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Panzer IV
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Panzer IV


"We beat a Tiger with this Tank....."
―Yukari

The Panzer IV (short for Panzerkampfwagen IV, ordnance designation Sd.Kfz. 161) was a German medium tank whose function evolved from an infantry support role to a tank-fighting function. It became the backbone of the German Army Panzer divisions.

History[]

Development[]

Together with its contemporary, the Panzer III, this tank was the brainchild of Panzerwaffe's founding father Field marshal Heinz Guderian. Originally armed with a large caliber howitzer, it was intended to be a support tank for use against enemy fortifications. Its development was carried out under the name Begleitwagen ("accompanying vehicle") to hide its true purpose, as the Treaty of Versailles forbid Germany to possess tanks. While first prototypes appeared in 1937, the first three models (Ausf.A to C) were only produced in limited numbers, and more significant production only began in 1939 with the Ausf.D. Ausf.A to Ausf.F showed minor improvement and upgraded armor but shared the same gun, the 75mm KwK 37 L/24.

In March 1942, due to the appearance of the T-34 and KV-1, the Panzer IV's armor was thickened and its armament was upgraded with the long-barreled 75mm KwK 40 L/43, due to the inability of the short-barreled gun to pierce their armor, and was given the temporary designation of Ausf.F2, later renamed Ausf.G.

In March–April 1943, some late-production Ausf.G were equipped with Schürzen armor and the new 75mm KwK 40 L/48, and by June 1943 the Ausf.H was introduced with the long-barreled gun, thicker armor than its predecessors, and Schürzen like the late Ausf.Gs. The last model of the series, the Ausf.J, was launched in June 1944. Often considered a retrograde version of the Ausf.H, developed to replace heavy losses and simplified to speed production, the Ausf.J's electric generator for the turret was removed so the crew had to manually rotate the turret, many vision ports on the turret were removed, and Schürzen were replaced with wire mesh.

Many specialized tanks such as the Brummbär, the StuG IV, Jagdpanzer IV, Nashorn and various versions of Flakpanzers were born from the Panzer IV chassis.

Operational History[]

The Panzer IV baptism of fire was during the Invasion of Poland in 1939, despite the fact that it comprised of less than 10% of the Panzerwaffe. The Panzer IV was less vulnerable to Polish 7TPs and TKS Tankettes compared to its predecessors, and performed well as an armored infantry support vehicle. However, its larger silhouette meant that it was more vulnerable to anti-tank weapons and dive-bombers.

Despite increasing production during the Battle of France, it still comprised a minority of the armoured forces. German tank crews fighting against British and French tanks such as the Matilda, SOMUA S35 or the B1 Bis were desperate, as they were unable to pierce their armor with the 75mm howitzers or their anti-tank guns. They had to outmaneuver their opponents with radio communications and superior tactics to destroy them.

The tank saw limited deployments during both Invasion of Yugoslavia and Greece during early 1941.

In 1941 on the Eastern Front, the unexpected appearance of the KV-1 and T-34 demanded that the OKW upgrade the Panzer IV, now obsolete with its short-barreled howitzer. They designed the new long-barreled 7.5 cm KwK40 L/43 main gun, based off of the existing Pak 40 anti-tank gun, and modified the Panzer IV to mount the new gun. This variant was known as the Panzer IV Ausf.F2. The first shipment of Ausf.F2 arrived in Spring 1942 and participated in the 1942 summer offensive, where it became the only tank able to defeat the T-34 and KV-1. From June 1942 to March 1943 it became the mainstay of the German Panzerwaffe as the Tiger I, arriving in late September 1942, was not yet numerous enough to make an impact and the Panther would not see its debut until May 1943. It also played a major role during the 1943 Battle of Kursk, as the Panther was still experiencing crippling reliability problems that restricted their combat efficiency.

Approximately 6,153 Panzer IVs were lost on the Eastern Front, or about 75% of the total produced. Nevertheless, despite heavy losses and difficulties to replace them, the Panzer IV continued to form the backbone of Germany's armored divisions until the end of the war.

