Panzer IV at War 1939-1945 (Images of War)

First published in Great Britain in 2012 by PEN & SWORD MILITARY An imprint of Pen & Sword Books Ltd 47 Church Street Barnsley South Yorkshire S70 2AS Copyright © Paul Thomas, 2012 ISBN 978-1-84884-681-4 eISBN 978-1-78303-903-6 The right of Paul Thomas to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the Publisher in writing. Typeset by Concept, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire Printed and bound in England by CPI Group (UK) Ltd, Croydon, CR0 4YY Pen & Sword Books Ltd incorporates the imprints of Pen & Sword Aviation, Pen & Sword Family History, Pen & Sword Maritime, Pen & Sword Military, Pen & Sword Discovery, Wharncliffe Local History, Wharncliffe True Crime, Wharncliffe Transport, Pen & Sword Select, Pen & Sword Military Classics, Leo Cooper, The Praetorian Press, Remember When, Seaforth Publishing and Frontline Publishing. For a complete list of Pen & Sword titles please contact PEN & SWORD BOOKS LIMITED 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2AS, England E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk

Contents Introduction Chapter One Blitzkrieg, 1939–1941 Chapter Two Barbarossa, 1941 Chapter Three Russia, 1942–1943 Chapter Four Russian and Western Front, 1943–1944 Chapter Five Last Year of Operations, 1944–1945 Appendix Panzer Camouflage and Panzer IV Variants

Introduction he highly-illustrated Panzer IV at War is a record of one the foremost German fighting machines of the Second World War. With comprehensive captions and text the book tells the Panzer IV’s story from its production to the key battles in Poland, France, North Africa, Italy, Russia and North West Europe. Initially the Panzer IV was designed as an infantry support tank, but soon proved to be so diverse and effective that it earned a unique tactical role on the battlefield. Throughout the book it shows how the Panzer IV evolved and describes how the Germans carefully utilized all available reserves and resources into building numerous variants that went into production and saw action on the battlefield. It depicts how these formidable tanks were adapted and up-gunned to face the ever increasing enemy threat. Between 1936 and 1945, over 8,000 Panzer IVs were built. For most of the war this tank was certainly a match for its opponent’s tanks and quickly and effectively demonstrated its capability on the battlefield. In fact it played a crucial part in the desperate attempt to halt the Soviet drive, and was also used with deadly effect in the West performing defensive operations. The Panzer IV was a great credit to the Panzer divisions it served, and was the only Panzer to stay in production throughout the war. It was also a credit to its design that there were many Panzer IV chasses converted into various self-propelled antitank weapons than any other Panzers that entered service.

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Chapter One

Blitzkrieg 1939–1941 or the invasion of Poland the the Panzerkampfwagen IV (literally ‘armoured combat vehicle’, the German for what in English is referred to as a tank), commonly known as Pz.Kpfw.IV made its debut for the first time on the battlefield. Designed as an infantry-support tank, the Panzer IV was not originally intended to engage enemy armour, but to thrust forward smashing through enemy defences and protecting the infantry which were closely supporting its drive. During the invasion of Poland the Panzerwaffe (literally, ‘armoured force’) mainly used the Ausf.B and Ausf.C variant models. Powered by the newly improved HL 120TRM Maybach engine the Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausfürung, or ‘Variant’ was the most powerful tank on the Polish battlefield. The tank’s main armament mounted the Kampfwagenkanone 37 L/24 (KwK 37 L/24) 75mm (2.95in) gun, which was a low-velocity gun designed to mainly to fire high-explosive shells. Against armoured targets, firing the Panzergranate 39 APCBC (armour piercing capped ballistic capped) ammunition at 385 metres per second, the gun could penetrate 39–41mm of armour angled at 60 degrees to the horizontal at 500 yards; with the later Granat 38 HEAT (high explosive anti tank, or hollow-charge) ammunition types, penetration was 70, 75 or 100mm at any rage, depending on which projectile variant was used. For local defence the vehicle was armed with a 7.92mm (0.31in) MG 34 machine gun which was mounted coaxially with the main gun in the turret, while a second machine gun of the same type was mounted in the front plate of the hull (not on Ausf.B or Ausf.C). In July 1939 the Panzerwaffe issued a new organization chart, in which each Panzer Regiment was to have two medium companies, each of which was to have two Panzer IVs in the HQ company, five Panzer IIs in one company and twelve Panzer IVs in three platoons of four, a total of fourteen Panzer IVs per company. A month later the Pz.Kpfw.IV was ready for action. During the last weeks of August almost the entire number of Pz.Kpfw.IV, 211 of them, were moved along the frontier of Poland, and were divided among the five army groups that were ordered to invade the country. Panzer Regiments 1 and 2 both had twenty-eight Panzer IVs, giving the 1st Panzer Division fifty-six tanks, while in the 1st Light Division Panzer Regiment 11 also had twenty-eight Panzer IVs, while Pz.Abt.65 had fourteen, for a total of forty-two tanks. During the early hours of 1 September 1939, the German army finally crossed the Polish frontier and began ‘Operation White’, the code-name for the German invasion of Poland. For the attack the German army was broken-up into two Army Groups – Army Group North, consisting of the Fourth and Third armies, under the command of General Fedor von Bock, and the Army Group South, consisting of the Eighth, Tenth and Fourteenth armies, commanded by General Gerd von Rundstedt. From north to south all five German Army Groups crashed over the frontier. Almost immediately they began achieving their objectives. The entire thrust of the German Army was swift – the devastatingly efficient Blitzkrieg had arrived. From the beginning of the invasion the Luftwaffe had paralysed large sections of the Polish railway network, severely disrupting the desperately needed mobilization, which was still far from complete. The Poles were faced with the finest fighting army that the world had ever seen. The quality of the German weapons – above all the Panzers – was of immense importance during the Polish

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campaign. Within a week of the invasion advanced elements of Reinhardt’s 4th Panzer Division, including a number of Pz.Kpfw.IVs, arrived outside Warsaw, and fought a series of the first urbanized battles of the Second World War. Although Reinhardt was to lose 57 out of 120 Panzers engaged in the fighting inside the capital, his division went on to fight outside the city near the Bzura, employing a number of Pz.Kpfw.IVs against strong enemy resistance. Despite the losses in and outside Warsaw the Pz.Kpfw.IV was very successful in almost all of its engagements against the enemy. Poland was its baptism of fire and although seventy-one tanks were lost in combat it had done sterling service for the Panzertruppe. As the German invasion of Poland came to a victorious end, it was decided to scale up production of the Panzer IV, which was adopted for general use on 27 September 1939 as the Sonderkraftfahrzeug (special motor vehicle) 161 (Sd.Kfz.161). Eight months later the tank was yet again in action, this time against the west. For the attack, the German Army were divided into three army groups – Army Group A, B and C. The main role would be given to Army Group A, which would drive its armoured units through the Ardennes, swing round across the plains of northern France and then make straight for the Channel coast, thereby cutting the Allied force in half and breaking the main enemy concentration in Belgium between Army Group A advancing from the south and Army Group B in the north. The task of Army Group B was to occupy Holland with motorized forces and to prevent the linking up of the Dutch army with the AngloBelgian forces. It was to destroy the Belgian frontier defences in a rapid and powerful attack and force the enemy back over the line between Antwerp and Namur. The fortress of Antwerp was to be surrounded from the north and east and the fortress of Liege from the north-east and north of the Meuse. Army Group C, which was the most southern of the three army groups, was to engage the garrison of the Maginot Line, penetrating it if possible. Distributed between the three army groups the Germans deployed twenty-nine divisions under Army Group B in the north and forty-four divisions, including the bulk of the armour, under Army Group A in the centre. Army Group C with seventeen divisions covered the southern flank and threatened the French position on its eastern flank. The armour was divided among the three army groups which, would lead the drive through Belgium, Holland and then into France. In total a staggering 2,702 tanks. In total there were 640 Pz.Kpfw.Is, 825 Pz.Kpfw.IIs, 456 Pz.Kpfw.IIIs, 366 Pz.Kpfw.IVs, 151 Pz.Kpfw.35(t) and 264 Pz.Kpfw.38(t). The reserves comprised of some 160 vehicles to replace combat losses and 135 Pz.Kpfw.Is and Pz.Kpfw.IIIs which had been converted into armoured command tanks. The vehicles that had been distributed among the ten Panzer divisions were not distributed according to official tables of organisation for the tasks they were supposed to perform. The 1.Panzer-Division, 2.PanzerDivision and 10.Panzer-Division each comprised 30 Pz.Kpfw.Is, 100 Pz.Kpfw.IIs, 90. Pz.Kpfw.IIIs and 56 Pz.Kpfw.IVs. The 6 Panzer-Division, 7 Panzer-Division and 8 Panzer-Division consisted of 10 Pz.Kpfw.Is, 132 Pz.Kpfw.35(t) or Pz.Kpfw.38(t) and 36 Pz.Kpfw.IVs. A further 19 Pz.Kpfw.35(t) were added to the 6.Panzer-Division to augment a battery of sIG 15cm self propelled infantry guns. The 3.Panzer-Division, 4.Panzer-Division and 5.Panzer-Division each consisted of 140 Pz.Kpfw.Is, 110 Pz.Kpfw.IIs, 50 Pz.Kpfw.IIIs and 24 Pz.Kpfw.IVs. In addition to the main armoured force that made up the powerful Panzer division, various other armoured vehicles were used. There were for instance four independent Sturmartillerie batteries, each of six Sturmgeschütz (StuG) III assault guns. There was a specially developed vehicle armed with the same 75mm gun mounted in the Panzer IV but with limited traverse as it was bolted on the chassis of a Pz.Kpfw.III. Apart from the new StuG.III there were also two types of independent specialist anti-

armour units deployed for action. There were five Panzerjäger companies equipped with the very accurate 47mm PaK on the Pz.Kpfw.I, which was known as the Panzerjäger I tank destroyer. The vehicle provided ample mobile anti-tank support for the infantry divisions. Throughout the Western campaign the Pz.Kpfw.IV performed with distinction, and supported the infantry extensively throughout with little hindrance to the fast moving mobile operations. By the end of the campaign it was recognized that the Pz.Kpfw.IV would be used predominantly on the battlefield to support the infantry in a number of offensive roles. Due to the success of the Panzer force in Poland and on the Western Front, from 1 June to September 1940 the total number of tanks in the Panzerwaffe inventory rose steadily from 4,150 to 4,833. Hitler was particularly insistent that production of the PzKpfw.III and IV be accorded priority in manufacture in order to accelerate the outfitting of new and existing Panzer divisions. For Operation Sealion, the planned invasion of the British Isles, 168 Tauchpanzer (diving tanks) III and 42 Tauchpanzer IV underwater tanks were built. On 1 August 1940 there were ninety Pz.Kpfw.III with 50mm KwK and twenty-eight Pz.Kpfw.IV ready for service. However, within weeks plans for the invasion of England were abandoned and the Panzerwaffe began receiving new models of Pz.Kpfw.IV to supercede those already in service. As a direct result of this, the Germans built the PzKfw.IV Ausf.E from September 1940 to April 1941, and then the Ausf.F, and sixty-four of these were in service just prior to the invasion of Russia. It was intended that some 2,160 Pz.Kpfw.IV tanks should be produced and spread amongst thirty-six Panzer divisions that were planned for mid July 1941. In fact, only 481 of these were destined for the front lines. For operations on the Eastern Front a number of these vehicles were actually equipped to carry drums of fuel to increase their radius of action. Some 1,800 fuel-tank trailers were also to be readied to support the tank drive across Russia.

