Combat tactics for pz 4 h. Medium German tank Tiger Panzerkampfwagen IV
Review of video guide tank Pz.Kpfw. IV World of Tanks
Pz.Kpfw. IV tank, which is a representative in the game and is at the 5th level of development. For Pz.Kpfw. IV guide is not the main key instructions for use, the guide serves to provide basic information and small recommendations, otherwise you must act based on the current situation. This model has very good reputation among players and has real-life prototypes. This tank took part in the Second World War and showed quite good combat potential. As for the game, to fully upgrade it you should not have any problems and after just a few battles you will be able to continue the development that is also represented by VK 36.01 H. The best option there will be a continuation of the thread with VK 36.01 H, since the technology in it is quite promising.
For Pz.Kpfw. The IV review is informational and allows you to analyze the strengths and weak sides this car. The equipment has excellent cross-country ability and armament, but has errors in terms of armor. For its fire potential, this vehicle uses a 75 mm gun with a penetration rate of 110 mm and damage of 110 HP. The rate of fire in this situation reaches 15 rounds per minute.
The maximum speed is 48 mph, the weight reaches 28 tons, and the engine has a power of 440 hp. It is worth considering that the review has a limit of 350 meters.
The armor of the tank is:
- Body: forehead - 80 mm, sides - 30, pocket - 20 mm.
- Tower: forehead - 50, side - 30 mm, rear end towers - 30 mm.
Without additional modules, military equipment will simply be an easy target that will be destroyed in a few shots:
- Rammer - improves gun reloading;
- Coated optics - allows the viewing indicator to scan the area much better;
- Improved ventilation - improves crew skills.
- repair kit;
- fire extinguisher;
- first aid kit
Crew.
We should not forget about the crew, which is practically the propulsion system of the combat vehicle.
- Commander: eagle eye, military brotherhood, repair;
- Driver: repair, bb, smooth ride;
- Gunner: smooth rotation of the turret, bb, repair;
- Radio operator: repair, bb, radio interception;
- Loader: repair, bb, desperate.
Pz.Kpfw. IV World of Tanks
Weak spots
But what about the weaknesses of the Pz.Kpfw 4? It is quite weak in this regard. Its projections are very easily penetrated by medium weapons of similar levels. Based on the armor indicators, the priority for attack should be the tower, since it has the lowest armor indicator. But looking at the frontal projection of the hull, you can safely shoot at the rectangular panels, more precisely at the places where the machine gun mantlets are located. As for other projections, they break through quite simply and almost always allow themselves to miss critical damage.
Comparison of technology.
But in terms of comparing combat potential, our German steel monster ended up in second place in the rating, along with its brother Pz.Kpfw. III/IV. The leading position belongs to, the third place went to the American and M7. But the Chinese one closes the ranking.
Pz.Kpfw. IV which gun to install
Battle tactics.
But as often happens, technical indicators are far from being the main determinants of the tactical use of equipment. Pz.Kpfw. IV is great for introducing sniping and supporting allies. Never try to create miracles on this tank, they won’t work anyway, it’s best to play carefully using planning. By helping your allies, you will not only ensure the victory of the team, but also make good money.
No one at the Krupp plant in 1936 could have imagined that this massive vehicle, equipped with a short-barreled infantry support gun and considered auxiliary, would be so widely used. With a final total of 9,000 units, it became the most mass-produced tank ever produced in Germany , the production volumes of which, despite the shortage of materials, grew to the very last days World War II in Europe.
Wehrmacht workhorse
Despite the fact that combat vehicles appeared, more modern than german tank The T-4 - "Tiger", "Panther" and "Royal Tiger", it not only formed the majority of the Wehrmacht's armament, but was also part of many elite SS divisions. The recipe for success was probably the large hull and turret, ease of maintenance, reliability and robust chassis, which allowed for an expanded array of weapons compared to the Panzer III. From the Model A to the F1, early versions using a short 75 mm barrel were gradually replaced by the "long" ones, F2 to H, with a very effective high-velocity gun inherited from the Pak 40, which could cope with the Soviet KV-1 and T -34. In the end, the T-4 (photo presented in the article) completely surpassed the Panzer III both in numbers and in its capabilities.
Krupp prototype design
It was originally assumed that the German T-4 tank, specifications which were determined in 1934 by the Waffenamt, would serve as an “escort vehicle” in order to conceal its true role, prohibited by the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
Heinz Guderian took part in the development of the concept. This new model was to become an infantry support tank and be deployed in the rearguard. It was planned that at the battalion level one such vehicle should be for every three Panzer IIIs. Unlike the T-3, which was equipped with a variant of the standard 37 mm Pak 36 gun with good anti-tank performance, the short barrel of the Panzer IV howitzer could be used against all types of fortifications, blockhouses, pillboxes, anti-tank guns and artillery positions.
Initially, the weight limit for a combat vehicle was 24 tons. MAN, Krupp and Rheinmetall-Borsig created three prototypes, and Krupp received the main contract. The suspension was initially completely new, with six alternating wheels. Later the Army required the installation of rod springs, which provided better vertical deflection. Compared to the previous system, this made the ride smoother, but the need for a new tank stopped further development. Krupp returned to a more traditional system with four twin-wheel bogies and leaf springs for easier servicing. A crew of five was planned - three were in the turret (commander, loader and gunner), and the driver and radio operator were in the hull. The fighting compartment was relatively spacious, with improved sound insulation in the rear engine compartment. The inside of the German T-4 tank (photos in the material illustrate this) was equipped with an onboard communication system and radio.
Although not very noticeable, the Panzer IV's hull is asymmetrical, with the turret offset 6.5 cm to the left and the engine 15 cm to the right. This was done in order to directly connect the turret ring to the transmission for faster rotation. As a result, the ammunition boxes were located on the right.
The prototype, developed and built in 1936 at the Krupp AG plant in Magdeburg, was designated Versuchskraftfahrzeug 622 by the Army Weapons Office. However, in the new pre-war nomenclature it quickly became known as the Pz.Kpfw.IV (Sd.Kfz. 161).
The tank had gasoline new engine Maybach HL108TR with 250 hp. s., and a SGR 75 gearbox with five forward and one reverse gears. The maximum speed tested on a flat surface was 31 km/h.
