Medium tank Pz Kpfw IV
and its modifications

The most massive 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 them - 1100 with a short-barreled gun 7.5cm KwK37 L / 24, 7419 tanks - with a long-barreled gun 7.5cm KwK40 L / 43 or L / 48).

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

All Pz Kpfw IV tanks had a 75 mm tank gun (7.5 cm in German terminology). In series from modification A to F1, short-barreled 7,5cm KwK37 L / 24 cannons with an initial velocity of an armor-piercing projectile 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 arm themselves with long-barreled 7,5cm KwK40 L / 43 or L / 48 cannons. (The KwK 40 L / 48 cannon was installed on parts of the G series machines, and then on the H and J modifications.) The Pz Kpfw IV tanks, armed with KwK40 cannons with an initial armor-piercing projectile speed of 770 m / s, received fire superiority over the T-34 for some time (2nd half of 1942 - 1943)

Tanks The Pz Kpfw IV were also armed with two MG 34 machine guns. Modifications B and C lacked a radio operator's machine gun; instead of it there is a viewing slot and a pistol loophole.

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 \u200b\u200b- 31 km / h. The power reserve is 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Combat use: they fought in Poland, Norway, France; were withdrawn from service in the spring of 1941.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 (from April to September 1938) and 134 Pz Kpfw IV Ausf C tanks (from September 1938 to August 1939) were produced.

Pz Kpfw IV Ausf B

Pz Kpfw IV Ausf C

Installed a different engine, a new 6-speed gearbox. The speed increased to 40 km / h. Frontal armor thickness increased to 30 mm. A new commander's cupola has been installed. In the Ausf C modification, the engine mount was changed and the turret pivot 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: hull and turret forehead - 30 mm, side and stern - 15 mm.

In modifications B and C there was no radio operator machine gun; instead of it - a viewing slot and a pistol loophole.

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

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 armor of 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 forehead - 30 mm, side and stern - 20 mm.
Speed \u200b\u200b- 40 km / h. The power reserve is 200 km.

Combat use: fought in France, in the Balkans, in 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 thickness of the frontal armor of the hull to 50 mm; a new type of commander's cupola appeared. Armor plates 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 forehead - 50 mm, superstructure and turret forehead - 30 mm, side and stern - 20 mm.

Combat use: tanks Pz Kpfw IV Ausf E participated in the 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 to Ausf F2.

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

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

Speed \u200b\u200b- 42 km / h. The power reserve is 200 km.

Combat use: Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F1 tanks fought in all sectors of the Eastern Front in 1941-44, participated in. They 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 were converted from Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F1.

Starting with this model, all subsequent ones were equipped with a 7.5cm KwK 40 L / 43 long-barreled gun (48). The gun ammunition 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, feed - 20 mm.
Speed \u200b\u200b- 40 km / h. The power reserve is 200 km.

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

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

1687 vehicles were produced from May 1942 to July 1943.

Introduced a new muzzle brake for the gun. Smoke grenade launchers were installed on the sides of the tower. Reduced the number of viewing slots in the turret. About 700 Pz Kpfw IV Ausf G tanks received additional 30 mm frontal armor. On the last machines, armor screens made of thin steel (5 mm) were installed on the sides of the hull and around the turret. Tanks of modifications Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F, G, H were produced at factories of three companies: Krupp-Gruzon, 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, feed - 20 mm.
Speed \u200b\u200b- 40 km / h. The power reserve is 210 km.

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

3774 vehicles were produced from April 1943 to July 1944.

The series of modifications Ausf H - the most massive - received 80-mm frontal armor of the hull (the thickness of the turret armor remained the same - 50 mm); the armor protection of the turret roof increased from 10 to 15 mm. An external air filter has been installed. The radio station 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 of the tanks had non-rubberized (steel) support rollers. Tanks of the Ausf H modification were produced at factories of three companies: Nibelungenwerke, Krupp-Gruzon (Magdeburg) and Fomag in Plauen. A total of 3,774 Pz Kpfw IV Ausf H and 121 more 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 \u200b\u200b- 38 km / h The power reserve is 210 km.

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

1758 machines were produced from June 1944 to March 1945 at the Nibelungenwerke plant.

The electrical system of the horizontal guidance of the tower was replaced by a double mechanical manual guidance system. An additional fuel tank is 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 climbed onto the tank. Removed viewing slots and pistol loopholes in the side doors and behind the turret.

Combat weight - 25 tons. Length - 7.02 m. Width - 2.88 m. Height - 2.68 m.
Armor: hull and superstructure forehead - 80 mm, turret forehead - 50 mm, side - 30 mm, feed - 20 mm.
Speed \u200b\u200b- 38 km / h The power reserve is 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. As part of 17 tank divisions deployed against Soviet Union, there were 438 Pz IV Ausf B, C, D, E, F tanks. Soviet tanks KV and T-34 had an advantage over the German Pz Kpfw IV. Shells from the KV and T-34 tanks pierced the armor of the Pz Kpfw IV at considerable distances. 45-mm Soviet anti-tank guns and 45-mm guns of light tanks T-26 and BT also pierced the armor of the Pz Kpfw IV. 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 5th Panzer Division in November 1941 near Moscow

In June 1942 years on the Eastern Front, there were 208 tanks 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 g. battalion of tanks Pz Kpfw IV was supposed to consist of four tank companies of 22 Pz Kpfw IVs each plus eight tanks in the regiment's headquarters company.

Tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf C and panzergrenadiers

In the spring of 1943

No one at the Krupp plant in 1936 could have imagined that this massive vehicle, equipped with a short-barreled infantry support cannon and considered an auxiliary, would be so widely used in With an end result of 9,000 units, it became the most massive tank ever produced in Germany , whose production volumes, despite the lack of materials, grew until the very last days of World War II in Europe.

Wehrmacht working horse

Despite the fact that combat vehicles appeared, more modern than german tank T-4 - "Tiger", "Panther" and "Royal Tiger", he not only made most weapons of the Wehrmacht, but was also part of many elite SS divisions. The recipe for success was probably a large hull and turret, ease of maintenance, reliability and a reliable chassis, which allowed for an expanded array of weapons compared to the Panzer III. From Model A to F1, the early modifications, which used a short 75mm barrel, were gradually replaced by "long" ones, from F2 to H, with a very effective high speed cannon inherited from the Pak 40 that could handle the Soviet KV-1 and T -34. In the end, the T-4 (photo is presented in the article) completely surpassed the Panzer III both in numbers and in its capabilities.

Design of the prototype "Krupp"

It was originally assumed that the German T-4 tank, specifications which was designated in 1934 by the Waffenamt, will act as an "escort vehicle" to hide its true role, prohibited by the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

Heinz Guderian took part in the development of the concept. This new model was supposed to be an infantry support tank and placed in the rearguard. It was planned that at the battalion level, one such vehicle should fall on every three Panzer III. Unlike the T-3, which was equipped with a variant of the standard 37-mm Pak 36 cannon with good anti-tank characteristics, the short barrel of the Panzer IV howitzer could be used against all types of fortifications, blockhouses, pillboxes, anti-tank guns and artillery positions.

Initially, the weight limit of the combat vehicle was 24 tons. MAN, Krupp and Rheinmetall-Borsig built three prototypes and Krupp was awarded the main contract. The suspension was completely new at first, with six alternating wheels. Later, the army demanded the installation of rod springs, which ensured better vertical deflection. Compared to the previous system, this made the ride smoother, but the need for a new tank stopped further development. Krupp reverted to a more traditional system with four tandem bogies and leaf springs for easy maintenance. A crew of five was planned - three were in the tower (commander, loader and gunner), and the driver with a radio operator was in the hull. The fighting compartment was relatively spacious, with improved soundproofing in the rear engine compartment. The German T-4 tank inside (the photo in the material illustrates this) was equipped with an on-board communication and radio system.

Although not very noticeable, the Panzer IV's hull is asymmetrical, with the turret 6.5 cm to the left and the engine 15 cm to the right. This was done in order to directly connect the turret ring to the transmission for faster turning. The ammunition boxes were therefore located on the right.

The prototype, designed and built in 1936 at the Krupp AG plant in Magdeburg, was designated Versuchskraftfahrzeug 622 by the Army's Office of Armaments. However, in the new pre-war nomenclature, it quickly became known as the Pz.Kpfw.IV (Sd.Kfz. 161).

The tank had a 250 hp Maybach HL108TR gasoline engine. with., and the SGR 75 box with five forward and one reverse gears. The maximum speed on tests on a flat surface was 31 km / h.

75 mm gun - low speed Kampfwagenkanone (KwK) 37 L / 24. This gun was intended for firing at concrete fortifications. Nevertheless, the Panzergranate armor-piercing projectile, the speed of which reached 440 m / s, provided some anti-tank ability. It could penetrate a 43 mm sheet of steel at a distance of 700 m. Two MG-34 machine guns completed the armament, one coaxial and the other in the front of the vehicle.

In the first batch of Type A tanks, the armor thickness of the hull did not exceed 15 mm and that of the turret did not exceed 20 mm. Although it was hardened steel, such protection could only withstand light firearms, light artillery and shrapnel from grenade launchers.

Early "short" preliminary series

The German T-4 A tank was a kind of preliminary series of 35 units, produced in 1936. The next was the Ausf. B with a modified commander's dome, a new Maybach HL 120TR engine, developing a power of 300 hp. with., as well as the new transmission SSG75.

Despite the additional weight, the top speed was increased to 39 km / h and the protection was increased. The thickness of the armor reached 30 mm in the frontal inclined part of the hull and 15 mm in other places. In addition, the machine gun was protected by a new hatch.

After the release of 42 vehicles, production switched to the German T-4 C tank. The thickness of the armor on the turret increased to 30 mm. The total weight was 18.15 tons. After delivering 40 units in 1938, the tank was improved by installing a new Maybach HL 120TRM engine for another hundred vehicles. It is quite logical that the modification D followed. The Douro can be distinguished by the newly installed machine gun and the embrasure brought out to the outside. The thickness of the side armor increased to 20 mm. A total of 243 vehicles of this model were manufactured, the last of which was at the beginning of 1940. Modification D was the last pre-production, after which the command decided to increase the scale of production.