An Ausf.B or C during operations in the Polish campaign in September 1939. The Pz.Kpfw.IV dominated the battlefield against their lightly armed opponents. Note the white cross painted on the front plates of the chassis. This was done in order to distinguish friend or foe on the battlefield, especially from greater distances.

A very new Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.C at a victory display in Germany, probably in the summer of 1940. In front of the tank is a captured French infantry gun, with a sign containing the German word ‘französisch’, or French. Behind the PzKpfw.IV is a captured British A13 Mk. I cruiser tank. This early type Panzer is painted in overall dark grey. As for design it is very similar to the Ausf.B type variant but can be differentiated by the armoured sleeve for the co-axial MG 34 on the internal gun mantle.

Here a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.B or C during a training exercise during the summer of 1940. This vehicle belonged to the Lehr-Division (teaching and demonstration division). The tactical number ‘411’ can be seen painted in white on the side of the tank indicating that the tank is the first platoon leader’s tank in the 4th company. Note the dust being thrown forward from the upper right-hand track, while the left track is being braked.

Three tanks have halted inside a German town in 1940. At the front of the column is a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.B or C. Behind this vehicle are a PzKpfw.III Ausf.E with the 50mm L/42 gun, and a PzKpfw.II. The 50mm L/42 gun was not fitted in the PzKpfw.III until August 1940. The Pz.Kpfw.IV 75mm gun could match some, but not all other tanks at that time. Even during the early stages of the war it had been given the name as the ‘workhorse’ of all the Panzer divisions.

A Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.B or C moving slowly forward towards the battlefront supporting German infantry. The vehicle’s intended role, especially during the early part of the war, was purely as infantry support. During the campaign in the west the Panzer engaged in an innovative new form of mobile warfare known as Blitzkrieg.

A Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.B or C moves at speed through a French town with crew on board, clearly not under any threat of enemy attack. During the campaign co-operation between the Luftwaffe, the motorised and armoured formations was excellent, ensuring success along every part of the front.

Throughout the Western campaign the Pz.Kpfw.IV fought with distinction, and supported the infantry extensively throughout with little hindrance to the fast moving mobile operations. By the end of the campaign it was recognized that the Pz.Kpfw.IV would be used predominantly on the battlefield to support the infantry in a number of offensive roles. Shown here is an Ausf.F produced from April 1941 onwards. The vehicle markings show that it is the third tank in the first platoon of the 6th company.

An excellent photograph showing a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.B or C halted somewhere on the Western Front in May 1940. Note the oak leaf emblem of 1.Panzer-Division painted on the turret. The tactical number ‘822’ painted in white indicates the vehicle belongs to the 8th company, second platoon, and is the second tank therein; part of the II.Abteilung of Panzer-Regiment.2. This regiment was equipped with twenty Pz.Kpfw.IVs.

The crew of a Pz.Kpfw.IV can be seen motoring through a French town. During the western campaign commanders in the field soon realized that only the 75mm gun of the Pz.Kpfw.IV was really suited to the demands of the modern battlefield. However, even this gun had its limitations. The short barrel gave the shells limited velocity, which was effective against thinly built enemy tanks, but proved far from adequate against heavier tanks.

A column of Pz.Kpfw.IVs advance through a German town greeted by cheering crowds lining the streets during a victory march. The Pz.Kpfw.IV vehicle became among the most popular and liked Panzers of the Second World War, and remained in production throughout the war. At first it was not intended to be the main armoured vehicle of the Panzerwaffe, but it soon proved to be so versatile and effective that it became the most widely used of all the main battle tanks during the conflict. The leading vehicle belongs to the 4th company commander, and the position of the numbers on the hull nose is unusual. The vehicle is an Ausf.C.

A commander standing up in the cupola of his Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.A. The uniform shows the standard black Panzer uniform with the newly introduced Einheitsmütze (standardized) field cap. The commander can clearly be seen wearing the tank crew headset, which was worn in conjunction with a throat microphone. These were essential pieces of kit if the crew were to hear orders from the commander over the noise of the tank’s engine.

Vehicles of Kleist’s Panzer-Division halted inside a ruined French town. A number of Panzers can be identified, which include a PzBefwg.I command vehicle, a PzKpfw.II, a PzKpfw.III Ausf.E, F or (less likely) G, and a PzKpfw.IV. The 1.Panzer-Division was attached to Panzergruppe Kleist which had advanced through Luxembourg and the Ardennes before breaking through the Maginot line and entering France.

On a training exercise. Smoke engulfs a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F, and a crew member can be seen escaping from the tank. Tank crews were generally highly trained and were given numerous drills and exercises on baling out of a knocked out vehicle. With ammunition stored on a board in a real-life situation it was imperative that the vehicle be abandoned quickly and efficiently, for it could burn violently or even explode at any moment.

Chapter Two

Barbarossa 1941 or the invasion of Russia, code-named Barbarossa, the German Army assembled some 3,000,000 men, divided into a total of 105 infantry divisions and 32 Panzer divisions. There were 3,332 tanks, over 7,000 artillery pieces, 60,000 motor vehicles and 625,000 horses. This force was divided into three German army groups: Army Group North, commanded by Field Marshal Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb, who had assembled his forces in East Prussia on the Lithuanian frontier. His Panzergruppe, which provided the main spearhead for the advance on Leningrad, consisted of 812 tanks. These were divided among the 1, 6 and 8.Panzer-Divisions, 3, and 36.Motorised-InfantryDivisions and the SS.Motorised-Division ‘Totenkopf ’, which formed the Panzergruppe reserve. The Panzer divisions’ main armour consisted of: 410 Pz.Kpfw.Is, 746 Pz.Kpfw.IIs, 149 Pz.Kpfw.35(t)s, 623 Pz.Kpfw.38(t)s, 965 Pz.Kpfw.IIIs, and 439 Pz.Kpfw.IVs. This armoured force had to rely on many obsolete light tanks to provide the armoured punch. For the Russian offensive the Panzer divisions had been slightly modified. They had been in fact diluted in strength in order to swell the number of such divisions. The planners thought that by concentrating a number of Panzer divisions together they would be able to achieve a massive local superiority. During the early morning of 22 June 1941 the German Army finally unleashed the maelstrom that was Barbarossa. After a month of victorious progress, the German armies were fighting on a front 1,000 miles long. The Panzer divisions had exploited the terrain and inflicted such a series of hammer blows to the Red Army that it was only a matter of time before the campaign ended. Yet in spite of these successes the Panzer divisions were thinly spread out. Although the armoured spearheads were still achieving victories on all fronts, supporting units were not keeping pace with them. Consequently, it became increasingly difficult to keep the Panzers supplied with fuel. And without fuel the drive would have ground to a halt. Nevertheless, between June and late September 1941, the Panzer and motorized divisions were more or less unhindered by lack of supply, difficult terrain or bad weather conditions. However, on 6 October the first snowfall of the approaching winter was reported. It melted quickly, but turned the dirt roads into quagmires and rivers into raging torrents. The Russian autumn with its heavy rain, sleet and snow had arrived. The Panzer divisions began to slow. Wheeled vehicles soon became stuck in a sea of mud and could only advance with the aid of tracked vehicles towing them. No preparations had been made for the winter and the Panzer divisions lacked the most basic supplies for cold weather. There were no chains available for towing vehicles, and no anti-freeze for the engines’ coolant systems. Tank and infantrymen alike had no winter clothing either. In blizzards and temperatures, which fell to 30 degrees below zero, the exhausted Panzer divisions soon ran out of fuel and ammunition, and were compelled to break off their attack within sight of Moscow. On 6 December all plans to capture the Russian capital in 1941 had to be abandoned. By 22 December only 405 tanks were operational in the vicinity of Moscow with 780 out of action, but repairable. By the end of the year, the Germans reported the loss of 2,735 tanks plus another 847 replacements since 22 June. Not even 1,400 operational and damaged tanks remained of

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the once powerful and proud Panzer divisions. By the end of 1941 the battle weary divisions of the Panzerwaffe, which had taken part in Operation Barbarossa, were no longer fit to fight. Mobile operations had consequently ground to a halt. Fortunately for the exhausted Panzer crews and supporting units no mobile operations had been planned for the winter of 1941, let alone for 1942. In the freezing arctic temperatures the majority of the Panzer divisions were pulled out of their static defensive positions and transferred to France, to rest, reorganize and retrain. In spite of the terrible problems that faced the badly depleted Panzer divisions, back in Germany production of tanks still increased. In order to overcome the mammoth task of defeating the Red Army more Panzer divisions were being raised, and motorized divisions converted into Panzergrenadier divisions. Although re-equipping the Panzerwaffe was a slow expensive process, it was undertaken effectively with the introduction of a number of new fresh divisions being deployed on the front lines. However, by the beginning of the summer offensive in May 1942, not all the Panzer divisions were fully equipped and ready for combat. Some of the older units for instance did not even have their losses from the winter offensive of 1941 replaced and were not ready for any type of full-scale operation. Worn out and depleted Panzer divisions were therefore relegated to Army Group North or Army Group Centre where they were hastily deployed for a series of defensive actions instead. The best-equipped Panzer divisions were shifted south to Army Group South for operations through the Caucasus. This operation was entrusted to the two Panzer Armies – 1st and 4th – that were to spearhead the drive. By May 1942 most of the Panzer divisions involved were up to nearly 85 per cent of their original fighting strength, and had been equipped with mostly Pz.Kpfw.IIIs and Pz.Kpfw.IVs. With renewed confidence the summer offensive, codenamed ‘Operation Blau’, opened up in southern Russia. Some fifteen Panzer and Panzergrenadier divisions of the 1st and 4th Armies, together with Italian, Rumanian and Hungarian formations charged into action. In just two days the leading spearheads had pushed 150km deep into the enemy lines and began to cut off the city of Voronezh. The city fell on 7 July. The two Panzer armies then converged on Stalingrad. It seemed that the Russians were now doomed. With an air of confidence Hitler decided to abandon the armoured advance on Stalingrad and embark on an encirclement operation down on the River Don to capture the oil fields. The 6th Army went on to capture most of Stalingrad without any real Panzer support and fight a bloody battle of attrition there. Eventually the fighting in and around the city became so fierce it embroiled some twenty-one German divisions including six Panzer and Panzergrenadier divisions.

PzKpfw.IV Ausf.B or C and D in a depot in Germany. Note the spare track links on the turret roof of some of the tanks.