The tank, along with the Panzer III and older tanks, were deployed in North Africa as part of the Deustche Afrika Korps. The Panzer IV, still equipped with its short-barreled howitzer, performed indifferently against the heavily-armored tanks of Britain. It was only in August 1942, with the introduction of the new long-barreled 7.5 cm KwK40 L/43 main gun, that its anti-tank capabilities were satisfactory; the new anti-tank gun was able to knock out the American and British tanks that were fielded during the campaign.

On the Western Front, the high rate of production of the Panzer IV meant that it comprised over half of the German Armored Forces prior to the Invasion of Normandy. The bocage countryside permitted German tanks and AT guns to inflict heavy casualties on Allied tanks, however the rugged terrain also easily tore off Schürzen armor featured on the Ausf.G and H variants. Its main opponent, the M4 Sherman, had a fighting chance against earlier versions of Panzer IV until the up-armored heavier later variants started arriving. The Panzer IV's superiority in combat ended with the introduction of the British Firefly and its 17 pounder gun and the American 3-inch M1 gun-fitted Shermans that achieved parity in firepower with the Panzer IV. Many of the 750 Panzer IVs that were committed in Normandy were lost during the cataclysmic battles of the Falaise Pocket and the Seine crossing.

The Panzer IV's last engagement in the Western Front was during the 1944-45 Ardennes Offensive, where many of the tanks were either survivors of the Normandy Campaign or reinforcements comprised of retrograde development Panzer IV Ausf.J. Prosaically, most of the fighting vehicles were lost not due to enemy attacks, but to the fuel shortages that plagued Nazi Germany during the final stages of the war.

Finland, still allied with Germany, purchased fifteen Panzer IV Ausf. J tanks. The tanks arrived too late to see action against Soviets but —ironically— were used against Germans themselves during the 1944-45 Lapland War.

Bulgaria had 88 Panzer IVs in service under designation "T-IV" in 1944. After the war Bulgaria incorporated its surviving Panzer IVs, alongside T-34s and StuGs, as defensive bunkers on the Krali Marko Line at the border with Turkey, in which role they remained in use until the fall of communism in 1989.

Romania acquired several Panzer IVs under designation T.4, but most of them were lost during combat in 1944 and 1945, leaving only two operational at the end of the war. After the war they were supplied by the Red Army with fifty poor-condition Panzer IVs; these were decommissioned in 1950 and scrapped in 1954.

Syria also received seventeen Panzer IVs after the war from different countries (France, Czechoslovakia, and Spain), which saw combat during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. 1964-1967 Water War and the 1967 Six-Day War.

The Soviet Union captured several Panzer IVs, which served under the designation T-4 and were used both combat and as training tanks. At least one Panzer IV was used by Polish 2nd Corps in Italy in 1944 and another one by French FFI in December 1944.

In Girls und Panzer[]

Anime[]

The newly-formed Sensha-dō club found their Panzer IV in the former club garage. In very poor condition, it was assigned to "Team A," the foundation of the future Anglerfish Team.

In the practice match organized by JSDGF Captain Ami Chōno the Panzer IV fought under Team A. Wary of Miho's greater experience, all other teams formed a temporary coalition against Team A. While the Panzer IV was precariously trapped on a cable bridge, encircled by every other team, Miho assumed command and guided the team to success by knocking out (in order): the StuG III, the Type 89 and the Panzer 38(t). The M3 Lee comically self-destructed by getting itself mired in mud.