Standardization

The German T-4 E tank was the first large-scale series to be produced during the war. Although many studies and reports indicate the insufficient penetration of the 37 mm Panzer III gun, its replacement was impossible. In search of a solution to test one prototype Panzer IV Ausf. D, a modification of the Pak 38 medium-speed 50 mm cannon was installed. The original order for 80 units was canceled after the end of the French campaign. In tank battles, in particular against the British "Matilda" and the French "B1 bis", it was finally revealed that the thickness of the armor was insufficient, and the penetrating power of the gun was weak. The Ausf. E retained the short-barreled KwK 37L / 24 gun, but the front armor was increased to 50 mm, with 30 mm steel plate lining as a temporary measure. By April 1941, when this modification was replaced by the Ausf. F, production reached 280 units.

The last "short" model

Another modification significantly changed the German T-4 tank. The performance of the early F model, renamed F1 when the next appeared, has changed by replacing the front cover plate with a 50mm plate and increasing the thickness of the sides of the hull and turret to 30mm. The total weight of the tank increased to over 22 tons, which caused other changes, such as an increase in the width of the tracks from 380 to 400 mm to reduce ground pressure with the corresponding replacement of the two idler and drive wheels. The F1 was produced in 464 units before being replaced in March 1942.

The first "long"

Even with the Panzergranate armor-piercing round, the Panzer IV's low-velocity cannon could not withstand well-armored tanks. In the context of the upcoming campaign in the USSR, a decision was to be made on a major upgrade of the T-3 tank. The now available Pak 38L / 60 gun, the effectiveness of which has been confirmed, was intended for installation in the Panzer IV turret. In November 1941, the prototype was completed and production was scheduled. But during the first battles with the Soviet KV-1 and T-34, the production of the 50mm cannon, also used in the Panzer III, was discontinued in favor of a new, more powerful Rheinmetall model based on the 75mm Pak 40L / 46 gun. This led to the appearance of the KwK 40L / 43, a relatively long caliber equipped with a reduced recoil. The muzzle velocity of the Panzergranade 39 projectile exceeded 990 m / s. It could penetrate 77 mm armor at a distance of up to 1850 m. After the creation of the first prototype in February 1942, serial production of the F2 began. By July, 175 units had been manufactured. In June, the German T-4 F2 tank was renamed T-4 G, but for the Waffenamt, both types were designated Sd.Kfz.161/1. In some documents, the model is called F2 / G.

Transient model

The German T-4 G tank was an improved version of the F2 with changes to save metal through the use of progressive frontal armor, thickened at the base. The frontal glacis was reinforced with a new 30 mm plate, which in total increased the thickness to 80 mm. This turned out to be enough to successfully confront the Soviet 76-mm gun and 76.2-mm anti-tank gun. Initially, it was decided to bring only half of production to this standard, but in January 1943, Adolf Hitler personally gave the order for a complete transition. However, the weight of the car increased to 23.6 tons, revealing the limited capabilities of the chassis and transmission.

The German T-4 tank has undergone significant changes inside. Tower viewing slots have been removed, engine ventilation and low temperature ignition have been improved, additional spare wheel holders and glacis track brackets have been installed. They also served as temporary protection. The headlights were updated, the armored dome was strengthened and modified.

In later versions, in the spring of 1943, side armor appeared on the hull and on the turret, as well as smoke grenade launchers. But most importantly, a new, more powerful KwK 40L / 48 cannon has appeared. After the release of 1,275 standard and 412 improved tanks, production shifted towards the Ausf.H.

Basic version

The German T-4 N tank (photo below) was equipped with a new long-barreled gun KwK 40L / 48. Further changes were made to facilitate production - side viewing slots were removed, and spare parts common with the Panzer III were used. In total, until the next modification, Ausf. J in June 1944, 3774 vehicles were assembled.

In December 1942, Krupp received an order for a tank with fully sloped armor, due to the added weight requiring the development of a new chassis, transmission and possibly engine. However, production began with updated version Ausf.G. The German T-4 tank received a new ZF Zahnradfabrik SSG-76 gearbox, a new set of radio stations (FU2 and 5, and intercom). The thickness of the frontal armor increased to 80 mm without overhead sheets. Weight H reached 25 tons in combat gear, and the maximum speed dropped to 38 km / h, and in real combat conditions - to 25 km / h, and much less on rough terrain. By the end of 1943, the German T-4 N tank began to be covered with Zimmerit paste, the air filters were updated, and an anti-aircraft gun for the MG 34 was installed on the turret.

Latest simplified model

The last tank, the German T-4 J, was assembled at the Nibelungwerke in St. Valentine, Austria, as Vomag and Krupp now performed different tasks, and was subjected to simplifications aimed at more mass production and rarely found support from the crews. For example, the electric turret drive was removed, the aiming was carried out manually, which made it possible to increase the volume of the fuel tank by 200 liters, increasing the operating range to 300 km. Other modifications included the removal of the turret viewing window, loopholes, and the anti-aircraft gun in favor of mounting a smoke grenade launcher. Zimmerit was no longer used, as were the Schürzen anti-cumulative skirts, which were replaced by cheaper mesh panels. The engine radiator housing has also been simplified. The drive has lost one reverse roller. There were two mufflers with flame arresters, as well as a mount for a 2-ton crane. In addition, the Panzer III's SSG 77 transmission was used, although it was clearly overloaded. Despite these casualties, constant Allied bombing threatened to disrupt supplies, and in total, by the end of March 1945, only 2,970 tanks were built out of the 5,000 planned.