Given the non-standard turret numbers, these tanks are probably part of a training unit. The personnel can be seen standing next to a PzKpfw.IV Ausf.B or C and, behind, an Ausf.E.. The Pz.Kpfw.IV became one of the most popular Panzer in the Panzerwaffe and remained in production throughout the war. Originally the Pz.Kpfw.IV was designed as an infantry support tank, but soon proved to be so versatile and effective that it was deployed for other roles on the battlefield.

A Tauchpanzer.IV amphibious tank rumbles along a dusty road towards the front line on the Eastern Front. Whilst operating in Russia this vehicle undertook sterling service and was very successful in a number of engagements in which it fought. Note the absence of the usual cylindrical exhaust muffler which was fitted to non-amphibious vehicles, the stowage bin behind the turret, and the water can which has been marked with a white cross.

Troops march past a stationary Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.D which is parked on a typical dirt road in Russia. Note the skull mounted on top of the gun barrel. This was probably put there by the crew to intimidate the enemy.

The crew of a stationary Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.B or C stand beside their vehicle in a field prior to further operations in the east. Behind the tank parked near a building is a Famo-built SdKfz.9 18-ton recovery halftrack and one of the many supply vehicles that supported the armoured drive.

A Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.D drives through one of the many villages on route to the front lines in Russia. Note the number of fuel cans attached to the vehicle in order to sustain its long drive without the need for stopping and waiting for fuel supplies. The letter ‘K’ painted in yellow on the front of the tank indicates that it belongs to Kleist’s Panzergruppe.

The crew of a stationary Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.B or C pose for the camera during a lull in the fighting somewhere on the Eastern Front. The tank has its identification number displayed on removable plates – a feature of early-war vehicles only. The vehicle is the third tank in the first platoon of the 8th company. The crew is wearing their special black Panzer uniforms of the Panzertruppen which were very distinctive from the German soldier wearing his field-grey service uniform. The uniform was first issued to crews in 1934, and was the same design and colouring for all ranks of the Panzer arm, except for some of the rank insignia and national emblem worn by officers and Generals. The uniform was specially dyed black to hide oil and other stains from working with armoured vehicles. Across Europe and into Russia these black uniforms would identify this band of elite troops of the Panzerwaffe.

A column of tanks moves along a road. Note the divisional insignia painted on the turret of the leading Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.D. The insignia is a picture of a bison and was the symbol of Panzer-Regiment.7 of the 10th Panzer-Division. Note the addition of the stowage bin on the turret rear. This division saw extensive action in Army Group Centre in 1941, and fought in engagements at Minsk, Smolensk, Vyasma, and the Battle of Moscow. It remained in the region during the Russian winter offensive of 1941–1942, holding Juchnow, near Rzhev, against repeated Russian counterattacks from January to April 1942. By 1942, the division had suffered massive casualties and losses, forcing it to be withdrawn to rebuild.

This Ausf.D has been positioned to afford protection to the front lower part of its structure and is in preparation for action against approaching enemy targets. Note the appliqué armour added to the driver’s plate and the spare track links used to augment the protection – often a counter-productive feature. For the first four months of operation ‘Barbarossa’ all these vehicles were painted in their overall dark grey camouflage scheme which blended well against the local terrain.

The crew of a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.D advance through a village during summer operations on the Eastern Front. All the crew are distinctively wearing the army issue greatcoat, which was often a cumbersome piece of protective clothing to wear onboard a tank. Note the use of spare track links to augment the protection.

A stationary Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.B or C can be seen with its crew. Note the yellow painted oak leaf emblem on the front of the turret indicating that it belongs to the 1.Panzer-Division. The tactical number ‘822’ is painted in white followed by a white dot which identifies it as belonging to the II.Abteilung of Panzer-Regiment.2.

A column of vehicles comprising two Tauchpanzer IV underwater tanks (identifiable by the absence of the cylindrical exhaust muffler on the hull rear) and a support vehicle inside a Russian town. Note the divisional insignia painted in white on the rear of the tank’s turrets and on the door of the supply vehicle. This insignia represented a skull and cross bones in water. This was a symbol of the 18th PanzerBrigade belonging to the 18th Panzer-Division. The 18th Panzer-Division first saw extensive action in the East. When the 18th PanzerDivision crossed the Bug River underwater on 22 June, with submersible tanks, it marked the first time in the Second World War that submersible tanks were used in combat. The 18th Panzer-Division fought as part of LXVII Panzer-Corps, and over the next six months was involved in capturing Smolensk, Bryansk, and the assault on Tula.

A photograph of General Heinz Guderian standing next to what appears to be a Sd.Kfz.251 halftrack. In 1941 Guderian commanded Panzergruppe 2, also known as Panzergruppe Guderian, during the invasion of Russia. For his efforts he received the 24th award of the Oak Leaves to his Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross on 17 July of that year. From 5 October 1941 he led the redesignated 2nd PanzerArmy. His armoured spearhead captured Smolensk and was then given the task to launch the final assault on Moscow, but then was ordered to turn south towards Kiev.

A Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.B or C advances along a road during the furious drive east in the summer of 1941. A typical new Panzer division in 1941 comprised of one tank regiment of two, sometimes three Abteilungen totaling some 150–200 tanks; two motorized rifle (Schützen) regiments, each of two battalions, whose infantry were carried in armoured halftracks or similar vehicles, and a reconnaissance battalion of three companies (one motorcycle, two armoured car). The motorized infantry divisions accompanying the Panzer divisions in the Panzergruppe were similarly organized, but severely lacked armoured support.

Summer 1941 and the crew of a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.D pose for the camera. On the left mudguard, the letter ‘K’ indicates that the tank belongs to Panzergruppe Kleist. Note the track links attached to the front of the tank for additional armoured protection.

A Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.B, C or D rolls along a road during the opening phase of Operation Barbarossa on 22 June 1941. During this early stage of the war, Panzer crews were still wearing their famous black Panzer uniforms. The splitting of the tactical numbers between turret rear and hull rear is unusual. The divisional badge of the 7th Panzer Division can be seen next to the ‘8’ company number.

A Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.E passes along a typical Russian road in June 1941. The Ausf.E (here an early version is shown lacking the appliqué armour on the driver’s plate) variant was the first up-armoured vehicle developed in response to heavy allied tanks during the Western campaign. It was armed with a 75mm KwK 37 L/24 short barreled gun and was only capable of dealing with Soviet KV-1 and T-34 tanks at very short ranges.

A Pz.Kpfw.IV halted on a road. Within weeks of the invasion of Russia it was realized that this tank quickly demonstrated its superiority on the battlefield. On many occasions it spearheaded the main drive and dominated the Panzer divisions in which it served.

A photograph taken during the spring of 1942 showing a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.E or F passing a stationary Pz.Kpfw.III somewhere on the Eastern Front.

An interesting blurred photograph showing German mountain troops, or Gebirgsjäger, hitching a lift on board a late production PzKpfw.III Ausf.N somewhere in Russia in the summer of 1943. Throughout the entire campaign in Russia due to the long distances in which foot soldiers had to march, troops often hitched a lift on various vehicles and then dismounted to regroup and go into action.

A Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.B, C or D moving off a railway flat-wagon.

A Tauchpanzer IV submersible tank advancing along a road towards the front line somewhere probably in Army Group Centre during the summer months of 1941. Although difficult to make out the tank may be attached to the 18.Panzer-Division as part of the divisional insignia can be identified painted in yellow on the front of the hull side. It can also be observed on the Horch cross country vehicle’s nearside mudguard. Note also the swastika flag draped on the bonnet to facilitate aerial recognition.

A stationary Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.B, C or D on the battlefield during a lull in the fighting. Throughout 1941 this Panzer scored sizable successes in most of the areas where it was deployed. It was never superior to the more modern Russian tanks on the battlefield but continuously supported infantry in a number of successfully heavy engagements. Behind to the right is a PzKpfw.III Ausf.F or G.

A number of Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.D, PzKpfw.III and a PzBefWg.III with grid aerial lined up in a recently captured Russian town during the early phase of the drive on Moscow in early October 1941. The assault on the Russian capital had begun with the Panzer Group II being launched north-eastwards towards Orel, from where it would thrust north behind Yeremenko’s Bryansk Front. Two days later on 2 October, the rest of the Army Group rolled forward with more than 2,000 tanks bearing down on Moscow. Along General Bock’s entire central front, Panzer and infantry poured a storm of fire into the dwindling Red Army ranks. Within hours of the initial attack the Russian front was already breached.

Whilst the initial drive for Moscow went well, a number of Panzer units were brought to a halt by strong Soviet resistance. As a consequence numerous vehicles were knocked out by strong anti-tank gunners, as this photograph vividly illustrates. Note that this PzKpfw.IV Ausf.D has been cannibalized for spare parts.

A Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F during its drive eastwards. An infantry soldier on a bicycle passes the stationary tank. Note the amount of equipment the soldier has attached to the bicycle for his long march.

From the cupola of a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F the commander surveys the battlefield and watches the rest of his regiment advance across a field bound for action. He is wearing headphones and a throat microphone for communicating with either another crewmember or another Panzer.

An interesting photograph showing a rare Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.A. There were only thirty-five of these variants ever built for service. The vehicle is distinguished as an Ausf.A by the shape of the commander’s cupola as well as the triangular like device bolted on the side of the superstructure, behind the national insignia.

A close-up view taken of an Ausf.B or C variant stationary during a lull in the fighting in the summer weeks of 1941. Note the Notek black-out driving headlamp positioned on the right of the photograph.

Numerous vehicles can be seen parked on the outskirts of a captured Soviet village in the summer of 1941. Note the Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.E passing on its way to the front.

A Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.D passes beneath a Triumphal Arch somewhere on the Eastern Front. This Ausf.D is identified by the machine gun mount and the stepped front plate of the superstructure, however the distinctive gun mantlet appears to be lacking, suggesting that the vehicle might be a hybrid..

During the summer period of 1941 in Russia and a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.B or C is moving a long a typical Soviet road. This vehicle has a considerable amounts of stowage on board. Due to the long distances in the East, Panzer crews often relied heavily on their provisions, especially when they outstripped their supplies due to their considerable speed in some places.

An interesting photograph showing one of the forty-eight Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.D which were converted to operate on the bottom of the English Channel for the aborted invasion of England, known as ‘Operation Sea Lion’. Note the rim around the turret front and the hull MG to permit water-tight sealing. This vehicle is festooned with spare track and road wheels for additional armoured protection.

A Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.B or C rolling along a dirt track during the opening stages of the drive on Moscow in late September 1941. Whilst there was a formidable task force bearing down on Moscow, the Russians had constructed formidable defences in preparation for the German assault. Thousands of tanks and artillery were emplaced in the ground up to their gun barrels. Many thousands of mines were laid in the path of the German armoured spearhead. Nearly a million anti-personnel mines and booby traps were set up to explode and kill or maim unsuspecting German infantry. In towns and cities along the road leading to Moscow, the Russians erected thousands of crude defence barriers.

