A Panzer For All Seasons - Panzerkampfwagen IV - Nazi Rearmament 06

Overview

The Panzerkampfwagen IV began life as a short-barreled infantry-support tank. By the middle of World War II, it had become Germany’s principal medium gun tank, carrying thicker armor and a long-barreled 7.5 cm gun capable of confronting the Soviet T-34 and KV-1. It was the only German tank to remain in continuous production throughout the war. From Poland and France to North Africa, Kursk, Operation Bagration, and the ruins of Berlin, the Panzer IV survived through constant adaptation. Its weight grew from roughly 17.5 to 25 metric tons, while its role changed from specialized support vehicle to the dependable workhorse of the Panzerwaffe.