Modifications

German tank T-4: tactical and technical characteristics

Parameter
Height, m
Width, m
Armor body / forehead, mm
Tower body / forehead, mm
Machine guns
Shot / Patr.
Max. speed, km / h
Max. dist., km
Preod. ditch, m
Preod. walls, m
Preod. ford, m

I must say that big number Panzer IV tanks that survived after World War II were not lost or scrapped, but were used for their intended purpose in countries such as Bulgaria and Syria. Some of them were equipped with a new Soviet heavy machine gun. They took part in the battles for the Golan Heights during the 1965 war and in 1967. Today, German T-4 tanks are part of museums and private collections around the world, and dozens of them are still in working order.

". A heavy tank with powerful armor and a deadly 88mm cannon, this tank was distinguished by its perfect, truly Gothic beauty. However, the most important role in the history of World War II was played by a completely different vehicle - Panzerkampfwagen IV (or PzKpfw IV, as well as Pz.IV). In Russian historiography, it is usually called T IV.

Panzerkampfwagen IV is the most massive German tank of the Second World War. The combat path of this vehicle began in 1938 in Czechoslovakia, followed by Poland, France, the Balkans and Scandinavia. In 1941, it was the PzKpfw IV tank that was the only worthy opponent of the Soviet T-34 and KV. A paradox: although, in terms of its main characteristics, the T IV was significantly inferior to the Tiger, but this particular vehicle can be called a blitzkrieg symbol, the main victories of German weapons are associated with it.

The biography of this vehicle can only be envied: this tank fought in the African sands, in the snows of Stalingrad, and was preparing to land in England. The active development of the T IV medium tank began immediately after the Nazis came to power, and the T IV took its last battle in 1967 as part of the Syrian army, repelling attacks by Israeli tanks in the Dutch heights.

A bit of history

After the end of the First World War, the Allies did everything they could to ensure that Germany never again became a powerful military power. She was forbidden not only to have tanks, but even to work in this area.

However, these restrictions could not prevent the German military from working on theoretical aspects the use of armored forces. The blitzkrieg concept, developed by Alfred von Schlieffen at the beginning of the 20th century, was refined and supplemented by a number of talented german officers... Tanks not only found their place in it, they became one of its main elements.

Despite the restrictions imposed on Germany by the Versailles Treaty, practical work on the creation of new models of tanks continued. Work was also underway on the organizational structure of the tank units. All this took place in an atmosphere of strict secrecy. After the nationalists came to power, Germany dropped the prohibitions and quickly began to create a new army.

The first German tanks put into mass production were the light vehicles Pz.Kpfw.I and Pz.Kpfw.II. The unit was, in fact, a training vehicle, while the Pz.Kpfw.II was intended for reconnaissance and was armed with a 20-mm cannon. The Pz.Kpfw.III was already considered a medium tank; it was armed with a 37 mm gun and three machine guns.

The decision to develop a new tank (Panzerkampfwagen IV) armed with a short-barreled 75 mm cannon was made in 1934. The main task of the vehicle was to be the direct support of infantry units, this tank was supposed to suppress enemy firing points (primarily anti-tank artillery). In terms of its design and layout, the new vehicle largely repeated the PzIII.

In January 1934, three companies received the terms of reference for the development of the tank: AG Krupp, MAN and Rheinmetall. At that time, Germany was still trying not to advertise the work on the types of weapons prohibited by the Versailles agreements. Therefore, the vehicle was named Bataillonsführerwagen or B.W., which translates as “battalion commander's car”.

The best was the project developed by AG Krupp - VK 2001 (K). The military did not like its spring suspension, they demanded to replace it with a more advanced torsion bar, which provides the tank with a smoother ride. However, the designers managed to insist on their own. The German army was in dire need of a tank, and it could take a long time to develop a new suspension, it was decided to leave the suspension the same, only to seriously modify it.

Tank production and modifications

In 1936, the serial production of new machines began. The first modification of the tank was the Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. A. The first samples of this tank had bulletproof armor (15-20 mm) and weak surveillance devices protection. The Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. A can be called pre-production. After releasing several dozen tanks PzKpfw IV Ausf. A, AG Krupp immediately received an order for the production of an improved Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. IN.

Model B had a hull of a different shape, it did not have a course machine gun, observation devices were improved (especially the commander's cupola). The frontal armor of the tank was increased to 30 mm. PzKpfw IV Ausf. B received a more powerful engine, a new gearbox, and its ammunition load was reduced. The mass of the tank increased to 17.7 tons, while its speed, thanks to the new power plant, increased to 40 km / h. A total of 42 Ausf tanks rolled off the assembly line. IN.

The first modification of the T IV, which can be called truly mass, was the Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. C. She appeared in 1938. Outwardly, this car was slightly different from the previous model, a new engine was installed on it, and some more minor changes were made. In total, about 140 Ausf units were manufactured. FROM.

In 1939, the production of the following tank model began: Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. D. Its main difference was the appearance of the outer mask of the tower. In this modification, the thickness of the side armor was increased (20 mm), and several more improvements were also made. Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. D is the latest model of a peacetime tank, before the start of the war the Germans managed to make 45 Ausf.D tanks.

By September 1, 1939, the German army possessed 211 units of the T-IV tank of various modifications. These vehicles performed well during the Polish campaign and became the main tanks of the German army. Combat experience has shown that weak point T-IV was his armor protection. Polish anti-tank guns easily penetrated both the armor of light tanks and heavier "fours".

