German T4 tank technical characteristics. Medium tank T-IV Panzerkampfwagen IV (PzKpfw IV, also Pz
Production of this tank, created by Krupp, began in 1937 and continued throughout the Second World War.
Like the T-III tank (Pz.III), the power plant is located at the rear, and the power transmission and drive wheels are located at the front. The control compartment housed the driver and gunner-radio operator, firing from a machine gun mounted in a ball joint. The fighting compartment was located in the middle of the hull. A multifaceted welded turret was mounted here, which housed three crew members and installed weapons.
T-IV tanks were produced with the following weapons:
Modifications A-F, assault tank with 75 mm howitzer;
- modification G, a tank with a 75-mm cannon with a 43-caliber barrel length;
- modifications NK, a tank with a 75-mm cannon with a barrel length of 48 calibers.
Due to the constant increase in the thickness of the armor, the weight of the vehicle during production increased from 17.1 tons (modification A) to 24.6 tons (modifications NK). Since 1943, to enhance armor protection, armor screens were installed on tanks for the sides of the hull and turret. The long-barreled gun introduced on modifications G, NK allowed the T-IV to withstand enemy tanks of equal weight (a 75-mm sub-caliber projectile at a range of 1000 meters penetrated armor 110 mm thick), but its maneuverability, especially the overweight latest modifications, was unsatisfactory. In total, about 9,500 T-IV tanks of all modifications were produced during the war.
Tank PzKpfw IV. History of creation.
In the 20s and early 30s, the theory of the use of mechanized troops, in particular tanks, developed through trial and error; the views of theorists changed very often. A number of supporters of tanks believed that the appearance of armored vehicles would make positional warfare in the style of battles of 1914-1917 tactically impossible. In turn, the French relied on the construction of well-fortified long-term defensive positions, such as the Maginot Line. A number of experts believed that the main armament of a tank should be a machine gun, and the main task of armored vehicles is to fight enemy infantry and artillery; the most radically thinking representatives of this school considered a battle between tanks pointless, since, supposedly, neither side would be able to cause damage to the other. There was an opinion that the victory in the battle would be won by the side that could destroy the largest number of enemy tanks. Special guns with special shells - anti-tank guns with armor-piercing shells - were considered as the main means of fighting tanks. In fact, no one knew what the nature of hostilities would be in a future war. The experience of the Spanish Civil War also did not clarify the situation.
The Treaty of Versailles prohibited Germany from having tracked combat vehicles, but could not prevent German specialists from working on studying various theories of using armored vehicles, and the creation of tanks was carried out by the Germans in secrecy. When Hitler abandoned the restrictions of Versailles in March 1935, the young Panzerwaffe already had all the theoretical developments in the field of use and organizational structure of tank regiments.
In mass production under the guise of "agricultural tractors" there were two types of light armed tanks, PzKpfw I and PzKpfw II.
The PzKpfw I tank was considered a training vehicle, while the PzKpfw II was intended for reconnaissance, but it turned out that the “two” remained the most popular tank of the panzer divisions until it was replaced by the PzKpfw III medium tanks, armed with a 37 mm cannon and three machine guns.
The beginning of the development of the PzKpfw IV tank dates back to January 1934, when the army issued a specification to the industry for a new fire support tank weighing no more than 24 tons, the future vehicle received the official designation Gesch.Kpfw. (75 mm)(Vskfz.618). Over the next 18 months, specialists from Rheinmetall-Borzing, Krupp and MAN worked on three competing designs for the battalion commander's vehicle (Battalionführerswagnen, abbreviated as BW). The VK 2001/K project, presented by the Krupp company, was recognized as the best, with a turret and hull shape similar to the PzKpfw III tank.
However, the VK 2001/K did not go into production, since the military was not satisfied with the six-wheel chassis with medium-diameter wheels on a spring suspension; it needed to be replaced with a torsion bar. The torsion bar suspension, compared to the spring one, ensured smoother movement of the tank and had a greater vertical travel of the road wheels. Krupp engineers, together with representatives of the Arms Procurement Directorate, agreed on the possibility of using an improved design of spring suspension on the tank with eight small-diameter road wheels on board. However, the Krupp company largely had to revise the proposed original design. In the final version, the PzKpfw IV was a combination of the hull and turret of the VK 2001/K with a chassis newly developed by Krupp.
