdorf that Adolf Hitler first became acquainted with Wehrmacht tanks. During this familiarization trip, Hitler showed great interest in the issues of motorization of the army and the creation of armored forces. Chief of Staff of the Armored Forces Guderian arranged demonstration tests of motorized mechanized forces for the Reich Chancellor. Hitler was shown motorcycle and anti-tank platoons , as well as platoons of light and heavy armored vehicles, according to Guderian, the Fuhrer was very pleased with the visit.)

PzKpfw IV and PzKpfw III tanks at Tankfest in Bovington

Daimler-Benz, Krupp and MAN also built their prototypes of the new tank. Krupp presented combat vehicle, almost similar to the prototype of the platoon commander’s vehicle they had previously proposed and rejected. After the tests, the technical department of the tank forces chose the VK 2001/K version, proposed by Krupp, for mass production, making minor changes to its design. In 1936, the first prototype of the 7.5 cm Geschiitz-Panzerwagen tank (VsKfz 618) was built, an armored vehicle with a 75 mm cannon (experimental model 618).

The initial order was for 35 vehicles, which were produced by the Friedrich Krupp AG factories in Essen between October 1936 and March 1937. Thus began the production of the most massive German tank, which remained in service with the armored forces of the Third Reich until the very end of the war. The PzKpfw IV medium tank owes its high combat characteristics entirely to the designers, who brilliantly coped with the task of enhancing the armor and firepower of the tank without making significant changes to the basic design.

MODIFICATIONS OF THE PzKpfw IV TANK

Tank PzKpfw IV Ausf A became the model for the creation of all subsequent modifications. The armament of the new tank consisted of a 75mm KwK 37 L/24 cannon, coaxial with a turret machine gun, and a front-mounted machine gun located in the hull. The power plant was a 12-cylinder carburetor liquid-cooled Maybach HL 108TR engine, which developed a power of 250 hp. The hull also housed an additional engine that drove an electric generator, which provided power to the electric drive for rotating the turret. The combat weight of the tank was 17.3 tons, the thickness of the frontal armor reached 20 mm.

A characteristic feature of the Pz IV Ausf A tank was the cylindrical commander's cupola with eight viewing slots covered with armored glass blocks.

German medium tank PzKpfw IV Ausf A

The chassis, applied to one side, consisted of eight road wheels, interlocked in pairs into four bogies, suspended on quarter-elliptical leaf springs. There were four small road wheels on top. The drive wheel is front-mounted. The guide wheel (sloth) had a mechanism for tensioning the tracks. It should be noted that this design of the chassis of the PzKpfw IV Ausf A tank was practically not subject to significant changes in the future. The PzKpfw IV Ausf A tank is the first production tank of this type.

Tactical technical specifications medium tank PzKpfw IV Ausf A (SdKfz 161)

Date of creation......................... 1935 (the first tank appeared in 1937)
Combat weight (t) ........................... 18.4
Dimensions (m):
length........................5.0
width........................2.9
height........................2.65
Armament: ............ main 1 x 75 mm KwK 37 L/24 cannon secondary 2 x 7.92 mm MG 13 machine guns
Ammunition - main...................122 rounds
Armor (mm): ....................maximum 15 minimum 5
Engine type...................Maybach HL 108 TR (3000 rpm)
Maximum power (hp) .................250
Crew...................5 people
Maximum speed (km/h) ..................32
Cruising range (km)....................150

The following tank modification: PzKpfw IV Ausf B- featured an improved Maybach HL 120TRM engine with a power of 300 hp. at 3000 rpm and a new six-speed ZFSSG 76 gearbox instead of the five-speed SSG 75. The main difference between the PzKpfw FV Ausf B was the use of a straight body plate instead of the broken one of its predecessor. At the same time, the front-mounted machine gun was dismantled. In its place was a radio operator’s viewing device, which could fire personal weapons through the loophole. Frontal armor increased to 30 mm, due to which the combat weight increased to 17.7 tons. The commander's cupola also underwent changes, whose viewing slots were covered with removable covers. The order for the new “four” (still called 2/BW) was 45 vehicles, however, due to a lack of necessary parts and materials, the Krupp company was able to produce only 42.

German medium tank PzKpfw IV Ausf B

Tanks PzKpfw IV version Ausf C appeared in 1938 and differed very little from the Ausf B vehicles. Externally, these tanks are so similar that it can be very difficult to distinguish them. Additional similarities with previous version gives a straight front plate without an MG machine gun, instead of which an additional viewing device has appeared. Minor changes affected the introduction of an armored casing for the barrel of the MG-34 machine gun, as well as the installation of a special bumper under the gun, which bent the antenna when turning the turret, preventing it from breaking. In total, approximately 140 units of 19-ton Ausf C tanks were produced.

German medium tank PzKpfw IV Ausf C

Tanks of the next model - PzKpfw IV D- received an improved design of the gun mantlet. The practice of using tanks forced a return to the original design of a broken front plate (as on the PzKpfw IV Ausf A tanks). The front machine gun mount was protected by a square armor casing, and the side and rear armor increased from 15 to 20 mm. After the new tanks were tested, a military circular (No. 685 dated September 27, 1939) appeared next entry: "PzKpfw IV (with 75-mm cannon) SdKfz 161 is now declared suitable for successful use in military formations."

German medium tank PzKpfw IV Ausf D

A total of 222 Ausf D tanks were produced, with which Germany entered the Second World War. world war. During the Polish campaign, several “fours” ingloriously returned from the battlefields to their homeland for repairs and modifications. It turned out that the thickness of the armor of the new tanks was insufficient to ensure their safety, so additional armor plates were urgently required to protect the most important components. It is curious that in the reports of the English military intelligence At that time, there was an assumption that the strengthening of the combat armor of tanks often took place “illegally”, without corresponding orders from above, and sometimes even in spite of it. Thus, an order from the German military command intercepted by the British strictly prohibited the unauthorized welding of additional armor plates onto the hulls of German tanks. The order explained that “makeshift* fastening of armor plates does not increase, but reduces the protection of the tank, therefore the Wehrmacht command ordered commanders to strictly follow the instructions regulating the work to enhance the armor protection of combat vehicles.

German medium tank PzKpfw IV Ausf E

Soon the long-awaited “quartet” was born PzKpfw IV Ausf E, the design of which took into account all the previously identified shortcomings of the PzKpfw IV Ausf D. First of all, this related to increased armor protection. Now the 30 mm frontal armor of the hull was protected by additional 30 mm plates, and the sides were covered with 20 mm sheets. All these changes led to the fact that the combat weight increased to 21 tons. In addition, the Pz-4 Ausf E tanks had a new commander's cupola, which now almost did not extend beyond the turret. The course machine gun received a Kugelblende 30 ball mount. A box for spare parts and equipment was mounted on the rear wall of the turret. The chassis used new simplified drive wheels and wider tracks of a new type with a width of 400 mm instead of the old ones with a width of 360 mm.

German medium tank PzKpfw IV Ausf F1

The next option was a tank PzKpfw IV Ausf F1. These tanks had a solid front plate 50 mm thick and 30 mm sides. The forehead of the turret also received 50 mm armor. This tank became latest model, armed with a short-barreled 75 mm cannon with a low initial speed projectile.

German medium tank PzKpfw IV Ausf F2

Soon, Hitler personally ordered the replacement of this ineffective gun with a long-barreled 75-mm KwK 40 L/43 - thus the medium tank was born PzKpfw IV F2. The new weapon required changes to the design of the turret's fighting compartment in order to accommodate the increased ammunition load. 32 shots out of 87 were now placed in the turret. The initial speed of a conventional armor-piercing projectile has now increased to 740 m/s (versus 385 m/s for the previous gun), and armor penetration has increased by 48 mm and amounted to 89 mm versus the previous 41 mm (with an armor-piercing projectile at a range of 460 meters at an impact angle of 30°) . The new powerful weapon immediately and forever changed the role and place of the new tank in the German armored forces. In addition, the PzKpfw IV received a new Turmzielfernrohr TZF Sf sight and a gun mantlet of a different shape. From now on, the PzKpfw III medium tank fades into the background, content with the role of an infantry support and escort tank, and the PzKpfw IV for a long time becomes the main “assault” tank of the Wehrmacht. In addition to Krupp-Gruson AG, two more enterprises joined the production of PzKpfw IV tanks: VOMAG and Nibelungenwerke. The appearance on the theater of operations of the modernized Pz IV “fours” significantly complicated the position of the allies, since the new gun allowed the German tank to successfully fight against most of the armored vehicles of the USSR and coalition member countries. In total, 1,300 early Ausf fours (from A to F2) were produced during the period until March 1942.