75 mm gun - low-velocity Kampfwagenkanone (KwK) 37 L/24. This weapon was intended for firing at concrete fortifications. However, some anti-tank capability was provided by the Panzergranate armor-piercing projectile, whose speed reached 440 m/s. It could penetrate a 43 mm sheet of steel at a distance of 700 m. Two MG-34 machine guns completed the armament, one coaxial and the other at the front of the vehicle.
In the first batch of Type A tanks, the thickness of the hull armor did not exceed 15 mm and the turret armor did not exceed 20 mm. Although it was hardened steel, such protection could only withstand light firearms, light artillery and grenade launcher fragments.
Early "short" preliminary episodes
The German T-4 A tank was a kind of preliminary series of 35 units produced in 1936. The next one was the Ausf. B with a modified commander's canopy, a new Maybach HL 120TR engine developing 300 hp. pp., as well as a new transmission SSG75.
Despite the extra weight, maximum speed increased to 39 km/h, and protection was strengthened. The thickness of the armor reached 30 mm in the front inclined part of the hull and 15 mm in other places. In addition, the machine gun was protected by a new hatch.
After the production of 42 vehicles, production switched to the German T-4 C tank. The thickness of the armor on the turret increased to 30 mm. The total weight was 18.15 tons. After delivery of 40 units in 1938, the tank was improved by installing a new Maybach HL 120TRM engine for the next hundred vehicles. It is quite logical that modification D followed. The Dora can be distinguished by the machine gun newly installed on the hull and the embrasure placed outside. The thickness of the side armor increased to 20 mm. A total of 243 vehicles of this model were manufactured, the last of which was at the beginning of 1940. Modification D was the last pre-production one, after which the command decided to increase the scale of production.
Standardization
The German T-4 E tank was the first large-scale series to be produced during the war. Although many studies and reports point to the lack of penetration of the Panzer III's 37mm gun, replacing it was not possible. Looking for a solution to conduct testing on one prototype Panzer IV Ausf. D, a modification of the Pak 38 medium-velocity 50 mm cannon was installed. The initial order for 80 units was canceled after the end of the French campaign. In tank battles, in particular against the British Matilda and the French B1 bis, it finally became clear that the thickness of the armor was insufficient and the penetrating power of the gun was weak. In Ausf. E retained the short-barreled KwK 37L/24 gun, but the thickness of the front armor was increased to 50 mm, with 30 mm steel plate overlays as a temporary measure. By April 1941, when this modification was replaced by Ausf. F, its production reached 280 units.
The last "short" model
Another modification significantly changed the German T-4 tank. The characteristics of the early F model, renamed F1 when the next one was introduced, changed due to the replacement of the front cover plate with a 50 mm plate and an increase in the thickness of the side parts of the hull and turret to 30 mm. The total weight of the tank increased to over 22 tons, which forced other changes such as increasing the width of the tracks from 380 to 400 mm to reduce ground pressure, with a corresponding change in the two idler and drive wheels. The F1 was produced in 464 units before its replacement in March 1942.
The first "long"
Even with the armor-piercing Panzergranate round, the Panzer IV's low-velocity gun was no match for heavily armored tanks. In the context of the upcoming campaign in the USSR, a decision had to be made on a major upgrade of the T-3 tank. The now available Pak 38L/60 gun, the effectiveness of which has been confirmed, was intended for installation in the Panzer IV turret. In November 1941, the prototype was completed and production was scheduled. But during the first battles with the Soviet KV-1 and T-34, production of the 50 mm gun, also used in the Panzer III, was discontinued in favor of a new, more powerful model from Rheinmetall based on the 75 mm Pak 40L/46 gun. This led to the development of the KwK 40L/43, a relatively long caliber equipped to reduce recoil. The initial velocity of the Panzergranade 39 projectile exceeded 990 m/s. It could penetrate 77 mm armor at a distance of up to 1850 m. After the creation of the first prototype in February 1942, the mass production F2. By July, 175 units had been produced. In June, the German T-4 F2 tank was renamed T-4 G, but for the Waffenamt both types were designated as Sd.Kfz.161/1. In some documents the model is called F2/G.
Transitional model
The German T-4 G tank was an improved version of the F2 with changes to save metal through the use of progressive frontal armor, thicker at the base. The frontal glacis was reinforced with a new 30mm plate, increasing the thickness to a total of 80mm. This was enough to successfully counter the Soviet 76 mm gun and 76.2 mm anti-tank gun. At first they decided to bring only half of production to this standard, but in January 1943 Adolf Hitler personally ordered a complete transition. However, the weight of the car increased to 23.6 tons, revealing limited opportunities chassis and transmissions.
The German T-4 tank has undergone significant changes inside. Turret inspection slits have been eliminated, engine ventilation and low-temperature ignition have been improved, and additional spare tire holders and track link brackets have been installed on the glacis. They also served as temporary protection. The headlights were updated, the armored dome was strengthened and modified.
Later versions in the spring of 1943 added side armor on the hull and turret, as well as smoke grenade launchers. But most importantly, a new, more powerful KwK 40L/48 gun has appeared. After the production of 1,275 standard and 412 improved tanks, production shifted towards the Ausf.H model.
Main version
The German T-4 N tank (photo below) was equipped with a new long-barreled KwK 40L/48 gun. Further changes concerned ease of production - the side inspection slots were removed, and spare parts common to the Panzer III were used. In total, until the next modification of Ausf. J in June 1944, 3774 vehicles were assembled.
In December 1942, Krupp received an order for a tank with fully sloped armor, which due to the additional weight required the development of a new chassis, transmission and possibly engine. However, production began with an updated version of the Ausf.G. The German T-4 tank received a new ZF Zahnradfabrik SSG-76 gearbox, a new set of radio stations (FU2 and 5, and internal communication). The thickness of the frontal armor increased to 80 mm without overlay plates. The weight of the H reached 25 tons in combat gear, and the maximum speed was reduced to 38 km/h, and in real combat conditions to 25 km/h, and much less over rough terrain. By the end of 1943, the German T-4 N tank began to be covered with Zimmerit paste, and the air filters, an anti-aircraft machine for the MG 34 was installed on the turret.
