Panzer IV

Specification

• Type : Medium tank
  
• Place of origin : Nazi Germany
  
• Service history
  
• In service : 1939–45 (Nazi Germany)
  
• Used by : Nazi Germany, Romania, Turkey, Hungary, Bulgaria, Finland, Spain, Syria
  
• Wars : World War II, Six-Day War
  
• Designer : Krupp
  
• Designed : 1936
  
• Manufacturer : Krupp, Steyr-Daimler-Puch
  
• Produced : 1936–45
  
• Number built : 8,800 est.
  
• Weight : 25.0 tonnes (27.6 short tons)
  
• Length : 7.02 m (23.0 ft)
  
• Width : 2.88 m (9.4 ft)
  
• Height : 2.68 m (8.8 ft)
  
• Crew : 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, rad. op./bow machine-gunner)
  
• Armor : 10–80 mm (0.39–3.1 in)
  
• Primary armament : 7.5 cm (2.95 in) KwK 40 L/48 main gun (87 rds.)
  
• Secondary armament : 2-3 × 7.92-mm Maschinengewehr 34
  
• Engine : 12-cylinder Maybach HL 120 TRM ; 300 PS (296 hp, 220 kW)
  
• Power/weight : 12 PS/t
  
• Transmission : 6 fwd., 1 rev. speeds
  
• Suspension : Leaf spring
  
• Fuel capacity : 470 l (120 US gal)
  
• Operational range : 200 km (120 mi)
  
• Speed : 42 km/h (26 mph) road, 16 km/h (9.9 mph) off road
  

History

The Panzerkampfwagen IV (Pz.Kpfw. IV), commonly known as the Panzer IV, was a medium tank developed in Nazi Germany in the late 1930s and used extensively during the Second World War. Its ordnance inventory designation was Sd.Kfz. 161.

Designed as an infantry-support tank, the Panzer IV was not originally intended to engage enemy armor—that function was performed by the lighter Panzer III. However, with the flaws of pre-war doctrine becoming apparent and in the face of Soviet T-34 tanks, the Panzer IV soon assumed the tank-fighting role of its increasingly obsolescent cousin. The most widely manufactured and deployed German tank of the Second World War, the Panzer IV was used as the base for many other fighting vehicles, including tank destroyers and self-propelled anti-aircraft guns. Robust and reliable, it saw service in all combat theaters, and has the distinction of being the only German tank to remain in continuous production throughout the war, with over 8,500 produced between 1936 and 1945. Upgrades and design modifications, often made in response to the appearance of new Allied tanks, extended its service life. Generally these involved increasing the Panzer IV's armor protection or upgrading its weapons, although during the last months of the war and with Germany's pressing need for rapid replacement of losses, design changes also included retrograde measures to simplify and speed manufacture.

The Panzer IV was the most widely exported tank in German service, with around 300 sold to partners such as Finland, Spain and Bulgaria. After the war, the French and Spanish sold dozens of Panzer IVs to Syria, where they saw combat in the 1967 Six-Day War.

Variants

Panzerkampfwagen IV Main VariantsPanzerkampfwagen IV (Short - Kurz) Sd.Kfz.161 - October 1937-March 1942

• Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf A - 75mm KwK 37 L/24,
  
• Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf B - 75mm KwK 37 L/24,
  
• Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf C - 75mm KwK 37 L/24,
  
• Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf D - 75mm KwK 37 L/24,
  
• Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf E - 75mm KwK 37 L/24,
  
• Panzerkampfwagen Ausf F1 - 75mm KwK 37 L/24,
  

Panzerkampfwagen IV (Long - Lang) Sd.Kfz.161/1 - March 1942-March 1943

• Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf F2 - 75mm KwK 40 L/43,
  
• Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf G - 75mm KwK 40 L/43 (early),
  

Panzerkampfwagen IV (Long - Lang) Sd.Kfz.161/2 - March 1943-March 1945

• Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf G - 75mm KwK 40 L/48 (late),
  
• Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf H - 75mm KwK 40 L/48
  
• Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf J - 75mm KwK 40 L/48
  
• Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf J - Panzerbefehlswagen / Panzerbeobachtungswagen - Command Tank / Observation Tank
  

Panzer III

Specification

• Type : Medium tank
  
• Place of origin : Nazi Germany
  
• In service : 1939–1945
  
• Used by : Nazi Germany, Romania, Hungary, Independent State of Croatia, Turkey, Norway
  
• Wars : World War II
  
• Designer : Daimler-Benz
  
• Designed : 1935
  
• Manufacturer : Daimler-Benz
  
• Produced : 1939–1943
  
• Number built : 5,774 (excluding StuG III)
  
• Weight : 23.0 tonnes (25.4 short tons)
  
• Length : 6.41 m (21.0 ft)
  
• Width : 2.90 m (9.5 ft)
  
• Height : 2.5 m (8.2 ft)
  
• Crew : 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator/bow machine-gunner)
  
• Armor : 5–70 mm (0.20–2.8 in)
  
• Primary armament : 1 × 3.7 cm KwK 36 Ausf. A-F ; 1 × 5 cm KwK 38 Ausf. F-J ; 1 × 5 cm KwK 39 Ausf. J¹-M ; 1 × 7.5 cm KwK 37 Ausf. N
  
• Secondary armament : 2-3 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
  
• Engine : 12-cylinder Maybach HL 120 TRM ; 300 PS (296 hp, 220 kW)
  
• Power/weight : 12 hp/t
  
• Suspension : Torsion-bar suspension
  
• Operational range : 155 km (96 mi)
  
• Speed : 40 km/h (25 mph) road, 20 km/h (12 mph) off road
  

History

Panzer III is the common name of a medium tank that was developed in the 1930s by Germany and used extensively in World War II. The official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen III (abbreviated PzKpfw III) translating as "armoured battle vehicle". It was intended to fight other armoured fighting vehicles and serve alongside the Panzer IV. However, it soon became obsolete in this role and for most purposes was supplanted by the Panzer IV, though some Panzer IIIs would continue to be used for infantry support until late in the war.

The Panzer III was used in the campaigns against Poland, France, the Soviet Union and in North Africa. A handful were still in use in Normandy and at Arnhem in 1944.

In the Polish and French campaigns, the Panzer III formed a small part of the German armored forces. Only a few hundred Ausf. A through F were available in these campaigns, most armed with the 37-millimetre (1.46 in) gun. They were the best medium tank available to the Germans and outclassed most of their opponents such as the Polish 7TP, French R-35 and H-35 light tanks.

Around the time of Operation Barbarossa, the Panzer III was numerically the most important German tank. At this time the majority of the available tanks (including re-armed Ausf. E and F, plus new Ausf. G and H models) had the 50-millimetre (1.97 in) KwK L/42 cannon which also equipped the majority of the tanks in North Africa. Initially, the Panzer III's were outclassed by Soviet T-34 and KV tanks. However, the most numerous Soviet tanks were the T-26 and BT tanks. This, along with superior German tactical skill,[2]crew training, and the good ergonomics of the Panzer III all contributed to a rough 6:1 favorable kill ratio for German tanks of all types in 1941

With the appearance of the T-34 and KV tanks, rearming the Panzer III with a longer, more powerful 50-millimetre (1.97 in) cannon was prioritized. The T-34 was generally invulnerable in frontal engagements with the Panzer III until the 50 mm KwK 39 gun was introduced on the Panzer III Ausf. J¹ in the spring of 1942. This could penetrate the T-34 frontally at ranges under 500 metres (1,600 ft).[3] Against the KV tanks it was a threat if armed with special high velocity tungsten rounds. In addition, to counter antitank rifles, in 1943 the Ausf. L version began the use of spaced armor skirts (schürzen) around the turret and on the hull sides. However, due to the introduction of the upgunned and uparmored Panzer IV, the Panzer III was, after the Battle of Kursk, relegated to secondary roles, and it was replaced as the main German medium tank by the Panzer IV and the Panther.

