View source for Panzer IV

{{short description|German WWII medium tank}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = {{lang|de|Panzerkampfwagen}} IV<br />Sd.Kfz. 161
| image              = File:Panzermuseum Munster 2010 0128 b.jpg
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = A Panzer IV ''Ausf''. G "413" in desert colours, bearing the [[palm tree]] [[insignia]] of the [[Afrika Korps]], «{{lang|de|Friederike}}» inscribed in [[Fraktur]] script on the [[gun barrel]] near the [[Gun mantlet|mantlet]]
| origin             = [[Nazi Germany]]
| type               = [[Medium tank]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_vehicle         = yes
| is_UK              = yes <!-- for spelling in infobox -->
<!-- Service history -->| service            = 1939–1945 (Nazi Germany) <br />1954<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Ginat|first1=Rami|s2cid=144922816|title=The Soviet Union and the Syrian Ba'th regime: from hesitation to rapprochement|journal=Middle Eastern Studies|volume=36|issue=2|date=6 December 2006|page=9|doi=10.1080/00263200008701312}}</ref>–1973 (Syria)
| used_by            = [[Nazi Germany]]<br />[[Kingdom of Romania|Romania]]<br />Turkey<br />[[Kingdom of Hungary (Regency)|Hungary]]<br />[[Kingdom of Bulgaria|Bulgaria]]<br />[[Fascist Italy (1922–1943)|Italy]]<br /> Finland<br />[[Spain under Franco|Spain]]<br />[[Independent State of Croatia|Croatia]]<br />[[Soviet Union|USSR]]<br />France<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tankarchives.ca/2017/10/exhibit-with-history.html | title=Exhibit with a History }}</ref><br />Syria
| wars               = [[World War II]]<br/>[[War over Water (Jordan river)|War over Water]]<br/>[[Six-Day War]]<br/>[[Yom Kippur War]]
<!-- Production history -->| designer           = [[Krupp]]
| design_date        = 1936
| manufacturer       = [[Krupp]], [[Hanns Grewenig#Vomag|Vomag]], [[Steyr-Daimler-Puch|Nibelungenwerk]]
| unit_cost          = * ~{{Reichsmark|103,462|link=yes}} (~490,000 USD) 
* ~{{Reichsmark|115,962}} With 7.5&nbsp;cm KwK 40 (L/43) (~550,000 USD)
''USD equivalents as of 2000 ''<ref>{{cite book|last=Zetterling |first=Niklas |title=Kursk 1943: A Statistical Analysis |publisher=Frank Cass |location=London |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-7146-5052-4 |page=61}}</ref>
| production_date    = 1936–1945
| number             = 8,553 of all tank variants<ref name="Panzer Tracts 23">{{cite book |title=Panzer Tracts No.23 - Panzer Production from 1933 to 1945 |publisher=Panzer Tracts |author=Thomas L. Jentz and Hilary Louis Doyle |year=2011 |pages=50–59}}</ref>
| variants           = [[StuG IV]], [[Jagdpanzer IV]], [[Brummbär]] (Sturmpanzer IV), [[Nashorn]], [[Wirbelwind]], [[Ostwind]]
<!-- General specifications -->| spec_label         = Pz. IV Ausf. H, 1943<ref>{{cite web |url=http://afvdb.50megs.com/germany/pz4.html#AusfH |title=Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausfuehrung H |last1=Conners |first1=Chris |date=4 December 2002 |work=The AFV Database |access-date=15 December 2010 |archive-date=6 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906154753/http://afvdb.50megs.com/germany/pz4.html#AusfH |url-status=live }}</ref>
| weight             = {{convert|25.0|t|ST LT|lk=out}}
| length             = {{convert|5.92|m|ftin|abbr=on}} <br /> {{convert|7.02|m|ftin|abbr=on}} gun forward
| part_length        = 
| width              = {{convert|2.88|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| height             = {{convert|2.68|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| crew               = 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator/bow machine-gunner)
<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->| armour             = * Hull front: {{convert|80|mm|abbr=on}}
* Hull side (upper and lower): {{convert|30|mm|abbr=on}}
* Hull rear (upper and lower): {{convert|20|mm|abbr=on}}
* Hull roof and floor: {{convert|10|mm|abbr=on}}
* {{lang|de|Schürzen}}: {{convert|5|mm|abbr=on}} to {{convert|8|mm|abbr=on}}<ref name="P IV & variants 35-45 Bk 2">{{cite book |title=Panzerkampfwagen IV and its variants 1935–1945 Book 2 |publisher=Schiffer |last=Spielberger |first= Walter |date=2011 |page=203}}</ref>
* Turret front: {{convert|50|mm|abbr=on}}
* Turret side and rear: {{convert|30|mm|abbr=on}}
* Turret roof: {{convert|10|mm|abbr=on}}
| primary_armament   = [[7.5 cm KwK 40|7.5&nbsp;cm (2.95 in) KwK 40]] L/48 main gun (87 rounds)
| secondary_armament = 2 × [[7,92 x 57 mm|7.92 mm]] [[MG 34]] machine guns (3,150 rounds)
| engine             = [[List of WWII Maybach engines|Maybach HL120 TRM]] 12-cylinder petrol engine
| engine_power       = 300 PS (296 hp, 220 kW)
| pw_ratio           = 12 PS (8.8&nbsp;kW) / tonne
| transmission       = (Synchromesh ZF SSG 77) 6 forward and 1 reverse ratios
| payload_capacity   = 
| suspension         = [[Leaf spring]]
| clearance          = 
| fuel_capacity      = {{convert|470|-|750|L|USgal|abbr=on}}
| vehicle_range      = Road: <br />{{convert|235|-|360|km|mi|abbr=on}} <br /> Cross-country: <br /> {{convert|120|-|235|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref>Jentz, T. (1996). Panzertruppen (2): ''The Complete Guide to the Creation & Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force, 1943–1945''. page 294.</ref>
| speed              = {{convert|38|to|42|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} maximum, {{convert|25|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} max sustained road speed, {{convert|16|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} off-road
}}
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-297-1740-19A, Frankreich, SS-Division "Hitlerjugend", Panzer IV.jpg|thumb|12th SS "Hitlerjugend" division in France]]
The '''{{lang|de|Panzerkampfwagen}} IV''' ('''Pz.Kpfw. IV'''), commonly known as the '''Panzer IV''', is a [[Nazi Germany|German]] [[medium tank]] developed in the late 1930s and used extensively during the [[Second World War]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Panzer IV Medium Tank |url=https://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_panzer_IV.html |access-date=24 June 2025 |website=www.historyofwar.org}}</ref> Its ordnance inventory designation was '''[[Sd.Kfz.]] 161'''.

The Panzer IV was the most numerous [[Tanks in the German Army|German tank]] and the second-most numerous German [[Continuous track|fully tracked]] armoured fighting vehicle of the [[Second World War]]; 8,553 Panzer IVs of all versions were built during World War II, only exceeded by the [[StuG III]] assault gun with 10,086 vehicles. Its chassis was also used as the base for many other fighting vehicles, including the {{lang|de|[[Sturmgeschütz IV]]}} [[assault gun]], the {{lang|de|[[Jagdpanzer IV]]}} [[tank destroyer|self-propelled anti-tank gun]], the {{lang|de|[[Wirbelwind]]}} and {{lang|de|[[Ostwind]]}} [[self-propelled anti-aircraft gun]]s, and the {{lang|de|[[Brummbär]]}} [[self-propelled gun]].

The Panzer IV saw service in all combat theatres involving Germany and was the only German tank to remain in continuous production throughout the war. The Panzer IV was originally designed for infantry support, while the similar [[Panzer III]] was to fight [[armoured fighting vehicles]]. However, as the Germans faced the formidable [[T-34]], the Panzer IV had more development potential, with a larger turret ring to mount more powerful guns, so it swapped roles with the Panzer III whose production wound down in 1943. The Panzer IV received various upgrades and design modifications, intended to counter new threats, extending its service life. Generally, these involved increasing the [[Vehicle armour|armour protection]] or upgrading the weapons, although during the last months of the war, with Germany's pressing need for rapid replacement of losses, design changes also included simplifications to speed up the manufacturing process.

The Panzer IV was partially succeeded by the [[Panther tank|Panther]] medium tank, which was introduced to counter the Soviet [[T-34]], although it continued to be a significant component of German armoured formations to the end of the war. It was the most widely exported tank in German service, with around 300 sold to Finland, Romania, Spain and Bulgaria. After the war, Syria procured Panzer IVs from France and [[Czechoslovakia]], which saw combat in the 1967 [[Six-Day War]].

==Development history==
===Origins===
The Panzer IV was the brainchild of the German general and innovative armoured warfare theorist [[Heinz Guderian]].<ref>Spielberger (1972), p. 69</ref> In concept, it was intended to be a support tank for use against enemy [[anti-tank gun]]s and [[fortification]]s.<ref>Caballero & Molina (2006), p. 5</ref> Ideally, each tank battalion in a [[panzer division]] was to have three medium companies of [[Panzer III]]s and one heavy company of Panzer IVs.<ref name=Perrett4>Perrett (1999), p. 4</ref> On 11 January 1934, the German army wrote the specifications for a "medium tractor", and issued them to a number of defense companies. To support the Panzer III, which would be armed with a {{convert|37|mm|in|2|adj=on}} anti-tank gun, the new vehicle would have a short-barreled, [[howitzer]]-like {{convert|75|mm|in|2|adj=on}} <!--[[howitzer]] – no, as per the designation, it was a 'kanone' (= cannon), an artillery weapon generally employed in a low trajectory direct fire role--> as its [[Tank gun|main gun]], and was allotted a weight limit of {{convert|24|t|ST|2}}. Development was carried out under the name {{lang|de|Begleitwagen}} ("accompanying vehicle"),<ref>Jentz (1997), p. 1</ref> or BW, to disguise its actual purpose, given that Germany was still theoretically bound by the [[Treaty of Versailles]] ban on tanks.<ref name=Spielberger70>Spielberger (1972), p. 70</ref> [[MAN SE|MAN]], [[Krupp]], and [[Rheinmetall|Rheinmetall-Borsig]] each developed prototypes,<ref name=Perrett4 /> with Krupp's being selected for further development.<ref name=Perrett5>Perrett (1999), p. 5</ref>

The chassis had originally been designed with a six-wheeled {{lang|de|Schachtellaufwerk}} interleaved-road wheel suspension (as already adopted for German [[half-track]]s), but the German Army amended this to a [[Torsion bar suspension|torsion bar]] system. Permitting greater vertical deflection of the road wheels, this was intended to improve performance and crew comfort both on- and off-road.<ref name=Perrett5 /><ref>Simpkin (1979), p. 106</ref> However, due to the urgent requirement for the new tank, neither proposal was adopted, and Krupp instead equipped it with a simple [[leaf spring]] double-bogie suspension, with eight rubber-rimmed road wheels per side.