Latest simplified model
The last tank, the German T-4 J, was assembled at the Nibelungwerke in St. Valentin, Austria, as Vomag and Krupp now had other missions, and was subject to simplifications aimed at greater mass production and which rarely found support among the crews. For example, the electric drive of the turret was removed, aiming was done manually, which made it possible to increase the volume of the fuel tank by 200 liters, increasing the operating range to 300 km. Other modifications included the removal of the turret's viewing window, loopholes and anti-aircraft gun in favor of mounting a smoke grenade launcher. "Zimmerit" was no longer used, as were the Schürzen anti-cumulative "skirts", replaced by cheaper mesh panels. The engine radiator housing has also been simplified. The drive has lost one return roller. Two mufflers with flame arresters appeared, as well as a mount for a 2-ton crane. In addition, the SSG 77 transmission from the Panzer III was used, although it was clearly overloaded. Despite these sacrifices, due to constant Allied bombing, deliveries were in jeopardy, and in total only 2,970 tanks were built out of a planned 5,000 by the end of March 1945.
Modifications
German tank T-4: tactical and technical characteristics
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It must be said that a large number of Panzer IV tanks that survived the Second World War were not lost or scrapped, but were used for their intended purpose in countries such as Bulgaria and Syria. Some of them were equipped with the new Soviet heavy machine gun. They took part in the battles for the Golan Heights during the 1965 war and in 1967. Today, German T-4 tanks are part of museum displays and private collections around the world, and dozens of them are still in working order.
" Heavy, with powerful armor and a deadly 88-mm cannon, this tank was distinguished by its perfect, truly Gothic beauty. However, the most important role in the history of World War II was played by a completely different vehicle - the Panzerkampfwagen IV (or PzKpfw IV, as well as Pz.IV). In Russian historiography it is usually called T IV.
Panzerkampfwagen IV is the most produced German tank of the Second World War. The combat path of this vehicle began in 1938 in Czechoslovakia, then Poland, France, the Balkans and Scandinavia. In 1941, it was the PzKpfw IV tank that was the only worthy opponent of the Soviet T-34 and KV. Paradox: although, in terms of its main characteristics, the T IV was significantly inferior to the Tiger, this particular vehicle can be called a symbol of the blitzkrieg; the main victories of German weapons are associated with it.
The biography of this vehicle can only be envied: this tank fought in the African sands, in the snows of Stalingrad, and was preparing to land in England. Active development of the T IV medium tank began immediately after the Nazis came to power, and the T IV fought its last battle in 1967 as part of the Syrian army, repelling attacks by Israeli tanks on the Dutch Heights.
A little history
After the end of World War I, the Allies did everything possible to ensure that Germany would never again become a powerful military power. She was forbidden not only to have tanks, but even to engage in work in this area.
However, these restrictions could not prevent the German military from working on the theoretical aspects of the use of armored forces. The concept of blitzkrieg, developed by Alfred von Schlieffen at the beginning of the 20th century, was refined and supplemented by a number of talented German officers. Tanks not only found their place in it, they became one of its main elements.
Despite the restrictions imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles, practical work The creation of new tank models continued. Work was also underway on organizational structure tank units. All this took place in an atmosphere of strict secrecy. After the nationalists came to power, Germany threw away prohibitions and quickly began to create a new army.
The first German tanks put into mass production were the light Pz.Kpfw.I and Pz.Kpfw.II vehicles. The One was essentially a training vehicle, while the Pz.Kpfw.II was intended for reconnaissance and was armed with a 20-mm cannon. The Pz.Kpfw.III was already considered a medium tank; it was armed with a 37 mm gun and three machine guns.
The decision to develop a new tank (Panzerkampfwagen IV), armed with a short-barreled 75 mm cannon, was made in 1934. The main task of the vehicle was to be direct support for infantry units; this tank was supposed to suppress enemy firing points (primarily anti-tank artillery). In its design and layout, the new vehicle was largely the same as the Pz.Kpfw.III.
In January 1934, three companies received technical specifications for the development of the tank: AG Krupp, MAN and Rheinmetall. At that moment, Germany was still trying not to advertise its work on types of weapons prohibited by the Versailles agreements. Therefore, the vehicle was given the name Bataillonsführerwagen or B.W., which translates as “battalion commander’s vehicle.”
The project developed by AG Krupp, VK 2001(K), was recognized as the best. The military was not satisfied with its spring suspension; they demanded that it be replaced with a more advanced torsion bar suspension, which provides the tank with a smoother ride. However, the designers managed to insist on their own. The German army was in dire need of a tank, and the development of a new chassis could take a lot of time, so it was decided to leave the suspension the same, just seriously modify it.
Production of the tank and its modifications
In 1936, mass production of new machines began. The first modification of the tank was the Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. A. The first samples of this tank had bulletproof armor (15-20 mm) and poor protection for surveillance devices. Modification of Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. A can be called pre-production. After the release of several dozen PzKpfw IV Ausf. A, AG Krupp immediately received an order for the production of an improved model of the Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. IN.
Model B had a different hull shape, it did not have a front-mounted machine gun, and the viewing devices (especially the commander's cupola) were improved. The frontal armor of the tank was strengthened to 30 mm. PzKpfw IV Ausf. It received a more powerful engine, a new gearbox, and its ammunition load was reduced. The tank's weight increased to 17.7 tons, while its speed, thanks to the new power plant, increased to 40 km/h. A total of 42 rolled off the assembly line. Ausf tank. IN.
The first modification of the T IV, which can be called truly widespread, was the Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. S. It appeared in 1938. Externally, this car was slightly different from the previous model; a new engine was installed on it, and some other minor changes were made. In total, about 140 Ausf units were produced. WITH.
In 1939, production of the next tank model began: Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. D. Its main difference was the appearance of the external mask of the tower. In this modification, the thickness of the side armor was increased (20 mm), and several other improvements were made. Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. D is latest model peacetime tank, before the start of the war the Germans managed to make 45 Ausf.D tanks.
By September 1, 1939, the German army had 211 units of the T-IV tank of various modifications. These vehicles performed well during the Polish campaign and became the main tanks of the German army. Combat experience has shown that weak point T-IV was its armor protection. Polish anti-tank guns easily penetrated both the armor of light tanks and heavier “fours”.