The PzKpfw IV tank is designed according to the classic layout with a rear engine. The commander's position was located along the axis of the tower directly under the commander's cupola, the gunner was located to the left of the breech of the gun, and the loader was to the right. In the control compartment, located in the front part of the tank hull, there were workstations for the driver (to the left of the vehicle axis) and the radio operator (to the right). Between the driver's and gunner's seats there was a transmission. An interesting feature of the tank’s design was the displacement of the turret by about 8 cm to the left of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and the engine by 15 cm to the right to allow passage of the shaft connecting the engine and transmission. This design decision made it possible to increase the internal reserved volume on the right side of the hull to accommodate the first shots, which could be most easily reached by the loader. The turret rotation drive is electric.
Tank Museum, Kubinka, Moscow region. German T-4 tank participates in war games
The suspension and chassis consisted of eight small-diameter road wheels grouped into two-wheeled bogies suspended on leaf springs, drive wheels, sloths installed in the rear of the tank, and four rollers supporting the track. Throughout the entire history of operation of the PzKpfw IV tanks, their chassis remained unchanged, only minor improvements were introduced. The prototype of the tank was manufactured at the Krupp plant in Essen and was tested in 1935-36.
Description of the PzKpfw IV tank
Armor protection.
In 1942, consulting engineers Mertz and McLillan conducted a detailed examination of the captured PzKpfw IV Ausf.E tank, in particular, they carefully studied its armor.
Several armor plates were tested for hardness, all of them were machined. The hardness of the machined armor plates on the outside and inside was 300-460 Brinell.
- The 20 mm thick applied armor plates, which enhance the armor of the hull sides, are made of homogeneous steel and have a hardness of about 370 Brinell. The reinforced side armor is not capable of "holding" 2 pound shells fired from 1000 yards.
On the other hand, shelling of a tank carried out in the Middle East in June 1941 showed that a distance of 500 yards (457 m) can be considered as the limit for effectively hitting a PzKpfw IV in the frontal area with fire from a 2-pounder gun. A report prepared in Woolwich on a study of the armor protection of a German tank notes that “the armor is 10% better than similar machined English armor, and in some respects even better than homogeneous.”
At the same time, the method of connecting armor plates was criticized; a specialist from Leyland Motors commented on his research: “The welding quality is poor, the welds of two of the three armor plates in the area where the projectile hit came apart.”
Power point.
The Maybach engine is designed to operate in moderate climatic conditions, where its performance is satisfactory. At the same time, in tropical or highly dusty conditions, it breaks down and is prone to overheating. British intelligence, after studying the PzKpfw IV tank captured in 1942, concluded that engine failures were caused by sand getting into the oil system, distributor, dynamo and starter; air filters are inadequate. There have been frequent cases of sand getting into the carburetor.
The Maybach engine operating manual requires the use of only 74 octane gasoline with a complete lubricant change after 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 km. The recommended engine speed under normal operating conditions is 2600 rpm, but in hot climates (southern regions of the USSR and North Africa) this speed does not provide normal cooling. Using the engine as a brake is permissible at 2200-2400 rpm; at a speed of 2600-3000 this mode should be avoided.
The main components of the cooling system were two radiators installed at an angle of 25 degrees to the horizontal. The radiators were cooled by an air flow forced by two fans; The fans are driven by a belt from the main engine shaft. Water circulation in the cooling system was ensured by a centrifuge pump. Air entered the engine compartment through an opening on the right side of the hull, covered by an armored damper, and was exhausted out through a similar opening on the left side.
The synchro-mechanical transmission proved efficient, although pulling force in high gears was low, so 6th gear was used only for highway driving. The output shafts are combined with the braking and turning mechanism into a single device. To cool this device, a fan was installed to the left of the clutch box. The simultaneous release of the steering control levers could be used as an effective parking brake.