The prototype had a crew of five; the hull contained the engine bay to the rear, with the driver and radio operator, who doubled as the hull machine gunner, seated at the front-left and front-right, respectively. In the [[Gun turret|turret]], the tank commander sat beneath his roof hatch, while the gunner was situated to the left of the gun breech and the loader to the right. The torque shaft ran from the rear engine to the [[Transmission (mechanics)|transmission]] box in the front hull between the driver and radio operator. To keep the shaft clear of the rotary base junction, which provided electrical power to the turret including the motor to turn it, the turret was offset {{convert|66.5|mm|in|abbr=on}} to the left of the chassis centre line, and the engine was moved {{convert|152.4|mm|in|abbr=on}} to the right. Due to the asymmetric layout, the right side of the tank contained the bulk of its stowage volume, which was taken up by ready-use ammunition lockers.<ref name=Perrett5 />

Accepted into service under the designation {{lang|de|Versuchskraftfahrzeug}} 622 (Vs.Kfz. 622), "experimental motor vehicle 622",<ref name=Spielberger70 /> production began in 1936 at ''Fried. Krupp Grusonwerk AG'' factory at [[Magdeburg]].<ref name=Mazarrasa46>de Mazarrasa (1994), p. 46</ref>

===Ausf. A to Ausf. F1===
[[File:Duitse Panzerkampfwagen IV, Ausführung D, van 9. Panzerdivision tijdens de opmars in mei 1940 2000-336-001.jpg|thumb|right|Panzer IV Ausf. A in 1940]]
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-J08365, Ausbildung, Überrollen durch Panzer.jpg|thumb|right|Panzer IV Ausf. C, 1943]]

The first mass-produced version of the Panzer IV was the {{lang|de|Ausführung}}&nbsp;A (abbreviated to Ausf.&nbsp;A, meaning "Variant&nbsp;A"), in 1936. It was powered by a [[List of WWII Maybach engines|Maybach HL108&nbsp;TR]], producing {{convert|250|PS|kW|2|abbr=on}}, and used the SGR&nbsp;75 transmission with five forward gears and one reverse,<ref>Perrett (1999), p. 5; Caballero & Molina (2006), p. 6</ref> achieving a maximum road speed of {{convert|31|km/h|mph|2}}.<ref>Caballero & Molina (2006), p. 6</ref> As main armament, the vehicle mounted the short-barreled, [[howitzer]]-like {{convert|75|mm|in|2|adj=on|abbr=on}} {{lang|de|Kampfwagenkanone}} 37 [[7.5 cm KwK 37]] tank gun, 24 [[Calibre length|calibres in length]], which was a low-velocity weapon mainly designed to fire high-explosive shells.<ref name=Caballero7>Caballero & Molina (2006), p. 7</ref> Against armoured targets, firing the {{lang|de|Panzergranate}} ([[Armor-piercing shot and shell|armour-piercing shell]]) at {{convert|430|m/s|ft/s|-1}} the KwK&nbsp;37 could penetrate {{convert|43|mm|in|2}}, inclined at 30 degrees, at ranges of up to {{convert|700|m|ft|-2}}.<ref name=Doyle4>Doyle & Jentz (2001), p. 4</ref> A {{convert|7.92|mm|in|2|adj=on|abbr=on}} [[MG 34 machine gun]] was mounted [[Coaxial weapon|coaxially]] with the main weapon in the turret, while a second machine gun of the same type was mounted in the front plate of the hull.<ref name=Perrett5 /> The main weapon and coaxial machine gun were sighted with a {{lang|de|Turmzielfernrohr}} 5b optic while the hull machine gun was sighted with a {{lang|de|Kugelzielfernrohr}} 2 optic.<ref name=PanzerTract4p18>Jentz, Doyle, and Louis (1997) p. 18</ref> The Ausf.&nbsp;A was protected by {{convert|14.5|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} of steel armour on the front plate of the chassis, and {{convert|20|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} on the turret. This was only capable of stopping [[Fragmentation (weaponry)|artillery fragments]], [[small-arms]] fire, and light anti-tank projectiles.<ref name=Perrett6Caballero7>Perrett (1999), p. 6; Caballero & Molina (2006), p. 7</ref> A total of 35 A versions were produced.<ref name=Spielberger70 />

[[File:PZ IV D.jpg|thumb|right|Panzer IV Ausf. D in the [[Australian Armour and Artillery Museum]]. In addition to armour upgrades, the bow machine gun was re-introduced.]]

In 1937, production moved to the Ausf.&nbsp;B.<ref name=Spielberger70 /> Improvements included the replacement of the original engine with the more powerful {{convert|300|PS|kW|2|abbr=on}} Maybach HL&nbsp;120TR, and the transmission with the new SSG&nbsp;75 transmission, with six forward gears and one reverse gear. Despite a weight increase to {{convert|16|t|ST|abbr=on}}, this improved the tank's speed to {{convert|42|km/h|mph|2}}.<ref name=PanzerTract4p20>Jentz, Doyle, and Louis (1997) p. 20</ref> The [[glacis]] plate was augmented to a maximum thickness of {{convert|30|mm|in|2}},<ref name=Perrett6Caballero7 /> while a new driver's visor was installed on the straightened hull front plate, and the hull-mounted machine gun was replaced by a covered [[Firing port|pistol port]] and visor flap.<ref name=PanzerTract4p20/> The superstructure width and ammunition stowage were reduced to save weight.<ref name=PanzerTract4p20/> A new commander's cupola was introduced, which was adopted from the Panzer III Ausf.&nbsp;C.<ref name=PanzerTract4p20/> A [[Nebelkerzenabwurfvorrichtung]] (smoke grenade discharger rack) was mounted on the rear of the hull starting in July 1938<ref name=PanzerTract4p20/> and was back fitted to earlier Ausf.&nbsp;A and Ausf.&nbsp;B chassis starting in August 1938.<ref>Jentz & Doyle (1997) p. 14</ref> Forty-two Panzer IV Ausf.&nbsp;Bs were manufactured.<ref name=Spielberger70 />

[[File:Maybach HL120.jpg|thumb|left|The 300 horsepower Maybach HL120 TRM engine used in most Panzer IV production models]]
The Ausf.&nbsp;C replaced the B in 1938.<ref name=Spielberger70 /><ref name=Perrett6>Perrett (1999), p. 6</ref> This saw the turret armour increased to {{convert|30|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}, which brought the tank's weight to {{convert|18.14|t|ST|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Perrett6 /> After assembling 40 Ausf.&nbsp;Cs, starting with chassis number 80341, the engine was replaced with the improved HL&nbsp;120TRM. The last of the 140 Ausf.&nbsp;Cs was produced in August 1939.

Production changed to the Ausf.&nbsp;D; this variant, of which 248 vehicles were produced, reintroduced the hull machine gun and changed the turret's internal [[gun mantlet]] to a {{convert|35|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}<ref>Jentz & Doyle (1997) p.30</ref> thick external mantlet.<ref name=Perrett6 /> Again, protection was upgraded, this time by increasing side armour to {{convert|20|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Caballero7 /> As the German [[invasion of Poland]] in September 1939 came to an end, it was decided to scale up production of the Panzer IV, which was adopted for general use on 27 September 1939 as the {{lang|de|Sonderkraftfahrzeug}} 161 (Sd.Kfz.&nbsp;161).<ref name=Spielberger70 />

In response to the difficulty of penetrating the thick armour of British [[infantry tank]]s ([[Matilda I (tank)|Matilda]] and [[Matilda II]]) during the [[Battle of France]], the Germans had tested [[5 cm KwK 39|a {{convert|50|mm|in|2|adj=on|abbr=on}} gun]] — based on the [[5 cm Pak 38]] anti-tank gun – on a Panzer IV Ausf.&nbsp;D. However, with the rapid German victory in France, the original order of 80 tanks was cancelled before they entered production.<ref>Doyle & Jentz (2001), p. 5</ref>

In October 1940, the Ausf.&nbsp;E was introduced. This had {{convert|30|mm|in|2}} of armour on the bow plate, while a {{convert|30|mm|in|2|adj=on}} appliqué steel plate was added to the glacis as an interim measure. A new driver's visor, adopted from the [[Sturmgeschütz III]] was installed on the hull front plate.<ref name="Jentz 1997">Jentz & Doyle (1997) p.40</ref> A new commander's cupola, adopted from the Panzer III Ausf.&nbsp;G, was relocated forward on the turret eliminating the bulge underneath the cupola.<ref>Jentz & Doyle, (1997) p.34</ref> Older model Panzer IV tanks were retrofitted with these features when returned to the manufacturer for servicing. 206 Ausf.&nbsp;Es were produced between October 1940 and April 1941.<ref name="Panzer Tracts 23" />

[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1979Anh.-001-10, Panzer IV, Ausf. F-1.jpg|thumb|right|The short-barreled Panzer IV Ausf. F1]]

