The FReeper Foxhole's TreadHead Tuesday - PanzerKampfwagen IV - Feb. 3rd, 2004

www.wargamer.com ^

[SAMWolf]

Ausf. F2 in Africa, the British called them Mark IV "Specials"

From late 1941 onwards, the Russian T-34 appeared on the Eastern front, as well as American-built Sherman tank in the Western desert, armed with a 75mm gun. Combined with the Allied air superiority this reorientated German tank design, and resulted in a gradual phase-out of the PzKpfw III by 1943. Therefore the only vehicle in mass production and suited for carrying improved armor and armament was the PzKpfw IV. It had to close the gap since the new designs, such as the Tiger and the Panther, required time to be developed and made battle-ready. Though inferior in shape and equipment to the T-34 and the post-1942 German designs, The PzKpfw IV had the virtues of the Sherman: it was reliable and relative simple to maintain.


PzKpfw IV Ausf. H advancing in Russia, summer 1943

The main feature introduced with the PzKpfw IV Ausf. F was improved armor protection consisting of face-hardened, 50mm thick frontal armor on the hull, superstructure and turret, and 30mm thick sides. It became apparant that kinetic energy was the real tank-killer and what required were guns capable of producing the high muzzle velocities. The short low-velocity 75mm KwK L/24 of early models of PzKpfw IV was replaced in Ausf. F onwards by longer-barrel weapons, much more effective against enemy armor as a hurried answer to the Soviet T-34. The Ausf. F2, armed with the the 75mm Kw.K.40 L/43, was exceptionally effective, and restored the balance of fire-power to the Afrika Korps in 1942. However Rommel could never get enough of them to restore the original dominating position of his Panzer Divisions on the battlefield.


PzKpfw IV Ausf. J of the 2.Pz.Div

The road wheels were widened and ran on increased track width to compensate for the increase in weight. Major modifications that were added to Ausf. F2 (renamed Ausf. G in June 1942) were winter tracks (November 1942), Schurzen (side skirts, May 1943) and Zimmerit (January 1944). Zimmerit was an anti-magnetic compound preventing magnetic charges being placed on the vehicle. The PzKpfw IV weighted 23.2 tons (battle weight Ausf. F2), while the armor protection ranged from 8 to 50mm in thickness.


PzKpfw IV Ausf. H of the Regiment 12 "HitlerJugend"

The Ausf. H had the 75mm KwK L/48, with nearly twice the muzzle velocity of the L/24 gun. Armor was increased to a total thickness of 80mm and this was supplemented by spaced skirting plates on the turret and hull sides as a protection against rocket projectors and other hollow-charge weapons. A new cupola with 100mm armor was fitted, and some vehicles had 30mm plates of extra armor welded or bolted on the nose. In December 1942 it was decided to modernize the PzKpfw IV Ausf.H with sloped armor and triple road wheels, bringing the weight up to 28 tons. These features had to be dropped because the steering unit designed for an 18 ton tank had already reached its limitations in the 25 ton PzKpfw IV Ausf. G. The Ausf. H is generally regarded as the definitive model, with respect to both performance and produced number (3774 units).


A PzKpfw IV seen in Northern Russia

Production of the last version, Ausf. J started in February 1944 by Vomag (which switched later to the Jagdpanzer IV) and Ni-werk, producing about 3150 PzKpfw IV Ausf. J by the end of April 1945. The climax in the history of the PzKpfw IV came in 1944 when it was continuously thrown into the battle against Allied tank forces. In the East and, after the Normandy landings, also in the West and on impossible terrain in Italy, the PzKpfw IV fought against overwhelming odds. It proved to be the most reliable German armored fighting vehicle and, after the installation of the improved armament in 1942, was equal to most of its Allied counterparts.

[SAMWolf]

The Panzer IV was the only German tank to be produced throughout World War II. As such, numerous design changes were proposed over the years. The gun tank appeared in in several versions. Ausf. A through F1 carried the 7.5cm KwK L/24 tank gun, the Ausf. F2 and G carried the 7.5cm KwK 40 L/43, while the Ausf. H and J carried the 7.5cm KwK 40 L/48. The Panzer IV also provided the chassis for numerous tank destroyers and assault guns. This page will focus on some of the variants which either only saw limited production, were only developed to the prototype stage, or never made it off of the drawing board (because of the restraints of time or practicality).

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The Flakpanzer IV/3.7cm Flak, more popularly known as Ostwind, was designed to replace the Wirbelwind. All flakpanzers based on the Panzerkampfwagen IV chassis were to ultimately be supplanted by the Kugelblitz. Production delays in that program, however, meant that stopgap weapons had to be used and manufactured right up until the end of the war (as only two Kugelblitz were ever completed with seven Kugelblitz chasses going to Ostwind production).