On the front line during the German drive on Moscow. Here a Panzer crew have halted on a road during winter operations with their Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F. Initially the advance on the Soviet capital went well and many Panzer crews came close to achieving their objective. But the freezing temperatures had caused well over 50 per cent casualties due to frost-bite in many of the regiments of the Panzer Divisions. Slowly the performance deteriorated in the snow, and by the end of November many units were near to collapse. Despite the almost total destruction of Guderian’s force he ordered his men to a fight a defensive battle of attrition in the terrible arctic conditions.

Chapter Three

Russia 1942–1943 n spite of the terrible problems that faced the badly depleted Panzer divisions during early 1942, back in Germany production of tanks still increased, but only slowly. In order to overcome the mammoth task of defeating the Red Army more Panzer divisions were being raised, and motorized divisions were converted into Panzergrenadier divisions. Although equipping the Panzerwaffe was a slow expensive process, it was undertaken effectively with the introduction of a number of new fresh divisions being deployed on the front lines. However, by the beginning of the summer offensive in May 1942, not all the Panzer divisions were fully equipped and ready for combat. Some of the older units for instance do not even have their losses from the winter offensive of 1941 replaced and were not ready for any type of full-scale operation. Worn out and depleted Panzer divisions were therefore relegated to Army Group North or Army Group Centre where they were hastily deployed for a series of defensive actions instead. The best-equipped Panzer divisions were shifted south to Army Group South for operations through Caucasus. It was entrusted to the two Panzer Armies – 1st and 4th – that were to spearhead the drive. By May 1942 most of the Panzer divisions involved were up to nearly 85 per cent of their original fighting strength, and been equipped with Pz.Kpfw.IIIs and Pz.Kpfw.IVs. On 9 May 1942, the Russians unleashed a spring attack at Volchansk. The main strike came three days later when 640,000 men and 1,200 tanks from Timoshenko’s Ukrainian Army attacked General Paulus’s 6th Army and pushed it back toward Kharkov. On 15 May Red Army forces threatened to envelope the city from the north and south. The 6th Army was severely battered by the overwhelming ferocity of the enemy as it tried to hold its positions. Paulus had only ten infantry divisions, a Hungarian light division, and a Slovak artillery regiment. For almost two days these forces were subjected to heavy incessant attacks until the 1st Panzer and 17th Armies were able to relieve the pressure. On 20 May Paulus was able to counterattack east of Kharkov and within a few days successfully linked up with Kleist west of the city, and encircled the main Russian striking force. The success at Kharkov ignited a new optimism throughout the ranks of both the Heer and Panzerwaffe. Paulus received the Knight’s Cross for his part in the victory, and a number of other commanders were also decorated. Though the Red Army had made a formidable impression on Paulus he was nonetheless convinced, as was his Fu¨hrer, that victory in the south would be secured. Yet, even as his troops and armoured vehicles pulled out east of Kharkov to take part in the drive to Vorone and the clearing operations of the Don, he never envisaged that the first seeds of disaster were being sown. A catastrophe more terrible than anything that his troops had ever experienced, was less than three months away. By the spring of 1942 Hitler, who was now in full command of operations on the Eastern Front, was determined to smash the Red Army once and for all in southern Russia. An ambitious plan was worked out that involved the seizure of Stalingrad, and the isthmus between the Don and the Volga rivers. Following the capture of Stalingrad he planned to use the city as an anchor and to send the bulk of his Panzer force south to occupy the Caucasus, where it would be used to cut off vital Russian oil supplies. The operation was called ‘Operation Blau’. The directive that Hitler himself dictated was

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executed in two stages. The first part of the summer operation was a determined all out drive in successive enveloping thrusts along the Kursk-Voronezh axis, where it was to destroy the Soviet southern flank and carry on to the Don River. The second part was the advance to Stalingrad and across the lower Don into the Caucasus. For this operation Army Group South would be divided. He ordered General List’s Army Group ‘A’ south, toward Rostov and the Caucasus, while General Weichs’s Army Group ‘B’ would be responsible for the drive across the lower Don to the Volga and into Stalingrad. The 6th Army soon became encircled and three hurriedly-reorganized under-strength Panzer divisions were thrown into a relief operation. By 19 December the 6th Panzer Division had fought its way to within 50km of Stalingrad. But under increasing Russian pressure the relief operation failed. The 6th Panzer Division and remnants of the 4th Panzer Army were forced to retreat, leaving the 6th Army in the encircled city to its fate. Some 94,000 soldiers surrendered on 2 February 1943. With them the 14th, 16th, and 24th Panzer Divisions, and the 3rd, 29th, and 60th Panzergrenadier Divisions were destroyed. Throughout the early cold months of 1943, the Panzerwaffe built up the strength of its badly depleted Panzer divisions. By the summer they fielded some twenty-four Panzer divisions on the Eastern Front alone. This was a staggering transformation of a Panzer force that had lost immeasurable amounts of armour in less than two years of combat. Hitler now intended to risk his precious Panzerwaffe in what became the largest tank battle of the Second World War – Operation Zitadelle.

Two Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.Fs painted in winter white wash have halted along a road in a village somewhere on the Eastern Front. It was typical of Panzer crews to utilize the surrounding buildings as additional cover against aerial attack, as this photograph suggests.

A Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F on the Eastern Front in early 1942. This vehicle has received a winter white wash paint in order to help conceal it on the battlefield. Note the small box next to the drivers visor which appears to have the single ‘X’ painted on the side. This appears to be the old insignia of the 5th Panzer-Division.

A white washed Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G, erroneously referred to in many sources as Ausf.F2, can be seen between some buildings during operations on the central front in the winter of 1942. The commander can be seen surveying the terrain ahead before proceeding further into enemy territory. Note the long-barrelled 75mm gun and the protective covers on the gun and hull MG.

A Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.E is in action against an enemy target during operations on the Eastern Front. Note the vehicles insignia painted in yellow on the front of the chassis left of the visor. The inverted letter ‘Y’ indicates it belongs to the 1st Panzer-Division.

Two Pz.Kpfw.IVs in action in 1942. The vehicle on the left is an Ausf.F variant whilst the other is an early Ausf.G, often incorrectly designated F2. A number of variants with the short barrel continued to operate until they were finally up-gunned.

A Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.E or F operating in southern Russia during the summer of 1942. By May 1942 most of the Panzer divisions involved in the drive south were up to nearly 85 per cent of their original fighting strength, and were equipped with Pz.Kpfw.IIIs and Pz.Kpfw.IVs.

Three photographs showing the new Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G. The upper photograph shows an early production vehicle with side vision slits on the turret and 50mm hull front; the lower two photographs show later production vehicles without these vision slits and applique´ 30mm armour added to the hull front. All of the vehicles appeared to have been painted with a tropical colour scheme, presumably for deployment in southern Russia..

A long column of Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.Js during their drive south between May and August 1942. The best-equipped Panzer divisions had been shifted south to Army Group South for operations through the Caucasus, which were entrusted to the two Panzer Armies – 1st and 4th.

This Pz.Kpfw.IV which is up-gunned, is an early Ausf.G. The vehicle carries the characteristic steel helmet insignia of the Heer’s famous Grossdeutchland Division on the rear left mud guard. Note also the non-standard turret numbering – a feature of this division.

The crew of a Pz.Kpfw.IV pose for the camera with their early production Ausf.G. This vehicle was produced in March or April 1942; the approximate date can be determined by the appearance of the turret with side visor.

During the summer of 1942 and two Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.Js can be seen, the nearest one is being re-tracked. The vast distances over which these vehicles had to travel can be well imagined. As a result maintenance crews were kept very busy with all the vehicles.

An up-gunned and up-armoured PzKpfw.IV Ausf.F during the early spring of 1942 on what appears to be a training ground. Next to it stands a Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.L.

Chapter Four

Russian and Western Front 1943–1944 n June 1943, 21 Panzer divisions, including four Waffen-SS divisions and two Panzergrenadier divisions were being prepared for Operation Zitadelle in the Kursk salient. For this massive attack the Panzerwaffe were able to muster seventeen divisions and two brigades with no less than 1,715 Panzers and 147 Sturmegeschutz III (StuG) assault guns in early July. Each division averaged ninetyeight Panzers or self-propelled anti-tank guns. The new Pz.Kpfw.V ‘Panther’ Ausf.D made its debut, despite its mechanical problems. Putting together such a strong force was a great achievement, but the Panzerwaffe of 1943 were unlike those armoured forces that had advanced victoriously across western Russia two years earlier. The losses during the previous winter had resulted in the drastic reductions in troop strength. Despite the Panzerwaffe’s impressive array of firepower, this shortage of infantry was to lead to Panzer units being required to take on more ambitious tasks normally reserved for the infantry. When the attack was finally unleashed in the pre-dawn light of 5 July 1943, the Germans were stunned by the dogged defence of their Soviet foe, who of course had long been forewarned of the coming attack. Within a matter of days, they had ground down the mighty Panzerwaffe and thrown its timetable off schedule. Through sheer weight of Soviet strength and stubborn combat along an ever-extending front, the German mobile units were finally forced to a standstill. The losses that the Panzerwaffe sustained at Kursk were so immense that it undoubtedly led to the German Army taking the first steps of its slow retreat back towards Germany. The Russians had managed to destroy no less than thirty divisions, seven of which were Panzer. German reinforcements were insufficient to replace the staggering losses, so they fought on under-strength. The Panzerwaffe were now duty-bound to improvise with what they had at their disposal and try to maintain themselves in the field, and in doing so they hoped to erode the enemy’s offensive capacity. In other areas of the Russian front the situation was just the same. Both Army Group Centre and Army Group North were trying desperately to hold the Soviets back from breaking through their lines. Replacements continued to trickle through to help bolster the under strength Panzerwaffe. But in truth, the average new Panzer soldier that was freshly recruited was not as well trained as his predecessors during the early part of the campaign in Russia. Nevertheless, as with many Panzer men they were characterized by high morale and a determination to do their duty. The winter of 1943 began with stark choices for the Panzerwaffe. Many of its concerns were centred around how to counter the awesome might of the Red Army with what little they had available. In October and November of 1943 only five Panzer divisions and one SS Panzer division were sent as replacements to the Eastern Front. During the winter of 1943 all units on the Eastern Front had an average of 2,000 tanks between them, of which only 800 of them were regarded as combat ready at any one time. Throughout January and February the winter did nothing to impede the Soviet offensives from grinding further west. However, in spite all the set-backs during 1944 the Panzerwaffe were better supplied with equipment than at any other time on the Eastern Front, thanks to the armaments industry. In total some 20,000 fighting vehicles including 8,328 medium and heavy tanks, 5,751 assault guns,

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3,617 tank destroyers and 1, 246 self-propelled artillery carriages of various types reached the Eastern Front. Included in these new arrivals were the second generation of tank-destroyers, the Jagdpanzer IV, followed by the Hetzer and then the Jagdpanther. In fact, tank-destroyers and assault guns would soon outnumber the tanks, which was confirmation of the Panzerwaffe’s more defensive role against overwhelming opposition. All of these vehicles were deployed along a very long Eastern Front, with many of them rarely reaching the proper operating level. Panzer divisions too were often broken up and split among hastily constructed battle groups or Kampfgruppen drawn from a motley collection of armoured formations. But still these battle groups were put into the line operating well below strength. The demands that were put upon the Panzerwaffe during the spring and summer of 1944 were immeasurable. The constant employment as military ‘fire brigades’, coupled with the nightmare of not having enough supplies and the appalling lack of standardization in vehicle components, was a worry that perpetually occupied the minds of the commanders. The Red Army encouraged by the German’s dire situation was now launching ever bolder operations aimed directly against the weakest defences along the front.

