Panzerkampfwagen IV, SdKfz 161 Medium Tank14:
On January 11, 1934, the Army Weapons Department drew up specifications for amitteren Traktor (medium tractor).14 It was to be a maximum of 24,000 kg.8 These were to equip the 4th company of each battalion. It's roll was originally intended to be artillery support and was designed with a low velocity, large caliber gun for HE.8
To disguise their development they were given the code name Bataillonsführerwagen/BW (battalion commander's vehicles).8 It's original designation was Begleitwagen (BW) (escort tank).12
During 1934, Rheinmetall-Borsig, Krupp, and MAN each submitted a prototype design.8,12,13 These were designated the VK 2001(Rh), VK 2002 (MAN), and VK 2001(K).14 The Weapons Department thought they were all unsuitable and rejected them.8 MAN in 1935 developed a prototype that had interleaved suspension.8 Krupp designed a vehicle that had interleaved bogie suspension.8
Rheinmetall-Borsig was to do the main development work and had produced a wooden model by the end of 1934. The first prototypes were completed in 1934 and 1935 and were tested at Kummersdorf. The suspension initially had 8 paired bogies and 3 return rollers.
Krupp-Grusonwerk received the contract.12,14 Between October 1937 and March 1938 35 pre-production models (Ausf A) were produced.12
Krupp's Heerlein division was given the responsibility for designing the turret and further development. New prototypes were thoroughly tested during 1935-1936. After these trials Krupp was appointed the main developer. Eisen, Hüttenwerke in Bochum, and Krupp produced the armor and turrets. By 1942 Krupp had subcontracted the hulls, superstructures, and turrets to Böhler of Kapfenberg and Eisenwerke Oberdonau of Linz. Krupp's Essen factory was producing 24 hulls, superstructures, and turrets per week. Volkswagen was among the firms that produced the bogies.
On May 26, 1941, in a conference with Hitler at the Berghof, it was decided to investigate the possibility of upgunning the PzKpfw IVs with 50 mm PaK 38s. They were wanting about 20 tanks per armored division to act as a spearhead with better guns to penetrate enemy tanks, have heavier armor, and have speeds no less than 40 kph. Krupp received a contract to introduce a prototype by November 15, 1941. The 50 mm L/42 gun was to go into proof testing on August 1, 1944. However, after the invasion of Russia, the plan was dropped as being unworkable as the 50 mm L/42 was useless against the heavier Russian tanks.
Production started at the Krupp-Grusonwerke plant in Magdeburg.14 A total of 9,000 of the Mk IV series were produced. It was only German tank to be produced through the whole duration of World War II.8
When the tanks would come back to the factory for overhauls they usually had the latest improvements in armor, engines, turrets, installed.
Design
The joints were austenitic steel welds and the plates were made of chromium-molybdenum steel. The hull was separated by 2 bulkheads into the driving, fighting, and engine compartment. The superstructure overhung the the sides, allowing for future upgunning and stowage.8
The welded turret had seats for the commander, gunner, and loader. The cupola was towards the rear of the turret and had 5 ports. The commander's cupola was centered in the rear of the turret.12,14 The loader was on the left, and gunner on the right.12,14
The driver was on the left and the radio operator/machine gunner was on the right.14
There were eight roadwheels on each side suspended in pairs from leaf springs.9 The suspension was 4 pairs of bogies on each side8 that were size 470x75-660 and mounted on longitudinal twin quarter elliptic springs, with 4 return rollers8,9. The sprocket wheel was in the front with the idler in the rear.9
The engine exhausts were fitted on the right side of the engine compartment which sucked in the air and this was expelled out the left side after passing through the radiator. The fans were driven by belts and double V-belts from the crankshaft.
A Wilson-Krupp type clutch and brake provided the steering.
The electricity to traverse the turret was provided by a shunt motor. This was a type P/6 DKW 2 cylinder, 2 stroke engine which produced 15 hp at 2,800 rpm, and had a capacity of 585 cc.
Usage
211 saw action in Poland, 19 were lost. 278 were available for the invasion of France.
548 were available for the invasion of Russia.8
During the invasion of Russia, many of the tanks had two wheeled trailers that had two 200 liter gas tanks. Some also had a supply of 20 liter gas cans on the turret roof. Many vehicles carried twice the normal ammunition supply inside their tanks. This helped them be relatively independent from the trailing supply columns early on in the invasion.