In April 1941, production of the Panzer IV Ausf.&nbsp;F started. It featured {{convert|50|mm|in|2|adj=on|abbr=on}} single-plate armour on the turret and hull, as opposed to the appliqué armour added to the Ausf.&nbsp;E,<ref name=Perrett6 /> and a further increase in side armour to {{convert|30|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}.<ref>Caballero & Molina (2006), p. 31</ref> The main engine exhaust muffler was shortened and a compact auxiliary generator muffler was mounted to its left.<ref name="Jentz 1997"/> The weight of the vehicle was now {{convert|22.3|t|ST}}, which required a corresponding modification of track width from {{convert|380|to|400|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} to reduce ground pressure. The wider tracks also facilitated the fitting of [[Grouser|track shoe "ice sprags]]", and the rear idler wheel and front [[sprocket]] were modified.<ref name=Spielberger71>Spielberger (1972), p. 71</ref> The designation Ausf.&nbsp;F was changed in the meantime to Ausf.&nbsp;F1, after the distinct new model, the Ausf.&nbsp;F2, appeared. A total of 471 Ausf.&nbsp;F (later temporarily called F1) tanks were produced from April 1941 to March 1942.<ref name="Panzer Tracts 23" />

===Ausf. F2 to Ausf. J <span class="anchor" id="F2"></span>===
On 26 May 1941, mere weeks before [[Operation Barbarossa]], during a conference with Hitler, it was decided to improve the Panzer IV's main armament. Krupp was awarded the contract to integrate again the {{convert|50|mm|in|2|adj=on|abbr=on}} [[Pak 38]] L/60 gun into the turret. The first prototype was to be delivered by 15 November 1941.<ref>Spielberger (1993) {{Page needed|date=September 2010}}</ref> Within months, the shock of encountering the Soviet [[T-34]] [[Medium tank|medium]] and [[Kliment Voroshilov tank|KV-1]] [[heavy tank]]s necessitated a new, much more powerful tank gun.<ref>Perrett (1999), p.7</ref> In November 1941, the decision to up-gun the Panzer IV to the {{convert|50|mm|in|2|adj=on}} gun was dropped, and instead Krupp was contracted in a joint development to modify [[Rheinmetall]]'s pending {{convert|75|mm|in|2|adj=on|abbr=on}} anti-tank gun design, later known as [[7.5 cm Pak 40]] L/46.

Because the recoil length was too great for the tank's turret, the recoil mechanism and chamber were shortened. This resulted in the {{convert|75|mm|in|2|adj=on}} [[KwK 40]] L/43.<ref>Doyle & Jentz (2001), pp. 6–7</ref> When the new KwK 40 was loaded with the Pzgr. 39 armour-piercing shell, the new gun fired the AP shell at some {{convert|750|m/s|ft/s|-1|abbr=on}}, a substantial 74% increase over the howitzer-like KwK 37 L/24 gun's {{convert|430|m/s|ft/s|-1|abbr=on}} muzzle velocity.<ref name=Spielberger71 /> Initially, the KwK 40 gun was mounted with a single-chamber, ball-shaped [[muzzle brake]], which provided just under 50% of the recoil system's braking ability.<ref>Doyle & Jentz (2001), p. 7</ref> Firing the {{lang|de|Panzergranate}} 39, the KwK&nbsp;40 L/43 could penetrate {{convert|77|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} of steel armour at a range of {{convert|1830|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref>Spielberger (1972), p. 73</ref>

The longer 7.5&nbsp;cm guns made the vehicle nose-heavy to such an extent that the forward suspension springs were under constant compression. This resulted in the tank tending to sway even when no steering was being applied, an effect compounded by the introduction of the {{lang|de|Ausführung}} H in March 1943.<ref name="Osprey">{{cite book |last1=Perrett |first1=Bryan |others=illustrated by Jim Laurier |title=Panzerkampfwagen IV Medium Tank 1936–45 |date=1999 |publisher=Osprey |isbn=978-1855328433 |page=8}}</ref>

[[File:Panzer IV 1.jpg|thumb|left|The 1942 Panzer IV Ausf. F2 was an upgrade of the Ausf. F, fitted with the KwK&nbsp;40 L/43 anti-tank gun to counter Soviet T-34 medium and [[Kliment Voroshilov tank|KV]] heavy tanks]]

The Ausf.&nbsp;F tanks that received the new, longer, KwK&nbsp;40 L/43 gun were temporarily named Ausf.&nbsp;F2 (with the designation Sd.Kfz.&nbsp;161/1). The tank increased in weight to {{convert|23.6|t|ST}}. Differences between the Ausf.&nbsp;F1 and the Ausf.&nbsp;F2 were mainly associated with the change in armament, including an altered gun mantlet, internal travel lock for the main weapon, new gun cradle, new {{lang|de|Turmzielfernrohr}} 5f optic for the L/43 weapon, modified ammunition stowage, and discontinuing of the {{lang|de|[[Nebelkerzenabwurfvorrichtung]]}} in favor of turret mounted {{lang|de|[[Nebelwurfgerät]]}}.<ref>Jentz & Doyle (1997) p. 44</ref> Three months after beginning production, the Panzer IV Ausf.&nbsp;F2 was renamed Ausf.&nbsp;G.<ref>Doyle & Jentz (2001), p. 8</ref>

During its production run from March 1942 to June 1943, the Panzer IV Ausf.&nbsp;G went through further modifications, including another armour upgrade, which consisted of a {{convert|30|mm|in|2|adj=on}} face-hardened appliqué steel plate welded (later bolted) to the glacis—in total, so that frontal armour was now {{convert|80|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} thick.<ref>Caballero & Molina (2006), p. 38</ref> This decision to increase frontal armour was favorably received according to troop reports on 8 November 1942, despite technical problems with the driving system due to added weight. At this point, it was decided that 50% of Panzer IV production would be fitted with {{convert|30|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} thick additional armour plates. On 5 January 1943, Hitler decided that all Panzer IVs should have {{convert|80|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} frontal armour.<ref>Spielberger (1993), p. 59</ref> To simplify production, the vision ports on either side of the turret and the loader's forward vision port in the 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 glacis plate.

For operation in high temperatures, the engine's ventilation was improved by creating 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. A new light replaced the original headlight and the signal port on the turret was removed.<ref>Doyle & Jentz (2001), pp. 11–12</ref> On 19 March 1943, the first Panzer IV with [[Spaced armour|''Schürzen'']] skirts on its sides and turret was exhibited.<ref>Walter J. Spielberger (1993), P63</ref> The double hatch for the commander's cupola was replaced by a single round hatch from very late model Ausf. G. and the cupola was up-armoured from {{convert|50|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} to {{convert|95|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}. In April 1943, the [[KwK&nbsp;40]] L/43 was replaced by the longer {{convert|75|mm|in|2|adj=on}} [[KwK&nbsp;40]] L/48 gun, with a redesigned multi-baffle muzzle brake with improved recoil efficiency.<ref>Doyle & Jentz (2001), p. 12</ref> The longer L/48 resulted in the introduction of the Turmzielfernrohr 5f/1 optic.<ref>{{cite book|last=Chamberlain|first=Peter|author2=Doyle, Hilary Louis|title=Encyclopedia Of German Tanks Of World War Two|year=2001|publisher=Arms & Armour Press|location=London |page=255}}</ref>

[[File:PzIV.Saumur.000a5s6s.jpg|thumb|right|A Panzer IV Ausf. J at the [[Musée des Blindés]] in Saumur, France, with its distinctive {{lang|de|[[Zimmerit]]}} anti-magnetic mine coating, turret skirts, and wire-mesh side-skirts]]

The next version, the Ausf.&nbsp;H, began production in June 1943<ref name="Panzer Tracts 23" /> and received the designation Sd.&nbsp;Kfz.&nbsp;161/2. The integrity of the glacis armour was improved by manufacturing it as a single {{convert|80|mm|in|2|adj=on}} plate. A reinforced final drive with higher gear ratios was introduced.<ref name="Thomas L p. 50">Jentz & Doyle (1997) p. 50</ref> To prevent adhesion of magnetic anti-tank mines, which the Germans feared would be used in large numbers by the Allies, {{lang|de|[[Zimmerit]]}} paste was added to all the vertical surfaces of the tank's armour.<ref name=Caballero44>Caballero & Molina (2006), p. 44</ref> The turret roof was reinforced from {{convert|10|mm|in|2|adj=on}} to {{convert|16|mm|in|2|adj=on}} and {{convert|25|mm|in|2|adj=on}} segments.<ref name="Thomas L p. 50"/> The vehicle's side and turret were further protected by the addition of {{convert|5|mm|in|2|adj=on}} hull skirts and {{convert|8|mm|in|2|adj=on}} turret skirts.<ref name="P IV & variants 35-45 Bk 2" /><ref name=Perrett8>Perrett (1999), p. 8</ref> This resulted in the elimination of the vision ports located on the hull side,<ref name="Thomas L p. 50"/> as the skirts obstructed their view. During the Ausf.&nbsp;H's production run, its rubber-tired return rollers were replaced with cast steel, a lighter cast front sprocket and rear idler wheel gradually replaced the previous components,<ref name="Thomas L p. 50"/> the hull was fitted with triangular supports for the easily damaged side skirts, the Nebelwurfgerät was discontinued, and a mount in the turret roof, designed for the {{lang|de|[[Nahverteidigungswaffe]]}}, was plugged by a circular armoured plate due to initial production shortages of this weapon.<ref>Doyle & Jentz (2001), p. 13</ref><ref name="Doyle & Jentz 2001, p. 14">Doyle & Jentz (2001), p. 14</ref>

These modifications meant that the tank's weight increased to {{convert|25|t|ST|2}}. In spite of a new six-speed SSG&nbsp;77 transmission adopted from the Panzer III, top speed dropped to as low as {{convert|10|mph|km/h|order=flip|abbr=on}} on [[off-roading|cross country]] terrain. An experimental version of the Ausf H was fitted with a hydrostatic transmission but was not put into production.<ref name="Osprey"/>

[[File:Panzer IV Ausf J Parola 1.jpg|thumb|left|The Ausf. J was the final production model, and was greatly simplified compared to earlier variants to speed construction. This shows an exported Finnish model.]]