During the training match against St. Gloriana Girls College, the Panzer IV was chosen to lure St. Gloriana's tanks into a kill-zone, where all allied tanks would fire upon the enemy tanks using the ridge for a height advantage. The plan failed when an impulsive Momo prematurely fired upon the opposing team's tanks, revealing the trap to Darjeeling. With the plan now unraveled, St. Gloriana shot the tracks off of Turtle Team and intimidated Rabbit Team into fleeing their vehicle. Under constant fire, the Panzer IV retreated into the city together with Hippo and Duck Team. After catastrophic failure of their guerilla tactics resulted in destruction of the other two tanks, the Panzer IV, trapped and alone, was at the mercy of the Churchill and three Matildas —only to be saved by the surprise intervention of Turtle Team, who had made repairs. During the confusion, the Panzer IV took out one Matilda and retreated further into the city, then knocked out two more Matildas by using blind spots, leaving only the Churchill in action. The Panzer IV was ultimately destroyed after a failed attempt to flank the Churchill by drifting and shooting its side armor at point-blank range. Darjeeling, having seen through the Panzer IV's intentions, was able to rotate her tank's turret and deliver a final shot into the German tank.

During the tournament first round match against Saunders University High School, the Panzer IV was part of the Ooarai force to be encircled in the forest. They managed to break the encirclement without harm, then setting a trap in which an M4 Sherman was destroyed by joint fire from the Panzer IV, the StuG III, and the M3 Lee. During the final flag tank pursuit, the Panzer IV diverted into the adjacent hills to have a better shot at the enemy flag tank, despite knowing that doing so would leave it exposed to Saunders' killing machine: the Firefly. The gamble only just worked: shooting from the high ground the Panzer IV got a clear shot at the M4A1(76) an instant before being taken out by the Firefly.

During the tournament quarter-finals match against Anzio Girls High School, the Panzer IV spent much of its time protecting and escorting their flag tank, the Panzer 38(t). After crossing paths with Anzio's flag tank, the P26/40, the Panzer IV shot down its tankette escort. Sending out the Panzer 38(t) as a bait for the P26/40, the Panzer IV took up position on a hill to wait for Anzio's unsuspected flag tank. Once the P26/40 lured in the killzone, the Panzer IV delivered a shot into the top of the Anzio tank, negating its sloped armor, and destroyed it.

Between the quarter-finals and the semi-finals the Panzer IV was upgraded with a longer 75mm KwK 40 L/43 gun and additional hull armor, thus becoming a Panzer IV Ausf.F2.

During the tournament semi-finals match against Pravda Girls High School, early in the match the Panzer IV took down one of the T-34/76s used by Pravda as bait. During the ambush in the village, a shell into the Panzer IV's turret ring rendered it unable to move the turret. After effecting repairs during the truce and then breaking Pravda's siege, the Panzer IV and the StuG III separated from the fleeing Ooarai flag tank to go in search of Pravda's flag tank. Having found the Pravda flag tank, Panzer IV and Stug III together destroyed its protection, the mighty KV-2; the Panzer IV then took up pursuit of the flag tank while the Stug III set an ambush. With the Stug III buried in the snow, the Panzer IV successfully drove the unsuspecting T-34 into the trap.

Between the semi-finals and the finals the Panzer IV was again upgraded, this time with additional armor and Schürzen, thus becoming a Panzer IV Ausf.H.

During the tournament final match against Kuromorimine Girls Academy, the Panzer IV acted as the flag tank. At the beginning of the match, Ooarai tanks came under heavy fire by Kuromorimine's tanks. The Chi-Nu, due to its crew's inexperience, fortuitously took a shot from Erika's Tiger II, destined to the Panzer IV, that would otherwise have ended the match. The remaining team managed to retreat to a high hill under cover of a smoke screen and entrenched themselves at the top. During Kuromorimine's assault on the Ooarai position, the Panzer IV disposed of one Jagdpanzer. After escaping encirclement on the hill and retreating into an abandoned town, the entire team fell in a trap, pursuing a lone Panzer III into an encounter with the mighty Maus. During Ooarai's ineffective barrage against the Maus, one shell (presumably from the Panzer IV) hit the careless Panzer III when it weaved out from behind the Maus. With the cooperation of other tanks to immobilize the Maus and expose its engine air intake, the Panzer IV reaches an elevated position on an embankment above the Maus and makes a direct hit, terminating the behemoth. At the end of the match the Panzer IV is able to isolate itself with Kuromorimine's flag tank, the Tiger I, when their heaviest and most powerful tank, Leopon Team's Tiger (P), blocks access by the Tiger I's reinforcements. After a high-speed game of Hide-and-Seek, and many missed shots, the Panzer IV gets the last shot by (improbably) making a high-speed drift into position behind the Tiger and shooting out its engine. The Tiger is immobilized, while its own final shot delivers only a glancing blow, crumpling a corner of the Panzer IV's front glacis.