Taking into account the experience gained in the first years of the war, a new modification of the vehicle was developed - Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. E. On this model, the frontal armor was reinforced with 30 mm thick hinged plates, and 20 mm thick on the side. The tank received a new design of commander's cupola, and the shape of the turret was changed. Minor changes were made to the tank's chassis, and the design of the hatches and inspection devices was improved. The weight of the vehicle increased to 21 tons.
The installation of mounted armor screens was irrational and could only be considered as a necessary measure and a way to improve the protection of the first T-IV models. Therefore, the creation of a new modification, the design of which would take into account all the comments, was only a matter of time.
In 1941, production of the Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf.F model began, in which the hinged screens were replaced by integral armor. The thickness of the frontal armor was 50 mm, and the sides - 30 mm. As a result of these changes, the weight of the vehicle increased to 22.3 tons, which led to a significant increase in the specific load on the ground.
To eliminate this problem, the designers had to increase the width of the tracks and make changes to the chassis of the tank.
Initially, the T-IV was not suitable for destroying enemy armored vehicles; the “four” was considered an infantry fire support tank. Although, the tank's ammunition included armor-piercing shells, which allowed it to fight enemy armored vehicles equipped with bulletproof armor.
However, the first meetings of German tanks with the T-34 and KV, which had powerful anti-ballistic armor, plunged the German tank crews into shock. The Four turned out to be absolutely ineffective against the Soviet armored giants. The first alarm bell that showed the futility of using T-IV against powerful heavy tanks, began military clashes with the English Matilda tank in 1940-41.
Even then it became clear that the PzKpfw IV should be equipped with a different weapon, which would be more suitable for destroying tanks.
At first, the idea was born to install a 50-mm gun with a length of 42 calibers on the T-IV, but the experience of the first battles on the Eastern Front showed that this gun was significantly inferior to the Soviet 76-mm, which was installed on the KV and T-34. The total superiority of Soviet armored vehicles over Wehrmacht tanks was a very unpleasant discovery for German soldiers and officers.
Already in November 1941, work began on the creation of a new 75-mm cannon for the T-IV. Vehicles with the new gun received the abbreviation Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf.F2. However, the armor protection of these vehicles was still inferior to Soviet tanks.
It was this problem that German designers wanted to solve by developing a new modification of the tank at the end of 1942: Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G. Additional armor screens 30 mm thick were installed in the frontal part of this tank. Some of these vehicles were equipped with a 75 mm cannon with a length of 48 calibers.
The most popular T-IV model was the Ausf.H, which first rolled off the assembly line in the spring of 1943. This modification was practically no different from the Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G. A new transmission was installed on it and the turret roof was thickened.
Description of the Pz.VI design
The T-IV tank is made according to the classical design, with the power plant located in the rear of the hull, and the control compartment in the front.
The tank's hull is welded, the slope of the armor plates is less rational than that of the T-34, but it provides more internal space for the vehicle. The tank had three compartments, separated by bulkheads: a control compartment, a combat compartment and a power compartment.
The control compartment housed the driver and gunner-radio operator. It also housed the transmission, instruments and controls, a walkie-talkie and a machine gun (not on all models).
In the fighting compartment, located in the center of the tank, there were three crew members: a commander, a gunner and a loader. The turret was equipped with a cannon and a machine gun, observation and aiming devices, as well as ammunition. The commander's cupola provided excellent visibility for the crew. The tower was rotated by an electric drive. The gunner had a telescopic sight.
The power plant was located at the rear of the tank. The T-IV was equipped with a 12-cylinder water-cooled carburetor engine of various models, developed by the Maybach company.
The Four had a large number of hatches, which made life easier for the crew and technical personnel, but reduced the security of the vehicle.
The suspension was spring, the chassis consisted of 8 rubber-coated road wheels and 4 support rollers and a drive wheel.
Combat use
The first serious campaign in which the Pz.IV took part was the war against Poland. Early modifications of the tank had weak armor and became easy prey for Polish artillerymen. During this conflict, the Germans lost 76 Pz.IV units, 19 of which were irretrievable.
In the hostilities against France, the opponents of the “fours” were not only anti-tank guns, but also tanks. The French Somua S35 and the English Matildas performed well.
In the German army, tank classification was based on the caliber of the gun, so the Pz.IV was considered a heavy tank. However, with the outbreak of war on the Eastern Front, the Germans saw what a real heavy tank was. The USSR also had an overwhelming advantage in the number of combat vehicles: at the beginning of the war in western districts there were more than 500 KV tanks. The short-barreled Pz.IV cannon could not cause any harm to these giants even at close range.
It should be noted that the German command very quickly drew conclusions and began modifying the “fours”. Already at the beginning of 1942, modifications of the Pz.IV with a long gun began to appear on the Eastern Front. The armor protection of the vehicle was also increased. All this made it possible for German tankers to fight the T-34 and KV on equal terms. Considering the better ergonomics of German vehicles and excellent sighting devices, the Pz.IV became a very dangerous opponent.
After installing a long-barreled gun (48 calibers) on the T-IV, its combat characteristics increased even more. After this, the German tank could hit both Soviet and American vehicles without entering the range of their guns.
It should be noted the speed with which changes were made to the design of the Pz.IV. If we take the Soviet "thirty-four", then many of its shortcomings were revealed at the stage of factory testing. It took the leadership of the USSR several years of war and huge losses to begin modernizing the T-34.
The German T-IV tank can be called a very balanced and versatile vehicle. Later heavy German vehicles have a clear bias towards security. "Four" can be called unique car from the point of view of the reserve for modernization inherent in it.
This is not to say that the Pz.IV was an ideal tank. It had shortcomings, the main ones of which were insufficient engine power and outdated suspension. Power point clearly did not correspond to the mass of later models. The use of a rigid spring suspension reduced the maneuverability of the vehicle and its maneuverability. Installing a long gun significantly increased the combat characteristics of the tank, but it created additional load on the front rollers of the tank, which led to significant rocking of the vehicle.
Equipping the Pz.IV with anti-cumulative shields was also not a very good solution. Cumulative ammunition were rarely used, screens only increased the weight of the vehicle, its dimensions and worsened the visibility of the crew. Also a very expensive idea was to paint the tanks with Zimmerit, a special anti-magnetic paint against magnetic mines.