Despite addressing the mobility problems introduced by the previous model, the final production version of the Panzer IV—the Ausf.&nbsp;J—was considered a retrograde step from the Ausf.&nbsp;H. Born of necessity, to replace heavy losses, it was greatly simplified to speed production.<ref name=Perrett9>Perrett (1999), p. 9</ref> The electric generator that powered the tank's turret traverse was removed, so the turret had to be rotated manually. The turret traversing mechanism was modified and fitted with a second gear which made hand-operation easier when the vehicle was on sloping terrain.<ref name="Doyle & Friedli 2016, p. 56">Doyle & Friedli (2016), p. 56</ref> On reasonably level ground, hand operation at 4 seconds to traverse to 12.5° and 29.5 seconds to traverse to 120° was achieved.<ref name="Doyle & Friedli 2016, p. 56"/> The resulting space was later used for the installation of an auxiliary {{convert|200|L|USgal|adj=on}} fuel tank; road range was thereby increased to {{convert|320|km|mi|abbr=on}},<ref>Caballero & Molina (2006), pp. 53–54</ref> The remaining pistol and vision ports on the turret side hatches were removed, and the engine's radiator housing was simplified by changing the slanted sides to straight sides.<ref name="Doyle & Jentz 2001, p. 14"/> Three sockets with screw threads for mounting a 2-ton jib boom crane were welded on the turret roof while the hull roof was thickened from {{convert|11|mm|in|2|adj=on}} to {{convert|16|mm|in|2|adj=on}}.<ref name="Doyle & Friedli 2016, p. 57">Doyle & Friedli (2016), p. 57</ref> In addition, the cylindrical [[muffler]] was replaced by two flame-suppressing mufflers. In June 1944 [[Waffenamt|Wa Prüf 6]] had decided that because bomb damage at ''Panzerfirma Krupp'' in Essen had seriously jeopardized tank production, all plates which should have been face-hardened for the Panzer IV were instead made with [[rolled homogeneous armour]] plate.<ref name="Doyle & Friedli 2016, p. 57"/> By late 1944, {{lang|de|Zimmerit}} was no longer being applied to German armoured vehicles, and the Panzer IV's side-skirts had been replaced by wire mesh, while the gunner's forward vision port in the turret front was eliminated<ref>Doyle & Friedli (2016), p. 58</ref> and the number of return rollers was reduced from four to three to further speed-up production.<ref>Doyle & Jentz (2001), p. 15</ref>

In a bid to augment the Panzer IV's firepower, an attempt was made to mate a {{lang|de|Schmalturm}} turret – carrying the longer {{convert|75|mm|in|2|adj=on|abbr=on}} L/70 tank gun from the developing [[Panther tank|Panther Ausf. F]] tank design, and partly developed by Rheinmetall from early 1944 onwards – to a Panzer IV hull. This failed and confirmed that the chassis had reached the limit of its adaptability in both weight and available volume.<ref name=Perrett9 />

==Production==
{|class="wikitable floatright" style="text-align: center;" summary="Panzer IV production by year"
|+Panzer IV production by year<ref name="Panzer Tracts 23" />
|-
! Date
! Number of vehicles
! Variant (''Ausf.'')
|-
| 1937–1939
| 262
| A – D
|-
| 1940
| 290 (−24)
| D, E
|-
| 1941
| 480 (+17)
| E, F
|-
| 1942
| 994
| F, G
|-
| 1943
| 2,983
| G, H
|-
| 1944
| 3,125
| H, J
|-
| 1945
| ~435
| J
|-
! Total
! ~8,569
| all
|}

The Panzer IV was originally intended to be used only on a limited scale, so initially Krupp was its sole manufacturer. Prior to the Polish campaign, only 217 Panzer IVs had been produced: 35 Ausf.&nbsp;A; 42 Ausf.&nbsp;B; and 140 Ausf.&nbsp;C; in 1941, production was extended to ''Vogtländische Maschinenfabrik'' ("VOMAG") (located in the city of [[Plauen]]) and the [[Nibelungenwerk]] in the Austrian city of St. Valentin.<ref name="Panzer Tracts 23" />

In 1941, an average of 39 tanks per month were built; this rose to 83 in 1942, 252 in 1943, and 300 in 1944. However, in December 1943, Krupp's factory was diverted to manufacture the [[Sturmgeschütz IV]] and, in the spring of 1944, the Vomag factory began production of the [[Jagdpanzer IV]], leaving the Nibelungenwerk as the only plant still assembling the Panzer IV.<ref name=Spielberger72>Spielberger (1972), p. 72</ref> With the slow collapse of German industry under pressure from Allied air and ground offensives—in October 1944 the Nibelungenwerk factory was severely damaged during a bombing raid—by March and April 1945, production had fallen to pre-1942 levels, with only around 55 tanks per month coming off the assembly lines.<ref>Doyle & Jentz (2001), p. 16</ref>
{{clear}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
|+ Panzer IV: comparison of key production features<ref name="History of War">{{cite web |url=http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_panzer_IV.html |title=Panzer IV Medium Tank |last=Rickard |first=J |date=25 July 2008 |access-date=25 September 2018 |archive-date=25 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925104241/http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_panzer_IV.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! style="width: 40px;" rowspan= "2"|Version
! style="width: 160px;" rowspan= "2"|Main gun
! colspan= "3" style="width: 80px;" |Superstructure armour<br />mm (inch)
! colspan= "3" style="width: 80px;" |Hull armour<br />mm (inch)
! colspan= "3" style="width: 80px;" |Turret armour<br />mm (inch)
! style="width: 120px;" rowspan= "2"| Weight<br />tonnes ([[long ton]]s; [[short ton]]s)
! style="width: 160px;" rowspan= "2"| Engine
! style="width: 220px;" rowspan= "2"| Notes
|-
!style="width: 30px;" | {{tooltip|F|Front}}
!style="width: 30px;" | {{tooltip|S|Sides}}
!style="width: 30px;" | {{tooltip|R|Rear}}
!style="width: 30px;" | F
!style="width: 30px;" | S
!style="width: 30px;" | R
!style="width: 30px;" | F
!style="width: 30px;" | S
!style="width: 30px;" | R
|-
| Ausf. A <br /> VK622
| rowspan="6" | [[7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24]]
| colspan= "9" | {{cvt|15|mm|abbr=values}}
| {{cvt|18.4|t|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| rowspan="2" | {{nowrap|[[List of WWII Maybach engines|Maybach HL 108TR]]}}<br />{{cvt|250|PS|hp kW|lk=on|0}}
| SGR 75 transmission
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | Ausf. B
| {{cvt|30|mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|15 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|15 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|30|mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|15 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|15 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|30 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|15 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|15 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|18.8|t|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| SSG 75 transmission
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | Ausf. C
| {{convert|30 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert|15 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert|15 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert|30 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert|15 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert| 15 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert|30 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert|15 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert|15 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|19.0|t|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| rowspan="8" | {{nowrap|Maybach HL 120 TRM}}<br />{{cvt|300|PS|hp kW|lk=on|0}}
| 
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | Ausf. D
| 30 + 30{{Efn-ur|group=compartable|name=appl|appliqué armour plate, bolted or welded on}}
| {{convert|20|mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}} + 20{{Efn-ur|group=compartable|name=appl}}
| {{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert|30 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert| 20 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert|20 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert| 30 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert|20 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert|20 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|20.0|t|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
|
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | Ausf. E
| 30 + 30{{Efn-ur|group=compartable|name=appl}}
| 20 + 20{{Efn-ur|group=compartable|name=appl}}
| 20
| 30 + 30{{Efn-ur|group=compartable|name=appl}}
| 20 + 20{{Efn-ur|group=compartable|name=appl}}
| 20
| 30
| 20
| 20
| {{cvt|21.0|t|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
|
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | Ausf. F1
| {{convert|50|mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert|30 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert|20 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert|50 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert|30 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert|20 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert|50 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert|30 |mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{convert| 30|mm|abbr=values |disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|22.3|t|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| track width increased from {{cvt|380|to|400|mm}}
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | Ausf. F2
| rowspan="2" | [[7.5 cm KwK 40]] L/43
| 50
| 30
| 20
| 50
| 30
| 20
| 50
| 30
| 30
| {{cvt|23.0|t|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| single-chamber, globe, [[muzzle brake]]
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | Ausf. G
| 50 + 30{{Efn-ur|group=compartable|name=appl}}
| 30
| 20
| 50 + 30{{Efn-ur|group=compartable|name=appl}}
| 30
| 20
| 50
| 30 + {{cvt|8|mm|abbr=values}}{{efn-ur|group=compartable|name=schurtzen|[[Schürzen]] skirts}}
| 30 + 8{{Efn-ur|group=compartable|name=schurtzen}}
| {{cvt|23.5|t|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| multi-baffle muzzle brake
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | Ausf. H
| rowspan="2" | 7.5&nbsp;cm KwK 40 L/48
| {{cvt|80|mm|abbr=values}}
| 30
| 20
| 80
| 30
| 20
| 50
| 30 + 8{{Efn-ur|group=compartable|name=schurtzen}}
| 30 + 8{{Efn-ur|group=compartable|name=schurtzen}}
| {{cvt|25.0|t|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| [[Zimmerit]] paste added to vertical surfaces<br />SSG 77 transmission
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | Ausf. J
| 80
| 30
| 20
| 80
| 30
| 20
| 50
| 30 + 8{{Efn-ur|group=compartable|name=schurtzen}}
| 30 + 8{{Efn-ur|group=compartable|name=schurtzen}}
| {{cvt|25.0|t|abbr=values|disp=br()}}
| electric motor for turret traverse removed, [[Rolled homogeneous armour]], no Zimmerit
|-
| colspan=14 |{{notelist-ur|group=compartable}}

|}

==Export==
The Panzer IV was one of the most widely exported German tanks of the Second World War.<ref>Caballero & Molina (2006), p. 63</ref> In 1942, Germany delivered 11 tanks to Romania and 32 to Hungary, many of which were lost on the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]] between the final months of 1942 and the beginning of 1943 during the battles around Stalingrad, at which the Hungarian and Romanian troops there were almost annihilated by the attacking Soviet forces.<ref>Caballero & Molina (2006), pp. 63–66</ref> Romania received approximately 120 Panzer IV tanks of different models throughout the entire war.<ref name="Scafes and Serbanescu 2005, p.78">Scafes and Serbanescu 2005, p.78</ref> To arm Bulgaria, Germany supplied 46<ref name=Caballero66>Caballero & Molina (2006), p. 66</ref> or 91<ref name=Doyle41>Doyle & Jentz (2001), p. 41; Perrett (1999), p. 44, claims Bulgaria received 88 Panzer IVs.</ref> Panzer IVs, and offered Italy 12 tanks to form the nucleus of a new Italian Army armoured division. These were used to train Italian tank crews while the-then Italian leader [[Benito Mussolini]] was deposed shortly after the Allied conquest of Sicily but were then retaken by Germany during its [[Operation Achse|occupation of Italy]] in mid-1943.<ref name=Caballero66 /> The Falangist Spanish government petitioned for 100 Panzer IVs in March 1943 but only 20 were ever delivered by December that same year.<ref>Caballero & Molina (2006), pp. 76–82</ref> Finland bought 30 but only received 15 in 1944 and in the same year a second batch of 62<ref name=Caballero66 /> or 72<ref name=Doyle41 /> was sent to Hungary (although 20 of these were subsequently diverted to replace German military losses).<ref name=Doyle41 /> The [[Independent State of Croatia|Croatian]] [[Ustashe Militia]] received 10 Ausf. F1 and 5 Ausf. G in the autumn of 1944.<ref name="B&B42">{{cite magazine|language=fr|title=Le Blindorama : La Croatie, 1941–1945|magazine=Batailles & Blindés|issue=42|date=April 2011|publisher=Caraktère|issn=1765-0828|first=Yann|last=Mahé|pages=4–7}}</ref> In total, 297 Panzer IVs of all models were delivered to Germany's allies.<ref>Caballero & Molina (2006), p. 67</ref>