PzKpfw IV is called the main tank of the Wehrmacht. More than 8,500 “fours” formed the basis of the Wehrmacht’s tank forces, its main striking force.

The next large-scale version was the tank PzKpfw IV Ausf G. From May 1942 to June 1943, much more of them were created than vehicles of previous modifications, more than 1,600 units.

German medium tank PzKpfw IV Ausf G

The very first Pz IV Ausf Gs were practically no different from the PzKpfw IV F2, but during the production process numerous changes were made to the basic design. First of all, this concerns the installation of a 75-mm KwK 40 L/48 cannon with a two-chamber muzzle brake. The upgraded version of the KwK 40 tank gun had an initial projectile speed of 750 m/s. The new model of the Quartet tank was equipped with additional 5-mm protective screens to protect the turret and sides of the hull, which received the humorous nickname “apron” among the troops. The Pz Kpfw IV Aufs G tank, produced since March 1943, was armed with a 75-mm cannon with a barrel length of L/48 instead of the previous one with a barrel length of 43 calibers. A total of 1,700 vehicles of this modification were produced. Despite the increased armament, the PZ-4 still could not compete with the Russian T-34.
Weak armor protection made them too vulnerable. In this photo you can see how the Pz Kpfw IV Ausf G tank uses sandbags as additional protection. Of course, such measures could not significantly improve the situation.

The most popular series was the tank PzKpfw IV Ausf N, more than 4,000 of them were produced, including various self-propelled guns created on the T-4 (“four”) chassis.

German medium tank PzKpfw IV Ausf H

This tank was distinguished by the most powerful frontal armor (up to 80 mm), the introduction of 5-mm side screens of the hull and turret, the MG-34 -Fliegerbeschussgerat 41/42 anti-aircraft machine gun mount mounted on the commander's turret, a new, improved ZF SSG 77 gearbox and minor changes in the transmission. The combat weight of this modification of the Pz IV reached 25 tons. The latest version of the Quartet was the tank PzKpfw IV J, which continued to be produced until March 1945. From June 1944 to March 1945, more than 1,700 of these vehicles were produced. Tanks of this type were equipped with high-capacity fuel tanks, which increased the cruising range to 320 km. However, in general, the latest “fours” have been significantly simplified compared to previous models.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PzKpfw IV TANK DESIGN

TURRET AND HULL OF TANK Pz IV

The hull and turret of the Pz-4 tank were welded. There were evacuation hatches on each side of the tower for boarding and disembarking crew members.

Tank Pz IV with installed protection against cumulative shells

The tower was equipped with a commander's cupola with five viewing slots equipped with armored glass blocks - triplex and protective armor covers, which were lowered and raised using a small lever located under each slot.

Inside the Pz IV Ausf G tank. The photo was taken from the right hatch (loader).

The tower's pole rotated with her. The armament consisted of a 75-mm (short-barreled KwK 37 or long-barreled KwK 40) cannon and a coaxial turret machine gun, as well as an MG course machine gun mounted in the frontal armor of the hull in a ball mount and intended for the radio operator. This armament scheme is typical for all modifications of the “fours” with the exception of version C tanks.

Inside the Pz IV Ausf G tank. Photo taken from the left hatch (gunner).

Layout of the PzKpfw IV tank- classic, with front transmission. Inside, the tank hull was divided into three compartments by two bulkheads. The rear compartment contained the engine compartment.

As in other German tanks, a cardan shaft was thrown from the engine to the gearbox and drive wheels, running under the turret floor. Located next to the engine auxiliary engine turret rotation mechanism. Because of this, the turret was shifted to the left along the axis of symmetry of the tank by 52 mm. Three fuel tanks with a total capacity of 477 liters were installed on the floor of the central fighting compartment, under the floor of the turret. The fighting compartment turret housed the remaining three crew members (commander, gunner and loader), weapons (a cannon and a coaxial machine gun), observation and aiming devices, vertical and horizontal guidance mechanisms. The driver and radio operator firing from a machine gun mounted in a ball joint were located in the front compartment of the hull, on both sides of the gearbox.

German medium tank PzKpfw IV Ausf A. View of the driver's seat.

Armor thickness of the PzKpfw IV tank was constantly increasing. The frontal armor of the T-4 was welded from rolled armor plates with surface cementation and was usually thicker and stronger than the side armor. Additional protection using armor plates was not used until the creation Ausf tank D. To protect the tank from bullets and cumulative shells on the lower and side surfaces Zimmerit coating was applied to the hull and side surfaces of the turret. Testing of the T-4 Ausf G carried out by the British using the Brinell method gave the following results: front frontal plate in an inclined plane (outer surface) - 460-490 HB; front vertical plate (outer surface) - 500-520 HB; inner surface -250-260 HB; tower forehead (outer surface) - 490-51 0 HB; hull sides (outer surface) - 500-520 HB; inner surface - 270-280 HB; tower sides (outer surface) -340-360 HB. As mentioned above, on the latest versions of the Quartet, additional armored “screens” were used, made of steel sheets measuring 114 x 99 cm and mounted on the sides of the hull and turret, at a distance of 38 cm from the hull. The turret was protected by 6 mm thick armor plates attached around the rear and sides, and the protective screen had hatches located exactly in front of the turret hatches.

TANK ARMAMENT.

The PzKpfw IV Ausf A - F1 tanks were equipped with a short-barreled 75-mm KwK 37 L/24 cannon with a 24-caliber barrel length, a vertical breech and an initial projectile velocity not exceeding 385 m/s. The PzKpfw III Ausf N tanks and StuG III assault guns were equipped with exactly the same guns. The gun's ammunition included almost all types of projectiles: armor-piercing tracer, armor-piercing tracer sub-caliber, cumulative, high-explosive fragmentation and smoke.

View of the double-leaf escape hatch in the turret of the Pz IV tank

To rotate the gun by the required 32° (from -110 to +21, 15 full revolutions were required. The Pz IV tanks used both an electric drive and a manual drive for turning the turret. The electric drive was powered by a generator driven by a two-cylinder two-stroke water-cooled engine. For rough For target designation, a dial-clock type system was used. For this, the horizontal firing angle of the tank's turret gun, equal to 360°, was divided into twelve divisions, and the division corresponding to the traditional position of the number 12 on the clock dial indicated the direction of movement of the tank. Another gear was driven by a hinge shaft. the gear ring in the commander's cupola was set in motion. This ring was also graduated from 1 to 12 a, in addition, the external scale of the cupola, corresponding to the dial of the main gun, was equipped with a fixed pointer.

View of the rear of the PZ IV tank

Thanks to this device, the commander could determine the approximate location of the target and give appropriate instructions to the gunner. The driver's position was equipped with a turret position indicator (with two lights) on all models of the PzKpfw IV tank (except Ausf J). Thanks to this device, the driver knew the location of the turret and tank gun. This was especially important when moving through the forest and in populated areas. The gun was mounted together with a coaxial machine gun and a TZF 5v telescopic sight (on early modifications of tanks); TZF 5f and TZF 5f/l (on tanks starting with PzKpfw IV Ausf E tanks). The machine gun was powered from a flexible metal strip, and the shooter fired using a special foot pedal. The telescopic 2.5x sight was equipped with scales of three ranges (for the main gun and machine gun).

View of the front part of the turret of the Pz IV tank

The MG-34 course machine gun was equipped with a KZF 2 telescopic sight. The full ammunition load consisted of 80-87 (depending on modification) artillery rounds and 2,700 rounds of ammunition for two 7.92 mm machine guns. Starting with the Ausf F2 modification, the short-barreled gun is replaced by a more powerful long-barreled 75-mm KwK 40 L/43 cannon, and the latest modifications (starting with Ausf H) receive an improved L/48 gun with a barrel length of 48 calibers. The short-barreled guns had a single-chamber muzzle brake, while the long-barreled ones had to be equipped with two-chamber ones. Increasing the barrel length required a counterweight. To achieve this, the latest modifications of the Pz-4 were equipped with a heavy compression spring installed in a cylinder attached to the front of the rotating turret floor.