However, many historians consider the biggest miscalculation of the German leadership to be the start of production of heavy tanks “Panther” and “Tiger”. For almost the entire war, Germany was limited in resources. The Tiger was a truly excellent tank: powerful, comfortable, and with a deadly weapon. But also very expensive. In addition, both the “Tiger” and the “Panther” were able to get rid of many “childhood” diseases that are inherent in any new technology until the end of the war.
There is an opinion that if the resources spent on the production of “Panthers” were used to produce additional “fours”, this would create much more problems for the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition.
Specifications
Video about the Panzerkampfwagen IV tank
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Modern battle tanks Russia and the world photos, videos, pictures watch online. This article gives an idea of the modern tank fleet. It is based on the principle of classification used in the most authoritative reference book to date, but in a slightly modified and improved form. And if the latter in its original form can still be found in the armies of a number of countries, then others have already become museum pieces. And just for 10 years! Follow in the footsteps of Jane's Guide and skip this one combat vehicle(very interesting in design and fiercely discussed at one time), which formed the basis of the tank fleet of the last quarter of the 20th century, was considered unfair by the authors.
Films about tanks where there is still no alternative to this type of weapon ground forces. The tank was and will probably remain for a long time modern weapons thanks to the ability to combine such seemingly contradictory qualities as high mobility, powerful weapons and reliable crew protection. These unique qualities of tanks continue to be constantly improved, and the experience and technology accumulated over decades predetermine new frontiers in combat properties and achievements of the military-technical level. In the eternal confrontation between “projectile and armor”, as practice shows, protection against projectiles is increasingly being improved, acquiring new qualities: activity, multi-layeredness, self-defense. At the same time, the projectile becomes more accurate and powerful.
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Tanks in battle have become a symbol of the past war, the backbone of the Soviet armored forces? Who created them and under what conditions? How did the USSR, having lost most of its European territories and having difficulty recruiting tanks for the defense of Moscow, was able to release powerful tank formations onto the battlefields already in 1943? This book, which tells about the development of Soviet tanks “during the testing days,” from 1937 to the beginning of 1943, is intended to answer these questions When writing the book, materials from Russian archives and private collections of tank builders were used. There was a period in our history that remained in my memory with some kind of depressing feeling. It began with the return of our first military advisers from Spain, and only stopped at the beginning of forty-three,” said former general designer of self-propelled guns L. Gorlitsky, “some kind of pre-storm state was felt.
Tanks of the Second World War It was M. Koshkin, almost underground (but, of course, with the support of “the wisest of the wise leaders of all nations”), who was able to create the tank that a few years later would shock the German tank generals. And not only that, he not only created it, the designer managed to prove to these military fools that it was his T-34 that they needed, and not just another wheeled-tracked "motor vehicle." The author is in slightly different positions, which formed in him after meeting the pre-war documents of the RGVA and RGEA. Therefore, working on this segment of the history of the Soviet tank, the author will inevitably contradict something “generally accepted.” This work describes the history of Soviet tank building in the most difficult years - from the beginning of a radical restructuring of the entire activity of design bureaus and people's commissariats in general, during the frantic race to equip new tank formations of the Red Army, transfer industry to wartime rails and evacuation.
Tanks Wikipedia, the author would like to express his special gratitude to M. Kolomiets for his assistance in selecting and processing materials, and also thank A. Solyankin, I. Zheltov and M. Pavlov, the authors of the reference publication “Domestic armored vehicles. XX century. 1905 - 1941” , since this book helped to understand the fate of some projects that was previously unclear. I would also like to remember with gratitude those conversations with Lev Izraelevich Gorlitsky, the former chief designer of UZTM, which helped to take a fresh look at the entire history of the Soviet tank during the Great Patriotic War. Patriotic War Soviet Union. For some reason today it is common for us to talk about 1937-1938. only from the point of view of repression, but few people remember that it was during this period that those tanks were born that became legends of the wartime...” From the memoirs of L.I. Gorlinky.
Soviet tanks A detailed assessment of them at that time was heard from many lips. Many old people recalled that it was from the events in Spain that it became clear to everyone that the war was getting closer and closer to the threshold and it was Hitler who would have to fight. In 1937, mass purges and repressions began in the USSR, and against the backdrop of these difficult events, the Soviet tank began to transform from “mechanized cavalry” (in which one of its combat qualities was emphasized at the expense of others) into a balanced combat vehicle, simultaneously possessing powerful weapons, sufficient to suppress most targets, good maneuverability and mobility with armor protection capable of maintaining its combat effectiveness when fired upon by the most massive anti-tank weapons of a potential enemy.
It was recommended that large tanks be supplemented with only special tanks - amphibious tanks, chemical tanks. The brigade now had 4 separate battalions of 54 tanks each and was strengthened by moving from three-tank platoons to five-tank ones. In addition, D. Pavlov justified the refusal to form three additional mechanized corps in addition to the four existing mechanized corps in 1938, believing that these formations were immobile and difficult to control, and most importantly, they required a different rear organization. The tactical and technical requirements for promising tanks, as expected, were adjusted. In particular, in a letter dated December 23 to the head of the design bureau of plant No. 185 named after. CM. Kirov, the new boss demanded that the armor of the new tanks be strengthened so that at a distance of 600-800 meters (effective range).
The newest tanks in the world, when designing new tanks, it is necessary to provide for the possibility of increasing the level of armor protection during modernization by at least one stage...” This problem could be solved in two ways: Firstly, by increasing the thickness of the armor plates and, secondly, by “using increased armor resistance." It is not difficult to guess that the second way was considered more promising, since the use of specially strengthened armor plates, or even two-layer armor, could, while maintaining the same thickness (and the mass of the tank as a whole), increase its durability by 1.2-1.5 It was this path (the use of especially hardened armor) that was chosen at that moment to create new types of tanks.