A white washed Pz.Kpfw.IV mid-production Ausf.G makes its way along a snowy road during the early winter of 1943. Note the gun barrel has been unusually insulated, more than likely to protect it from warping due to the differences in outside and internal temperatures.. Throughout the cold months of 1943, the Panzerwaffe built up strength of the badly depleted Panzer divisions.

Panzergrenadiers dig a path for an armoured column to pass along during operations on the Eastern Front in the winter of 1943. During 1943 the Pz.Kpfw.IV played a prominent role in many offensive operations. Even though these powerful tanks were increasingly outnumbered they were an ultimate credit to the Panzer divisions they served. These appear to be pre-April 1943 production Ausf.Gs or early production Ausf.Hs.

A stationary Pz.Kpfw.IV mid-production Ausf.G in the snow has halted next to a makeshift tent somewhere in the East during the early winter of 1943. Note the protective cover over the 75mm gun barrel to protect it from the arctic weather conditions. The vehicle has received a complete coating of white wash. The paint was specially designed to be thinned with water and applied to all vehicles and equipment where snow was on the ground. The application of this new winter white wash paint could easily be washed off by the crews in the spring, exposing the summer camouflage colour.

An armoured column advances across an open field destined for the front lines. The leading vehicle is a PzKpfw.III, the second is a PzPKpfw.IV, and the nearest vehicle a mid-production Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G. Note how the vehicles are purposely spaced out to minimize the threat of an aerial attack on its position. Due to continual wear and tear the vehicles winter white wash paint is badly worn exposing areas of the original dark grey base colour.

Two mid-production PzKpfw.IV Ausf.Gs negotiate a steep gradient during spring operations in 1943. Leading the column there are PzKpfw.III Ausf.Ls. By this point in the war the Panzerwaffe fielded some twenty-four Panzer divisions on the Eastern Front alone. This was a staggering transformation of a Panzer force that had lost huge amounts of armour in less than two years of combat. Note the tactical symbol of tank ‘921’, indicating 3rd SS Panzer division at the time of Kursk, and the support rails for ‘Schürzen’ (literally ‘aprons’) side plates.

Pz.Kpfw.IVs on a railway flat bed being prepared for transportation. Vehicle ‘342’ is an Ausf.H, indicated by the newer sprocket type, whereas the other vehicle is a late-production Ausf.G. Note the spare fuel drums. The Panzerwaffe relied heavily on the railways for long-distance transportation. Maintaining the momentum of an operations was vital to success and, without transport, the whole advance might stall.

A late-production PzKpfw.IV Ausf.G fitted with appliqué armour on the driver’s pate and still with intact side skirts advances along a road through a Russian village during the early summer of 1943. This Panzer appears to be painted in dark greenish-yellow. From 18 February 1943 this colour was being used on vehicles, weapons, and large pieces of equipment. A Red brown colour RAL 8017 and an olive green colour, RAL 6003 had been introduced at the same time. These two colours, along with the new colour base of dark yellow RAL 7028 were issued to crews in the form of a highly-concentrated paste. The paste came in 2kg and 20kg cans, and units were ordered to apply these cans of coloured paste over the entire surface of the vehicle in combinations and patterns to suit local conditions. The paste was specially adapted so that it could be thinned with water or even fuel, and applied with a spray, brush, or mop.

A rare photo of a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.D armed with the new 75mm KwK L/40 gun and applique´ armour. Note that this older version Panzer has wider 40cm tracks fitted, which were found on the Ausf.G variants. Other modifications to this variant would have been added too, such as side skirting armour.

Two new stationary early-production Ausf.Gs on the Eastern Front in the early summer of 1943. In spite of the terrible problems that faced the badly depleted Panzer divisions, back in Germany production of tanks still increased. In order to overcome the mammoth task of defeating the Red Army more Panzer divisions were being raised, and motorized divisions converted into Panzergrenadier divisions. Although equipping the Panzerwaffe was a slow and expensive process, it was undertaken effectively with a number of fresh divisions being deployed at the front.

Halted in a field is a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.H with bolted-on appliqué nose armour. This vehicle appears to have the new three colour camouflage scheme of dark yellow, green and red. The dark yellow paste was issued primarily to cover unwanted colours or areas of camouflage schemes, especially during changes in seasons. These new variations of colours gave the crews the widest possible choice in schemes so as to blend in as much as possible with the local terrain.

Two photographs taken in sequence showing a column of Pz.Kpfw.IV mid-production PzKpfw.IV Ausf.Gs newly arrived from production passing through a German town. German tank production had increased dramatically in the first half of 1943, re-building many badly depleted Panzer divisions. However, despite the increase, tank production still fell short of the large numbers supplied to the Red Army.

By the early summer of 1943 Hitler now intended to risk the Panzerwaffe in what became the largest tank battle of the Second World War, Operation Zitadelle. Here in this photograph a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.H advances along a road during the opening phase of the operation. Note the anti-tank rifle impact holes in the Schürzen.

A photograph showing one of the specially trained independent tank battalions undertaking mechanical work on a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.H out in the field in the autumn of 1943. Much was owed to these independent tank crews repairing and cannibalizing tanks in order to ensure that losses were not even greater. Note the Zimmerit anti-magnetic mine coating, which was applied fom September 1943 onwards until September 1944 but proved to be an unnecessary and time-wasting feature.

A Pz.Befwg.III Ausf.K command vehicle (Befehlspanzerwagen) in a supporting role as troops advance forward during the Kursk battle. For this massive attack in early July the Panzerwaffe were able to muster seventeen divisions and two brigades with no less than 1,715 Panzers and 147 Sturmegeschutz III (StuG) assault guns. Each division averaged ninety-eight Panzers or self-propelled anti-tank guns.

A Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G stationary in a field during the Kursk battle. Panzergrenadiers have hitched a lift onboard. For the Kursk offensive the Panzerwaffe were determined to renew their Blitzkrieg tactics, but the carefully prepared Soviet defences meant that the Panzerwaffe failed to make significant inroads into Red Army fortifications.

PzKpfw.IV Ausf.Gs and PzKpfw.III Ausf.Ls of the 6th company moving forward in column during the Kursk offensive. Within a matter of days, the Red Army had eroded the Panzerwaffe and threw its timetable off schedule. Through sheer weight of Soviet strength and very stubborn resistance along an ever-extending front, within a week the German units were finally forced to a standstill.

Various vehicles purposely spaced out in a field to minimize the threat of enemy aerial attack on its column. The losses that the Panzerwaffe sustained at Kursk were so heavy that they undoubtedly led to the German Army taking the first steps of a slow retreat. The Russians had managed to destroy no less than thirty divisions, seven of which were Panzer. German reinforcements were insufficient to replace the staggering losses, and consequently they remained under-strength.

A Pz.Kpfw.IV mid-production Ausf.G halted at the side of the road. Some foliage has been applied to the vehicle in order to break up its distinctive shape. Following the defeat at Kursk the Panzerwaffe were now duty-bound to improvise with what they had at their disposal and try to remain effective in the field, and in doing so they hoped to erode the enemy’s offensive capacity.

Four photographs showing the late-production PzKpfw.IV Ausf.Gs, probably of the 16th Panzer Division during the Italian operations in mid 1943. As in North Africa, during the Italian campaign many vehicles were given an application of tropical camouflage, with the widespread use of sand colour schemes, almost identical to those used in the Afrika-Korps. In Italy the terrain could be very similar, and for that reason the vehicles were completed in the tropical colours of yellow brown RAL 8000, grey green RAL 7008 or just brown RAL 8017. In Italy the Pz.Kpfw.IV played a prominent role in operations and helped to stem the Allied advance through the country, if only temporarily.

One form of effective defence was the use of the tank dug in up to its turret in a defensive position. This type of defensive warfare was used extensively by the Germans during the Italian campaign. Here in this photograph a Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.J has been expertly dug in and a crew member can be seen applying foliage to the tank.

Here in the depths of a Russian winter is a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.H or J with a coating of winter whitewash. Standing beside the vehicle are two grenadiers, one armed with the deadly Panzerfaust anti-tank rocket launcher.

Waffen-SS troops take cover along a trench during operations in the early winter of 1943. In the distance moving forward into action are two PzKpfw.IV Ausf.G (late-production) or Hs. Note the formidable MG 42 machine gun on the left of the photo.

Two Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.Hs or Js advance across the vast open spaces during operations in southern Russia in the late winter of 1943. The nearest Panzer has the characteristics of a late-production Ausf.G or early- to mid-Ausf.H variant with single-piece hatch lid on the commander’s cupola.

A column of PzKpfw.IV Hs or late-production Gs moving across the vast hinterland of the Soviet Union, probably in southern Russia during the late winter of 1943. Due to the vast distances that troops had to travel with a chronic shortage of armoured personnel carriers grenadiers had to ride on the Panzers and dismounted to go into attack despite the heavy casualties that this caused. Note how some of the soldiers look exhausted and have fallen asleep.