==Combat history==
{{Panzer operational levels}}
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-783-0117-113, Nordafrika, Panzer IV, Turm.jpg|thumb|right|A Panzer IV Ausf. E with hits on the turret and the edge of the gun barrel]]

The Panzer IV was the only German tank to remain in both production and combat throughout World War II,<ref>McCarthy & Syron (2002), p. 36</ref><ref>Caballero & Molina (2006), p. 4</ref> and measured over the entire war it comprised 30% of the {{lang|de|[[Wehrmacht]]}}{{'}}s total tank strength.<ref>Caballero & Molina (2006), p. 3</ref> Although in service by early 1939, in time for the [[German occupation of Czechoslovakia|occupation of Czechoslovakia]],<ref name="Spielberger 1972, p. 82">Spielberger (1972), p. 82</ref> at the start of the war the majority of German armour was made up of obsolete [[Panzer I]]s and [[Panzer II]]s.<ref>McCarthy & Syron (2002), p. 51</ref> The Panzer I in particular had already proved inferior to Soviet tanks, such as the [[T-26]], during the [[Spanish Civil War]].<ref>McCarthy & Syron (2002), p. 34</ref>

===Poland, Western Front and North Africa (1939–1942)===
When [[Invasion of Poland|Germany invaded Poland]] on 1 September 1939, its armoured corps was composed of 1,445 Panzer Is, 1,223 Panzer IIs, 98 Panzer IIIs and 211 Panzer IVs; the more modern vehicles amounted to less than 10% of Germany's armoured strength.<ref>Perrett (1999), p. 24</ref> The [[1st Panzer Division (Wehrmacht)|1st Panzer Division]] had a roughly equal balance of types, with 17 Panzer Is, 18 Panzer IIs, 28 Panzer IIIs, and 14 Panzer IVs per battalion. The remaining panzer divisions were heavy with obsolete models, equipped as they were with 34 Panzer Is, 33 Panzer IIs, 5 Panzer IIIs, and 6 Panzer IVs per battalion.<ref>Perrett (1998), p. 37</ref> Although the Polish Army possessed less than 200 tanks capable of penetrating the German light tanks, Polish anti-tank guns proved more of a threat, reinforcing German faith in the value of the close-support Panzer IV.<ref>Perrett (1999), p. 33</ref>

[[File:Crusadertankandgermantank.jpg|thumb|right|A British [[Crusader tank]] passing a burning German Panzer IV during [[Operation Crusader]], late 1941]]

Despite increased production of the medium Panzer IIIs and IVs prior to the [[Battle of France|German invasion of France]] on 10 May 1940, the majority of German tanks were still light types. According to Heinz Guderian, the Wehrmacht invaded France with 523 Panzer Is, 955 Panzer IIs, 349 Panzer IIIs, 278 Panzer IVs, 106 [[Panzer 35(t)]]s and 228 [[Panzer 38(t)]]s.<ref>Guderian (1996), p. 472</ref> Through the use of tactical radios<ref>McCarthy & Syron (2002), p. 72</ref> and superior tactics, as well as greater mobility generally, the Germans were able to outmaneuver and defeat French and British armour.<ref>McCarthy & Syron (2002), p. 73</ref> However, Panzer IVs armed with the KwK&nbsp;37 L/24 {{convert|75|mm|in|2|adj=on}} tank gun found it difficult to engage French tanks such as the [[Somua S35]] and [[Char B1]].<ref>Doyle & Jentz (2001), pp. 4–5</ref>

Although the Panzer IV was deployed to [[North African campaign|North Africa]] with the German [[Afrika Korps]], until the longer gun variant began production, the tank was outperformed by the Panzer III with respect to armour penetration.<ref>Perrett (1999), p. 34</ref> Both the Panzer III and IV had difficulty in penetrating the British Matilda II's thick armour, while the Matilda's [[Ordnance QF 2 pounder|40-mm QF 2 pounder gun]] could knock out either German tank; the Matilda II's major disadvantage was its low speed.<ref name=Ormeno48>Ormeño (2007), p. 48</ref> By August 1942, Rommel had only received 27 Panzer IV Ausf. F2s, armed with the L/43 gun, which he deployed to spearhead his armoured offensives.<ref name=Ormeno48 /> The longer gun could penetrate all American and British tanks in theater at ranges of up to {{convert|1500|m|ft|abbr=on}}, by that time the most heavily armoured of which was the [[M3 Lee|M3 Grant]].<ref>Doyle & Jentz (2001), p. 21</ref> Although more of these tanks arrived in North Africa between August and October 1942, their numbers were insignificant compared to the amount of matériel shipped to British forces.<ref>Doyle & Jentz (2001), p. 23</ref>

The Panzer IV also took part in the invasions of [[invasion of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]] and [[Battle of Greece|Greece]] in early 1941.<ref>Perrett (1999), pp. 34–35</ref>

===Eastern Front (1941–1945)===
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-088-3734A-19A, Russland, Panzer IV.jpg|thumb|right|A PzKpfw IV Ausf. H of the [[12th Panzer Division (Wehrmacht)|12th Panzer Division]] carrying {{lang|de|[[spaced armor|Schürzen]]}} skirting operating on the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]] in the [[USSR]], 1944]]

With the launching of Operation Barbarossa on 22 June 1941, [[German encounter of Soviet T-34 and KV tanks|the unanticipated appearance of the KV-1 and T-34 tanks]] prompted an upgrade of the Panzer IV's {{convert|75|mm|in|2|adj=on|abbr=on}} gun to a longer, high-velocity 75&nbsp;mm gun suitable for anti-tank use. This meant that it could now penetrate the T-34 at ranges of up to {{convert|1200|m|ft|abbr=on}} at any angle.<ref>Jentz (1996), p. 243</ref> The 75&nbsp;mm KwK&nbsp;40 L/43 gun on the Panzer IV could penetrate a T-34 at a variety of impact angles beyond {{convert|1000|m|ft|abbr=on}} range and up to {{convert|1600|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref>Bird & Livingston (2001), p. 25</ref> Shipment of the first model to mount the new gun, the Ausf. F2, began in spring 1942, and by the [[Case Blue|summer offensive]] there were around 135 Panzer IVs with the L/43 tank gun available. At the time, these were the only German tanks that could defeat [[T-34]] or [[Kliment Voroshilov tank|KV-1]] with sheer firepower.<ref>Doyle & Jentz (2001), p. 33</ref> They played a crucial role in the events that unfolded between June 1942 and March 1943,<ref>Doyle & Jentz (2001), p. 35–36</ref> and the Panzer IV became the mainstay of the German panzer divisions.<ref name=Spielberger87>Spielberger (1972), p. 87</ref> Although in service by late September 1942, the [[Tiger I]] was not yet numerous enough to make an impact and suffered from serious teething problems, while the [[Panther tank|Panther]] was not delivered to German units in the Soviet Union until May 1943.<ref>Caballero & Molina (2006), p. 42</ref> The extent of German reliance on the Panzer IV during this period is reflected by their losses; 502 were destroyed on the Eastern Front in 1942.<ref>Caballero & Molina (2006), p. 39</ref>

The Panzer IV continued to play an important role during operations in 1943, including at the [[Battle of Kursk]]. Newer types, such as the Panther, were still experiencing crippling reliability problems that restricted their combat efficiency,<ref>Perrett (1999), p. 39</ref> so much of the effort fell to the 841 Panzer IVs that took part in the battle.<ref>Caballero & Molina (2006), p. 47</ref> Throughout 1943, the German army lost 2,352 Panzer IVs on the Eastern Front;<ref>Caballero & Molina (2006), p. 48</ref> some divisions were reduced to 12–18 tanks by the end of the year.<ref name=Spielberger87 /> In 1944, a further 2,643 Panzer IVs were destroyed, and such losses were becoming increasingly difficult to replace.<ref>Caballero & Molina (2006), p. 51</ref> Nevertheless, due to a shortage of replacement Panther tanks, the Panzer IV continued to form the core of Germany's armoured divisions, including elite units such as the [[II SS Panzer Corps]], through 1944.<ref>Reynolds (2002), p. 5</ref>

In January 1945, 287 Panzer IVs were lost on the Eastern Front. It is estimated that combat against Soviet forces accounted for 6,153 Panzer IVs, or about 75% of all Panzer IV losses during the war.<ref>Caballero & Molina (2006), pp. 59–62</ref>

===Western Front (1944–45)===
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101III-Zschaeckel-170-20, Paris, Panzer IV der LSSAH vor Triumphbogen.2.jpg|right|thumb|A Panzer IV Ausf. G of the 1st SS Panzer Division "[[Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler]]" near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, 1942.]]
[[File:Zamaskowany czołg PzKpfw IV Ausf H na froncie w południowych Włoszech (2-2287).jpg|thumb|right|A camouflaged Panzer IV Ausf. H under the canopy of a tree in the Italian sector of the front, 1944.]]