Taking into account the experience gained in the early years of the war, a new modification of the vehicle was developed - Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. E. On this model, the frontal armor was reinforced with hinged plates 30 mm thick, and the side armor - 20 mm. The tank received a new commander's cupola, the shape of the turret was changed. Minor changes were made to the undercarriage of the tank, the design of hatches and observation devices was improved. The mass of the car increased to 21 tons.

The installation of hinged armor screens was irrational and could only be considered as a forced measure and a way to improve the protection of the first T-IV models. Therefore, the creation of a new modification, the design of which would take into account all the comments, was only a matter of time.

In 1941, production of the Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf.F began, in which the hinged screens were replaced with integral armor. The frontal armor was 50 mm thick, and the sides were 30 mm thick. As a result of these changes, the weight of the vehicle increased to 22.3 tons, which led to a significant increase in the specific load on the ground.

To eliminate this problem, the designers had to increase the width of the tracks and make changes to the chassis of the tank.

Initially, the T-IV was not adapted to destroy enemy armored vehicles, the "four" was considered a tank for infantry fire support. Although, the tank's ammunition included armor-piercing shells, which allowed it to fight against enemy armored vehicles equipped with bulletproof armor.

However, the first meetings of German tanks with the T-34 and KV, which had a powerful anti-cannon armor, plunged the German tankers into shock. The Quartet proved to be absolutely ineffective against the Soviet armored giants. The first alarm bell, which showed the futility of using T-IV against powerful heavy tanks, there were clashes with the British tank "Matilda" in 1940-41.

Even then it became clear that another weapon should be installed on the PzKpfw IV, which would be more suitable for destroying tanks.

At first, the idea was born to install a 50mm 42-caliber gun on the T-IV, but the experience of the first battles on the Eastern Front showed that this gun was significantly inferior to the Soviet 76mm, which was installed on the KV and T-34. The total superiority of Soviet armored vehicles over Wehrmacht tanks was a very unpleasant discovery for German soldiers and officers.

Already in November 1941, work began on the creation of a new 75 mm gun for the T-IV. The vehicles with the new gun received the abbreviation Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf.F2. However, the armor protection of these vehicles was still inferior to Soviet tanks.

It was this problem that German designers wanted to solve, having developed a new modification of the tank at the end of 1942: the Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G. In the frontal part of this tank, additional armor screens with a thickness of 30 mm were installed. Some of these vehicles were equipped with a 75-mm cannon with a length of 48 calibers.

The most popular model of the T-IV was the Ausf.H, for the first time it left the assembly line in the spring of 1943. This modification was practically no different from the Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G. A new transmission was installed on it and the turret roof was thickened.

Pz.VI design description

The T-IV tank is made according to the classical scheme, with the placement of the power plant in the rear of the hull, and the control compartment in the front.

The hull of the tank is welded, the slope of the armor plates is less rational than that of the T-34, but it provides more internal space for the vehicle. The tank had three compartments, separated by bulkheads: control compartment, combat and power compartment.

The control compartment housed the driver's seat and the radio operator's gunner. It also contained a transmission, instruments and controls, a walkie-talkie and a course machine gun (not on all models).

In the fighting compartment, located in the center of the tank, there were three crew members: the commander, gunner and loader. A cannon and a machine gun, observation and aiming devices, as well as ammunition were installed in the tower. The commander's cupola provided excellent visibility for the crew. The tower rotated electrically. The gunner had a telescopic sight.

The power plant was located in the rear of the tank. The T-IV was equipped with a 12-cylinder water-cooled carburetor engine of various models, developed by the Maybach company.

The Quartet had a large number of hatches, which made life easier for the crew and technical personnel, but reduced the security of the vehicle.

Suspension - spring, chassis consisted of 8 rubberized road wheels and 4 carrier rollers and a drive wheel.

Combat use

The first serious campaign in which the Pz.IV took part was the war against Poland. Early modifications of the tank had weak armor and became easy prey for Polish artillerymen. During this conflict, the Germans lost 76 Pz.IV units, 19 of which were irrevocable.

In the hostilities against France, the opponents of the "fours" were not only anti-tank guns, but also tanks. The French Somua S35 and the English "Matilda" proved themselves worthy.

In the German army, tank classification was based on the caliber of the gun, so the Pz.IV was considered a heavy tank. However, with the beginning of the war on the Eastern Front, the Germans saw what a real heavy tank was. The USSR had an overwhelming advantage in the number of combat vehicles: at the beginning of the war in western districts there were more than 500 KV tanks. The short-barreled Pz.IV cannon could not inflict any harm on these giants, even at close range.

It should be noted that the German command very quickly drew conclusions and began to modify the "fours". Already at the beginning of 1942, modifications of the Pz.IV with a long gun began to appear on the Eastern Front. The armor protection of the vehicle was also increased. All this made it possible for German tankers to fight the T-34 and KV on equal terms. Taking into account the best ergonomics of German vehicles and excellent sights, the Pz.IV became a very dangerous contender.

After installing a long-barreled gun (48 calibers) on the T-IV combat characteristics increased even more. After that, the German tank could hit both Soviet and American vehicles without entering the range of their guns.