Engine and transmission

The first versions of the PzKpfw IV were equipped with the same engine as the tanks of the PzKpfw III series - the 12-cylinder Maybach HL 108 TR with a power of 250 hp, which required gasoline with an octane rating of 74. Subsequently, they began to use the tank as a power plant. improved Maybach HL 120 TR and HL 120 TRM engines with 300 hp power. The engine as a whole was distinguished by its high reliability and resistance to temperature changes, but this did not apply to the conditions of the African heat and the sultry regions of southern Russia. To avoid the engine boiling, the driver had to drive the tank with all possible caution. In winter conditions, a special installation was used that made it possible to pump heated liquid (ethylene glycol) from a working tank into a tank that needed to be started. Unlike the PzKpfw III tanks, the engine of the T-4 was located asymmetrically, on the right side of the hull. The small-link caterpillars of the T-4 tank consisted of 101 or 99 links (starting with F1) with a width (variants) of PzKpfw IV Ausf A - E 360 mm, and in Ausf F-J - 400 mm, their total weight was close to 1300 kg. The tension of the caterpillar was adjusted using rear guide wheel mounted on an eccentric axis. The ratchet mechanism prevented the axle from turning backward and causing the track to sag.

REPAIR OF TRACKS.
Each crew of the Pz IV tank had at its disposal an industrial belt of the same width as the tracks. The edges of the belt were perforated so that the holes coincided with the teeth of the drive wheel. If the track failed, a belt was attached to the damaged area, passed over the support rollers and attached to the teeth of the drive wheel. After this, the engine and transmission were started. The drive wheel rotated and pulled the track and belt forward until the track caught on the wheel. Anyone who has ever pulled off a heavy long caterpillar the “old-fashioned way” - using a piece of rope or fingers, will appreciate what a salvation this simple scheme was for the crew.

BATTLE RECORD OF Pz IV TANK

The Quartet began its combat journey in Poland, where, despite small quantity, immediately became a noticeable striking force. On the eve of the invasion of Poland, there were almost twice as many “fours” in the Wehrmacht troops as “threes” - 211 versus 98. The fighting qualities of the “fours” immediately attracted the attention of Heinz Guderian, who from that moment on would constantly insist on increasing their production. Of the 217 tanks lost by Germany during the 30-day war with Poland, there were only 19 “fours”. In order to better imagine the Polish stage of the PzKpfw IV’s combat path, let’s turn to the documents. Here I want to introduce readers to the history of the 35th Tank Regiment, which took part in the occupation of Warsaw. I present to your attention excerpts from the chapter dedicated to the assault on the Polish capital, written by Hans Schaufler.

“It was the ninth day of the war. I have just joined the brigade headquarters as a liaison officer. We were standing in the small suburb of Ochota, located on the Rawa-Ruska-Warsaw road. Another attack on the Polish capital was coming. The troops are on full alert. The tanks were lined up in a column, with infantry and sappers behind them. We are waiting for the order to advance. I remember the strange calm that reigned among the troops. No rifle shots or machine gun fire were heard. Only occasionally the silence was broken by the rumble of a reconnaissance aircraft flying over the column. I was sitting in the command tank next to General von Hartlieb. To be honest, it was a bit cramped in the tank. The brigade adjutant, Captain von Harling, carefully studied the topographic map showing the situation. Both radio operators clung to their radios. One listened to the message from the division headquarters, the second kept his hand on the key to immediately begin transmitting orders to the units. The engine purred loudly. Suddenly a whistle cut through the silence, the next second drowned out by a loud explosion. First it hit the right, then the left of our car, then from behind. Artillery came into action. The first groans and cries of the wounded were heard. Everything is as usual - the Polish artillerymen send us their traditional “hello”.
Finally the order was received to go on the offensive. The engines roared and the tanks moved towards Warsaw. Quite quickly we reached the suburbs of the Polish capital. Sitting in the tank, I heard the chatter of machine gun fire, the explosions of hand grenades and the clicking of bullets on the armored sides of our vehicle. Our radio operators received one message after another. “Forward to the street barricade*,” was transmitted from the headquarters of the 35th regiment. “Anti-tank gun - five tanks destroyed - there is a mined barricade ahead,” neighbors reported. “Order for the regiment! Turn straight south!" - thundered the general's bass. He had to yell above the hellish noise outside.

“Pass the message to division headquarters,” I ordered the radio operators. -We approached the outskirts of Warsaw. The streets are barricaded and mined. Turn right*. After some time, a short message comes from the regiment headquarters: -The barricades have been taken*.
And again the sound of bullets and loud explosions to the left and right of our tank... I feel like someone is pushing me in the back. “The enemy’s positions are three hundred meters ahead,” the general shouted. - Turn right!* The terrible grinding of caterpillars on the cobblestone street - and we enter a deserted square. -Faster, damn it! Even faster!* - the general shouts furiously. He's right, you can't hesitate - the Poles shoot very accurately. “We came under heavy artillery fire,” reports from the 36th Regiment. *3b regiment! - the general answers immediately. “Demand artillery cover immediately!” You can hear stones and shell fragments hitting the armor. The blows are getting stronger. Suddenly, a monstrous explosion is heard very close by, and I smash my head into the radio. The tank is tossed up and thrown to the side. The engine stalls.
Through the hatch cover I see a dazzling yellow flame.

Tank PzKpfw IV

In the fighting compartment, everything is turned upside down, gas masks, fire extinguishers, camp bowls, and other small things are lying everywhere... A few seconds of eerie numbness. Then everyone shakes themselves, looks at each other anxiously, and quickly feels themselves. Thank God, alive and well! The driver engages third gear, we wait with bated breath for the familiar sound and take a breath of relief when the tank obediently moves away. True, there is a suspicious tapping noise coming from the right track, but we are too happy to take such trifles into account. However, as it turned out, our misfortunes were far from over. Before we had time to drive a few meters, a new strong shock shook the tank and threw it to the right. From every house, from every window, we were showered with furious machine-gun fire. From the roofs and attics, the Poles threw hand grenades and incendiary bottles with condensed gasoline at us. There were probably a hundred times more enemies than there were, but we did not turn back.

We stubbornly continued to move in a southerly direction and neither the barricades of overturned trams, twisted barbed wire and rails dug into the ground could stop us. Every now and then our tanks came under fire from anti-tank guns. “Lord, make sure they don’t knock out our tank!”- we silently prayed, fully aware that any forced stop would be the last in our lives. Meanwhile, the sound of the caterpillar became increasingly loud and threatening. Finally we drove into some kind of orchard and hid behind the trees. By this time, some units of our regiment managed to break through to the outskirts of Warsaw, but further advance became more and more difficult. Disappointing messages came over the radio every now and then: “The offensive was stopped by heavy enemy artillery fire - the tank hit a mine - the tank was hit by an anti-tank gun - artillery support is urgently required”.

We also did not manage to take a proper breath under the shade of the fruit trees. The Polish artillerymen quickly found their bearings and brought down a barrage of ferocious fire on us. With every second the situation became more and more frightening. We tried to leave the shelter that had become dangerous, but it turned out that the damaged track had completely failed. Despite all our efforts, we could not even move. The situation seemed hopeless. It was necessary to repair the track on site. Our general could not even temporarily leave command of the operation; he dictated message after message, order after order. We sat idle... When the Polish guns fell silent for a while, we decided to take advantage of this short respite to inspect the damaged chassis. However, as soon as we opened the hatch cover, the fire resumed. The Poles settled somewhere very close and, remaining invisible to us, turned our car into an excellent target. After several unsuccessful attempts, we managed to climb out of the tank and, taking cover in the thorny blackberries, were finally able to inspect the damage. The results of the examination were most disappointing. The inclined frontal plate, bent by the explosion, turned out to be the most insignificant of all the damages. The chassis was in the most deplorable condition. Several sections of the tracks fell apart, with small metal parts getting lost along the way; the rest were kept on their word of honor. Not only the tracks themselves were damaged, but even the road wheels. With great difficulty, we somehow tightened up the loose parts, removed the tracks, fastened the torn tracks with new pins... It was obvious that even with the most favorable outcome, these measures would give us the opportunity to walk another couple of kilometers, but nothing more could be done in such conditions it was impossible. I had to climb back into the tank.

Even more unpleasant news awaited us there. The division headquarters reported that air support was impossible, and the artillery was not able to cope with the superior enemy forces. Therefore, we were ordered to return immediately.