Chapter Five

Last Year of Operations 1944–1945 ith great confidence Soviet commanders began drawing up plans for a massive concentration of forces along the entire frontline in central Russia. The new summer offensive was to be called ‘Operation Bagration’ and its objective was to annihilate Army Group Centre. On the morning of 22 June, the third anniversary of the Soviet invasion, ‘Operation Bagration’ was launched against Army Group Centre. The three German armies opposing them had thirty-seven divisions, weakly supported by armour, against 166 divisions, supported by 2,700 tanks and 1,300 assault guns. At the end of the first week of ‘Bagration’ the three German armies had lost between them nearly 200,000 men and 900 tanks; 9th Army and the 3rd Panzer Army were almost destroyed. The remnants of the shattered armies trudged back westwards in order to rest and refit trh remains of the Panzer units and build new defensive lines. Any plans to regain the strategic initiative on the Eastern Front were gone forever. Despite the terrible set backs on the Eastern Front the Pz.Kpfw.IV, although it was now technically outclassed by later vehicles, continued to prove its worth on the battlefield. In order to increase the strength of the Panzerwaffe in the East a variety of modified vehicles using the chassis of the Pz.Kpfw.IV went into action during the last years of the war. The Sturmgeschütz IV for instance was one vehicle that had entered service in Russia on the chassis of a Pz.Kpfw.IV although this had the same gun as the Pz.Kpfw.IV but was quicker and cheaper to produce and sacrificed the rotating turret for better armour and a low silhouette. Another tank to make its debut during the latter period of the war was the Jagdpanzer IV which reached the Panzerjäger battalions of the Panzer Divisions in small numbers until the end of the war. The Jagdpanzer IV was a very effective Panzer hunter and scored considerable successes during a number of actions. Like the StuG.IV with the 75mm L/48 the Jagdpanzer IV were under-gunned, while the later 75mm L/70 versions were clumsy, and nicknamed ‘Guderian’s duds’ (‘Guderian Enten’) due to their long over-hanging barrels fixed at low height, making them very nose-heavy and cumbersome. However, like many of the vehicles that entered service during the latter stages of the war, they were too few or too dispersed to do little but temporarily halt the advancing Russian army. During the last year of the war as further set-backs beset the Panzerwaffe more modified vehicles came off the production line, many of which were on the chassis of a Pz.Kpfw.IV. One such vehicle was the Sturmpanzer (assault tank), which was basically a heavy 150mm infantry gun mounted on the chassis of a Pz.Kpfw.IV. However, it soon became obvious that the vehicle, with an ammunition load of thirty-eight shells, a five man crew and a fighting weight of 28.2 tons, was heavily overloaded. First produced in April 1943 in light of the Stalingrad experience, this was a vehicle that Germany on the defensive neither needed nor could afford to waste precious resources on, yet it remained in production until March 1945. Apart from the building of tanks to repel the huge quantities of enemy vehicles on the battlefield, it was also apparent that there was an urgent need to protect the infantry from enemy aircraft attack, which was causing massive losses to both men and equipment. Armoured vehicles were defenceless

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against these enemy aircraft, and for that reason a new Flakpanzer entered service. It was known as the 20mm Flakvierling 38 Flakpanzer IV, or Wirbelwind (whirlwind) which was mounted on the chassis of a Pz.Kpfw.IV. However, only eighty-seven were built. The vehicle was literally a selfpropelled mount for the quadruple 20mm Flakvierling 38 anti-aircraft gun protected in a fully rotating open-topped turret. Another variation of the vehicle was also produced in small numbers such as the 37mm Flak 43 Panzer IV ‘Möbelwagen’. This vehicle, dubbed the ‘Furniture Van’, mounted the gun in an open-topped box with sides that had to be dropped down when the weapon fired. This made it horribly vulnerable to attack. Between March 1944 and March 1945 240 of these vehicles were built. Another Flakpanzer type which saw active service in small numbers was the Ostwind which was an anti-aircraft vehicle on the chassis of repaired or rebuilt Pz.Kpfw.IVs. This was similar to the Wirbelwind but only mounted a single 37mm FlaK gun. Only 43 were built – a mere drop in the ocean. In addition to anti-aircraft tanks there was an increased use of the Panzer III and IV chasses for self-propelled gun production. Back in 1942 there had been a drastic requirement for the need of motorized artillery to be deployed in action at a moment’s notice. For this reason the Germans adopted the concept of self-propelled artillery mounts such as the heavy field 150mm howitzer mounted on a tank. These vehicles were known as the Hummel (Bumble Bee). The Hummel had an open-topped lightly armoured fighting compartment at the back of the vehicle which housed both the howitzer and the crew. The chassis combined PzKpfw.III and IV components in a rare attempt at standardization. The engine was moved to the centre of the vehicle to make room for this compartment. Late model Hummel’s had a slightly redesigned driver compartment and front superstructure, to offer more room to the radio operator and driver. Another variant that mounted the self-propelled 88mm PaK 43/1, was the Nashorn (Rhinoceros), which was later known as Hornisse (Hornet) instead. During the first half of 1943, this new model was introduced into production. The difference between this model and the Hummel related solely to the armament, as the Nashorn was fitted with a muzzle brake whereas the thicker gun barrel of the Hummel had none. Total production of the Nashorn amounted to some 494 vehicles, of which most were built in 1943. From January 1944, the Germans, however, favoured the production of the newer tank destroyer, the Jagdpanzer IV, which had much thicker armour and the Panzer IV’s 75mm gun. Production of the Nashorn continued until the end of the war, but in reduced numbers, despite its chronic lack of crew protection. The remaining divisions continued to fight as a unit with the assorted collection of vehicles available until they were defeated when they destroyed their remaining equipment and surrendered. Although many saw extensive action, their success as a whole was limited and localized and did nothing to hinder enemy operations. At the time of surrender, the combined strength of the entire Panzerwaffe was 2,023 tanks, 738 assault guns and 159 Flakpanzers. Surprisingly this was the same strength that was used to attack Russia in 1941. But the size of German Army in 1945 was not the same; it was far too inadequate in strength for any type of task against its enemies. Although the war had ended, the Panzerwaffe still existed, but not as the offensive weapon it was in the early Blitzkrieg years.

A PzKpfw.IV Ausf.H or J, a Panther Ausf.A or G, and Sdkfz.251 halftracks are spread out across the icy steppe in southern Russia in early 1944. Throughout January and February the winter did nothing to impede the Soviet offensives from advancing further west. Army Group A and South still held about half the ground between the Dnieper and Bug, but in a number of areas the front was buckling under the constant strain of repeated Soviet attacks.

A halted column of late-production PzKpfw.IV Ausf.Gs during the early spring of 1944. This photograph was taken in southern Russia where Hitler refused the Panzerwaffe units permission to withdraw. These battles became known to the Panzer soldiers as the ‘cauldron battles’ or Kesselschlachten.

A photograph of an unidentified Panzer unit posing in front of a number of stationary mid-production PzKpfw.IV Ausf.Gs. The headgear worn by these Panzer crews are the old Panzer enlisted man’s field cap or Feldmütze, which was worn by all ranks. However, some are wearing the new form of headdress, the Einheitsfeldmütze, or better known as the standardized model 1943 field cap. The M1943 cap was issued in black, but when stocks were low troops were seen wearing field-grey field caps.

Nobody could deny that the Pz.Kpfw.IV, in its brief and extraordinary existence, had scored considerable successes on the battlefield. The Pz.Kpfw.IV was one of the few vehicles in the Panzerwaffe to be produced in really large numbers throughout the war. Despite the huge burden which had been placed upon the Panzerwaffe during the war, this tank provided the very backbone of Germany’s defensive and offensive action. Although this tank never overwhelmed its enemy, its crew fought with courage and zeal to the very end, even as its growing obsolescence became increasingly marked.

Bulgarian Pz.Kpfw.IV early-production Ausf.Hs or better known by the Bulgarians as the Maybach T-IV, are seen moving along a road during a procession in 1944.

The crew of a Pz.Kpfw.IV late-production Ausf.G pose for the camera. The vehicle is painted in winter white including the track links which are fitted to the front of the vehicle for additional armoured protection. Note the two ‘kill’ bands on the gun barrel.

A shirtless crewmember poses for the camera with his Ausf.G variant in the summer of 1944. On 22 June, the third anniversary of the Soviet invasion, ‘Operation Bagration’ was launched against Army Group Centre. The three German armies opposing them had thirtyseven divisions, weakly supported by armour, against 166 Soviet divisions, supported by 2,700 tanks and 1,300 assault guns.

Crew memembers of a Pz.Kpfw.IV pose with their Ausf.G or H variant during a lull in the fighting in Army Group Centre in the summer of 1944. At the end of the first week of the Russian summer offensive three German armies had lost between them nearly 200,000 men and 900 tanks; 9th Army and the 3rd Panzer Army were almost wiped out.

Another photograph of a Panzer crew posing for the camera with their Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G in the summer of 1944. Note some of the clothing worn by these Panzer men. Some of them are wearing the special two-piece reed-green denim suit, which was hard wearing, light and easy to wash, and many crews were seen wearing the uniform during the summer months.

A long column of PzKpfw.IV late-production Ausf.Gs or Ausf.Hs and PzKpfw.III Ausf.J or Ls with intact side skirts and summer camouflage scheme move along a road in mid-1944. Note Russian PoWs sitting at the side of the road, awaiting a fate that only can be imagined.

Here a Pz.Kpfw.IV mid-production Ausf.G of the 3rd Panzer-Division advance along a road. The demands that were put upon the Panzerwaffe by mid 1944 were immeasurable. The constant engagement, coupled with the nightmare of not having enough supplies caused insurmountable problems for the Germans. The Red Army encouraged by the Germans’ dire situation was now mounting ever bolder operations aimed directly against the German front.

Here a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.H variant has halted beside some trees in order to help conceal it from both ground and aerial surveillance. This tank belongs to the 1.Abteilung, Panzer-Regiment.6, 3rd Panzer Division. Note the ‘Berlin Bear’ painted on the side of the turret, which was the division’s unofficial insignia, and the penetration holes in the Schürze plate.

Troops and an armoured column retreat through a Russian town in 1944. By this period of the war many Panzer divisions were being broken up and split among hastily constructed battle groups or Kampfgruppen drawn from a motley collection of formations. But still these battle groups were put into the line operating well below strength.

A column of Sd.Kfz.251 halftracks make their way through a Russian village after a heavy downpour. Note the three stationary Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G, H or Js in the distance. All these vehicles retain their summer camouflage scheme.

A crewman of a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G variant poses in front of the camera showing how lucky his crew were in escaping an enemy round. The damage to the KwK 40 gun can clearly be seen.

A Pz.Kpfw.IV early-production Ausf.H. The vehicle is advancing through a village somewhere on the Eastern Front probably in the spring of 1944. During 1944 the Panzerwaffe were better supplied with equipment than at any other time on the Eastern Front, thanks to the armaments’ industry. In total some 20,000 fighting vehicles including 8,328 medium and heavy tanks, 5,751 assault guns, 3,617 tank destroyers and 1,246 self-propelled artillery carriages of various types reached the Eastern Front. Note the puppy mascot on the front hull roof!

Here are two Bulgarian Maybach T-IVs taken in Sofia. Both these vehicles are clearly marked and painted in dark yellow. They include the black crosses of St Andrew as well as names of famous battles written in Cyrillic characters across parts of the tank. The nearest vehicle is a late-production Ausf.G or Vomag-built early Ausf.H, the other is an Ausf.H.

Two PzKpfw.IV Ausf.Hs advance along a road bound for the front line. Although German Panzerwaffe commanders were fully aware of the fruitless attempts by their forces to establish a defensive line, the crews followed instructions implicitly in a number of areas to halt the Soviet drive. Again and again Panzer units fought to the death.

A Bulgarian soldier poses on the front plate of a Bulgarian Maybach T-IV, a PzKpfw.IV Ausf.H. The vehicle has been repainted in olive green and had new markings painted across its structure. The vehicle has intact side-skirts or Schürzen (literally ‘aprons’) and has an application of Zimmerit anti-magnetic mine paste applied over the vehicle’s hull and superstructure. This highly textured coating was designed to deny the charge a smooth contact with the steel. Whilst this proved with hindsight to be totally unnecessary, as only the Axis forces used such magnetic mines, the tanks were very vulnerable to other weapons such as anti-tank projectiles and aircraft attacks, particularly as the front turret armour was mostly only 50mm thick and the side armour just 30mm thick. The extra weight of the Zimmerit would have been better-invested in thicker armour and a stronger suspension to carry it.

