Panzer IV
The Panzer IV was the most common German tank of World War II. It was an excellent tank early in the war, particularly because of its advanced communications equipment (radios). During the war it received some upgrades, but by the time the Allies deployed the T-34 and Sherman tanks in large numbers, it was becoming obsolete. The replacement Panzer V (Panther) tank was never manufactured in enough numbers to turn the tide of the war.
History of German Armor in World War 2[edit]
At the conclusion of World War I the Treaty of Versailles placed limits on German weapons development, including severe limits on German warship tonnage, German military aircraft, and proscribing developing German armored vehicles.
Lightly armored and lightly armed Panzer I tanks first saw combat during the Spanish Civil War. Experience there made clear that if Germany were to go to war it needed armored vehicles that were more heavily armed and armored than the experimental Panzer I and Panzer II tanks.
Originally the Panzer IV was armed with a short barreled 50 mm cannon, and was tasked with accompany infantry, and using its cannon to destroy pillboxes and other fixed fortifications.
During the Invasion of Poland (September 1939), and Invasion of France (May 1940), Panzer III and Panzer IV were only a small fraction of the invasion force. Nevertheless, the Allied nation's ineffective use of Armor made the German Blitzkrieg doctrine seems unstoppable.
Germany also fielded tanks manufactured in captured Czeckslovakia, in early years of the war. These Czech tanks were recognized as effective, early years of the war. While the Panzer IV design was updated with added armor, and larger cannons, Germany shifted the Czech factories to build turretless armored gun platforms, more useful in a defensive role.