On tanks of later versions, the spring suspension of the road wheels was heavily overloaded, but replacing the damaged two-wheeled bogie seemed to be a fairly simple operation. The track tension was regulated by the position of the idler mounted on the eccentric. On the Eastern Front, special track extenders, known as "Ostketten", were used, which improved the maneuverability of tanks in the winter months of the year.
An extremely simple but effective device for putting on a slipped track was tested on an experimental PzKpfw IV tank. It was a factory-made tape that had the same width as the tracks and was perforated to engage with the drive wheel ring gear. One end of the tape was attached to the slipped track, and the other, after it was passed over the rollers, to the drive wheel. The motor turned on, the drive wheel began to rotate, pulling the tape and the tracks attached to it until the rims of the drive wheel entered the slots on the tracks. The whole operation took a few minutes.
The engine was started by a 24-volt electric starter. Since the auxiliary electric generator saved battery power, it was possible to try to start the engine more times on the “four” than on the PzKpfw III tank. In case of starter failure, or when the lubricant thickened in severe frost, an inertial starter was used, the handle of which was connected to the engine shaft through a hole in the rear armor plate. The handle was turned by two people at the same time; the minimum number of turns of the handle required to start the engine was 60 rpm. Starting the engine from an inertia starter has become commonplace in the Russian winter. The minimum temperature of the engine at which it began to operate normally was t = 50 degrees C with a shaft rotation of 2000 rpm.
To facilitate engine starting in the cold climate of the Eastern Front, a special system was developed known as a "Kuhlwasserubertragung" - a cold water heat exchanger. After the engine of one tank was started and warmed up to normal temperature, warm water from it was pumped into the cooling system of the next tank, and cold water flowed to the already running motor - an exchange of coolants between the running and non-running motors took place. After the warm water warmed up the engine somewhat, you could try starting the engine with an electric starter. The "Kuhlwasserubertragung" system required minor modifications to the tank's cooling system.
http://pro-tank.ru/bronetehnika-germany/srednie-tanki/144-t-4
It was improved and modified many times, thanks to which it was very effective against other medium tanks throughout the war.
History of creation
The decision to develop the Pz.Kpfw.IV was made in 1934. The vehicle was primarily made to support infantry and suppress enemy firing points. The design was based on the Pz.Kpfw.III, a recently developed medium tank. When development began, Germany still did not advertise the work on prohibited types of weapons, so the project for the new tank was called Mittleren Tractor, and later, less secrecy, Bataillonfuhrerswagen (BW), that is, “battalion commander’s vehicle.” Of all the projects, the VK 2001(K) project presented by AG Krupp was selected.
The project was not accepted immediately - at first the military was not satisfied with the spring suspension, but the development of a new, torsion bar suspension could take a lot of time, and Germany was in dire need of a new tank, so it was decided to simply modify the existing project.
In 1934, the first model was born, still called the Bataillonfuhrerswagen. However, when the Germans introduced a unified tank designation system, it received its last name - the PzKpfw IV tank, which sounds exactly like Panzerkampfwagen IV.
The first prototype was made of plywood, and soon a prototype made of mild welding steel appeared. It was immediately sent for testing to Kummersdorf, which the tank successfully passed. In 1936, mass production of the machine began.
Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.A TTX
general information
- Classification – medium tank;
- Combat weight - 25 tons;
- The layout is classic, transmission at the front;
- Crew – 5 people;
- Years of production: from 1936 to 1945;
- Years of operation – from 1939 to 1970;
- A total of 8686 pieces were produced.
Dimensions
- Case length – 5890 mm;
- Case width – 2880 mm;
- Height – 2680 mm.
Booking
- Type of armor – forged steel, rolled with surface hardening;
- Forehead – 80 mm/degree;
- Bead – 30 mm/degree;
- Hull stern - 20 m/degree;
- Tower forehead - 50 mm/degree;
- Tower side – 30 mm/degree;
- Feed cutting – 30 mm/degree;
- Tower roof – 18 mm/degree.
Armament
- Caliber and brand of gun - 75 mm KwK 37, KwK 40 L/43, KwK 40 L/48, depending on modification;
- Barrel length - 24, 43 or 48 calibers;
- Ammunition - 87;
- Machine guns - 2 × 7.92 mm MG-34.