The general led the retreat of his units. Tank after tank, platoon after platoon, ours retreated, and the Poles showered them with ferocious fire from their guns. In some areas, progress was so difficult that for some time we forgot about the deplorable condition of our tank. Finally, when last tank got out of the suburbs that had become hell, it was time to think about myself. After consulting, we decided to retreat along the same route we came in. At first everything went calmly, but in this calmness we felt some kind of hidden danger. The ominous silence got on the nerves much more than the sounds of cannonade that had become familiar. None of us doubted that it was no accident that the Poles were hiding, that they were waiting for the right moment to end our lives. Slowly moving forward, we felt with our skin the hateful gaze of an invisible enemy directed at us... Finally we got to the place where we received the first damage. A few hundred meters away lay the highway leading to the division's location. But the path to the highway was blocked by another barricade - abandoned and silent, like the rest of the surrounding area. We carefully overcame the last obstacle, entered the highway and crossed ourselves.

And then a terrible blow fell on the poorly protected stern of our tank. It was followed by another and another... Four strikes in total. The worst thing happened - we came under targeted fire from an anti-tank gun. The engine roared and the tank made a desperate attempt to escape from the shelling, but in the next second we were thrown to the side by a strong explosion. The engine stalled.
The first thought was - it’s all over, the Poles will destroy us with their next shot. What to do? They jumped out of the tank and rushed to the ground. We are waiting for what will happen... A minute passes, then another... But for some reason there is no shot. What's the matter? And suddenly we look - there is a column of black smoke above the stern of the tank. The first thought is that the engine is on fire. But where does this strange whistling sound come from? We took a closer look and couldn’t believe our eyes - it turns out that a shell fired from the barricade hit smoke bombs located at the rear of our vehicle, and the breeze blew the smoke to the skies. What saved us was that a black cloud of smoke hung just above the barricade and the Poles decided that the tank was on fire.

Revived PzKpfw IV tank

*Brigade headquarters - division headquarters* - the general tried to get in touch, but the radio was silent. Our tank looked terrible - black, dented, with a mangled rear. The completely fallen caterpillar was lying nearby... No matter how hard it was, I had to face the truth - I had to abandon the car and try to get to my people on foot. We pulled out machine guns, took walkie-talkies and folders with documents and looked at the mutilated tank for the last time. My heart sank with pain... According to the instructions, the damaged tank was supposed to be blown up so that it would not fall to the enemy, but none of us could decide to do this... Instead, we disguised the vehicle as best we could with branches. In our hearts, everyone hoped that if circumstances were favorable, we would soon return and tow the car to our people...
To this day I remember the way back with horror... Covering each other with fire, in short dashes, we moved from house to house, from garden to garden... When we finally got to ours in the evening, we immediately collapsed and fell asleep .
However, I never managed to get enough sleep. After some time, I opened my eyes in horror and went cold, remembering that we had abandoned our tank... I could see it standing, defenseless, with an open turret, right opposite the Polish barricade... When I woke up again from sleep, then I heard the hoarse voice of the driver above me: “Are you with us?” I didn’t understand, half asleep, and asked: “Where?” “I found a repair car,” he explained shortly. I immediately jumped to my feet, and we went to rescue our tank. It would take a long time to tell how we got there, how we labored over the resuscitation of our mangled car. The main thing is that that night we still managed to put our command “four” into action (The author of the memoirs is most likely mistaken in calling his tank “four”. The fact is that the Pz. Kpfw. IV tanks began to re-equip command vehicles only since 1944. Most likely we're talking about about the command tank based on Pz. Kpfw. III version D.)
When the awakened Poles tried to stop us with fire, we had already finished our work, so we quickly climbed into the tower and left. We were happy in our souls... Even though our tank was knocked out and badly damaged, we still could not abandon it to the joy of the triumphant enemy! A month-long campaign in conditions of poor Polish roads and loose, swampy soil had the most unfavorable effect on the condition of German tanks. The cars were in urgent need of repair and restoration. This circumstance, among others, influenced the postponement of the Hitler invasion to Western Europe. The Wehrmacht command was able to learn lessons from the experience of the war in Poland and made significant changes to the previously existing scheme for organizing the repair and maintenance of combat vehicles. The effectiveness of the new system for repairing and restoring Wehrmacht tanks can be judged by a newspaper article published in one of the German newspapers and reprinted in England in May 1941. The article was called “The Secret of the Combat Power of German Tanks” and contained a detailed list of measures to organize the uninterrupted operation of the repair service and restoration, which was part of each tank division.
“The secret of the success of German tanks is largely determined by the impeccably organized system of evacuation and repair of damaged tanks, which allows all necessary operations to be carried out in the shortest possible time. The greater the distances that tanks have to cover during the march, the greater the importance of a flawlessly adjusted mechanism for repairing and maintaining failed vehicles.
1. Each tank battalion has at its disposal a special repair and restoration platoon for emergency assistance in case of minor damage. This platoon, being the smallest repair unit, is located in close proximity to the front line. The platoon includes engine repair mechanics, radio mechanics and other specialists. The platoon has at its disposal light trucks for transporting the necessary spare parts and tools, as well as a special armored repair and recovery vehicle, converted from a tank, for transporting these parts to the disabled tank. The platoon is commanded by an officer who, if necessary, can call for help from several such platoons and send them all together to the area where emergency assistance is required.

It should be especially emphasized that the efficiency of the repair and restoration platoon directly depends on the availability of the necessary spare parts, tools and appropriate transport. Since time is worth its weight in gold in combat conditions, the chief mechanic of a repair platoon always has at his disposal a supply of basic components, assemblies and parts. This allows him, without wasting a second, to be the first to go to the damaged tank and begin work, while the remaining supply of necessary materials is carried on the truck. If the damage sustained by the tank is so serious that it cannot be repaired on site, or repairs require for a long time, the car is sent back to the manufacturer.
2. Each tank regiment has at its disposal a repair and restoration company, which has all the necessary equipment and tools. In the mobile workshops of the repair company, experienced craftsmen charged batteries, welding work and complex engine repairs. The workshops are equipped with special cranes, milling, drilling and grinding machines, as well as special tools for plumbing, carpentry, painting and tinsmithing. Each repair and restoration company includes two repair platoons, one of which can be assigned to a specific battalion of the regiment. In practice, both platoons are constantly moving around the regiment, ensuring the continuity of the recovery work cycle. Each platoon had its own truck for transporting spare parts. In addition, the repair and restoration company necessarily included a platoon of emergency repair and recovery vehicles, which deliver failed tanks to a repair shop or collection point, where the tank repair platoon or the entire company was then sent. In addition, the company also includes a weapons repair platoon and radio repair shops.
In practice, both platoons are constantly moving around the regiment, ensuring the continuity of the cycle of restoration work. Each platoon had its own truck for transporting spare parts. In addition, the repair and restoration company necessarily included a platoon of emergency repair and recovery vehicles, which deliver failed tanks to a repair shop or collection point, where the tank repair platoon or the entire company was then sent. In addition, the company also includes a weapons repair platoon and radio repair shops.

3. If there are well-equipped repair shops behind the front line or in territory occupied by us, troops often use them to save transport and reduce the volume of railway traffic. In such cases, all necessary spare parts and equipment are ordered from Germany, and a staff of highly qualified craftsmen and mechanics is also assigned.
It can be said with all certainty that without a thoroughly thought-out and clearly functioning scheme for the work of repair units, our valiant tankers would not have been able to cover such vast distances and win such brilliant victories in a real war*.