It should be noted the speed with which changes were made to the Pz.IV design. If we take the Soviet "thirty-four", then many of its shortcomings were revealed at the stage of factory tests. It took the USSR leadership several years of war and huge losses to begin modernizing the T-34.

German tank T-IV can be called a very balanced and versatile machine. In later heavy German vehicles, there is a clear bias towards security. The Quartet can be called a unique machine from the point of view of the reserve for modernization inherent in it.

This is not to say that the Pz.IV was the perfect tank. It had drawbacks, the main of which were insufficient engine power and outdated suspension. The power plant clearly did not match the mass of the later models. The use of a rigid leaf spring suspension reduced the maneuverability of the vehicle and its cross-country ability. The installation of a long cannon significantly increased the combat characteristics of the tank, but it created an additional load on the front rollers of the tank, which led to its significant rocking of the vehicle.

Equipping the Pz.IV with anti-cumulative screens was also not a very good decision. Cumulative ammunition was rarely used, screens only increased the weight of the vehicle, its dimensions and worsened the crew's view. Also, a very expensive idea was to paint tanks with zimmerite - a special anti-magnetic paint against magnetic mines.

However, the biggest blunder of the German leadership, many historians consider the beginning of the production of heavy tanks "Panther" and "Tiger". For almost the entire war, Germany was limited in resources. The Tiger was a really great tank: powerful, comfortable, with a deadly weapon. But also very expensive. In addition, both "Tiger" and "Panther" were able to get rid of many "childhood" diseases that are inherent in any new technology until the end of the war.

It is believed that if the resources spent on the production of "Panthers" were used to produce additional "fours", it would create much more problems for the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition.

Specifications

Video about the Panzerkampfwagen IV tank

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Modern battle tanks of Russia and the world photos, videos, pictures watch online. This article gives an idea of \u200b\u200bthe modern tank fleet. It is based on the principle of classification used in the most authoritative reference book today, but in a slightly modified and improved form. And if the latter in its original form can still be found in the armies of a number of countries, others have already become a museum exhibit. And only for 10 years! Follow in the footsteps of Jane's handbook and not view this combat vehicle (very useful, curious in design and fiercely discussed at the time), which formed the basis of the tank fleet of the last quarter of the 20th century, the authors considered unfair.

Films about tanks where there is still no alternative to this type of weapons for the ground forces. The tank was and probably will remain for a long time modern weapons thanks to the ability to combine such seemingly contradictory qualities as high mobility, powerful weapons and reliable crew protection. These unique qualities of tanks continue to be constantly improved, and the experience and technologies accumulated over the decades predetermine new frontiers of combat properties and achievements of the military-technical level. In the eternal confrontation "projectile - armor", as practice shows, protection from a projectile is more and more improved, acquiring new qualities: activity, multi-layered, self-defense. At the same time, the projectile becomes more accurate and powerful.

Russian tanks are specific in that they can destroy the enemy from a safe distance for themselves, have the ability to make quick maneuvers on off-road, contaminated terrain, can "walk" through the territory occupied by the enemy, capture a decisive bridgehead, panic in the rear and suppress the enemy with fire and caterpillars ... The war of 1939-1945 became the most difficult test for all mankind, since almost all countries of the world were involved in it. It was the Battle of the Titans, the most unique period debated by theorists in the early 1930s, during which tanks were used in large numbers by almost all warring parties. At this time, a "test for lice" and a profound reform of the first theories of the use of tank troops were underway. And it is the Soviet tank forces that are most affected by all of this.

Tanks in battle that became a symbol of the past war, the backbone of the Soviet armored forces? Who created them and under what conditions? How could the USSR, having lost most of its European territories and having difficulty gaining tanks for the defense of Moscow, could already in 1943 release powerful tank formations onto the battlefields? This book, which tells about the development of Soviet tanks "during the test days, is intended to answer these questions. ", from 1937 to early 1943. When writing the book, materials from Russian archives and private collections of tank builders were used. There was a period in our history that was deposited in my memory with a kind of oppressive feeling. It began with the return of our first military advisers from Spain, and stopped only at the beginning of 1943, - said L. Gorlitsky, the former general designer of the ACS, - there was some kind of pre-storm condition.

Tanks of the Second World War, it was M. Koshkin, almost clandestinely (but, of course, with the support of "the wisest of the wise leaders of all nations"), was able to create the tank that, a few years later, would shock German tank generals. And not only that, he not only created it, the designer managed to prove to these foolish military men that it was his T-34 that they needed, and not another wheeled-caterpillar "motorway. The author is in slightly different positions, which he formed after meeting the pre-war Therefore, while working on this segment of the history of the Soviet tank, the author will inevitably contradict something “generally accepted.” This work describes the history of Soviet tank building in the most difficult years - from the beginning of a radical restructuring of the entire activity of design bureaus and people's commissariats in general, during a frantic race to equip new tank formations of the Red Army, transfer industry to wartime rails and evacuate.

Tanks Wikipedia the author wants to express his special gratitude for the help in the selection and processing of materials to M. Kolomiets, and also to thank A. Solyankin, I. Zheltov and M. Pavlov, - authors of the reference edition "Domestic armored vehicles. XX century. 1905 - 1941" since this book has helped to understand the fate of some projects, unclear before. I would also like to recall with gratitude those conversations with Lev Izraelevich Gorlitsky, the former Chief Designer of UZTM, which helped to take a fresh look at the entire history of the Soviet tank during the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union. For some reason, it is customary for us to talk about 1937-1938. only from the point of view of repression, but few people remember that it was during this period that those tanks were born that became legends of the wartime ... "From the memoirs of LI Gorlinky.