Tanks of the USSR at the dawn of tank production, armor was most widely used, the properties of which were identical in all areas. Such armor was called homogeneous (homogeneous), and from the very beginning of armor making, craftsmen sought to create just such armor, because homogeneity ensured stability of characteristics and simplified processing. However, at the end of the 19th century, it was noticed that when the surface of an armor plate was saturated (to a depth of several tenths to several millimeters) with carbon and silicon, its surface strength increased sharply, while the rest of the plate remained viscous. This is how heterogeneous (non-uniform) armor came into use.
For military tanks, the use of heterogeneous armor was very important, since an increase in the hardness of the entire thickness of the armor plate led to a decrease in its elasticity and (as a consequence) to an increase in fragility. Thus, the most durable armor, all other things being equal, turned out to be very fragile and often chipped even from the explosions of high-explosive fragmentation shells. Therefore, at the dawn of armor production, when producing homogeneous sheets, the task of the metallurgist was to achieve the maximum possible hardness of the armor, but at the same time not to lose its elasticity. Surface-hardened armor with carbon and silicon saturation was called cemented (cemented) and was considered at that time a panacea for many ills. But cementation is a complex, harmful process (for example, treating a hot plate with a jet of illuminating gas) and relatively expensive, and therefore its development in a series required large expenses and improved production standards.
Wartime tanks, even in operation, these hulls were less successful than homogeneous ones, since for no apparent reason cracks formed in them (mainly in loaded seams), and it was very difficult to put patches on holes in cemented slabs during repairs. But it was still expected that a tank protected by 15-20 mm cemented armor would be equivalent in level of protection to the same one, but covered with 22-30 mm sheets, without a significant increase in weight.
Also, by the mid-1930s, tank building had learned to harden the surface of relatively thin armor plates by uneven hardening, known since the end of the 19th century in shipbuilding as the “Krupp method.” Surface hardening led to a significant increase in hardness front side sheet, leaving the main thickness of the armor viscous.
How tanks fire video up to half the thickness of the slab, which was, of course, worse than cementation, since while the hardness of the surface layer was higher than with cementation, the elasticity of the hull sheets was significantly reduced. So the “Krupp method” in tank building made it possible to increase the strength of armor even slightly more than cementation. But the hardening technology that was used for thick naval armor was no longer suitable for relatively thin tank armor. Before the war, this method was almost not used in our serial tank building due to technological difficulties and relatively high cost.
Combat use of tanks The most proven tank gun was the 45-mm tank gun model 1932/34. (20K), and before the event in Spain it was believed that its power was quite sufficient to perform most tank tasks. But the battles in Spain showed that a 45-mm gun can only satisfy the task of fighting enemy tanks, since even shelling of manpower in the mountains and forests turned out to be ineffective, and it was only possible to disable a dug-in enemy firing point in the event of a direct hit . Firing at shelters and bunkers was ineffective due to the low high-explosive effect of a projectile weighing only about two kg.
Types of tanks photos so that even one shell hit can reliably disable an anti-tank gun or machine gun; and thirdly, to increase the penetrating effect of a tank gun against the armor of a potential enemy, since in the example French tanks(already having an armor thickness of about 40-42 mm) it became clear that the armor protection of foreign combat vehicles tends to be significantly strengthened. There was a sure way for this - increasing the caliber of tank guns and simultaneously increasing the length of their barrel, since a long gun of a larger caliber fires heavier projectiles with a higher initial velocity over a greater distance without correcting the aiming.
The best tanks in the world had a large-caliber cannon, and also had a large breech, significantly more weight and increased recoil response. And this required an increase in the mass of the entire tank as a whole. In addition, placing large-sized rounds in a closed tank volume led to a decrease in transportable ammunition.
The situation was aggravated by the fact that at the beginning of 1938 it suddenly turned out that there was simply no one to give the order for the design of a new, more powerful tank gun. P. Syachintov and his entire design team were repressed, as well as the core of the Bolshevik design bureau under the leadership of G. Magdesiev. Only the group of S. Makhanov remained in the wild, who, since the beginning of 1935, had been trying to develop his new 76.2-mm semi-automatic single gun L-10, and the staff of plant No. 8 was slowly finishing the “forty-five”.
Photos of tanks with names The number of developments is large, but mass production in the period 1933-1937. not a single one has been accepted..." In fact, none of the five air-cooled tank diesel engines, work on which was carried out in 1933-1937 in the engine department of plant No. 185, was brought to series. Moreover, despite the decisions At the very top levels of the transition in tank building exclusively to diesel engines, this process was restrained by a number of factors. Of course, diesel had significant efficiency. It consumed less fuel per unit of power per hour. Diesel fuel less susceptible to fire, since the flash point of its vapor was very high.
New tanks video, even the most advanced of them, the MT-5 tank engine, required a reorganization of engine production for serial production, which was expressed in the construction of new workshops, the supply of advanced foreign equipment (we did not yet have our own machines of the required accuracy), financial investments and strengthening personnel. It was planned that in 1939 this diesel would produce 180 hp. will go to production tanks and artillery tractors, but due to investigative work to determine the causes of tank engine failures, which lasted from April to November 1938, these plans were not implemented. The development of a slightly increased six-cylinder gasoline engine No. 745 with a power of 130-150 hp was also started.
Brands of tanks had specific indicators that suited tank builders quite well. The tanks were tested using a new technique, specially developed at the insistence of the new head of the ABTU D. Pavlov in relation to combat service in war time. The basis of the tests was a run of 3-4 days (at least 10-12 hours of daily non-stop movement) with a one-day break for technical inspection and restoration work. Moreover, repairs were allowed to be carried out only by field workshops without the involvement of factory specialists. This was followed by a “platform” with obstacles, “swimming” in water with an additional load that simulated an infantry landing, after which the tank was sent for inspection.
Super tanks online, after improvement work, seemed to remove all claims from the tanks. And the general progress of the tests confirmed the fundamental correctness of the main design changes - an increase in displacement by 450-600 kg, the use of the GAZ-M1 engine, as well as the Komsomolets transmission and suspension. But during testing, numerous minor defects again appeared in the tanks. Chief designer N. Astrov was removed from work and was under arrest and investigation for several months. In addition, the tank received a new turret with improved protection. The modified layout made it possible to place on the tank more ammunition for a machine gun and two small fire extinguishers (previously there were no fire extinguishers on small tanks of the Red Army).