The Panzer III was well designed in that it had a three-man turret crew (gunner, loader and commander), leaving the commander free to concentrate on commanding the tank and maintaining situational awareness. Although other medium tanks of the time also had this feature, most tanks of the late 1930s had fewer than three men in the turret crew, potentially providing the Panzer III with a "fightability" advantage over otherwise similar tanks, such as the French Somua S-35, which only had a one man turret crew.

The Panzer III chassis was the basis for the Sturmgeschütz III assault gun, one of the most successful self-propelled guns of the war.

Variant

• Panzer III Ausf. A, B, C, D - Pre-production models in 1937-1938. 75 produced.
  
• Panzer III Ausf. E, F - Production models 1939-1940. Armed with 3.7 cm KwK 36 L/46.5 (later 5 cm KwK 38 L/42) guns. 531 produced.
  
• Panzer III Ausf. G - More armour on gun mantlet. Armed with 5 cm KwK 38 L/42 gun. 600 produced in 1940-1941.
  
• Panzer III Ausf. H - Minor modifications. Bolt-on armor added to front and rear hull (30 mm + 30 mm plates). 308 produced in 1940-1941.
  
• Panzer III Ausf. I - Variant mentioned in Allied intelligence reports but not an actual existing vehicle.
  
• Panzer III Ausf. J - The hull was lengthened. Front armor increased to 50 mm plate. 482 produced in 1941.
  
• Panzer III Ausf. J¹ - Equipped with the longer and more powerful 5 cm KwK 39 L/60 gun. 1,067 produced in late 1941 to mid 1942.
  
• Panzer III Ausf. K - Panzerbefehlswagen command tank variant with a modified turret. Carried actual main armament rather than a dummy gun found on other Panzer III command versions.
  
• Panzer III Ausf. L - Uparmored to 50 mm + 20 mm plates. 653 produced in 1942.
  
• Panzer III Ausf. M - Minor modifications such as deep-wading exhaust and schurzen. 250 produced in 1942-1943.
  
• Panzer III Ausf. N - Armed with a 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 gun. 700 re-equipped J/L/M models in 1942-1943.
  

Panzer II Ausf F

Specification 

• Number produced : 524
  
• Produced : March 1941-December 1942
  
• Hull Length : 4.81m/ 15.8ft
  
• Hull Width : 2.28m/ 7.48in
  
• Height : 2.15m/ 7.05in
  
• Crew : 3
  
• Weight : 9.5 tons
  
• Engine : Maybach HL62TR
  
• Horsepower : 140hp
  
• Max Speed : 40 km/hr/ 24.8mph
  
• Max Range : 200km/ 124 miles
  
• Armament : One 2cm KwK30 L/55 ; One 7.92mm MG 34
  

History 

The Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf F was the last standard version of the Panzer II light tank. It had been intended that the Ausf F would replace the Ausf C on the production lines in the summer of 1940, but the design of the new model was delayed, and production did not begin until March 1941, by which point the Panzer II was already beginning to disappear from the Panzer units.

The Ausf F saw chances made to the front of the hull and of the superstructure. On the hull the rounded front was replaced by a single 35mm plate attached to the flat armour plate originally added to older tanks after the Polish campaign (the newer tanks can be distinguished from modified older models by the lack of a shadow at the front.

Panzer II Ausf F The angled right hand corner of the superstructure was replaced by a single panel running across the front of the tank, with a dummy visor on the new right hand section.

By June 1942 it was clear that the light tank was becoming obsolete, and so it was decided to mount the 7.5cm Pak40 gun on 50% of the remaining production, to produce the Marder II self propelled anti-tank gun (also known as the 7.5cm Pak40/2 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II (Sf)). In July the ratio was increased to 100%, but production of the standard Panzer II continued until December 1942, overlapping with production of the Marder II, of which 576 were built from scratch between June 1942 and June 1943.

By the time the Ausf F entered service the Panzer II had been withdrawn as a battle tank, but it was still in use as a reconnaissance vehicle, equipping a platoon at Regiment, Detachment and Company level; it was withdrawn from the companies 1942, and from regiments in 1943.