Soviet tanks a detailed assessment of them at that time sounded from many lips. Many old people recalled that it was precisely from the events in Spain that it became clear to everyone that the war was getting closer and closer to the threshold and it was with Hitler that they would have to fight. In 1937, mass purges and repressions began in the USSR, and against the background of these difficult events soviet tank began to transform from a "mechanized cavalry" (in which one of its fighting qualities protruded at the expense of reducing others) into a balanced combat vehicle, simultaneously possessing powerful weapons sufficient to suppress most targets, good maneuverability and mobility with armor protection, capable of maintaining its combat effectiveness with shelling with the most massive anti-tank weapons of a potential enemy.

Large tanks were recommended to be added to the composition in addition only special tanks - amphibious, chemical. The brigade now had 4 separate battalions of 54 tanks each and was reinforced by moving from three-tank platoons to five-tank platoons. In addition, D. Pavlov substantiated the refusal to form three more mechanized corps in 1938 to the four existing mechanized corps, believing that these formations are immobile and difficult to control, and most importantly, they require a different organization of rear services. The tactical and technical requirements for promising tanks, as expected, were adjusted. In particular, in a letter dated December 23 to the head of the design bureau of the plant № 185 named. CM. Kirov's new chief demanded to strengthen the booking of new tanks so that at a distance of 600-800 meters (effective range).

The latest tanks in the world when designing new tanks, it is necessary to provide for the possibility of increasing the level of armor protection during modernization by at least one step ... "This problem could be solved in two ways. Firstly, by increasing the thickness of the armor plates and, secondly, using increased armor resistance. "It is easy to guess that the second way was considered more promising, since the use of specially strengthened armor plates, or even two-layer armor, could, while maintaining the same thickness (and the mass of the tank as a whole), raise its durability by 1.2-1.5 It was this path (the use of especially hardened armor) that was chosen at that moment to create new types of tanks.

USSR tanks at dawn tank production the most widely used armor, the properties of which were identical in all directions. Such armor was called homogeneous (homogeneous), and from the very beginning of armoring, the craftsmen strove to create just such armor, because uniformity provided stability of characteristics and simplified processing. However, at the end of the 19th century, it was noticed that when the surface of the armor plate was saturated (to a depth of several tenths to several millimeters) with carbon and silicon, its surface strength sharply increased, while the rest of the plate remained viscous. So heterogeneous (heterogeneous) armor came into use.

Military tanks, the use of heterogeneous armor was very important, since an increase in the hardness of the entire thickness of the armor plate led to a decrease in its elasticity and (as a consequence) to an increase in fragility. Thus, the most durable armor, other things being equal, turned out to be very fragile and often pricked even from the explosions of high-explosive fragmentation shells. Therefore, at the dawn of armor production in the manufacture of homogeneous sheets, the task of the metallurgist was to achieve the maximum possible hardness of the armor, but at the same time not to lose its elasticity. Surface-strengthened by saturation with carbon and silicon, the armor was called cemented (cemented) and was considered at that time a panacea for many ills. But carburizing is a complex, harmful process (for example, processing a hot plate with a jet of lighting gas) and relatively expensive, and therefore its development in a series required high costs and an increase in production culture.

Tank of the war years, even in operation, these hulls were less successful than homogeneous ones, since for no apparent reason cracks formed in them (mainly in loaded seams), and it was very difficult to patch holes in cemented slabs during repairs. Still, it was expected that a tank protected by 15-20 mm cemented armor would be equivalent in level of protection to the same, but covered with 22-30 mm plates, without a significant increase in mass.
Also, by the mid-1930s in tank building, they learned to harden the surface of relatively thin armor plates by uneven hardening, known from late XIX century in shipbuilding as the "Krupp method". Surface hardening led to a significant increase in the hardness of the front side of the sheet, leaving the main thickness of the armor tough.

How tanks shoot video to half the thickness of the slab, which was, of course, worse than carburizing, since the hardness of the surface layer was higher than during carburizing, the elasticity of the hull sheets was significantly reduced. So the "Krupp method" in tank building made it possible to increase the strength of armor even a little more than cementation. But the hardening technology that was used for thick sea armor was no longer suitable for the relatively thin armor of tanks. Before the war, this method was almost never used in our serial tank building due to technological difficulties and a relatively high cost.

The most advanced use of tanks for tanks was the 45-mm tank gun model 1932/34. (20K), and before the event in Spain it was believed that its capacity was quite enough to perform most tank tasks. But the battles in Spain showed that the 45-mm gun can only satisfy the task of fighting enemy tanks, since even shelling manpower in the mountains and forests turned out to be ineffective, and it was only possible to disable a dug-out enemy firing point only in case of a direct hit ... Shooting at shelters and bunkers was ineffective due to the small high-explosive effect of a projectile weighing only about two kg.