Before the invasion of Western Europe, the Fours still constituted an absolute minority of Panzerwaffe tanks - only 278 out of 2,574 combat vehicles. The Germans were opposed by more than 3,000 Allied vehicles, most of which were French. Moreover, many french tanks at that time, they were significantly superior to even the “fours” so beloved by Guderian, both in terms of armor protection and weapons efficiency. However, the Germans had an undeniable advantage in strategy. In my opinion, the essence of "blitzkrieg" is best expressed in short phrase Heinz Guderian: “Don’t touch with your fingers, but hit with your fist!” Thanks to the brilliant implementation of the "blitzkrieg" strategy, Germany easily won the French campaign, in which the PzKpfw IV was very successful. It was at this time German tanks managed to create a formidable reputation for itself, many times greater than the real capabilities of these weakly armed and insufficiently armored vehicles. There were especially many PzKpfw IV tanks in Rommel's Afrika Korps, but in Africa they were assigned an auxiliary role of infantry support for too long.
In February 1941, a review of the German press, regularly published in the British press, published a special selection dedicated to the new PzKpfw IV tanks. The articles indicate that each Wehrmacht tank battalion has at its disposal a company of ten PzKpfw IV tanks, which are used, firstly , as an assault artillery gun, and secondly, as the most important element of rapidly advancing tank columns. The first purpose of the PzKpfw IV tanks was explained simply. Since field artillery is not able to instantly support armored forces in one direction or another, the PzKpfw IV took on its role with its powerful 75 mm cannon. Other advantages of using the Quartet stemmed from the fact that its 75 mm gun, with a maximum firing range of more than 8,100 m, could dictate the time and place of battle, and the speed and maneuverability of the gun made it an extremely dangerous weapon.
The articles, in particular, contain examples of how six PzKpfw IV tanks were used as an artillery formation against an advancing Allied column, how they were also used as weapons for counter-battery warfare, and also acted from an ambush into which British tanks were lured by several German armored vehicles. In addition, PzKpfw IVs were also used in defensive operations, an example of which is the following episode of the African campaign. On June 16, 1941, the Germans surrounded British troops in the Capuzzo area. This was preceded by an unsuccessful attempt by the British to break through to Tobruk and recapture the fortress besieged by Rommel’s troops. On June 15, they rounded the mountain range southeast of the Halfaya pass and advanced northward through Ridot ta Capuzzo almost to Bardia. This is how a direct participant in the events from the British side recalls it:

“Armored vehicles stretched out along a wide front. They moved in twos or threes, and if they met serious resistance, they immediately turned back. The vehicles were followed by infantry in trucks. This was the start of a full-scale attack. Tank crews fired to kill, the fire accuracy was 80-90%. They positioned their tanks so that their front and sides faced our positions. This allowed the Germans to effectively hit our guns while remaining motionless. They rarely fired while moving. In some cases, PzKpfw IV tanks suddenly opened fire from their guns, and they did not shoot at any specific target, but simply creating a wall of fire as they moved at ranges of 2000-3600 m. All this was done in order to terrify the our defenders. To be honest, they succeeded quite well.”

The first clash between American and German troops in Tunisia occurred on November 26, 1942, when troops of the 190th Tank Battalion of the Afrika Korps in the Mateur area came into contact with the 2nd Battalion of the 13th Regiment of the 1st Tank Division. The Germans in this area had approximately three PzKpfw III tanks and at least six new PzKpfw IV tanks with long-barreled 75-mm KwK 40 guns. This is how this episode is described in the book “Old Ironsides”.
“While enemy forces were gathering from the north, Waters’ battalion wasted no time. Having dug deep lines defense, camouflaging their tanks and doing another necessary work, they not only managed to prepare for the meeting with the enemy, but even carved out an extra day of respite for themselves. The next day the head of a German column appeared. Siglin's company prepared to rush towards the enemy. Platoon assault guns under the command of Lieutenant Ray Wasker moved forward to intercept and destroy the enemy. Three 75-mm howitzers on the chassis of half-track armored personnel carriers, located on the edge of a dense olive grove, allowed the Germans to approach approximately 900 m and opened rapid fire. However, hitting enemy tanks was not such an easy task. The Germans quickly retreated and, almost completely hidden by clouds of sand and dust, responded with volleys of their powerful guns. The shells exploded very close to our positions, but for the time being did not cause any serious damage.

Soon, Wasker received orders from the battalion commander to light smoke bombs and withdraw his self-propelled artillery units to a safe distance. At this time, Siglin's company, consisting of 12 M3 General Stewart light tanks, attacked the enemy's western flank. The first platoon managed to break through closest to the enemy positions, but the Italo-German troops were not at a loss, quickly found the target and brought down the full power of their guns on it. In a matter of minutes, Company A lost six of its tanks, but despite this, it still managed to push back the enemy vehicles, turning them with their rear towards the positions of Company B. This played a decisive role in the battle. Company B brought its guns down on the very vulnerabilities German tanks and, without allowing the enemy to come to their senses, disabled six PzKpfw IVs and one PzKpfw III. The remaining tanks retreated in disarray (In order for the reader to feel the severity of the situation in which the Americans found themselves, it makes sense to give the main performance characteristics for comparison light tank M 3 "Stuart": combat weight - 12.4 tons; crew - 4 people; reservation - from 10 to 45 mm; armament - 1 x 37 mm tank gun; 5 x 7.62 mm machine guns; engine "Continental" W 670-9A, 7-cylinder, carburetor, 250 hp. WITH; speed - 48 km/h; Power reserve (on the highway) - 113 km.).
To be fair, it should be noted that the Americans did not always emerge victorious from fights with German tank forces. Much more often, circumstances turned out exactly the opposite, and the Americans had to suffer serious losses in military equipment and people. However, in this case they actually won a convincing victory.

Despite the fact that on the eve of the invasion of Russia, Germany significantly increased the production of PzKpfw IV tanks, they still accounted for no more than one sixth of all Wehrmacht combat vehicles (439 out of 3332). True, by that time the number of obsolete light tanks PzKpfw I and PzKpfw II had decreased significantly (thanks to the actions of the Red Army), and the majority of the Panzerwaffe began to be made up of Czech LT-38 (PzKpfw 38 (1) and German “troikas”. With such forces, the Germans began to implement plan "Barbarossa". Some superiority of the Soviet Union in military equipment did not confuse the strategists from the OKW; they had no doubt that German vehicles would quickly cope with this gigantic fleet of outdated Russian tanks. At first it turned out that way, but the appearance of a new one on the theater of operations. The Soviet medium tank T-34 and the heavy KV-1 radically changed the situation. Before the creation of the Panthers and Tigers, not a single German tank could compete with these magnificent tanks. At close ranges, they literally shot down weakly armored German vehicles. changed somewhat with the appearance in 1942 of a new “four”, armed with a long-barreled 75-mm KwK 40 cannon. Now I want to introduce you to an excerpt from the memoirs of a former tankman of the 24th Tank Regiment,” which describes the duel of the new “four” with a Soviet tank in the summer of 1942 near Voronezh.
“There were bloody street battles for Voronezh. Even by the evening of the second day, the valiant defenders of the city did not lay down their arms. Unexpectedly, Soviet tanks, which were the main force of defense, attempted to break through the ring of troops closed around the city. A fierce tank battle ensued." The author then quotes in detail
Sergeant Freyer's report: “On July 7, 1942, on my PzKpfw IV, armed with a long-barreled cannon, I took a position at a strategically important crossroads in Voronezh. Well disguised, we hid in a dense garden near one of the houses. A wooden fence hid our tank from the street side. We received orders to support the advance of our light combat vehicles with fire, protecting them from enemy tanks and anti-tank guns. At first everything was relatively calm, except for a few clashes with scattered groups of Russians, but nevertheless the battle in the city kept us in constant suspense.

It was a hot day, but after sunset it seemed to get even hotter. At about eight o'clock in the evening a Russian T-34 medium tank appeared to our left, clearly intending to cross the intersection we were guarding. Since the T-34 was followed by at least 30 other tanks, we could not allow such a maneuver. I had to open fire. At first, luck was on our side; with the first shots we managed to knock out three Russian tanks. But then our gunner, non-commissioned officer Fischer, radioed: “The gun is jammed!” Here it is necessary to explain that our front sight was completely new, and there were often problems with it, namely that after firing every second or third shell, the empty cartridge case got stuck in the breech. At this time, another Russian tank was fiercely pouring fire on the entire space around itself. Our loader, Corporal Groll, was seriously wounded in the head. We pulled him out of the tank and laid him on the ground, and the radio operator took the vacated loader’s place. The gunner extracted the spent cartridge case and resumed firing... Several more times, NCO Schmidt and I had to feverishly pick at the barrel with an artillery banner under enemy fire in order to pull out the stuck cartridges. The fire from Russian tanks smashed the wooden fence to pieces, but our tank still did not receive a single damage.