Mobility
- Engine power – 300 horsepower;
- Highway speed – 40 km/h;
- Cruising range on the highway – 300 km;
- Specific power – 13 hp. per ton;
- Climbability – 30 degrees;
- The ditch to be overcome is 2.2 meters
Modifications
- Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. A. – with bulletproof armor and weak protection for surveillance devices. In fact, this is a pre-production modification - only 10 of them were produced, and an order immediately came in for an improved model;
- PzKpfw IV Ausf. B - a hull of a different shape, the absence of a frontal machine gun and improved viewing devices. The frontal armor has been strengthened, a powerful engine and a new gearbox have been installed. Of course, the mass of the tank increased, but the speed also increased to 40 km/h. 42 were produced;
- PzKpfw IV Ausf. C is a truly massive modification. Similar to option B, but with a new engine and some changes. Since 1938, 140 pieces have been manufactured;
- Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. D – model with an external turret mantlet, thicker side armor and some improvements. The last peaceful model, 45 were produced;
- Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. E is a model that took into account the experience of the first war years. Received a new commander's tower and reinforced armor. The chassis, design of inspection devices and hatches were improved, as a result, the weight of the vehicle increased to 21 tons;
- Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf.F2 – with a 75 mm cannon. Still had insufficient protection compared to Soviet tanks;
- Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G - a more protected tank, some were equipped with a 75-mm cannon with a length of 48 calibers;
- Ausf.H is a 1943 vehicle, the most popular. Similar to Model G, but with thicker turret roof and new transmission;
- Ausf.J - an attempt to simplify and reduce the cost of tank production in 1944. There was no electric drive for turning the turret; soon after release, the pistol ports were removed and the design of the hatches was simplified. Tanks of this modification were produced until the end of the war.
Pz.Kpfw IV Ausf.H Vehicles based on Pz. IV
Several special vehicles were also built on the basis of the Panzerkampfwagen IV:
- StuG IV – medium self-propelled gun of the assault gun class;
- Nashorn (Hornisse) – medium anti-tank self-propelled gun;
- Möbelwagen 3.7 cm FlaK auf Fgst Pz.Kpfw. IV(sf); Flakpanzer IV "Möbelwagen" - anti-aircraft self-propelled gun;
- Jagdpanzer IV - medium self-propelled gun, tank destroyer;
- Munitionsschlepper - ammunition transporter;
- Sturmpanzer IV (Brummbär) - medium self-propelled howitzer/assault gun class;
- Hummel - self-propelled howitzer;
- Flakpanzer IV (3.7cm FlaK) Ostwind and Flakpanzer IV (2cm Vierling) Wirbelwind are self-propelled anti-aircraft guns.
The PzKpfw IV Hydrostatic with a hydrostatic drive was also developed, but it remained experimental and did not go into production.
Use in combat
The Wehrmacht received the first three Pz tanks. IV in January 1938. A total of 113 cars were produced in 1938. The first operations of these tanks were the Anschluss of Austria and the capture of the Judiciary region of Czechoslovakia in 1938. And in 1939 they drove through the streets of Prague.
Before the invasion of Poland, the Wehrmacht had 211 Pz. IV A, B and C. All of them were superior to Polish vehicles, but anti-tank guns were dangerous for them, so many tanks were lost.
By May 10, 1940, the Panzerwaffe had 290 Pz.Kpfw.IV tanks. They successfully fought with French tanks, winning with fewer losses. However, so far the troops still had more light Pz.l and Pz.ll than Pz. IV. In subsequent operations they suffered virtually no losses.
After 1940
By the beginning of Operation Barbarossa, the Germans had 439 Pz.lV. There is evidence that at that time the Germans classified them as heavy tanks, but they were significantly inferior to the Soviet heavy KVs in terms of combat qualities. However, the Pz.lV was inferior even to our T-34. Because of this, about 348 Pz.Kpfw.IV units were lost in battles in 1941. A similar situation occurred in North Africa.
Even the Germans themselves did not speak very well of the Pz.Kpfw.IV, which was the reason for so many modifications. In Africa, the vehicles were clearly defeated, and several successful operations involving Pz.lV Ausf.G and Tigers ultimately did not help anything - in North Africa the Germans had to capitulate.
