Panzerkampfwagen IV

The Panzerkampfwagen IV (SdKfz 161, PzKpfw IV or Pz IV) was a German medium tank, the first variants of which were developed from late 1934 in Germany. The first prototypes were created at the turn of 1935/1936, serial production began in the fall of 1937. During the first years of production, it was produced in low numbers (dozens to low hundreds of pieces per year), larger production did not begin until 1941. It was initially intended to support infantry , but it gradually became the main German battle tank. It was the only one of all German tank types to be produced and at the same time used throughout the Second World War. The most numerous were the H and J versions with a long barrel. The Pz IV tanks were powerful and reliable and were at least equal opponents to most tanks of the time.