In total, we knocked out 11 enemy vehicles, and the Russians managed to break through only once, at the moment when our gun jammed again. Almost 20 minutes passed from the start of the battle before the enemy was able to open targeted fire on us from their guns. In the falling twilight, shell explosions and roaring flames gave the landscape some kind of eerie supernatural look... Apparently, it was through this flame that our people found us. They helped us get to the location of the regiment, stationed on the southern outskirts of Voronezh. I remember that, despite being tired, I could not sleep because of the sweltering heat and stuffiness... The next day, Colonel Rigel noted our merits in the order for the regiment:
"The Fuhrer and the Supreme High Command award Sergeant Freyer of the 4th platoon with the Knight's Cross. In the battle of Voronezh, Sergeant Freyer, commander of the PzKpfw IV tank, destroyed 9 medium Russian T-34 tanks and two light T-60 tanks. This happened at the moment when A column of 30 Russian tanks tried to break through to the city center. Despite the overwhelming majority of the enemy, Sergeant Freyer remained faithful to his military duty and did not leave his post. He allowed the enemy to approach and opened fire on him from his tank. As a result, the Russian tank column was scattered. partially destroyed. Meanwhile, our infantry, after heavy bloody battles, managed to occupy the city.
In front of the entire regiment, I want to be the first to congratulate Sergeant Freyer on his high award. The entire 24th Tank Regiment is proud of our Knight's Cross and wishes him continued success in future battles. I would also like to take this opportunity to express special gratitude to the other members of the brave tank crew:
To gunner non-commissioned officer Fischer
Driver-mechanic non-commissioned officer Schmidt
Loading Corporal Groll
Radio operator Corporal Muller

and convey your admiration for their actions on July 7, 1942. Your feat will go down in the golden chronicle of the glory of our valiant regiment.”

The decision to create a medium tank with a short-barreled 75 mm gun was made in January 1934. Preference was given to the Krupp project, and in 1937 - 1938 it produced about 200 vehicles of modifications A, B, C and D.

These tanks had a combat weight of 18 to 20 tons, armor up to 20 mm thick, a highway speed of no more than 40 km/h and a highway range of 200 km. A 75-mm gun with a 23.5-caliber barrel length, coaxial with a machine gun, was installed in the turret.

During the attack on Poland on September 1, 1939 german army had only 211 T-4 tanks. The tank showed itself well and was approved as the main one along with the T-3. Since December 1939, its mass production began (in 1940 - 280 pieces).

By the beginning of the campaign in France (May 10, 1940), German tank divisions in the West had only 278 T-4 tanks. The only result of the Polish and French campaigns was an increase in the thickness of the frontal hull armor to 50 mm, side armor to 30 mm and turret armor to 50 mm. The weight reached 22 tons (modification F1, produced in 1941 - 1942). The width of the tracks was increased from 380 to 400 mm.

From the first days of the war, Soviet T-34 and KV tanks (see below) demonstrated the superiority of their weapons and armor over the T-4. Hitler's command demanded that their tank be re-equipped with a long-barreled gun. In March 1942, he received a 75 mm cannon with a 43-caliber barrel length (vehicle modification T-4F2).

In 1942, vehicles of modifications G were produced, from 1943 - H and from March 1944 - J. Tanks of the last two modifications had 80 mm frontal hull armor and were armed with guns with a barrel length of 48 calibers. The weight increased to 25 tons, and the cross-country ability of the vehicles deteriorated noticeably. On modification J, the fuel supply was increased and the range increased to 300 km. Since 1943, 5-mm screens began to be installed on tanks, protecting the sides and turret (side and rear) from artillery shells and from anti-tank rifle bullets.

The welded tank hull of a simple design did not have a rational slope of the armor plates. There were many hatches in the hull, which made access to units and mechanisms easier, but reduced the strength of the hull. Internal partitions divided it into three compartments. In front, in the control compartment, there were final drives, the driver (on the left) and the gunner-radio operator, who had his own surveillance devices, were located. The fighting compartment with a multifaceted turret housed three crew members: a commander, a gunner and a loader. The turret had hatches in the sides, which reduced its resistance to projectiles. The commander's cupola is equipped with five viewing devices with armored shutters. There were also viewing devices on both sides of the gun mantlet and in the side hatches of the turret. The rotation of the turret was carried out by an electric motor or manually, vertical aiming was carried out manually. The ammunition included high-explosive fragmentation and smoke grenades, armor-piercing, sub-caliber and cumulative shells. An armor-piercing projectile (mass 6.8 kg, initial speed - 790 m/s) penetrated armor up to 95 mm thick, and a sub-caliber projectile (4.1 kg, 990 m/s) - about 110 mm at a distance of 1000 m (data for a gun in 48 calibers).

A 12-cylinder water-cooled Maybach carburetor engine was installed in the engine compartment at the rear of the hull.

The T-4 turned out to be a reliable and easy-to-control vehicle (it was the Wehrmacht's most popular tank), but poor maneuverability, a weak gasoline engine (the tanks burned like matches) and undifferentiated armor were disadvantages over Soviet tanks.

Medium tank Pz Kpfw IV
and its modifications

The most widespread tank III Reich. Produced from October 1937 until the end of the war. A total of 8,519 tanks were produced Pz Kpfw IV Ausf A, B, C, D, E, F1, F2, G, H, J, of which - 1,100 with a short-barreled 7.5cm KwK37 L/24 gun, 7,419 tanks with a long-barreled 7.5cm KwK40 L/43 or L/48 gun).

Pz IV Ausf A Pz IV Ausf B Pz IV Ausf C

Pz IV Ausf D Pz IV Ausf E

Pz IV Ausf F1 Pz IV Ausf F2

Pz IV Ausf G Pz IV Ausf H

Pz IV Ausf J

Crew - 5 people.
Engine - Maybach HL 120TR or TRM (Ausf A - HL 108TR).

The Maybach HL 120TR 12-cylinder carburetor engine (3000 rpm) had a power of 300 hp. With. and allowed the tank to reach a maximum speed on the highway of up to 40 - 42 km/h.

All Pz Kpfw IV tanks had a 75 mm tank gun (7.5 cm in German terminology). In the series from modification A to F1, short-barreled 7.5cm KwK37 L/24 guns with an initial armor-piercing projectile speed of 385 m/s were installed, which were powerless against the armor of Soviet T-34 and KV tanks, as well as against most British and American tanks. Since March 1942, the last vehicles of modification F (175 vehicles designated F2), as well as all tanks of modifications G, H and J, began to be armed with long-barreled 7.5cm KwK40 L/43 or L/48 guns. (The KwK 40 L/48 gun was installed on parts of the G series vehicles, and then on modifications H and J.) Pz Kpfw IV tanks, armed with KwK40 guns with an initial armor-piercing projectile speed of 770 m/s, gained some fire superiority over the T-34 time (2nd half of 1942 - 1943)

Tanks Pz Kpfw IV were also armed with two MG 34 machine guns. In modifications B and C there was no radio operator's machine gun; instead there is a viewing slot and a pistol embrasure.

All tanks have FuG 5 radios.

Medium support tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf A(Sd Kfz 161)

35 tanks were produced from October 1937 to March 1938 by Krupp-Guzon.

Combat weight - 18.4 tons. Length - 5.6 m. Width - 2.9 m. Height - 2.65 m.
Armor 15 mm.
Engine - Maybach HL 108TR. Speed - 31 km/h. Power reserve - 150 km.

Combat use: they fought in Poland, Norway, France; were withdrawn from service in the spring of 1941.

Medium support tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf B, Ausf C(Sd Kfz 161)

42 Pz Kpfw IV Ausf B tanks were produced (from April to September 1938) and 134 Pz Kpfw IV Ausf C tanks (from September 1938 to August 1939).

Pz Kpfw IV Ausf B

Pz Kpfw IV Ausf C

A different engine and a new 6-speed gearbox were installed. The speed increased to 40 km/h. The thickness of the frontal armor has been increased to 30 mm. A new commander's cupola has been installed. In the Ausf C modification, the motor installation was changed and the turret rotating ring was improved.

Combat weight - 18.8 tons (Ausf B) and 19 tons (Ausf C). Length - 5.92 m. Width - 2.83 m. Height - 2.68 m.
Armor: front of the hull and turret - 30 mm, side and rear - 15 mm.

In modifications B and C there was no radio operator's machine gun; instead there is a viewing slot and a pistol embrasure.