The Panzer IV is later seen parading with other tanks in the streets of Ooarai.

Manga[]

The Panzer IV was found in working condition in the former Sensha-dō club hangar and was assigned to the future Anglerfish Team.

The very first practice match occurs like in the anime, except that the Panzer IV destroyed all its opponents (except the M3 Lee) after leaving the bridge.

During the training match against St. Gloriana Girls College, the Panzer IV was still the one that was supposed to lure St. Gloriana's tanks into a killzone. Just like in the anime match, the Panzer IV, the Type 89 and the StuG III escape to town after the failed ambush. Once its teammates are destroyed, the Panzer IV is cornered by the Churchill and two Matildas (one having effectively being destroyed by Duck Team), but manages to destroy one Matilda during the confusion caused by the Panzer 38(t). The Panzer IV then destroys the last Matilda by shooting its track while it is at full speed, sending it crashing into a nearby building. Similar to in the anime, it was intercepted and knocked out when trying to set up for a flanking shot on the Churchill (again, by drifting).

During the tournament first round match against Saunders University High School, the Panzer IV is shown delivering the final shot to the Saunders flag tank from the front at close range.

Between the first round and the quarter-finals the Panzer IV was upgraded with a longer gun and additional armor, thus becoming a Panzer IV Ausf.F2.

During the tournament quarter-finals match against Anzio Girls High School, the Panzer IV stands with the main force for almost the entire match, until they take under heavy fire by the P26/40. Anglerfish and Turtle Team then split from the group to search each hillside for Anzio's sniper; the Panzer IV finds it first and quickly disposes of it, depriving Anzio of their most powerful tank and support.

During the tournament semi-finals match against Pravda Girls High School, the Panzer IV performed just like in the anime.

Between the semi-finals and the finals the Panzer IV was upgraded with additional armor and Schürzen, thus becoming a Panzer IV Ausf.H.

During the tournament finals match against Kuromorimine Girls Academy, the Panzer IV performed just like in the anime.

Der Film[]

For the friendly match against St. Gloriana and Pravda, the Panzer IV acted as the Ooarai and Chi-Ha-Tan team flag tank. During the battle at the golf course the Panzer IV destroyed one of St. Gloriana's Matildas, entrenched in the bunker. After Chi-Ha-Tan's reckless charge forced Ooarai to retreat, the Panzer IV was pursued by the Crusader squad and destroyed three of them. The Panzer IV then spent much of the match being chased by Nonna, Katyusha, and Rosehip until locating the enemy's flag tank near the beach. The Panzer IV eventually cornered the Churchill flag tank at Aqua World, but their shot hit Katyusha's T-34 instead, giving Darjeeling time to return fire and destroying the Panzer IV.

During the battle against the All-Stars University Team, the Panzer IV acts as the head of Dandelion Team and overall commander of the compound team. Dandelion Team struggles with Rumi's platoon in the wetlands, but neither team is able to score any killing hits. After the entire Ooarai Team retreats to the amusement park, the Panzer IV remains at the central plaza as a centralized command point. When the University Team storms the park, and nearly all Ooarai Team tanks become trapped at the amphitheater, the Panzer IV moves to help but is pinned down and held back by Pershings. The Panzer IV and the Hetzer then lure Rumi's tanks into a maze, where the Panzer IV takes down one Pershing and sets up a second for the Hetzer. At the climax of the battle, the Panzer IV and the Tiger I regroup in the Central Plaza against the two remaining Pershing and the Centurion. During the showdown, with the help of her sister Miho manages to shoot down Azumi's Pershing —again, firing from an elevated position— and is finally destroyed in a sacrifice charge that also destroys the Centurion and wins the match.