Panzer II Ausf C

Specification

• Crew : 3
  
• Weight : 8.9 tons
  
• Length : 4.81 meters
  
• Width : 2.22 meters
  
• Height : 1.99 meters
  
• Engine : Maybach HL62TR
  
• Transmission : 6 forward, 1 reverse
  
• Performance : 40 kph
  
• Range : 200 kilometers
  
• Armament : 1 x 20mm KwK30 L/55, 1 x 7.92 MG34
  
• Armor : 10 - 16mm
  

History

The Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf c was the final development version of the Panzer II light tank. The biggest change made on this version of the tank was the replacement of the six small paired road wheels of the Ausf a and Ausf b tanks with five larger independently sprung road wheels. The number of return rollers was also increased, from three to four. The Ausf c retained the 13mm armour of the earlier development versions. The new suspension increased the hieght of the tank by 3cm.

Some sources also suggest that changes were made to the superstructure, but this is not supported by photographic evidence.

None of my sources indicate how many of these tanks were produced. Twenty five were build using “ersatz molybdenum” steel (ersatz meaning substitute), which provides a low end to the range. Production of the Ausf c began in March 1937, while production of the Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf A began four months later, in June 1937. A total of 332 Panzer IIs had been built by the end of the year, of which 100 are accounted for by the Ausf a and Ausf b and 25 by the ersatz Ausf c, leaving 200 undefined.

Panzer II Ausf B

Specification

• Number produced : 25
  
• Produced : February-March 1937
  
• Hull Length : 4.76m/ 15.6ft
  
• Hull Width : 2.14m/ 7.0ft
  
• Height : 1.96m/ 6.4ft
  
• Crew : 3
  
• Weight : 7.9 tons
  
• Engine : Maybach HL62TR
  
• Horsepower : 140hp
  
• Max Speed :40 km/hr/ 25 mph
  
• Max Range : 200km/ 124 miles
  
• Armament : One 2cm KwK30 L/55 ; One 7.92mm MG 34
  
• Introducing only minimal changes to the Ausf. A, the Ausf. B superseded it in production from December 1937.
  

Panzer II

Specification

• Type : Light tank
  
• Nation : Nazi Germany
  
• Designed : 1934
  
• Produced : 1935–1943
  
• Number built : 1,856 (excluding conversions)
  
• Weight : 7.2 tonnes
  
• Length : 4.8 m
  
• Width : 2.2 m
  
• Height : 2.0 m
  
• Crew : 3 (commander/gunner, driver, loader)
  
• Armor : 5–14.5 mm
  
• Primary armament : 1 × 2 cm KwK 30 L/55 Ausf.A–f ; 1 × 2 cm KwK 38 L/55 Ausf.J–L
  
• Secondary armament : 1 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
  
• Engine : 6-cyl petrol Maybach HL ; 140 hp (105 kW)
  
• Power/weight : 15 hp/tonne
  
• Suspension : leaf spring
  
• Operational range : 200 km
  
• Speed : 40 km/h
  

History

Panzer II is the common name of a German tank used in World War II. The official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen II (abbreviated PzKpfw II). Designed as a stopgap while other tanks were developed, it played an important role in the early years of World War II, during the Polish and French campaigns. By the end of 1942 it was largely removed from frontline service and production of the tank itself ceased by 1943, but its chassis was used for several other armoured vehicles.

In 1934, delays in the design and production of the Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks were becoming apparent. Designs for a stopgap tank were solicited from Krupp, MAN, Henschel, and Daimler-Benz. The final design was based on the Panzer I, but larger and with a turret mounting a 20 mm anti-tank gun. Production began in 1935, but it took another eighteen months for the first combat-ready tank to be delivered.

The Panzer II was the main battle tank of the German Panzer divisions beginning with the invasion of France, until it was replaced by the Panzer III and IV in 1940/41. Afterwards, it was used to great effect as a reconnaissance tank. The Panzer II was tested in the Spanish Civil War and used in the German campaigns in Poland, France, the Low Countries, Denmark, Norway, North Africa and the Eastern Front. After being removed from front-line duty, it was used for training, on secondary fronts and for patrolling occupied Europe.