The 3.7cm FlaK 43 was far superior an anti-aircraft weapon than the 2cm Flakvierling 38, and production of the Ostwind quickly supplanted that of the Wirbelwind beginning in December 1944. Only a total of 43 production examples were completed before the end of hostilities, with 36 of these having been converted from older Panzerkampfwagen IV (hence the appearance of zimmerit on vehicles produced after its use had been discontinued).

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In spring of 1944, the Inspector for the Panzer Troops (In 6) indicated that current flakpanzers in the Wehrmacht inventory were unsatisfactory, and that new vehicles should be developed with the following minimum requirements:

• rotating armored turret large enough to accommodate a three to four man crew.
• A 2000m effective range
• Twin guns
• A sufficient ammunition supply
• Maxiumum height, 3 meters
• Full radio equipment onboard.

The Wirbelwind design met most of these requirements. Vehicle height was kept low by recessing the gun mount into the top of the hull. The recess allowed for a smaller turret design and kept the overall vehicle height well under the 3 meter limit. Addition of a hydraulic traverse to the turret allowed a traversing speed of 60o/sec. A total of 3200 rounds for the four 2cm guns was carried (with storage for spare barrels provided on the sides of the engine compartment).

The Wirbelwind was developed as a conversion for Panzer IV chasses which had been returned from the front for rebuilding. Armored protection on the hull varied because the chasses used for conversion included Ausf F through Ausf G Panzerkampfwagen IV. As the 2cm Flakvierling was not as effective as the 3.7cm FlaK 43/1, the project was discontinued in autumn of 1944 after a total of 86 vehicles were converted.

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The 2cm Flakvierling auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagern IV, popularly known as the Möbelwagen, never actually entered volume production. The chassis was a simple conversion of the basic Panzerkampfwagen IV with a wider superstructure and large shields surrounding the 2cm Flakvierling 38. Hitler saw at least two demonstrations of the vehicle (in early 1943 and in October of 1943), but both times vetoed production. The chassis was ultimately used to create a Möbelwagen using the 3.7cm FlaK43.

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Officially designated the 15cm Schwere Panzerhaubitze auf Geschützwagen III/IV (Sf), the "Hummel" was one of the more effective attempts to provide a self-propelled chassis for larger caliber artillery. Designed to provide artillery support panzer units, the Hummel was built on the same Panzer III/IV hybrid chassis as the "Nashorn" (armed with the 8.8cm PaK43/1 L71). This vehicle utilized a lengthened Panzer IV chassis, along with the running gear and 400mm tracks of a Panzer IV Ausf. F. The Drive system (drive sprockets, final drives, brakes, transmission, and engine)were all taken from the Panzer III Ausf. J. The engine fittings (fuel pump, filters, cooling fans, fan drives/belts, batteries, muffler and radiator) were a combination of Panzer III and Panzer IV components. The engine was moved amidships and a special narrow driver's compartment was fitted into the front plate. This narrow compartment was later replaced with a hull width compartment. Apparently though the old compartment provided better side- to-side visibility, communication was superior in the new compartment.

Hummel was only one of the many weapons which made its combat debut at Kursk in 1943. A total of 724 Hummels were eventually produced (though Hitler eliminated the name ‘Hummel' in late February, 1944) along with an additional 157 Munistionsträger (ammunition carriers sans main armament). Each panzer division was initially allocated six of the vehicles forming a single battery. Eventually some divisions received a second battery. The vehicle served until the end of the war with all Panzer Divisions.

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During the planning stages before the outbreak of World War II, various methods of dealing with fixed fortifications were explored. One necessary vehicle, in the eyes of the Wehrmacht, was a bridge-layer. Early development projects were based on the Panzer I and Panzer II. The small size of these vehicles, however, sharply limited their utility. After good results had been obtained from experiments with a mild steel prototype, it was decided that a bridge-layer would be built on the Panzerkampfwagen IV. A total of four Ausf. C and 16 Ausf. D were converted into Brückenleger.

The bridge-layers were issued to the bridging platoons of the Panzer Divisions starting in March of 1940. During the campaigns in 1940, the Brückenleger served with the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 10th Panzer Divisions. Production orders for an additional 48 bridge-layers were placed, but following the campaign in France and the Low Countries led to the cancellation of all further production. All of the vehicles were converted back into gun tanks by May of 1941.

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The 10.5cm K18 auf Panzer Selbstfahrlafette Iva was another weapon designed to assault fixed fortifications. The large caliber gun was designed to assault fortified bunkers. Two prototypes were built by Krupp in March of 1941. Discussions with Hitler that May led to the suggestion that the vehicle should be developed as a heavy Panzerjäger alongside a proposed 12.8cm armed vehicle. Production of the vehicle was to begin in spring of 1942, but changing requirements ended the program.