US tanks as part of modernization work, on one production model of the tank in 1938-1939. The torsion bar suspension developed by the designer of the design bureau of plant No. 185 V. Kulikov was tested. It was distinguished by the design of a composite short coaxial torsion bar (long monotorsion bars could not be used coaxially). However, such a short torsion bar did not show good enough results in tests, and therefore the torsion bar suspension did not immediately pave the way for itself in the course of further work. Obstacles to be overcome: climbs of at least 40 degrees, vertical wall 0.7 m, covered ditch 2-2.5 m."
YouTube about tanks, work on the production of prototypes of the D-180 and D-200 engines for reconnaissance tanks is not being carried out, jeopardizing the production of prototypes." Justifying his choice, N. Astrov said that the wheeled-tracked non-floating reconnaissance aircraft (factory designation 101 or 10-1), as well as the amphibious tank variant (factory designation 102 or 10-2), are a compromise solution, since it is not possible to fully satisfy the ABTU requirements. Option 101 was a tank weighing 7.5 tons with a hull according to the type of hull, but with vertical side sheets of cemented armor 10-13 mm thick, since: “The inclined sides, causing serious weighting of the suspension and hull, require a significant (up to 300 mm) widening of the hull, not to mention the complication of the tank.
Video reviews of tanks in which the tank’s power unit was planned to be based on the 250-horsepower MG-31F aircraft engine, which was being developed by industry for agricultural aircraft and gyroplanes. 1st grade gasoline was placed in the tank under the floor of the fighting compartment and in additional onboard gas tanks. The armament fully corresponded to the task and consisted of coaxial machine guns DK 12.7 mm caliber and DT (in the second version of the project even ShKAS is listed) 7.62 mm caliber. The combat weight of the tank with torsion bar suspension was 5.2 tons, with spring suspension - 5.26 tons. Tests took place from July 9 to August 21 according to the methodology approved in 1938, with special attention being paid to tanks.
Medium tank Pz Kpfw IV
and its modifications
The most widespread tank III Reich. Produced from October 1937 until the end of the war. A total of 8,519 tanks were produced Pz Kpfw IV Ausf A, B, C, D, E, F1, F2, G, H, J, of which - 1100 with a short-barreled 7.5cm KwK37 L/24 gun, 7,419 tanks with a long-barreled 7.5cm KwK40 L/43 or L/48 gun).
Pz IV Ausf A Pz IV Ausf B Pz IV Ausf C
Pz IV Ausf D Pz IV Ausf E
Pz IV Ausf F1 Pz IV Ausf F2
Pz IV Ausf G Pz IV Ausf H
Pz IV Ausf J
Crew - 5 people.
Engine - Maybach HL 120TR or TRM (Ausf A - HL 108TR).
The Maybach HL 120TR 12-cylinder carburetor engine (3000 rpm) had a power of 300 hp. With. and allowed the tank to reach a maximum speed on the highway of up to 40 - 42 km/h.
All Pz Kpfw IV tanks had a 75 mm caliber tank gun (7.5 cm in German terminology). In the series from modification A to F1, short-barreled 7.5cm KwK37 L/24 guns with an initial armor-piercing projectile speed of 385 m/s were installed, which were powerless against the armor of Soviet T-34 and KV tanks, as well as against most British and American tanks. Since March 1942, the last vehicles of modification F (175 vehicles designated F2), as well as all tanks of modifications G, H and J, began to be armed with long-barreled 7.5cm KwK40 L/43 or L/48 guns. (The KwK 40 L/48 gun was installed on parts of the G series vehicles, and then on modifications H and J.) Pz Kpfw IV tanks, armed with KwK40 guns with an initial armor-piercing projectile speed of 770 m/s, gained some fire superiority over the T-34 time (2nd half of 1942 - 1943)
Tanks Pz Kpfw IV were also armed with two MG 34 machine guns. In modifications B and C there was no radio operator's machine gun; instead there is a viewing slot and a pistol embrasure.
All tanks have FuG 5 radios.
Medium support tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf A(Sd Kfz 161)
35 tanks were produced from October 1937 to March 1938 by Krupp-Guzon.
Combat weight - 18.4 tons. Length - 5.6 m. Width - 2.9 m. Height - 2.65 m.
Armor 15 mm.
Engine - Maybach HL 108TR. Speed - 31 km/h. Power reserve - 150 km.
Combat use: they fought in Poland, Norway, France; were withdrawn from service in the spring of 1941.
Medium support tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf B, Ausf C(Sd Kfz 161)
42 Pz Kpfw IV Ausf B tanks were produced (from April to September 1938) and 134 Pz Kpfw IV Ausf C tanks (from September 1938 to August 1939).
Pz Kpfw IV Ausf B
Pz Kpfw IV Ausf C
A different engine and a new 6-speed gearbox were installed. The speed increased to 40 km/h. The thickness of the frontal armor has been increased to 30 mm. A new commander's cupola has been installed. In the Ausf C modification, the motor installation was changed and the turret rotating ring was improved.
Combat weight - 18.8 tons (Ausf B) and 19 tons (Ausf C). Length - 5.92 m. Width - 2.83 m. Height - 2.68 m.
Armor: front of the hull and turret - 30 mm, side and rear - 15 mm.
In modifications B and C there was no radio operator's machine gun; instead there is a viewing slot and a pistol embrasure.
Combat use: Pz Kpfw IV Ausf B and Ausf C tanks fought in Poland, France, the Balkans and on the Eastern Front. Pz Kpfw IV Ausf C remained in service until 1943. Pz Kpfw IV Ausf B gradually fell out of service by the end of 1944.
Medium support tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf D(Sd Kfz 161)
229 tanks were produced from October 1939 to May 1941.
The main difference of the Ausf D modification was the increase in the thickness of the armor on the sides and stern to 20 mm.
Combat weight - 20 tons. Length - 5.92 m. Width - 2.84 m. Height - 2.68 m.
Armor: hull and turret front - 30 mm, side and rear - 20 mm.
Speed - 40 km/h. Power reserve - 200 km.
Combat use: fought in France, the Balkans, North Africa and on the Eastern Front until early 1944.
Medium support tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf E(Sd Kfz 161)
223 tanks were produced from September 1940 to April 1941.