At the start of the Second World War the Panzer II was the most numerous of all German tanks. Of the 2,690 tanks then in service, 1,127 were Panzer IIs, and another 973 Panzer Is. The low number of heavier tanks available meant that the Panzer II would have to be used to combat any Polish tanks that were encountered. No major tank battles took place during the short Polish campaign, but despite this 259 Panzer IIs were lost, of which 83 became total write offs, while the rest were eventually repaired. The thin frontal armour of the Panzer II had turned out to be vulnerable to the Polish anti-tank rifle, and so during the winter of 1939-1940 an additional 20mm armoured plate was added to the front of the majority of Panzer IIs.

Combat Record

Panzer II in France, June 1940

The Panzer II still made up close to 40% of the total armoured strength of the German army at the start of the offensive in the west in May 1940. They would have been of little or no use in a clash with strong British or French armoured forces, but one key element of the German “sickle cut” plan was that it would reduce the chance of any such clash taking place. The Panzer divisions were concentrated into armoured spearheads, while the theoretically stronger French tank forces were distributed evenly along the entire front. After Guderian’s strong armoured corps had broken through the French front line on the Meuse, his light tanks were perfectly capable of brushing aside the light resistance they encountered on the dash to the coast. In the first ten days of the campaign, from 10-20 May, only 45 Panzer IIs were reported to have been lost (this figure probably only includes tanks that were written off). This represents just under 5% of their original strength on 10 May. In comparison 7.4% of Panzer IIIs and 5% of Panzer IVs had been lost.

The next ten days were the most costly for the Panzer divisions. This period saw the one major British counterattack of the period, at Arras at 21 May, and the advance north along the coast towards Boulogne and Calais. In ten days the Germans lost 485 tanks, a quarter of their original strength, while on 23 May General Kleist, commanding the armoured spearhead, reported that half of his tanks were out of action. During this period 150 Panzer IIs were lost, 16% of the total available on 21 May. However, during the same period 26% of available Panzer IIIs (84) and 23% of Panzer IVs (63) were lost.

Panzer I

Specification

• Type : Light Tank
  
• Nation : Germany (NAZI era)
  
• Design : 1933-1934
  
• Manufacturer : Krupp, Daimler, MAN, Henschell
  
• Produced : 1934-1936
  
• Number Built : 833
  
• Weight : 5.4 tonnes
  
• Lenght : 4.02 m
  
• Width  : 2.06 m
  
• Height : 1.72 m
  
• Crew   : 2 (Commander and Driver)
  
• Armor  : 7-13 mm
  
• Primary Armaments: 2/ 7.92 mm MG 13 machine guns
  
• Engine : Krupp M 305 four cylinder air cooled gasoline 60 PS (59 hp, 44 kW)
  
• Power/weight : 11.1 PS/t
  
• Suspension : Quarter-elliptical leaf spring suspension.
  
• Operational range : 200 km on-road; 175 km off-road.
  
• Speed : 50 km/h on-road; 37 km/h off-road.
  

History

The Panzer I is a light tank which was produced in Germany in the 1930s. The name is short for the German Panzerkampfwagen I (armored fighting vehicle mark I), abbreviated PzKpfw I. The tank's official German ordnance inventory designation was SdKfz 101.

Design of the Panzer I began in 1932 and mass production in 1934. Although intended only as a training tank to introduce the concept of armored warfare to the German Army, the Panzer I saw combat in Spain during the Spanish Civil War, in Poland, France, Soviet Union and North Africa during the Second World War, and even in China during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Based on experience gathered during the Spanish Civil War, the Panzer I helped shape the German armored corps used to invade Poland in 1939 and France in 1940. By 1941, Panzer I chassis were being reused for production of tank destroyers and assault guns. There were attempts to upgrade the Panzer I throughout its service history, including by foreign nations to increase its lifespan. It continued to serve in the armed forces of Spain until 1954.