An interesting photograph taken in Sofia showing a number of Bulgarian Pz.Kpfw.35(t), re-named the Skoda LT vz35, light tanks. Lined up in front of these vehicles are Maybach T-IVs.

This Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.H is advancing through a field supporting Panzergrenadiers. The tank has purposely kept to the edge of the field using tree cover against possible aerial attack.

By late 1942 the Germans were compelled to train their Bulgarian allies and at the beginning of 1943 began supplying them with armoured vehicles and instructors. It was during this time that a number of Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G and Hs were transported East to the Bulgarian Army. The Bulgarians then re-marked and renamed the Panzers the Maybach T-IV, and became the main battle tank until the end of the war. Here is an interesting set of photographs showing the Bulgarian Maybach T-IV in 1944. These Panzers are clearly marked showing a St Andrew’s Cross painted on the vehicle, which identifies them as being Bulgarian. Unlike their German allies many of these tanks had various slogans painted on the bow or turrets which commemorated famous battles. The Bulgarians were not very highly respected among German Panzer crews and as a consequence training was often poor, resulting in high casualty rates. These tank units were deployed against the Red Army and later against the Germans themselves in Czechoslovakia.

Here a Maybach T-IV G makes its way along a track. The vehicle, a late Ausf.G, still features the triple smoke discharger tubes and their mounts.

A column of Maybach T-IV G advance through the city of Sofia trying to impress the crowds that line the roadside. The vehicle in the centre is an Ausf.H. Already Bulgaria was under severe threat from a Russian attack, and many Bulgarians became seriously concerned at the prospect of remaining allied to the Germans.

An early-production Vomag-built PzKpfw.IV Ausf.H advances along a road sometime in 1944. This Panzer has winter white wash paint for winter operations. During this time in a drastic attempt to sustain Germany’s combat strength the Panzer brigades had two battalions, and Panzerjäger brigades with one battalion. But despite these fervent efforts to increase the combat strength of the Panzerwaffe, Panzer units and individuals of Panzer and Panzergrenadier divisions were too exhausted to make any great difference.

An interesting photograph showing a column of Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.Hs moving along a road in the late winter of 1944. Panzergrenadiers all wearing their winter whites push forward using a ditch, not only to avoid the advancing armoured column but to give themselves additional protection against possible aerial attack.

A Pz.Kpfw.IV platoon makes its way across the snow supporting foot soldiers. Note the lack of winter white wash on the vehicle, which has lost its left track and appears to be abandoned. In the distance the other Pz.Kpfw.IVs can be seen, most of which have been whitewashed.

A group of Army officers consult with each other regarding the best route forward. They stand next to a Pz.Kpfw.IV Panther, while just behind them is a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G. Note that the side skirt has all but fallen off.

A column of Pz.Kpfw.IVs advance along an icy road bound for the front. Panzergrenadiers have hitched a lift. Despite the fervent efforts by the Germans to increase the combat strength of its waning Panzerwaffe, Panzer units and individuals of Panzer and Panzergrenadier divisions were too exhausted by the autumn of 1944 to avert the situation decisively. As a result the Russians continued pushing forward whilst German forces retreated through Poland to East Prussia. Along the Baltic coast too Soviet forces advanced crushing those German units which all that remained of the once mighty Army Group North.

A Pz.Kpfw.IV late-production Ausf.G, H or J leads the advance. Note the untidy appearance of the Schürzen. Following closely behind is an Sd.Kfz.251 halftrack.

A crew member carefully passes a shell through the side hatch to the gunner prior to this PzKpfw.IV Ausf.H or J returning to the front lines.

Three Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.Gs fitted with the 75mm KwK L/48 gun. Note the side skirts of the middle vehicle have been stacked on top of the turret, probably in preparation for rail transport.

Two photographs showing two new Pz.KpfwIV Ausf.H or Js from the same unit somewhere on the Eastern Front. The armoured side skirts are intact and it has been painted in a summer camouflage scheme. By this period of the war too many of the replacement Panzer crews did not have sufficient time to be properly trained and as a result losses soared. Lack of fuel, not enough spare parts, coupled with the lack of trained crews all played a major part in reducing the effectiveness of the Panzerwaffe in the final year of the war.

A Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.H or J rolls forward towards the front line. Throughout the later period of the war this type continued to provide its worth as an invaluable weapon. Yet, despite the huge losses, in a number of last ditch battles it showed its true capabilities defending positions to the bitter end.

Two Pz.Kpfw.IVs cross a field. The leading vehicle is an Ausf.H or J. For the remaining Panzers that fought on the Eastern Front, there had been hardly enough Pz.Kpfw.IVs and other armour to stem the Red Army, but even so most crews fought on to the death.

The crew of a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.H pose for the camera with their vehicle. During the last six months of the war along whole areas of the front the Panzer divisions had been reduced to skeletal formations. They were now not only vastly outnumbered but seriously lacked fuel supplies, lubricants and ammunition.

Moving along the road are two Flakpanzer adapted from the chasis of a Pz.Kpfw.IV. It was known as the Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind, and was a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. It was developed in 1944 as a successor to the earlier self-propelled anti-aircraft gun Möbelwagen. 240 Möbelwagen, 87 Wirbelwind and 44 Ostwind were built (including prototypes) but were introduced too little and too late to make any significant tactical impact on the fighting.

Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.Hs or early Ausf.Js halted inside a town, probably during operations in Italy. From 1942 onwards this variant went through a series of production modifications which included another armour up-grade. The front hull armour of the Ausf.G was increased from 50mm to 50 + 30mm with extra plates, and on the Ausf.H was raised first to 50 + 30mm and then on both the later Ausf.H and the Ausf.J to single plates of either 80, 82 or even 85mm thickness, depending on availability.

Pz.Kpfw.IV late-production Ausf.Gs cross a field during summer operations. During its period in service this variant saw the integrity of the vertical hull front armour improved by manufacturing it as a single 80mm, 82mm or even 85mm plate. Between September 1943 and September 1944 anti mine paste known as Zimmerit was added to all the vertical surfaces of the tank armour. Laboriously applied by hand, it proved to be unnecessary.

In this photograph is an abandoned Nashorn 88mm heavy Panzerjäger. This vehicle was developed as an interim solution in 1942 by equipping a light turretless chassis with the powerful PaK 43 anti-tank gun. Whilst this vehicle was only lightly armoured, it was capable of penetrating the frontal armour of any Allied tank at long range. It used both components of the Pz.Kpfw.III/IV and because of its low cost, 474 Nashorns were produced between February 1943 and March 1945.

Four photographs showing the Hummel. The upper photo shows a Hummel with the front half of the gun barrel removed. Behind it is a SdKfz.222 armoured car with a Pz.Kpfw.III at the back, and a Springer demolition vehicle next to the Hummel. The Hummel mounted a standard 150mm heavy field howitzer in a lightly armoured fighting compartment built on the chassis of a Pz.Kpfw.III/IV. This heavy self-propelled gun carried only eighteen 150mm rounds, but was a potent artillery weapon. A total of 666 Hummels were built until the programme was finally terminated in 1944. By late 1944, virtually all had been lost in action or were simply abandoned by the crews when they broke down or ran out of fuel.

A commanding officer can be seen standing on top of a StuG.IV addresses his troops during a ceremony. The vehicle has intact side skirts and a tactical number ‘21’ painted in red with a white outline. The 75mm StuK40 muzzle brake has protective covering. Despite the German military reversal on the Eastern Front the Panzerwaffe used the assault gun in a number of offensive and defensive roles.

By this period of the war much of the burden had fallen on the assault artillery and tank destroyer battalions to try and stem the Red Army onslaught. This photo shows an early-production StuG.IV used by the 4.SS Division Polizei. It has Ausf.G type sprockets but with the cast idlers and solid steel return rollers found on some late-production Ausf.H and the later Ausf.J models. However, it lacks the later Flammentöter (flame-killer) vertical exhaust pipes. The MG shield was replaced by the remote-controlled MG mounting and a Nahverteidigungswaffe (close defence weapon) from the summer of 1944. The superstructure was mounted on a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.H or J chassis. By this time StuG III and IV assault guns were widely allocated to Panzer units, Panzer and Panzergrenadier divisions of the Heer and Waffen-SS.



The Following five photographs show another variant built on the chassis of a Pz.Kpfw.IV. At Hitler’s insistence an assault howitzer for use in urban combat was produced and the body was constructed on the chassis of a Pz.Kpfw.IV. The Brummbär or ‘Grizzly Bear’ (literally, ‘growling bear’) as it was nicknamed, mounted the powerful s.IG 150mm gun. In early August 1944 ten Sturmpanzers were transferred to Army Group Centre to assist in defeating the Warsaw uprising. Note the extensive use of Zimmerit paste.

A column of Hungarian PoWs are led under guard by their Soviet captors through a damaged town. They pass a destroyed Jagdpanzer IV. The Jagdpanzer IV was a tank destroyer based on the Panzer IV chassis built in three main variants.

Soviet troops occupy a damaged town in eastern Germany in March 1945. This StuG.IV has been knocked out in the street battle. Although the last remaining Sturmgeschütz units saw extensive action, any successes were limited and localized and did nothing to frustrate enemy operations.

Appendix

Panzer Camouflage and Panzer IV Variants etween 1939 and 1941 Panzer camouflage was quite standardized throughout with virtually all equipment painted in dark grey. Even by the time the Germans invaded the Soviet Union the vehicles were still painted in an overall dark grey camouflage scheme, which blended well with the local terrain. However, with the onset of winter and the first snow showers at the end of October 1941, vehicles were not camouflaged for winter warfare. With the prospect of fighting in Russia in the snow the Heer issued washable white winter camouflage paint in November 1941. The paint was specially designed to be thinned with water and applied to all vehicles and equipment where snow was on the ground. The white wash paint could easily be washed off by the crews in the spring, exposing the dark grey base colour. Unfortunately for the crews the supply came too late and the distribution to the front lines was delayed by weeks. Consequently, the crews had to adapt and find various substitutes to camouflage their vehicles. This included hastily applying a rough coat of lime white wash, whilst other crews used lumps of chalk, white cloth strips and sheets, and even handpacked snow in an attempt to conceal conspicuous dark grey parts. Other vehicles, however, roamed the white arctic wilderness with no camouflage at all. Following the harsh winter of 1941, the spring of 1942 saw the return of the dark grey base colour on all vehicles. It was during this period that a number of vehicles saw the return of pre-war dark brown and dark green camouflage schemes. Crews had learnt from the previous year the lessons of camouflage. Many crews began adding to their camouflage schemes by applying natural substitutes to the surface of their vehicles. These included the wide spread use of foliage and bundles of grass and hay. This was a particularly effective method used to break up the distinctive shapes and allow them to blend into the local terrain. Mud too was used as an effective form of camouflage but was never universally adopted by the crews. For the first time in southern Russia, in the Crimea and the Caucasus, where the summer weather was similar to that in North Africa, many vehicles were given an application of tropical camouflage, with the widespread use of sand colour schemes, almost identical to those used in the Afrika-Korps. Because the terrain was very similar to that of a desert the vehicles were completed in the tropical colours of yellow brown RAL 8000, grey green RAL 7008 or just red-brown RAL 8017. From 18 February 1943, olive green was being used on vehicles, weapons, and large pieces of equipment. A Red brown colour RAL 8012 had also been introduced at the same time. These two colours, along with the new colour base of dark yellow RAL 7028 were issued to crews in the form a highly concentrated paste. The paste came in 2kg and 20kg cans, and units were ordered to apply these colours in combinations and patterns over the entire surface of the vehicles. The paste was specially adapted so that it could be thinned with water or even fuel, and could be applied by spray, brush, or mop. The dark yellow paste was issued primarily to cover unwanted colours or areas of the camouflage schemes, especially during changes in seasons. These new variations of colours gave the crews the widest possible choice of schemes so as to blend in as much as possible with the local terrain. The pastes were also used to colour all canvas tops and tarpaulins on the vehicles.