On the Eastern Front, Ausf.F2s took part in the attack on the North Caucasus and Stalingrad. When the Pz.lll ceased production in 1943, it was the four that became the main German tank. And although after the start of production of the “Panther” the four wanted to stop producing them, they abandoned this decision, and for good reason. As a result, in 1943, Pz.IVs made up 60% of all German tanks - most of them were modifications G and H. They were often confused with Tigers due to their armored screens.
It was the Pz.lV that actively participated in Operation Citadel - there were many more Tigers and Panthers. At the same time, it seems that the Soviet troops just accepted many Pz. IV for the Tigers, since according to reports they knocked out many more Tigers than were present on the German side.
In all these battles, a lot of fours were lost - in 1943 this number reached 2402, and only 161 were repaired.
Shot down Pz. IV End of the war
In the summer of 1944, German troops were constantly losing both in the East and in the West, and Pz.lV tanks could not withstand the onslaught of enemies. 1,139 vehicles were destroyed, but the troops still had enough of them.
The last major operations in which the Pz.lV participated on the German side were the counter-offensive in the Ardennes and the counter-attack on Lake Balaton. They ended in failure, many tanks were knocked out. In general, the fours participated in hostilities until the very end of the war - they could be found in street battles in Berlin and on the territory of Czechoslovakia.
Of course, the captured Pz. IV were actively used by the Red Army and allies in various battles.
After World War II
After the surrender of Germany, a fairly large batch of fours was transferred to Czechoslovakia. They were repaired and were in service until the 50s. The Pz.lV was also actively used in Syria, Bulgaria, Finland, France, Turkey and Spain.
In the Middle East, Pz.Kpfw.IV fought in 1964, in the “water war” over the Jordan River. Then the Pz.lV Ausf.H fired at Israeli troops, but were soon destroyed in large numbers. And in 1967, during the “six-day” war, the Israelis captured the remaining vehicles.
Pz. IV in Syria Tank in culture
Tank Pz. IV was one of the most popular German tanks, so it has a strong presence in modern culture.
In bench modeling, 1:35 scale plastic kits are produced in China, Japan, Russia and South Korea. On the territory of the Russian Federation, the most common models of the Zvezda company are the late shielded tank and the early short-barreled tank, with a 75-mm cannon.
Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.A, model A tank is very common in games. Pz. IV A, D and H can be found in the game Word of Tanks, in Battlefield 1942 it is the main German tank. He can also be seen in both parts of Company of Heroes, in Advanced Military Commander, in the games “Behind Enemy Lines”, Red Orchestra 2 and others. Modifications of Ausf. C, Ausf. E, Ausf. F1, Ausf. F2, Ausf. G, Ausf. H, Ausf. J are presented. On mobile platforms Pz.IV Ausf. F2 can be seen in the game "Armored Aces".
Memory of a tank
The PzKpfw IV was produced very en masse, so many of its modifications, especially the later ones, are presented in various museums around the world:
- Belgium, Brussels – Museum of the Royal Army and Military History, PzKpfw IV Ausf J;
- Bulgaria, Sofia - Museum of Military History, PzKpfw IV Ausf J;
- UK – Duxford War Museum and Bovington Tank Museum, Ausf. D;
- Germany – Museum of Technology in Sinsheim and Tank Museum in Munster, Ausf G;
- Israel – Israel Defense Forces Museum in Tel Aviv, Ausf. J, and the Israeli Armored Forces Museum in Latrun, Ausf. G;
- Spain, El Goloso – Museum of Armored Vehicles, Ausf H;
- Russia, Kubinka – Armored Museum, Ausf G;
- Romania, Bucharest – National War Museum, Ausf J;
- Serbia, Belgrade – Military Museum, Ausf H;
- Slovakia – Museum of the Slovak Uprising in Banska Bystrica and the Museum of the Carpathian-Dukele Operation in Svidnik, Ausf J;
- USA - Military Vehicle Technology Foundation Museum in Portola Valley, Ausf. H, US Army Armament Museum at Fort Lee: Ausf. D, Ausf. G, Ausf. H;
- Finland, Parola – Tank Museum, Ausf J;
- France, Saumur – Tank Museum, Ausf J;
- Switzerland, Thun – Tank Museum, Ausf H.