The two prototypes were assigned to the 521st Panzerjäger Detachment for a planned assault on Gibraltar. As this attack never materialized, the vehicles were instead farmed out to the 3rd Panzer Division for operations in Russia. As the 10.5cm K18 gun was capable of penetrating 111mm of 30o armor or 132mm of vertical armor at a range of 2km, the vehicle met with considerable success against Soviet armor. The shape definitely foreshadows later self-propelled anti-tank vehicles. Clearly given the superior firepower of the 10.5cm gun, these vehicles in quantity would have certainly been a welcome addition to the Wehrmacht's arsenal during the pivotal battles of late 1941 and early 1942.

Additional Sources:

www.topedge.com
www.military-art.com
www.achtungpanzer.com
www.3-d-models.com
www.skalman.nu

[SAMWolf]

Weight	20 tons
Crew	5
Weapons	75mm L24 KwK gun with 80 rounds, 2 7.92mm MG 34 with 2800 rounds
Armor	hull 10-30mm (nose 30mm, sloped plate 20mm, front 30mm, sides and rear 20mm, top 11mm, bottom 10-20mm); turret 10-30mm (front 30mm, sides and rear 20mm, top 10mm)
Engine	300hp gasoline Maybach HL 120 TRM, 12-cylinders on V, liquid cooled
Speed	42Km/h
Range	200Km
Length (max)	5.91m
Width	2.92m
Height	2.59m

Advantages: upgradability in both armor and gun, mechanical reliability due to highly experienced chassis

Disadvantages: from 1944 armor is too thin to counter the newer allied (especially Soviet) tanks.

[SAMWolf]

Veterans for Constitution Restoration is a non-profit, non-partisan educational and grassroots activist organization. The primary area of concern to all VetsCoR members is that our national and local educational systems fall short in teaching students and all American citizens the history and underlying principles on which our Constitutional republic-based system of self-government was founded. VetsCoR members are also very concerned that the Federal government long ago over-stepped its limited authority as clearly specified in the United States Constitution, as well as the Founding Fathers' supporting letters, essays, and other public documents.

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Tribute to a Generation - The memorial will be dedicated on Saturday, May 29, 2004.

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Actively seeking volunteers to provide this valuable service to Veterans and their families.

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[Lokibob]

 

 

I took this picture y-day with the intention of finding out what tank it is.

 

It is probably 12 feet from front to rear (3 person tank??), and probably no more that 8 feet top to bottom.

 

I saw this thread and thought somebody might find this picture interesting.

 

Can anybody ID it?

 

I can take a couple of more pictures (front on type) but it is on private property, and the person who owns enforces it.

 

 

 

[snippy_about_it]

FALL IN to the FReeper Foxhole!



It's TreadHead Tuesday! Good Morning Everyone



If you would like added to our ping list let us know.

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, snippy and everyone at the Foxhole. It's primary election day here in Oklahoma and seven other states. If your state is one of them be sure to get out and vote.

[WhiskeyPapa]

Most postwar publications on German armor of WW II tend to overemphasize the importance of the Tiger and Panther. These vehicles, while undoubtedly making quite an impression on their opponents during their somewhat limited appearance on the battlefield, should be considered as derivatives of the PzKpfw III and IV.

The Tiger was a super duper Mk. IV. There's a strong family resemblence. The Panther on the other hand was a completely different design; it owed a lot to the Soviet T-34.

Walt

[WhiskeyPapa]

Can anybody ID it?

M-5 Stuart

Walt

[WhiskeyPapa]

My recruiter promised me I could be a tanker.

He was lying.

Walt

[WhiskeyPapa]

Just scanned the article; didn't see total production figures.

MK IV 19,000

Tiger I 1,350

King Tiger 480

Panther 5,000

Sherman M-4 50,000

Sherman variants 25,000

We win.

Walt

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Snippy.

Grumman J4F Widgeon

[snippy_about_it]

I'm sure the Tread Heads will have a better answer. All I have to offer is it has a "vertical Volute" suspension and the closest I can find with 4 road wheels is th M5 Stuart or the M8 Howitzer Motor carriage.

I'm sure you'll have your answer after the west coast wakes up!

Thanks for joining us and bringing the pic to the Foxhole.

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning Walt.

The M5 Stuart was my guess. I'm new to this so I have to go to my reference tools.

I also found the Howitzer M8 motor carriage matched. The suspension and hull will make it easy for our resident experts to positively id.

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning Aeronaut.

I'm amazed at the number of designs that were created for planes.

[The Mayor]

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. —Psalm 139:14

When you let God's love fill your heart, it will show on your face

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning Mayor.

[The Mayor]

Mornin !

Raining here, suppose to turn to snow.. 34 degrees.

[snippy_about_it]

Raining here, too. 39 degrees but dropping to freezing and below just in time for evening rush hour. Figures. Ugh!

[The Mayor]

I know what that's like. There are schools closed all around us cause of the freezing rain.
There's a coat of ice all over. I just watched my daughter walk out to the bus and she was slipping.

We have school and my wife is driving a school bus.