B

The new three-colour paint scheme was designed to improve combat vehicle camouflage at the front and gave each unit maximum flexibility in applying camouflage as dictated by the surrounding conditions. However, within months there were frequent problems with supply. Support vehicles carrying the new paste had to travel so far to various scattered units, usually far beyond railheads, that some Panzer units were unable to apply these new camouflage schemes for some time. Another problem was due to the fact that many Panzer units were heavily embroiled in bitter fighting and had neither the vehicles nor manpower to spare to withdraw for a repaint. Even rear area ordnance workshops were returning vehicles to action at such speed that they only found the time to replace parts, and then send them back to the front without a repaint. A great many vehicles never received any paste colours at all, and those that fought on remained in the basic, factory-applied, dark yellow, sometimes with crews adapting and enhancing the scheme with the application of foliage and mud. However, of all the failings associated with the introduction of these new colours, the greatest of all was actually the paints themselves. These proved to be unstable when mixed with water, and even the lightest downpour could cause the colours to run or wash off the vehicles. Fuel, which was used to give the paste a more durable finish, was at such a premium during the later stages of the war, that units were compelled to use water, despite its unsuitability, a mix of paste and waste oil, or a mixture of paste and conventional paints in order to maximize coverage and enhance durability. All this caused immense variations in the appearance of the paint schemes and as a consequence unusual colours like brick red, chocolate brown and light green were seen on vehicles. In spite of these variations in colour and the fact that there was little standardization in the camouflage schemes, occasionally complete units did appear at the front properly painted and marked. But this was a rare occurrence, especially by 1944. Throughout 1944, a further drain on German supplies and resources caused considerable disruption in the supply of all manner of materials. The paint for vehicles was just one of many deprivations inflicted on the already badly depleted Panzer units. During the last months of 1944, the paint supply situation became critical and lots of vehicles were seen in overall dark yellow or, later, in dark green, brown or whatever was available. The use of foliage during the last years of the war was extensive. Most vehicles and a large range of weapons attached foliage to break up their distinctive shapes. The Germans were masters in the art of camouflaging their vehicles with branches from trees, grass and hay. In fact, some vehicles carried so much foliage that it was sometimes difficult to determine what type of vehicle they were or what camouflage scheme it had. In the last year of the war, foliage had become more important than paint schemes, especially on the western fronts. To the German soldier, successful concealment from aerial attack was the key to survival. As the remnants of the once vaunted Panzer divisions withdrew to the borders of the Reich the crews did not waste any time painting their vehicles. The widespread use of foliage helped compensate for this.

Ausf.A to Ausf.F Ausf.A This vehicle was the first Panzer to be mass produced in the factories. Only thirty-five of these versions left the production line. It was powered by a Maybach‘s HL 108TR engine, with a very reliable SGR 75 transmission with five forward gears and one reverse. It had a maximum road speed of 19.26 mph. The tank’s main armament was a Kampfwagenkanone 37 L/24 (KwK 37 L/24) 75mm (2.95in) gun, which was a low-velocity gun primarily built to fire mainly high-explosive shells. Mounted coaxially with the main gun for local defence was a 7.92mm (0.31in) MG 34 machine gun while a second machine gun of the same type was mounted in the front plate of the hull. The Ausf.A

variant was well protected by 15mm of face-hardened steel armour fitted to the front and sides of both the hull and the turret. The whole PzKpfw.IV family received the nomenclature Sonderkraftfahrzeug (special motor vehicle) 161, though suffixes were later added as the armament was improved. Ausf.B Following the Ausf.A variant, in 1937 production moved to the Ausf.B. A number of improvements were made to this model that included replacing the original engine with a more powerful Maybach HL 120TR, and the transmission with the new SSG 75 version, with six forward gears and one reverse gear. With a more powerful engine this vehicle had an improved road speed of 24mph. The frontal armour was increased to a maximum thickness of 30mm but the hull sides and turret sides remained at 15mm. The hull-mounted machine gun was replaced by a covered pistol port. Forty-two of these variants left the factory before the next series was introduced. Ausf.C This model was manufactured in 1938. There were only minor modifications but the armour remained as in the Ausf.B. After producing forty of these models designers decided to replace the engine with the newly improved HL 120TRM. Production of this variant ceased in August 1939 with a total of 134 over the two engine types entering service. Even as the clouds of war hung over Europe the Germans were planning another variant to replace the Ausf.C, the Ausf.D. Ausf.D The Ausf.D was a newly improved version of the Ausf.C. Designers reintroduced the hull machine gun and changed the turret’s internal gun mantlet to an external one 35mm thick. The vehicle’s armour was once more upgraded and its side plates were increased to 20mm. Some 229 of these variants were manufactured from October 1939 until May 1941.

Ausf.E to Ausf.J Ausf.E The Ausf.E featured thicker 50mm frontal armour on the hull nose and 30 + 30mm on the driver ’s plate. The hull side armour was increased to 20 + 20mm applique´. A turret ventilator was added to the roof and an improved cupola was fitted. A total of 223 vehicles were built between September 1940 and April 1941. Ausf.F This version had a straight driver ’s plate instead of the staggered plate found on the Ausf.A, D and E. The frontal armour was 50mm thick apart from the glacis, and the side armour was a uniform 30mm. A total of 462 vehicles were built between April 1941 and March 1942. Ausf.G Just prior to the German invasion of the Soviet Union, it was decided to improve the Pz.Kpfw.IV main armament. Krupp was awarded the contract to fit a version of the 50mm Pak 38 L/60 towed anti-tank gun into the turret. The first prototype, on an Ausf.D vehicle, was to be delivered by 15 November 1941. However, with the Soviet Union proving to be such formidable opponents and with heavier powerful tanks entering the battlefield such as the T-34 and KV-1, German designers quickly went back to the drawing board. Instead of fitting the 50mm L/60, it was decided to up-gun the Pz.Kpfw.IV by installing the 75mm anti-tank gun design, later known as 75mm PaK 40 L/46. Because the recoil length was too long for the tank’s turret, the barrel, recoil mechanism and chamber were modified.

This resulted in the 75mm KwK 40 L/43. Initially, the gun was mounted with a single-baffle, ballshaped muzzle brake, which provided just under half of the recoil system’s braking ability. These new upgraded longer barrelled Pz.Kpfw.IVs have in post-war years been incorrectly known as the Ausf.F2 due to a brief and erroneous reference to ‘F2’ in some German spare parts’ lists with the designation Sd.Kfz.161/1, and were specifically manufactured to counter the Soviet T-34 and KV tanks. Some 175 of these tanks were produced. In reality the Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F2 should be named the Ausf.G. The production run for the Ausf.G took place between March 1942 and June 1943. This variant went through a series of production modifications which included another armour up-grade. Most of the frontal armour was increased to 80mm, 82mm or even 85mm, depending on availability of plate, and when and/or where they were built. Other modifications to the tank were made such as the vision ports on either side of the turret and on the right turret front were removed, while a rack for two spare road wheels was installed on the track guard on the left side of the hull. Complementing this, brackets for seven spare track links were added to the nose plate. For operation in high temperatures, the engine’s ventilation was improved by adding more slits over the engine deck to the rear of the chassis, and cold weather performance was boosted by adding a device to heat the engine’s coolant, as well as a starter-fluid injector. On 19 March 1943, the first Pz.Kpfw.IV with side skirts or Schürzen (literally, aprons) fitted skirts on its sides and turret entered service. The double hatch for the commander ’s cupola was replaced by a single round hatch on very late model Ausf.Gs and the cupola was up-armoured as well. In April 1943, the KwK 40 L/43 was replaced by the longer and slightly more powerful 75mm KwK 40 L/48 gun, with a redesigned double-baffle muzzle brake, which improved braking efficiency. Ausf.H The Ausf.H version entered production in April 1943, and received the designation Sd.Kfz.161/2. This variant saw the integrity of the hull front armour improved by manufacturing it as a single 80–85mm plate. For the first time anti mine paste known as Zimmerit was added to all the vertical services of the armour. With the luxury of hindsight, Zimmerit was a wasted effort as only the Axis armies ever used magnetic anti-tank mines. This is a classic example of how armed forces design antidotes on the basis of their own weapon capabilities. Zimmerit increased the weight of the vehicle by up to 300lb, and the Panzer IV Ausf.H was already overloaded when the frontal armour was increased for the last time. The weight might have been better devoted to thickening the very thin 50mm turret front armour, or the 30mm side armour. The vehicle’s side and turret were further protected by the addition of 5mm hull side-skirts and 8mm turret skirts. Various other modifications were made later to this vehicle which included, from October 1943, using new forged steel hub-caps instead of the older cast steel types and replacing the rubber return rollers and the welded tubular idler wheel with cast steel substitutes. The hull was also fitted with new triangular supports for the side-skirts, which were previously all too-easily torn off by foliage. A new type of drive sprocket was introduced on all except the first thirty vehicles built by Vomag, which retained the older Ausf.G type sprocket. Ausf.J This variant was the final production model. Due to the heavy losses sustained on the battlefield and the urgency required to get these vehicles into service the Ausf.J was simplified to speed up production. Among the modifications was the removal of the electric generator that powered the tank’s turret traverse. Instead the crew had to rotate the turret manually, although the manual system was much improved compared to those in earlier Ausführungen, to make traversing on sloping ground much easier. The space was later used for the installation of an auxiliary 200-litre fuel tank, which increased the range of the vehicle to nearly 200-miles. The pistol and vision ports in the turret

were removed, and the engine’s radiator housing was simplified by changing the slanted sides to straight sides. Due to the lack of steel the Pz.Kpfw.IV side-skirts had been replaced by wire mesh, while to further speed production and make further economies of steel, the number of return rollers was reduced from four to three. From August 1944 the old cylindrical exhaust muffler lying horizontally along the hull rear was replaced with two vertical exhaust pipes known as Flammentöter (literally ‘flame killers’).