Combat use: Pz Kpfw IV Ausf B and Ausf C tanks fought in Poland, France, the Balkans and on the Eastern Front. Pz Kpfw IV Ausf C remained in service until 1943. Pz Kpfw IV Ausf B gradually fell out of service by the end of 1944.

Medium support tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf D(Sd Kfz 161)

229 tanks were produced from October 1939 to May 1941.

The main difference between the Ausf D modification was the increase in the thickness of the side and stern armor to 20 mm.

Combat weight - 20 tons. Length - 5.92 m. Width - 2.84 m. Height - 2.68 m.
Armor: hull and turret front - 30 mm, side and rear - 20 mm.
Speed - 40 km/h. Power reserve - 200 km.

Combat use: fought in France, the Balkans, North Africa and on the Eastern Front until early 1944.

Medium support tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf E(Sd Kfz 161)

223 tanks were produced from September 1940 to April 1941.

On Ausf E increased the thickness of the frontal armor of the hull to 50 mm; A new type of commander's cupola appeared. Armor linings were used on the forehead of the superstructure (30 mm) and on the sides of the hull and superstructure (20 mm).

Combat weight - 21 tons. Length - 5.92 m. Width - 2.84 m. Height - 2.68 m.
Armor: hull front - 50 mm, superstructure and turret front - 30 mm, side and rear - 20 mm.

Combat use: Pz Kpfw IV Ausf E tanks took part in battles in the Balkans, North Africa and on the Eastern Front.

Medium support tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F1(Sd Kfz 161)

462 tanks were produced from April 1941 to March 1942, of which 25 were converted into Ausf F2.

On Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F's armor was again increased: the front of the hull and turret was up to 50 mm, the sides of the turret and hull were up to 30 mm. The single-leaf doors on the sides of the turret were replaced with double-leaf ones, and the track width increased from 360 to 400 mm. Tanks of modifications Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F, G, H were produced at the factories of three companies: Krupp-Gruson, Fomag and Nibelungenwerke.

Combat weight - 22.3 tons. Length - 5.92 m. Width - 2.84 m. Height - 2.68 m.

Speed - 42 km/h. Power reserve - 200 km.

Combat use: Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F1 tanks fought on all sectors of the Eastern Front in 1941-44 and participated in . Entered service in and.

Medium tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F2(Sd Kfz 161/1)

Produced from March to July 1942, 175 tanks and 25 vehicles converted from Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F1.

Starting with this model, all subsequent ones were equipped with a long-barreled 7.5cm KwK 40 L/43 (48) gun. The gun's ammunition load was increased from 80 to 87 rounds.

Combat weight - 23 tons. Length - 5.92 m. Width - 2.84 m. Height - 2.68 m.
Armor: front of the hull, superstructure and turret - 50 mm, side - 30 mm, rear - 20 mm.
Speed - 40 km/h. Power reserve - 200 km.

They entered service with new tank regiments and motorized divisions, as well as to make up for losses. In the summer of 1942, Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F2 tanks could withstand the Soviet T-34 and KV, equaling the latter in firepower, and surpassing the British and American tanks that period.

Medium tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf G(Sd Kfz 161/2)

1,687 vehicles were produced from May 1942 to July 1943.

A new gun muzzle brake has been introduced. Smoke grenade launchers were installed on the sides of the tower. The number of viewing slots in the tower has been reduced. About 700 Pz Kpfw IV Ausf G tanks received additional 30 mm frontal armor. On the latest vehicles, armor screens made of thin steel (5 mm) were installed along the sides of the hull and around the turret. Tanks of modifications Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F, G, H were produced at the factories of three companies: Krupp-Gruson, Fomag and Nibelungenwerke.

Combat weight - 23.5 tons. Length - 6.62 m. Width - 2.88 m. Height - 2.68 m.
Armor: front of the hull, superstructure and turret - 50 mm, side - 30 mm, rear - 20 mm.
Speed - 40 km/h. Power reserve - 210 km.

Medium tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf N(Sd Kfz 161/2)

3,774 vehicles were produced from April 1943 to July 1944.

The Ausf H modification series - the most widespread - received 80 mm frontal hull armor (the thickness of the turret armor remained the same - 50 mm); armor protection of the turret roof increased from 10 to 15 mm. An external air filter was installed. The radio antenna was moved to the rear of the hull. A mount for an anti-aircraft machine gun is mounted on the commander's cupola. 5-mm side screens were installed on the hull and turret, protecting against cumulative shells. Some tanks had non-rubber-coated (steel) support rollers. Tanks of the Ausf H modification were produced at the factories of three companies: Nibelungenwerke, Krupp-Gruson (Magdeburg) and Fomag in Plauen. A total of 3,774 Pz Kpfw IV Ausf H and another 121 chassis for self-propelled and assault guns were produced.

Combat weight - 25 tons. Length - 7.02 m. Width - 2.88 m. Height - 2.68 m.

Speed – 38 km/h. Power reserve - 210 km.

Medium tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf J(Sd Kfz 161/2)

1,758 vehicles were produced from June 1944 to March 1945 at the Nibelungenwerke plant.

The electrical horizontal aiming system of the turret has been replaced with a double one mechanical system manual aiming. An additional fuel tank was installed in the vacant space. The power reserve has been increased to 320 km. For close combat, a mortar was installed in the roof of the tower, firing fragmentation or smoke grenades to defeat enemy soldiers who had climbed onto the tank. The viewing slots and pistol embrasures in the side doors and rear of the turret have been removed.

Combat weight - 25 tons. Length - 7.02 m. Width - 2.88 m. Height - 2.68 m.
Armor: front of the hull and superstructure - 80 mm, front of the turret - 50 mm, side - 30 mm, rear - 20 mm.
Speed – 38 km/h. Power reserve - 320 km.

Combat use of medium tanks Pz Kpfw IV

Before the invasion of France, the troops had 280 Pz Kpfw IV Ausf A, B, C, D tanks.

Before you start Operation Barbarossa Germany had 3,582 combat-ready tanks. The 17 tank divisions deployed against the Soviet Union included 438 Pz IV Ausf B, C, D, E, F tanks. Soviet KV and T-34 tanks had an advantage over the German Pz Kpfw IV. Shells from KV and T-34 tanks penetrated the armor of the Pz Kpfw IV at considerable distances. The armor of the Pz Kpfw IV was also penetrated by 45 mm Soviet anti-tank guns and 45 mm guns of the T-26 and BT light tanks. And the short-barreled German tank gun could only effectively fight light tanks. Therefore, during 1941, 348 Pz Kpfw IVs were destroyed on the Eastern Front.

Tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F1 of the 5th Panzer Division in November 1941 near Moscow

In June 1942 years there were 208 tanks on the Eastern Front Pz Kpfw IV Ausf B, C, D, E, F1 and about 170 Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F2 and Ausf G tanks with a long-barreled gun.

In 1942 tank battalion Pz Kpfw IV was to consist of four tank companies of 22 Pz Kpfw IV plus eight tanks in the regiment's headquarters company.

Tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf C and panzergrenadiers

Spring 1943

Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2

Main Features

Briefly

Details

3.3 / 3.3 / 3.7 BR

5 people Crew

Mobility

22.7 tons Weight

6 forward
1 ago checkpoint

Armament

87 rounds of ammunition

10° / 20° UVN

3,000 rounds of ammunition

150 shells clip size

900 rounds/min rate of fire

Economy

Description

Panzerkampfwagen IV (7.5 cm) Ausführung F2 or Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 - medium tank of the armed forces of the Third Reich. Unlike previous modifications, it was armed with a long-barreled 75-mm KwK 40 gun with a barrel length of 43 calibers and improved armor protection. It became the first German tank capable of standing up to Soviet T-34 and KV-1 tanks on equal terms, but this only concerned weapons; in terms of armor protection it was still inferior to its rivals and could easily be destroyed by Soviet 76-mm tank guns. For this reason, the vehicle’s armor was often strengthened by the crew themselves by attaching spare tracks and other improvised means.

Release of Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 lasted from April to July 1942. During this period, 175 units were built and another 25 cars were converted from the F1 modification. The tank was used mainly on the Eastern Front; some of the vehicles of this modification were sent to the Afrika Korps, where they were used to suppress allied fire points and manpower due to a shortage of armor-piercing shells. The tank played a significant role in the war, countering the tanks and armored vehicles of the Allies, which the rest of the German tanks, which had weaker weapons, could not cope with. After production of the F2 modification ceased, the vehicle gave way to more advanced modifications of the Pz.Kpfw medium tank. IV.