Panzer IVs comprised around half of the available German tank strength on the [[Western Front (World War II)|Western Front]] prior to the [[Invasion of Normandy|Allied invasion of Normandy]] on 6 June 1944.<ref name=hastings133>Hastings (1999), p. 133</ref> Most of the 11 Panzer divisions that saw action in Normandy initially contained an armoured regiment of one battalion of Panzer IVs and another of Panthers, for a total of around 160 tanks, although [[Waffen-SS]] Panzer divisions were generally larger and better equipped than their {{lang|de|[[German Army (Wehrmacht)|Heer]]}} counterparts.<ref name=hastings413>Hastings (1999), p. 413</ref><ref>Forty (2000), p. 88</ref> Regular upgrades to the Panzer IV had helped to maintain its reputation as a formidable opponent.<ref name=hastings133 /> The [[bocage]] countryside in Normandy favoured defense, and German tanks and anti-tank guns inflicted very heavy casualties on Allied armour during the [[Operation Overlord|Normandy campaign]], despite the overwhelming Allied air superiority. German counter-attacks were blunted in the face of Allied artillery, [[Anti-tank warfare#Infantry|infantry-held anti-tank weapons]], [[tank destroyer]]s and [[anti-tank gun]]s, as well as the ubiquitous [[fighter-bomber]] aircraft.<ref>Perrett (1999), p. 43</ref> The side skirt armour could predetonate [[shaped charge]] anti-tank weapons such as the British [[PIAT]], but could be pulled away by rugged terrain. German tankers in all theaters were "frustrated by the way these skirts were easily torn off when going through dense brush".<ref name=hastings133 />

The Allies had also been improving their tanks; the widely used American-designed [[M4 Sherman]] medium tank, while mechanically reliable, repairable, and available in large numbers, suffered from an inadequate gun in terms of armour-piercing.<ref name=hastings225>Hastings (1999), p. 225</ref> Against earlier-model Panzer IVs, it could hold its own, but with its [[75 mm Gun M2/M3/M6#M3|75 mm M3 gun]], struggled against the late-model Panzer IV.<ref>Hastings (1999), pp. 225–227</ref> The late-model Panzer IV's {{convert|80|mm|in|2|adj=on|abbr=on}} frontal hull armour could easily withstand hits from the {{convert|75|mm|in|2|adj=on|abbr=on}} weapon on the Sherman at normal combat ranges,<ref>Jentz & Doyle (2001), p. 176</ref> though the turret remained vulnerable.

The British up-gunned the Sherman with their highly effective 76&nbsp;mm [[Ordnance QF 17-pounder|QF 17-pounder anti-tank gun]], resulting in the [[Sherman Firefly|Firefly]];<ref>Fletcher (2008), pp. 5–8</ref> although this was the only Allied tank capable of dealing with all current German tanks at normal combat ranges, few (342) were available in time for the Normandy invasion.<ref name=hastings225 /> One Sherman in every British troop of four was a Firefly. By the end of the Normandy campaign, a further 550 Fireflies were built.<ref>{{citation |last=Hart |first=Stephen |date=2007 |title=Sherman Firefly vs Tiger |series=Duel 2 |publisher= Osprey Publishing |isbn=9781846031502}}</ref> which was enough to make good any losses.<ref>{{ cite book |last=Hayward |first=Mark |title=Sherman Firefly |year=2001 |publisher=Barbarossa Books |isbn=0-9538777-2-8 |page=20}}</ref> A second British tank equipped with the 17-pdr gun, the [[Cruiser Mk VIII Challenger]], could not participate in the initial landings having to wait for port facilities to be ready to land. It was not until July 1944 that American Shermans fitted with the [[76 mm gun M1]] gun achieved a parity in firepower with the Panzer IV.<ref>Fletcher (2008), p. 43</ref><ref>Hastings (1999), p. 221</ref>

By 29 August 1944, as the last surviving German troops of [[5th Panzer Army|Fifth Panzer Army]] and [[7th Army (Wehrmacht)|Seventh Army]] began retreating towards Germany, the twin cataclysms of the [[Falaise Pocket]] and the [[Seine]] crossing cost the Wehrmacht dearly. Of the 2,300 tanks and assault guns it had committed to Normandy (including around 750 Panzer IVs<ref name=forty92 />), over 2,200 had been lost.<ref name=wilmot434>Wilmott (1997), p. 434</ref> [[Field Marshal]] [[Walter Model]] reported to [[Hitler]] that his panzer divisions had remaining, on average, five or six tanks each.<ref name=wilmot434 />

During the winter of 1944–45, the Panzer IV was one of the most numerous tanks in the [[Battle of the Bulge|Ardennes offensive]], where further heavy losses—as often due to fuel shortages as to enemy action—impaired major German armoured operations in the West thereafter.<ref name="Perrett 1999, p. 44">Perrett (1999), p. 44</ref> The Panzer IVs that took part were survivors of the battles in France between June and September 1944, {{Dubious|date=March 2009}} with around 260 additional Panzer IV Ausf. Js issued as reinforcements.<ref name=forty92>Forty (2000), p. 92</ref>

===Other users===
[[File:Panssareita Oulun Tuirassa 19441112 sa-kuva-154127.jpg|thumb|Column of Finnish Panzer IV Ausf. J at [[Tuira, Oulu]], Finland in November 1944]]

==== Finland ====
Finland bought 15 new Panzer IV Ausf. Js in 1944.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}} The remainder of an order for 40 tanks and some StuG IIIs were not delivered and neither were necessary German tank instructors provided. The tanks arrived too late to see action against the Soviet Union but instead ended up being used against Nazi Germany during their [[Lapland War|withdrawal through Lapland]]. After the war, they served as training tanks and one portrayed a Soviet [[KV-1 (tank)|KV-1]] tank in the movie ''[[The Unknown Soldier (1955 film)|The Unknown Soldier]]'' in 1955.{{citation needed|date=September 2009}} The additional weight, going from the 18.4 tons (Ausf. A) to about 25 tons (Ausf. J), of these modifications strained the simple leaf spring suspension. As a result, the Finnish Army often referred to the PzKpfw IV Ausf.J as the "shaker" for its rough ride, when compared to their StuG IIIs that, by comparison, had the much better torsion-bar suspension of the PzKpfw III. According to the Finnish, this not only affected general crew comfort, but also hampered the accurate aiming of the main gun whilst on the move. What exactly caused these "vibrations" that gave the PzKw IV Ausf. J such a bad name among Finnish tank crews remains somewhat unclear as it isn't mentioned in any German or Allied descriptions, but the inadequate leaf spring suspension and comparison with the very smooth ride of the StuG III seems to be the most likely cause.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

==== Bulgaria ====
After 1945, Bulgaria incorporated its surviving Panzer IVs into defensive bunkers as strongpoints along its border with Turkey, along with Soviet [[T-34]] turrets. This defensive line, known as the "[[Krali Marko]] Line", remained in use until the [[fall of communism]] in 1989.{{citation needed|date=September 2009}}

==== Spain ====
Twenty Panzer IV Ausf. Hs and ten StuG III Ausf. Gs were supplied to Spain in December 1943, a small<!--If Franco has requested 1,000 and got 999, he would still have received a fraction, namely 999/1000. If he had ordered 20 and got 30, this would also have been a fraction, namely 30/20 = 3/2--> fraction of what Spain had originally asked for. The Panzer IV represented the best tank in Spanish service between 1944 and 1954, and was deployed along with T-26s and Panzer Is. Spain sold 17 Panzer IVs to Syria in 1967, with the remaining three left conserved. These can be found in Madrid, Burgos and Santovenia de Pisuerga (Valladolid).

==== Romania ====
Most of the tanks Romania had received were lost during combat between 1944 and 1945. These tanks, designated T4 in the army's inventory, were used by the Army's 2nd Armoured Regiment. On 9 May 1945, only two Panzer IVs were left. Romania received another 50 captured Panzer IV tanks from the [[Red Army]] after the end of the war. These tanks were of many different models and were in very bad shape<ref name="Scafes and Serbanescu 2005, p.78"/>—many of them were missing parts and the side-skirts. These German T4 tanks remained in service until 1950, when the Army decided to use only Soviet equipment. By 1954, all German tanks in Romanian military service had been scrapped.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

==== Syria ====
[[File:Pz-IVG-latrun-2.jpg|thumb|An ex-Syrian Panzer IV at Yad La-Shiryon. Note the machine gun mount on the commander cupola.]]
While their numbers remain uncertain, Syria received around 60 Panzers that were refurbished in France between 1950 and 1952, followed by 50 others purchased from [[Czechoslovakia]] in 1954, per the Czechoslovakia-Syria arms deal.<ref>Naud, Phillipe (2011), "Les Blindes de Damas 1948–1967", in ''Steel Masters'' nº105, May–June 2011</ref> A Soviet 12.7mm [[DShK]] machine gun on an anti-aircraft mount was retrofitted on the cupola. These ex-German tanks were used to shell Israeli settlements below the [[Golan Heights]], together with Soviet-supplied T-34s, and were fired upon in 1965 during the [[War over Water (Jordan river)|Water War]] by Israeli [[Super Sherman]] and [[Centurion tank|Centurion]] tanks.<ref name="Perrett 1999, p. 44"/> Syria received 17 Panzer IVs from Spain, with these seeing combat during the [[Six-Day War]] in 1967.<ref>de Mazarrasa (1994), p. 50</ref> Panzer IVs also participated in 1973 [[Yom Kippur War]], with some dug in as pillboxes.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Zaloga |first=Steven |date=July 1995 |title=Strangers In a Strange Land: Early Syrian Armor 1948–56 |magazine=Museum Ordnance, Volume 5, Number 4 |location=Darlington, Maryland |publisher=Darlington Productions, Inc. |pages=5, 7}}</ref> Several of Syria's Panzer IVs were captured by the Israeli Army and donated to the [[Yad La-Shiryon]] museum, which later traded an Ausf H from this collection to the [[American Armored Foundation Tank Museum]] in [[Danville, Virginia]] in exchange for an [[M5 Stuart]].<ref name="AAF Ausf H">{{cite web |url=https://www.williammaloney.com/Aviation/AAFTankMuseum/GermanPanzerMkIV/index.htm |title=AAF American Armored Foundation Tank Museum – German WWII Panzer Mk IV Ausf H Medium Tank |last=Maloney |first=Bill |website=[[American Armored Foundation Tank Museum]] |date=19 November 2007 |access-date=8 October 2023}}</ref>