Types of tanks photo so that even one shell hit reliably disables anti-tank gun or a machine gun; and thirdly, to increase the penetrating effect of a tank gun on the armor of a potential enemy, as in the example french tanks (already having an armor thickness of the order of 40-42 mm), it became clear that the armor protection of foreign combat vehicles tends to be significantly enhanced. For this, there was the right way - increasing the caliber of tank guns and simultaneously increasing the length of their barrel, since a longer gun of a larger caliber fires heavier projectiles with a higher initial velocity over a greater distance without correcting the aiming.

The best tanks in the world had a large-caliber cannon, also had a large breech, significantly more weight and an increased recoil response. And this required an increase in the mass of the entire tank as a whole. In addition, the placement of large rounds in a closed tank volume led to a decrease in the ammunition load.
The situation was aggravated by the fact that at the beginning of 1938 it suddenly turned out that there was simply no one to give an order for the design of a new, more powerful tank gun. P. Syachintov and his entire design group were repressed, as well as the core of the "Bolshevik" design bureau under the leadership of G. Magdesiev. Only the group of S. Makhanov remained free, who from the beginning of 1935 tried to bring his new 76.2-mm semi-automatic single gun L-10, and the collective of plant No. 8 slowly brought the "forty-five".

Photos of tanks with names The number of developments is large, but in mass production in the period 1933-1937. not a single one was adopted ... "Indeed, none of the five air-cooled tank diesel engines, which were worked on in 1933-1937 in the engine department of plant No. 185, was brought to a series. Moreover, despite the decisions on the highest levels of the transition in tank building exclusively to diesel engines, this process was restrained by a number of factors. Of course, diesel had significant economy. It consumed less fuel per unit of power per hour. Diesel fuel is less susceptible to combustion, since the flash point of its vapor was very high.

New tanks video, even the most advanced of them, the MT-5 tank engine, required a reorganization of engine production for serial production, which was expressed in the construction of new workshops, the supply of advanced foreign equipment (there were no machines of the required accuracy yet), financial investments and staff strengthening. It was planned that in 1939 this diesel with a capacity of 180 hp. will go to serial tanks and artillery tractors, but due to investigative work to find out the causes of tank engine accidents, which lasted from April to November 1938, these plans were not fulfilled. Also, the development of a slightly increased in height six-cylinder gasoline engine No. 745 with a capacity of 130-150 hp was started.

The brands of tanks are specific indicators that are quite suitable for tank builders. Tests of tanks were carried out according to a new method, specially developed at the insistence of the new chief of ABTU D. Pavlov in relation to military service in wartime. The test was based on a 3-4 day run (at least 10-12 hours of daily non-stop traffic) with a one-day break for technical inspection and restoration work. Moreover, repairs were allowed to be made only by the forces of field workshops without the involvement of factory specialists. This was followed by a "platform" with obstacles, "swimming" in the water with an additional load simulating an infantry landing, after which the tank was sent for inspection.

Super tanks online, after work on improvement, seemed to remove all claims from the tanks. And the general course of the tests confirmed the fundamental correctness of the main design changes - an increase in displacement by 450-600 kg, the use of the GAZ-M1 engine, as well as the transmission and suspension of the Komsomolets. But during the tests in the tanks, numerous minor defects... Chief designer N. Astrov was suspended from work and was in custody and investigation for several months. In addition, the tank received a new turret with improved protection. The modified layout made it possible to place on the tank a larger ammunition load for a machine gun and two small fire extinguishers (before, there were no fire extinguishers on small tanks of the Red Army).

US tanks as part of modernization work, on one production model of the tank in 1938-1939. The torsion bar suspension developed by V. Kulikov, designer of the design bureau of plant No. 185, was tested. It was distinguished by the design of a composite short coaxial torsion bar (long mono-torsion bars could not be used coaxially). However, such a short torsion bar showed insufficiently good results in tests, and therefore the torsion bar suspension did not immediately make its way in the course of further work. Overcoming obstacles: ascents of at least 40 degrees, vertical wall 0.7 m, overlapped ditch 2-2.5 m. "

YouTube about tanks work on the manufacture of prototypes of the D-180 and D-200 engines for reconnaissance tanks is not being conducted, jeopardizing the production of prototypes. "Justifying his choice, N. Astrov said that the wheeled-tracked non-floating reconnaissance aircraft (factory designation 101 or 10-1), as well as the variant of the amphibious tank (factory designation 102 or 10-2), are a compromise solution, since it is not possible to fully meet the requirements of ABTU.Variant 101 was a tank weighing 7.5 tons with a hull by hull type, but with vertical side plates of cemented armor with a thickness of 10-13 mm, since: "Inclined sides, causing a serious weighting of the suspension and hull, require significant (up to 300mm) widening of the hull, not to mention the complication of the tank.

Video reviews of tanks in which the power unit of the tank was planned to be based on the 250-horsepower MG-31F aircraft engine, which was mastered by the industry for agricultural aircraft and gyroplanes. Grade 1 gasoline was placed in the tank under the floor of the fighting compartment and in additional onboard gas tanks. The armament fully corresponded to the task and consisted of coaxial machine guns DK of 12.7 mm caliber and DT (in the second version of the project even ShKAS is listed) of 7.62 mm caliber. The combat weight of the tank with the torsion bar suspension was 5.2 tons, with the spring suspension - 5.26 tons. The tests were carried out from July 9 to August 21 according to the method approved in 1938, with special attention paid to tanks.