Main Features

Armor protection and survivability

Location of the crew and modules inside the Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2

Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. The F2 does not have the best armor protection among similar tanks in its combat rating (BR). The entire frontal armor of the tank has a thickness of 50 mm, except for the section of armor under the driver's gap, which has a thickness of 20 mm, but is located at an angle of 73 degrees, which gives the reduced armor thickness the same 50 mm. In addition, having studied the "Applied Armor" modification, the frontal armor is reinforced with additional tracks 15 mm thick. The side and rear armor of the turret and hull is 30 mm and is easily hit even by heavy machine guns. The tank's survivability is negatively affected by the dense layout of the crew and modules. The downside is the high commander's turret, which can protrude from behind cover, even if the tank is completely hidden from the eyes of enemies.

Mobility

Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 has high speed and mobility. The maximum speed of the car is 48 km/h, it picks up quickly and is almost not lost from small obstacles. The rear speed is 8 km/h and it is quite enough to roll back after a shot or back up to drive behind cover. The maneuverability of the car is good both from a standstill and while driving. From a standstill, the tank turns vigorously, while moving even better and faster, but noticeably loses speed. Cross-country ability of Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 high.

Armament

Main weapon

The most important advantage of the Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 is its long-barreled 75 mm KwK40 L43 gun with 87 rounds of ammunition. The gun has simply amazing armor penetration. Due to the length of the barrel, unlike previous modifications with short-barreled guns, the KwK40 L43 has good projectile flight ballistics. According to the armor effect, Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 is inferior to T-34 and KV-1 shells, but it is quite enough to destroy most of the enemy with one precise hit. The gun reloads quickly. Vertical aiming angles range from -10 to +20 degrees, which allows you to fire from behind hills and obstacles while hiding the body behind them. The turret rotates at an average speed, so sometimes you will have to turn your body towards a suddenly appearing enemy.

There are five types of shells available for the tank:

PzGr 39- an armor-piercing projectile with an armor-piercing tip and a ballistic cap. It has excellent armor penetration and good armor protection. Recommended as the main projectile for this tank.

Hl.Gr 38B- cumulative projectile. It has less armor penetration than the PzGr 39, but retains it at all distances. Recommended for shooting at enemies at particularly long distances.

PzGr 40- armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile. It has the highest armor penetration, but much less armor penetration than the PzGr 39, and also significantly loses its armor penetration at long distances. In addition, the projectile is not very effective against opponents with sloped armor. Recommended for use at close range against well-armored opponents.

Sprgr. 34- high-explosive fragmentation projectile. It has the lowest armor penetration of all the presented shells. Can be effective against unarmored vehicles, for example against truck-based self-propelled anti-aircraft guns (SPAAGs).

K.Gr.Rot Nb.- smoke shell. It does not have armor penetration and can only cause damage by hitting the enemy crew directly. Temporarily releases a large cloud of smoke, through which the enemy will be unable to see the player's actions and movements.

Machine gun weapons

Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. The F2 is armed with a 7.92 mm MG34 machine gun with 3,000 rounds of ammunition, coaxial with a 75 mm gun. It can incapacitate the crew on vehicles that do not have armor, for example, a self-propelled gun based on trucks.

Use in combat

To protect the vulnerable hull of the Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2, it is better to choose positions that would completely cover the body from enemy shells

Playing on Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2, you should always remember about its weak armor and high vulnerability. Thanks to high speed, on Pz.Kpfw. IV, you can be one of the first to arrive at the capture point, but if there is no cover at the point, then you can be easy prey for enemy tanks. The same applies to attacks, you need to avoid open areas of the terrain where the vehicle will be easily destroyed and move only from cover to cover, destroying enemy tanks because of them. The car is also well suited for the role of a sniper. The car is also good for flanking, its fast speed will allow you to easily enter the enemy’s flank or rear, and the effect of surprise and a good weapon will allow you to inflict significant damage on the enemy team.

Advantages and disadvantages

The armor does not have rational angles, so you need to turn the hull a little, but not too much, so as not to expose even weaker sides, good dynamics and mobility will allow you to take important positions quickly, and the UVN will shoot in most situations.

Advantages:

Excellent armor penetration
High flatness
Good armor protection effect of shells
Remarkable speed and maneuverability
Good maneuverability
Fast recharge

Flaws:

Weak armor
Dense layout

Historical background

In January 1934, the Armament Directorate of the German War Department held a competition for designs for a new medium tank. Krupp, MAN, Daimler-Benz and Rheinmetall took part in the competition. The competition was won by the project of the Krupp company, under the designation VK 2001 (K). The new tank was conceived by the German command as a support tank for attacking forces, its main task was to suppress enemy firing points, mainly such as machine gun nests and crews of anti-tank guns, as well as fight against lightly armored enemy vehicles. In its design and layout, the tank was made in the classic German style - with the control and transmission compartment located in the front part, the fighting compartment in the middle and the engine compartment in the rear part of the hull. The tank was armed with a short-barreled 75 mm gun. Initially, observing secrecy from the prohibitions of the Versailles Treaty, the new vehicle was designated as Bataillonsführerwagen or B.W., which translated meant “battalion commander’s vehicle”; later the tank received its final designation - Pz.Kpfw. IV (Panzerkampfwagen IV) or Sd.Kfz. 161, in Soviet and domestic sources T-4 or T-IV.

The first modification of the Pz.Kpfw tank. IV Ausf. A

The first pre-production samples of Pz.Kpfw. IV, designated Ausf.A, they were released in late 1936 - early 1937. At the time of the outbreak of hostilities by Germany, on September 1, 1939, there were only 211 Pz.Kpfw tanks in the Wehrmacht tank fleet. IV of all modifications. Although in Polish campaign these vehicles did not meet worthy opponents, but also small-caliber anti-tank artillery Polish troops caused serious losses to German tanks. For this reason, urgent measures were taken to strengthen the armor protection of tanks. The French campaign, where German tank forces clashed with French and British armored vehicles, only confirmed that the Pz.Kpfw. IV still did not have sufficient armor, in addition, it also showed that short-barreled 75 mm guns were powerless against the heavy British Matilda tanks. But the final end to the production of Pz.Kpfw. IV with short-barreled guns was installed in the campaign against the USSR, which began on June 22, 1941. Already in July of the same year, faced with heavy KV-1 and medium T-34 tanks, the Germans realized that short guns could not do anything to the new Soviet tanks, even at point-blank range.

Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F1 with short-barreled gun

For this reason, at the end of the autumn of 1941, the hasty development of a new, long-barreled 75-mm tank gun began, which could successfully resist the Soviet T-34 and KV-1. Previously, the idea of installing a 50-mm gun with a barrel length of 42 calibers was put forward, but the experience of the war on the Eastern Front showed that Soviet 76-mm guns are superior to German 50-mm guns in all respects. To install the new gun, a modification of the Pz.Kpfw was taken. IV Ausf. F, which was produced from April 1941 and was the result of an analysis of the course of hostilities in Poland and France. Unlike all previous modifications, the Ausf. F the thickness of the armor of the turret and hull forehead increased to 50 mm, the sides to 30 mm, the hull front plate became straight, single-leaf hatch doors on the sides of the turret were replaced with double-leaf ones. Due to the increased mass of the tank and specific ground pressure, the vehicle received new tracks with a width of 400 mm, instead of 360 mm, as on all previous modifications.

With the installation of a 75-mm long-barreled KwK 40 gun with a barrel length of 43 calibers on the tank, the designation of the tank Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F, at the end, the numbers 1 and 2 were added, where the number 1 meant that the vehicle had a short-barreled gun, and 2 - with a long-barreled gun. The combat weight of the tank reached 23.6 tons. Production of Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2 began in March 1942 and ended in July of the same year, giving way to other, more advanced modifications. During this period, 175 Ausf vehicles were produced. F2 and 25 more were converted from F1. With the advent of long-barreled guns, Pz.Kpfw. IV was able to compete on equal terms with Soviet heavy and medium tanks, but this only concerned weapons; in terms of armor protection, the vehicle was still inferior to the Soviet T-34 and, even more so, the KV-1. In addition, the increased weight of the vehicle reduced its speed and maneuverability, and the installation of a long-barreled gun increased the weight on the front part of the hull, which led to rapid wear of the front rollers and led to strong rocking of the tank during a sudden stop and after a shot.