Little Army[]

The family's Panzer IV Ausf.D was used by Miho and her friends, Hitomi Yuzumoto, Chihiro Yusa and Emi Nakasuga. During the practice match against her sister Maho, the Panzer IV was hardly shaken by two shots from the StuG, one cutting a tree that saved the tank by falling on it. During the rest of the match the StuG and the Panzer IV exchanged fire, until Miho attempted a point-blank shot: the Panzer IV misses by hitting a tree, the StuG doesn't and destroys the Panzer IV.

Little Army 2[]

Ooarai Girls Academy fielded their Panzer IV during the Commemorative Cup match against Bellwall Academy. During the match the Panzer IV was pursued by Emi's Tiger, the Jagdpanther, and the T-44 in a highway interchange, eventually shaking off its pursuers by jumping from one interchange to another. It later fights a fierce duel with Tiger that ends in the destruction of both tanks.

Fierce Fight! It's the Maginot Battle![]

During practice scrimmages the Panzer IV, with Saori as commander (due to Miho being summoned by the Student Council), was repeatedly destroyed by the StuG, the M3 Lee, and even by the Type 89 due Saori's inability to command a tank and her frequent bursts of panic.

During the practice match against Maginot Girls' Academy, the Panzer IV was part of the main force that bombarded Maginot's entrenched position. When their opponent revealed their new mobile warfare, the situation became chaotic and the Panzer IV ended up persuing the B1 Bis and a SOMUA that were chasing the M3 Lee. After breaking from Maginot's grasp, and some peculiar turns of events, the Panzer IV was aggressively pursued by Eclair's SOMUA. Miho finally ordered Mako to climb a slope and, once at the top, make a U-turn to charge the SOMUA at full speed. Speeding toward the SOMUA, Saori fired into the ground with the MG to create a dust screen to confuse their opponent. The SOMUA shot into the dust, but realized too late that it didn't hit anything, and soon takes a flank shot by the Panzer IV.

Phase Erika[]

Jatkosota High School fielded one Panzer IV Ausf.J against Kuromorimine Girls Academy, where it participates in the kill on Bauer's Panther after she escaped Jatkosota's flooding trap. It then stays with the main group shelling Kuromorimine's flag tank, but when Kuromorimine regain the initiative by taking down their ace's tank, the Panzer IV is likely destroyed with the rest of its team.

The Fir Tree and the Iron-Winged Witch[]

Count High School fielded one T.4 (Panzer IV Ausf.G) as flag tank (callsign Tank N°1) against Saunders University High School. It was seen firing on sheltered Shermans without scoring any hits, and was about to be destroyed when its T.3 escort acted as a shield. During the ensuing firefight the T.4 had to retreat after the destruction of its last T-38 escort and of their main asset the Mareşal; it was last seen retreating in the column of Count's remaining tanks, covered by Noemi's T.3.

Gekkan Senshado Magazine[]

Blue Division High School and Jatkosota High School both fielded one Panzer IV (Ausf.J for Jatkosota and Ausf.H for Blue Division) during the tournament first round match. Blue Divison's Panzer IV was used as a spearhead to break through Jatkosota lines but were slowed down by the muddy terrain, and it was ultimately destroyed by either T-34s, the Sturmi, or Jatkosota's Panzer IV, which was used as force to pin down Blue Division's vanguard.

Yogurt Academy fielded one Panzer IV Ausf.G/H (hybrid of Ausf.G and Ausf.H version) during the tournament first round match against Waffle Academy. Its role during the match is unknown.