==== Turkey ====
In addition, Turkey was a buyer, with 35 Panzer IVs received until 4 May 1944 in exchange for some chromium ore. Delivery began with the Ausf. G and probably went on with Ausf. H versions.<ref>Official document in Turkish Republic Archive, BCA: 10.52.344.9</ref> Other sources state only 15 to 22 tanks were delivered in 1943, all of the Ausf G version.<ref name="B&B41">{{cite magazine|language=fr|title=Le Blindorama : La Turquie, 1935–/1945|magazine=Batailles & Blindés|issue=41|date=February 2011|publisher=Caraktère|issn=1765-0828|first=Yann|last=Mahé|pages=4–7}}</ref>

==== Ukraine ====
In 2023, during the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]], the wreckage of a Panzer IV, likely a former Syrian Army example,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Imgur |title=Panzer IV and its replicas |url=https://imgur.com/a/WHrtGoa |access-date=2025-09-12 |website=Imgur |language=en}}</ref> was discovered  near [[Kreminna]] by Russian forces.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=B. |first=Volodymyr |date=February 6, 2024 |title=Ghosts of World War II and Cold War in the fields of the Russian-Ukrainian war |url=https://militarnyi.com/en/articles/ghosts-of-world-war-ii-and-cold-war-in-the-fields-of-the-russian-ukrainian-war/ |access-date=September 12, 2025 |website=MILITARYNYI}}</ref> The tank was fitted with [[BMP-2]] [[Continuous track|treads]],<ref name=":0" /> and was used as either an [[Improvised fighting vehicle|improvised]] [[Armoured personnel carrier|APC]] or a decoy for Russian [[Drone warfare|drones]].<ref name=":0" /> The vehicle had been disabled by either a [[Land mine|landmine]] or a drone.<ref name=":0" />

===Captured Panzer IVs in service===
[[File:The British Army in Italy 1943 NA8065.jpg|thumb|220px|A captured German Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. G used for anti-tank weapons testing by the British Eighth Army in Italy in 1943]]
The Soviet Army captured significant numbers of German armoured vehicles, including Panzer IVs (its Russian designation was "T-4"). Some of them were pressed into temporary service and others were used for driver or anti-tank training. Sometimes, captured tanks were used in different temporary units or as single tanks. While captured Tiger I/IIs and Panthers were only permitted to be used until they irrecoverably broke down, the simplicity of the Panzer IV and the large number of captured parts allowed for long-term repair and continued use.{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}}

At least one captured Panzer IV Ausf. H was used by the Warsaw Tank Brigade of the Polish 2nd Corps in Italy during 1944.{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}} One Panzer IV Ausf. J was used by the 5th Independent Armored Artillery Divizion from 1945.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Zbigniew |first=Lalka |date=2007 |title=Poligon nr 3/2007 |journal=Poligon |volume=3}}</ref>

In December 1944 , the 1st GMR (Groupement Mobile de Reconnaissance) of the FFI (French Forces of the Interior), later called 'Escadron Autonome de Chars Besnier', was equipped with at least one Panzer IV.{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}}

===Reliability===
{{Panzer operational levels}}
From an after-action report submitted by PzRgt 6 on 23 July 1941:<br>
(The workshop company added some further notes:)

{{blockquote|In contrast to the deployment in the west, the large amount of dust generated in Russia caused disproportionately more engine damage. Almost all engine wear can be attributed to dust accumulation. This could have been reduced by carefully cleaning the air filters and changing the engine oil frequently. The regiment has been in uninterrupted combat for four weeks, so that too little time could be made available for this maintenance work. The mileage of the engines could have been increased by about 300km to 500&nbsp;km with appropriate care. The mileage in service of each PzKpfw totalled 1,100&nbsp;km to 1,500&nbsp;km. Damage to the running gear can be described as normal.<ref>Anderson, Thomas (2021). Panzer IV. Osprey Publishing page 164.</ref> }}

After that report from the units, the Inspector General of Armored Troops acknowledged this in a report, at 1944.05.06.:
Der Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppen-Leitender Kraftfahrzeugoffizer-Bb Nr. 3177/44
{{blockquote|The report confirms the opinion that thanks to the continuous improvement of its components, the life of the Panther tank has increased. The average lifespan of a Panther can now be roughly equal to that of a Panzer IV with around 1,500–2,000 kilometers between two major repair and maintenance processes.
And,
gearboxes also have a longer life. Even so, in several cases, at approximately 1500 km, the gear has broken down and the boxes have had to be replaced.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.panzer-elmito.org/tanques/panther/documentos/I-PzRgt2_22-4-1944_000.jpg |title=Für diese Domain wurden keine Inhalte hinterlegt |access-date=15 November 2021 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225003747/http://www.panzer-elmito.org/tanques/panther/documentos/I-PzRgt2_22-4-1944_000.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.panzer-elmito.org/tanques/panther/documentos/I-PzRgt2_22-4-1944_001.jpg |title=Für diese Domain wurden keine Inhalte hinterlegt |access-date=15 November 2021 |archive-date=5 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305180933/http://www.panzer-elmito.org/tanques/panther/documentos/I-PzRgt2_22-4-1944_001.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

==Variants==
[[File:SdKfz162.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Jagdpanzer IV]] tank destroyer, based on the Panzer IV chassis, mounting the 75 mm Pak L/48 anti-tank gun]]
[[File:Sturmpanzer.Saumur.0008gkp7.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Sturmpanzer IV|''Sturmpanzer'' IV]] infantry-support gun]]
[[File:Wirbelwind CFB Borden 2.jpg|thumb|right|The {{lang|de|[[Wirbelwind]]}} self-propelled anti-aircraft gun located at [[CFB Borden]]]]

In keeping with the wartime German design expediencies of mounting an existing anti-tank gun on a convenient chassis to give mobility, several tank destroyers and infantry support guns were built around the Panzer IV hull. Both the {{lang|de|[[Jagdpanzer IV]]}}, initially armed with the {{convert|75|mm|in|2|adj=on}} L/48 tank gun,<ref>Scheibert (1991), p. 38</ref> and the Krupp-manufactured {{lang|de|[[Sturmgeschütz IV]]}}, which was the casemate of the {{lang|de|[[Sturmgeschütz III]]}} mounted on the body of the Panzer IV,<ref>Scheibert (1991), p. 37</ref> proved highly effective in defense. Cheaper and faster to construct than tanks, but with the disadvantage of a very limited gun traverse, around 1,980 {{lang|de|Jagdpanzer}} IVs and 1,140 {{lang|de|Sturmgeschütz}} IVs were produced.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}} Another tank destroyer, the Panzer IV/70, used the same basic 75-millimeter L/70 gun that was mounted on the [[Panther tank|Panther]].<ref>Scheibert (1991), p. 44</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Jentz|first=Thomas L.|author2=Doyle, Hilary Louis|title=Panzer Tracts No. 9: Jagdpanzer, Jagdpanzer 38 to Jagdtiger |year=1997 |publisher=Darlington Productions |location=Darlington (MD) }}{{page needed|date=May 2020}}</ref>

The {{lang|de|Panzerbefehlswagen}} IV (Pz.&nbsp;Bef.&nbsp;Wg.&nbsp;IV) was a command tank. This conversion entailed the installation of additional radio sets with associated mounting racks, transformers, junction boxes, wiring, antennas and an auxiliary electrical generator. To make room for the new equipment, ammunition stowage was reduced from 87 to 72 rounds. The vehicle could coordinate with nearby armour, infantry or even aircraft. Seventeen {{lang|de|Panzerbefehlswagen}} were built on Ausf. J chassis in August and September 1944,<ref name="Panzer Tracts 23" /> while another 88 were based on refurbished chassis.<ref>Doyle & Jentz (2001), pp. 41–42</ref>

The {{lang|de|Panzerbeobachtungswagen}} IV (Pz.&nbsp;Beob.&nbsp;Wg.&nbsp;IV) was an [[Artillery observer|artillery observation]] vehicle built on the Panzer IV chassis. This, too, received new radio equipment and an electrical generator, installed in the left rear corner of the fighting compartment. {{lang|de|Panzerbeobachtungswagen}} worked in cooperation with [[Wespe]] and [[Hummel (artillery)|Hummel]] [[self-propelled artillery]] batteries.<ref>Doyle & Jentz (2001), pp. 42–43</ref>

The {{lang|de|[[Brummbär|Sturmpanzer IV]]}} (called "{{lang|de|Brummbär}}" by Allied intelligence) {{convert|150|mm|in|2|adj=on}} was an infantry-support self-propelled gun. These vehicles were primarily issued to four {{lang|de|Sturmpanzer}} units (Numbers 216, 217, 218 and 219) and used during the battle of Kursk and in Italy in 1943. Two separate versions of the {{lang|de|Sturmpanzer}} IV existed, one without a machine gun in the mantlet and one with a machine gun mounted on the mantlet of the casemate.<ref>Scheibert (1991), pp. 32–33</ref> Furthermore, a {{convert|105|mm|in|2|adj=on}} artillery gun was mounted in an experimental demountable turret on a Panzer IV chassis. This variant was called the {{lang|de|[[Heuschrecke 10|Heuschrecke]]}} ("grasshopper").<ref>Scheibert (1991). p. 43</ref> Another 105&nbsp;mm artillery/anti-tank prototype was the [[10.5 cm K gepanzerte Selbstfahrlafette|10.5&nbsp;cm K ''gepanzerte Selbstfahrlafette'']], nicknamed {{lang|de|Dicker Max}}, made in two examples, both used in the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]]. One caught fire, and the other one fought with success during [[Operation Barbarossa]] and [[Operation Blue]]; during [[Operation Blue]], it fought in the [[Battle of Stalingrad]].