From 1943, it was intended to have Panzer regiments to be equipped with one battalion of PzKpfw Ausf Hs and 1 of PzKpfw V.8
Infanterie Sturmsteg:
"Infantry Assault Footbridge." 2 produced that had an infantry assault bridge mounted. Looked similar to a ladder on a fire truck having a telescopic catwalk.
Bergepanzer IV:
368 were converted from October to December 1944 the turret was removed8 and a wooden structure with a crane was added.
Munitionsschlepper für Karlgerät:
An Ausf D was used in October 1939 as the chassis for an ammunition carrier that could carry 4 600 mm rounds for the Karl 600 mm mortar. A crane was installed for lifting these rounds. 13 Ausf F1s were converted in 1941.
During 1941 11 were produced.8 They were to carry the 2.2 ton shells for the Karl 600 mm mortar.8
Flakpanzer fur Schwere Flak (8.8cm Flak 37)
8.8cm Flak 37 auf Sonderfahrgestell,
88 mm K (Pz Sf) auf Sonderfahrgestell13:
It was to mount a 8.8-cm FlaK 36 L/56 gun.13 By August 1942 there were three prototypes but by this time tank production had priority.13
The prototypes partook in field trials in October1943 at Ostseebad-Kuhlingsborn.13 These prototypes worked very well, but with it's weight of 26 tons it was quite heavy for a self-propelled gun.13 The length was 7 m and the width 3 m which would have been problematic when moving by rail.13
The project was finally was cancelled by Albert Speer on January 13, 1945.13
Wirbelwind:
Had Quad 2 cm AA FlaK 38 guns mounted. About 90 made in 1944.
Möbelwagen:
3.7 cm Flak 43 L/60 mounted. The 4 sides could be let down horizontally. 240 made from 1944-45.
Ostwind:
3.7 cm Flak 43/1 L/60 mounted. Had 6 sides to the turret. 45 made from 1944-45.
Kugelblitz:
Twin 3 cm MK 103/38 mounted in a low rounded open topped turret. Only 2 made in early 1945.
StuG IV:
Superstructure of StuG III put onto PzKpfw IV chassis. 1,100 made from Dec. 1943 to March 1945.
Brummbär:
Mounted a 15 cm StuH43 L/12. 298 built.
Jagdpanzer IV:
Mounted 7.5 cm Pak 39 L/48. 800 built in 1944.
Panzer IV/70(V):
Mounted 7.5 cm Pak 42 L/70. 900 built by Vomag from Aug. 1944 to March 1945.
Panzer IV/70(A):
Mounted 7.5 cm Pak 42 L/70. 300 built by Alkett from Aug. 1944 to March 1945.
Nashorn:
8.8 cm Pak 43/1 L/71 mounted on lengthened hull. 500 built 1943-45.
10.5 cm K18 auf Panzer Selbstfahrlafette IVa:
Two prototypes were built for the purpose of destroying fortified bunkers. These were presented to Hitler on March 31, 1941. On May 26, 1941, Hitler decided that these would be developed as a heavy Panzerjäger so that it would be able to engage any heavy tanks from Britain or other countries. Production was to start in the spring 1942, but requirements changed and production didn't take place.
They were issued to the 521st Panzerjäger Detachment for the proposed attach on Gibraltar. There were then used in Russia with the 3rd Panzer Division.
10.5 cm leFH18/1 (Sf) auf Geschützwagen IVb (SdKfz 165/1):
Krupp-Gruson produced 8 prototypes for troop trials in November 1942. Had only 3 double bogies and 3 return rollers on each side. Had a Maybach HL 66 P engine installed. The turret could be moved 70° each way. It was to carry 5 crew members and 60 rounds of ammunition. The project was canceled in favor of full traversing turrets and the ability to dismount the main gun.
10.5 cm leFH18/1 L/28 auf Waffenträger GW IVb:
Krupp built 3 prototypes in 1943. The turret fully rotated and a lifting gantry was carried on the vehicle.
Leiche PzH18/40/2 auf Geschützwagen III/IV (Sf):
Prototype built by Rheinmetall-Borsig. Had a 105 mm leFH18/40/2 L/28 gun in a rotating turret.4 Only prototypes built.4
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
- Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1933-1942, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
- Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1943-1945, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
- Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
- Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
- German Tanks of World War II, Dr. S. Hart & Dr. R. Hart, 1998
- Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
- Battle Winning Tanks, Aircraft & Warships of World War II, David Miller, 2000
- Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
- Panzers At War, Michael and Gladys Green, 2005
- New Vanguard 88 mm FlaK 18/36/37/41 and PaK 43 1936-45, John Norris, 2002
- Tanks - Over 250 of the World's Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles, Chris Chant, 2004
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