Pz.Kpfw.IV In Kubinka Photo and video
Flakpanzer IV "Möbelwagen" 
Description
The development of the tank began in the mid-30s. It was designed by well-known companies Rheinmetal, Krupp, Daimler-Benz and MAN. The design was externally similar to the previously created PzIII tank, but differed primarily in the width of the hull and the diameter of the turret ring, which opened up prospects for further modernization for the tank. Of the four companies that presented their projects, the military preferred the tank designed by Krupp. In 1935, production of the first model of the new tank began, and in the spring of the following year it received its name - Panzerkampfwagen IV (Pz.IV). In October 1937, Krupp began mass production of Pz.IV tanks of modification A. The first Pz.IV tanks were distinguished by rather weak armor - 15-20mm. The tank was armed with a 75 mm gun, powerful enough for the mid and late 30s. It was most effective against infantry and lightly armored targets. It was not so effective against vehicles with good projectile protection, since it had a low initial projectile speed. The tank took part in the Polish and French.jpg)
campaigns that ended in the triumph of German arms. 211 Pz.IV tanks took part in the battles with the Poles, and 278 “fours” took part in the war in the West against the Anglo-French troops. In June 1941, as part of the German army, 439 Pz.IV tanks invaded the USSR. By the time of the attack on the USSR, the frontal armor of the Pz.IV had been increased to 50mm. A big surprise awaited the German tankers - for the first time they encountered new Soviet tanks, the existence of which they did not even suspect - the Soviet T-34 tanks and heavy KV tanks. The Germans did not immediately realize the degree of superiority of the enemy tanks, but soon the Panzerwaffe tankers began to experience certain difficulties. The armor of the Pz.IV in 1941 could theoretically be penetrated even by the 45mm guns of the BT-7 and T-26 light tanks. At the same time, the Soviet “babies” had a chance to destroy a German tank in open battle, and even more so from an ambush at close range. And yet, the “four” could fight quite effectively with light Soviet tanks and armored vehicles, but when confronted with the new Russian tanks “T-34” and “KV” the Germans were shocked. The fire from the short-barreled 75mm Pz.IV cannon on these tanks was woefully ineffective, while the Soviet tanks easily hit the four at medium and long ranges. The low initial velocity of the 75mm cannon projectile had an effect, which is why the T-34 and KV were practically invulnerable to German tank fire in 1941. It was obvious that the tank needed modernization and, above all, the installation of a more powerful gun. .jpg)
Only in April 1942 was the Pz.IV equipped with a more powerful long-barreled gun, which ensured successful combat against the T-34 and KV. In general, the Panzer IV had a number of shortcomings. High pressure on the ground made it difficult to move along Russian off-road conditions, and in the spring thaw conditions the tank was uncontrollable. All this slowed down the advance of German tank spearheads in 1941 and prevented rapid movement along the front in subsequent stages of the war. "Pz.IV" was the most produced German tank in World War II. During the war, its armor was constantly strengthened, and equipping it with more powerful guns made it possible to fight on equal terms with its opponents in 1942 - 1945. The main and decisive trump card of the Pz.IV tank ultimately became its modernization potential, which allowed German designers to constantly strengthen the armor and firepower of this tank. The tank became the main combat vehicle of the Wehrmacht until the very end of the war, and even the appearance of Tigers and Panthers in the German army did not detract from the role of the Panzer IV in the operations of the German army on the eastern front. During the war, German industry was able to produce more than 8 thousand. such tanks. 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, the 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 armor of the frontal part of the hull to 50 mm, side armor to 30 and turret 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 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.
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Medium tank Pz Kpfw IV
and its modifications
The most popular tank of the 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 - 1100 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 caliber 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 of the Ausf D modification was the increase in the thickness of the armor on the sides and stern 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: hull front, 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 British and American tanks of 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: hull front, 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 by a dual mechanical manual aiming system. 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 the beginning 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 each, plus eight tanks in the regiment's headquarters company.
Tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf C and panzergrenadiers
Spring 1943