On Ausf E increased the thickness of the frontal armor of the hull to 50 mm; A new type of commander's cupola appeared. Armor linings were used on the forehead of the superstructure (30 mm) and on the sides of the hull and superstructure (20 mm).
Combat weight - 21 tons. Length - 5.92 m. Width - 2.84 m. Height - 2.68 m.
Armor: hull front - 50 mm, superstructure and turret front - 30 mm, side and rear - 20 mm.
Combat use: Pz Kpfw IV Ausf E tanks took part in battles in the Balkans, North Africa and on the Eastern Front.
Medium support tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F1(Sd Kfz 161)
462 tanks were produced from April 1941 to March 1942, of which 25 were converted into Ausf F2.
On Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F's armor was again increased: the front of the hull and turret was up to 50 mm, the sides of the turret and hull were up to 30 mm. The single-leaf doors on the sides of the turret were replaced with double-leaf ones, and the track width increased from 360 to 400 mm. Tanks of modifications Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F, G, H were produced at the factories of three companies: Krupp-Gruson, Fomag and Nibelungenwerke.
Combat weight - 22.3 tons. Length - 5.92 m. Width - 2.84 m. Height - 2.68 m.
Speed - 42 km/h. Power reserve - 200 km.
Combat use: Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F1 tanks fought on all sectors of the Eastern Front in 1941-44 and participated in . Entered service in and.
Medium tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F2(Sd Kfz 161/1)
Produced from March to July 1942, 175 tanks and 25 vehicles converted from Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F1.
Starting with this model, all subsequent ones were equipped with a long-barreled 7.5cm KwK 40 L/43 (48) gun. The gun's ammunition load was increased from 80 to 87 rounds.
Combat weight - 23 tons. Length - 5.92 m. Width - 2.84 m. Height - 2.68 m.
Armor: hull front, superstructure and turret - 50 mm, side - 30 mm, rear - 20 mm.
Speed - 40 km/h. Power reserve - 200 km.
They entered service with new tank regiments and motorized divisions, as well as to make up for losses. In the summer of 1942, Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F2 tanks could withstand the Soviet T-34 and KV, equaling the latter in firepower, and surpassing British and American tanks of that period.
Medium tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf G(Sd Kfz 161/2)
1,687 vehicles were produced from May 1942 to July 1943.
A new gun muzzle brake has been introduced. Smoke grenade launchers were installed on the sides of the tower. The number of viewing slots in the tower has been reduced. About 700 Pz Kpfw IV Ausf G tanks received an additional 30 mm frontal armor. On the latest vehicles, armor screens made of thin steel (5 mm) were installed along the sides of the hull and around the turret. Tanks of modifications Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F, G, H were produced at the factories of three companies: Krupp-Gruson, Fomag and Nibelungenwerke.
Combat weight - 23.5 tons. Length - 6.62 m. Width - 2.88 m. Height - 2.68 m.
Armor: hull front, superstructure and turret - 50 mm, side - 30 mm, rear - 20 mm.
Speed - 40 km/h. Power reserve - 210 km.
Medium tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf N(Sd Kfz 161/2)
3,774 vehicles were produced from April 1943 to July 1944.
The Ausf H modification series - the most widespread - received 80 mm frontal hull armor (the thickness of the turret armor remained the same - 50 mm); armor protection of the turret roof increased from 10 to 15 mm. An external air filter was installed. The radio antenna was moved to the rear of the hull. A mount for an anti-aircraft machine gun is mounted on the commander's cupola. 5-mm side screens were installed on the hull and turret, protecting against cumulative shells. Some tanks had non-rubber-coated (steel) support rollers. Tanks of the Ausf H modification were produced at the factories of three companies: Nibelungenwerke, Krupp-Gruson (Magdeburg) and Fomag in Plauen. A total of 3,774 Pz Kpfw IV Ausf H and another 121 chassis for self-propelled and assault guns were produced.
Combat weight - 25 tons. Length - 7.02 m. Width - 2.88 m. Height - 2.68 m.
Speed – 38 km/h. Power reserve - 210 km.
Medium tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf J(Sd Kfz 161/2)
1,758 vehicles were produced from June 1944 to March 1945 at the Nibelungenwerke plant.
The electrical horizontal aiming system of the turret has been replaced with a double one mechanical system manual aiming. An additional fuel tank was installed in the vacant space. The power reserve has been increased to 320 km. For close combat, a mortar was installed in the roof of the tower, firing fragmentation or smoke grenades to defeat enemy soldiers who had climbed onto the tank. The viewing slots and pistol embrasures in the side doors and rear of the turret have been removed.
Combat weight - 25 tons. Length - 7.02 m. Width - 2.88 m. Height - 2.68 m.
Armor: front of the hull and superstructure - 80 mm, front of the turret - 50 mm, side - 30 mm, rear - 20 mm.
Speed – 38 km/h. Power reserve - 320 km.
Combat use of medium tanks Pz Kpfw IV
Before the invasion of France, the troops had 280 Pz Kpfw IV Ausf A, B, C, D tanks.
Before the beginning Operation Barbarossa Germany had 3,582 combat-ready tanks. The 17 tank divisions deployed against the Soviet Union included 438 Pz IV Ausf B, C, D, E, F tanks. Soviet KV and T-34 tanks had an advantage over the German Pz Kpfw IV. Shells from KV and T-34 tanks penetrated the armor of the Pz Kpfw IV at considerable distances. The armor of the Pz Kpfw IV was also penetrated by 45 mm Soviet anti-tank guns and 45 mm guns of the T-26 and BT light tanks. And the short-barreled German tank gun could only effectively fight light tanks. Therefore, during 1941, 348 Pz Kpfw IVs were destroyed on the Eastern Front.
Tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F1 5th tank division in November 1941 near Moscow
In June 1942 years there were 208 tanks on the Eastern Front Pz Kpfw IV Ausf B, C, D, E, F1 and about 170 Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F2 and Ausf G tanks with a long-barreled gun.
In 1942 tank battalion Pz Kpfw IV was to consist of four tank companies of 22 Pz Kpfw IV each, plus eight tanks in the regiment's headquarters company.
Tank Pz Kpfw IV Ausf C and panzergrenadiers
Spring 1943
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