Yogurt again fielded their Panzer IV during the tournament quarter-finals match against St. Gloriana Girls College. Its role during the match is unknown.

Jatkosota again fielded their Panzer IV during the tournament quarter-finals match against Kuromorimine Girls Academy. It was ordered by Mika to provide covering fire for the BT squad from behind a dune, but it was ultimately destroyed by the overwhelming power of their opponant's heavy tanks.

Das Finale[]

During the Winter Continuous Track Cup first round match against BC Freedom High School, Ooarai's Panzer IV was seen alongside the Team's other tanks, stuck on the wooden bridge, exchanging fire with BC tanks. After the miraculous evacuation of the bridge and BC's retreat into the bocage, the Panzer IV was seen leading a task force trying to flank BC Freedom's tanks by destroying several hedges, while Leopon and Rabbit Team drew their attention and Mallard Team sowed chaos in their opponent's lines. During BC Freedom's attempts to break the encirclement it was seen along the StuG, firing on them without scoring any hits, until only's Marie's tank remained. It tried to cut off Marie's retreat but failed until the FT-17 stumbled on the Mark IV, at which point the FT-17 was destroyed by the Panzer IV and the Tiger(P).

During the tournament quarter-finals match against Chi-Ha-Tan Academy, the Panzer IV spent the first part of the match being harassed by and exchanging fire with Chi-Ha-Tan tanks. During the lake battle, it managed to destroyed Hamada's Shinhoto. After the evacuation and leading Chi-Ha-Tan into a trap, the Panzer IV is seen pursuing the retreating tanks.<to be continued>

Kuromorimine Girls' Academy fielded a Panzer IV Ausf.G during the Winter Tournament semi-finals match against St. Gloriana Girls College. Its performance in the match is currently unknown, but what is known is that it was one of Kuromorimine's tanks that were not destroyed in the match against St. Gloriana.

Trivia[]

Anglerfish Panzer

The Anglerfish Panzer IV Ausf. H in the PlayStation 4 release of World of Tanks.

  • In the translated official Girls und Panzer website, the Panzer IV is named as Type IV Tank D while the upgrades were described as Type IV Tank F2 (D Type modified) and Type IV Tank H (Modified D Type).
  • Anglerfish Team's Panzer IV was featured as a Skin Mod along with the other tanks as a Collaboration Event of Girls Und Panzer and World of Tanks
    • Anglerfish Team's Panzer IV was also featured in World of Tank Blitz as a Premium Tier V Japanese tank named Panzer IV Anko Special, while the regular long-barreled Panzer IV is a Tier V German tank.
    • Their Panzer IV Ausf. H also appears as a limited edition, stand-alone Premium tank in the PlayStation 4 release of the game. It was available for acquisition after earning 20,000 Tank XP while using a regular Ausf. H in a collaboration event. It would later also see a limited-time release on Xbox as a stand-alone tank in the premium tank shop.
    • Panzer IV was featured in World of Tanks as a German Medium Tank, in two variants: Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. D (Tier 4) and Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. H (Tier 5). Also, 27 April 2021 special girls und Panzer based tank Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. H Ankou was released.
  • The Panzer IV was the only German tank to remain in both production and combat during the entire WW II conflict.
  • In the manga the Panzer IV is equipped with the longer gun after the match against Saunders instead of after the match against Anzio.
  • Despite the Ausf.H having a longer gun than the Ausf.F2, Ooarai isn't seen finding a new gun.
  • Initially, Oarai’s Panzer IV had the Japanese character 六 on it, meaning six. This could mean that the original Oarai team had it as their 6th tank.
  • Technically, the Anglerfish Team's Panzer IV is still an Ausf.D, as the tank was just modified by adding new armaments and binding. To become the Ausf.F2 or Ausf.H, it would be necessary to obtain them completely or build them from scratch. This is similar to the German tanks used by Yogurt Academy, which are from one variant but modified with parts from another variant.

Gallery[]

Panzer IV Ausf


Main article: Panzer IV/Gallery
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