Four different self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicles were built on the Panzer IV hull. The {{lang|de|Flakpanzer IV "[[Möbelwagen]]"}} ("moving van") was armed with a {{convert|37|mm|in|2|adj=on}} anti-aircraft cannon; 240 were built between 1944 and 1945. In late 1944 a new {{lang|de|Flakpanzer}}, the {{lang|de|[[Wirbelwind]]}} ("whirlwind"), was designed, with enough armour to protect the gun's crew in a rotating turret, armed with the {{lang|de|[[2 cm FlaK 30#2 cm Flakvierling 38|quadruple 20&nbsp;mm Flakvierling]]}} anti-aircraft cannon system; at least 100 were manufactured. Sixty-five (out of an order for 100) similar vehicles with a single 37&nbsp;mm anti-aircraft cannon were built named {{lang|de|[[Ostwind]]}} ("East wind"). This vehicle was designed to replace the {{lang|de|Wirbelwind}}. The final model was the {{lang|de|Flakpanzer}} IV {{lang|de|[[Kugelblitz (armoured fighting vehicle)|Kugelblitz]]}}, of which only five pilot vehicles were built. This vehicle featured an enclosed turret armed with twin {{convert|30|mm|in|2|adj=on}} [[Rheinmetall|Rheinmetall-Borsig]] [[MK 103 cannon|MK 103 aircraft cannon]].<ref>Scheibert (1991), pp. 37–42</ref>

Although not a direct modification of the Panzer IV, some of its components, in conjunction with parts from the Panzer III, were used to make one of the most widely used self-propelled artillery chassis of the war—the {{lang|de|Geschützwagen}} III/IV. This chassis was the basis of the {{lang|de|Hummel}}, of which 666 were built, and also the {{convert|88|mm|in|2|adj=on}} gun-armed {{lang|de|[[Nashorn]]}} tank destroyer, with 473 manufactured.<ref>Spielberger (1972), pp. 81–82</ref> To resupply self-propelled howitzers in the field, 150 ammunition carriers were manufactured on the {{lang|de|Geschützwagen}} III/IV chassis.<ref name="Spielberger 1972, p. 82"/>

The {{lang|de|Bergepanzer}} IV was a [[armoured recovery vehicle]]. Some were believed to have been converted locally,<ref>Perrett, Bryan ''Panzerkampfwagon IV Medium Tank 1936–45'' New Vanguard 28. Osprey Publishing 1999 {{page needed|date=May 2020}}</ref> 21 were converted from hulls returned for repair between October 1944 and January 1945. The conversion involved removing the turret and adding a wooden plank cover with an access hatch over the turret ring and the addition of a 2-ton jib crane and rigid towing bars.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

[[File:Aberdeen proving grounds 041.JPG|thumb|right|Panzer IV with hydraulic transmission]]
A rare variant was the Panzer IV {{lang|de|mit hydrostatischem Antrieb}}. In 1944, [[ZF Friedrichshafen|Zahnradfabrik]] (ZF) Augsburg plant produced a prototype with an unusual drive concept. A Panzer IV Ausf. H tank received a fluid drive instead of the normal gearbox. Two oil pumps were installed behind the engine, which in turn drove two oil engines. An [[axial engine]] drive transmitted the power to the rear drive wheels via a reduction gear. Instead of the two steering levers, the driver had a crescent-shaped steering wheel with the steering movements of which two steering cylinders were operated, which in turn regulated the volume of the oil pumps and thus regulated the adjacent force on the two drive wheels. The only prototype built was not used and was shipped to America after the war to be subjected to driving tests. These finally had to be discontinued due to a lack of spare parts. The only surviving vehicle is now in [[United States Army Ordnance Training and Heritage Center]] in Virginia.<ref>F. M. von Senger und Etterlin: ''Die deutschen Panzer 1926–1945.'' Bernard & Graefe Verlag, ISBN 3-7637-5988-3, S. 61–62.</ref>

===Production models===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Production models of Panzer IV<ref name="Panzer Tracts 23" />
! Name
! Production details
|-
|Ausf.A, ''1/BW'' ('''Sd.Kfz.161''')
|35 produced by Krupp-Gruson, between November 1937 and June 1938.
|-
|Ausf.B, ''2/BW''
|42 produced by Krupp-Gruson, from May to October 1938.
|-
|Ausf.C, ''3/BW''
|140 produced by Krupp-Gruson, from October 1938 to August 1939.
|-
|Ausf.D, ''4/BW + 5/BW''
| 200 + 48 produced by Krupp-Gruson, from October 1939 to October 1940.
|-
|Ausf.E, ''6/BW''
|206 produced by Krupp-Gruson, from October 1940 to April 1941.
|-
|Ausf.F, ''7/BW''
|471 produced by Krupp-Gruson, Vomag and Nibelungenwerke from April 1941 to March 1942.
|-
|Ausf.F2, ''7/BW Umbau'' ('''Sd.Kfz.161/1''')
|Temporary designation for Ausf F chassis built with long [[7.5 cm KwK 40 L/43]] main gun, later renamed into Ausf. G and 8/BW.
|-
|Ausf.G, ''8/BW''
|1,927 produced by Krupp-Gruson, Vomag and Nibelungenwerke from March 1942 to June 1943.
|-
|Ausf.H, ''9/BW'' ('''Sd.Kfz.161/2''')
|~2,324 produced by Krupp-Gruson, Vomag and Nibelungenwerke from June 1943 to February 1944.
|-
|Ausf.J, ''10/BW''
| ~3,160 produced by Nibelungenwerke and Vomag from February 1944 to April 1945.
|}

===Variants based on chassis===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Derivatives of Panzer IV
! Name
! Production details
|-
| {{lang|de|Tauchpanzer}} IV || 42 converted from July 1940 as submersible medium support tanks
|-
| {{lang|de|Panzerbefehlswagen}} || Command tank with additional radio equipment, 17 built on Ausf. J and further 88 on rebuilt chassis
|-
| {{lang|de|Panzerbeobachtungswagen}} IV || Artillery spotter tank with special radio equipment, 133 converted from Ausf. J
|-
| {{lang|de|[[Sturmpanzer IV]]}} || Heavy Assault gun armed with 150&nbsp;mm Infantry gun
|-
| {{lang|de|[[Sturmgeschütz IV]]}} || Assault gun, similar to StuG III, armed with 7.5&nbsp;cm gun
|-
| {{lang|de|[[Jagdpanzer IV]]}} and Panzer IV/70 || Tank destroyer armed with 7.5&nbsp;cm gun
|-
| {{lang|de|[[Nashorn]]}} || Heavy Panzerjäger armed with 8.8&nbsp;cm Anti-tank gun
|-
| {{lang|de|[[Hummel (vehicle)|Hummel]]}} || Self-propelled artillery armed with 150&nbsp;mm Howitzer
|-
| {{lang|de|[[Flakpanzer IV]]}} || Multiple variants of Panzer IV chassis armed with various Flak guns, including the [[Wirbelwind]], [[Ostwind]], and [[Kugelblitz (armoured fighting vehicle)|Kugelblitz]]
|-
| {{lang|de|Brückenleger}} IV b+c || 20+4 bridge layer tanks built by Krupp and Magirus, on Ausf.C and Ausf.D chassis, from February to May 1940
|-
| {{lang|de|Brückenleger}} IV s ({{lang|de|Sturmstegpanzer}}) || 4 assault bridge carriers converted from Ausf.C chassis in 1940
|-
| {{lang|de|Bergepanzer}} IV || 21 armoured recovery vehicles converted from Pz IV chassis from October to December 1944
|-
| Panzer IV {{lang|de|mit hydrostatischem Antrieb}} || 1 Panzer IV Ausf. H with a [[hydraulic drive]] by [[ZF Friedrichshafen|Zahnradfabrik]] in 1944
|-
| {{lang|de|Munitionsschlepper}} IV
|22 Ausf. D, E and F chassis tanks modified to supply & load [[Karl-Gerät]] weapons with ammunition.
|}

==See also==
* [[List of military vehicles of World War II]]
* [[List of World War II military vehicles of Germany]]
* [[List of Sd.Kfz. designations]]
* [[Panzer III/IV]]

===Tanks of comparable role, performance and era===
{{Div col|colwidth=25em}}
* British [[Cavalier tank|Cavalier]]
* British [[Cromwell tank|Cromwell]]
* Canadian [[Ram tank|Ram II]] (up to Ausf. G variant)
* Canadian [[Grizzly I cruiser|Grizzly I]]
* Hungarian [[40M Turán|Turán III]]
* Italian [[P26/40 tank|Carro Armato P 40]]
* Japanese [[Type 2 Ho-I]] (up to Ausf. D variant)
* Japanese [[Type 1 Chi-He]] (up to Ausf. E variant)
* Japanese [[Type 3 Chi-Nu]]
* Romanian [[1942 medium tank (Romania)|1942 medium tank]] (proposal)
* Soviet [[T-28 (medium tank)|T-28]] (up to Ausf. D variant)
* Soviet [[T-34]]
* Swedish [[Stridsvagn m/42]]
* United States [[M3 Lee]]
* United States [[M4 Sherman]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
===Footnotes===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
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* {{Cite book
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 | url-access = registration
 | url = https://archive.org/details/panzerkriegrisef0000mcca
 }}
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{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|auto=y}}
*[http://www.museedesblindes.fr/en/l-atelier-du-musee-des-blindes/restaurations/item/panzer-iv-sd-kfz-161?category_id=2 The Restoration of a panzer IV in running condition to the Tank Museum of Saumur]
*[https://www.beachesofnormandy.com/articles/The_Germanworkhorse_Panzer_IV?id=1ee467e936 The German workhorse: Panzer IV]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waW1-UeGawQ Why the Panzer IV was NOT the Workhorse of the Wehrmacht]
{{WWIIGermanAFVs}}
{{WWIIRomanianAFVs}}
{{WWII tanks|style=wide}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Panzer IV}}
[[Category:Medium tanks of Germany]]
[[Category:Medium tanks of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1930s]]
[[Category:World War II medium tanks]]
[[Category:World War II tanks of Germany]]
[[Category:History of the tank]]
[[Category:Krupp]]