Education, History

German T-4 tank: tactical and technical characteristics

No one at the Krupp plant in 1936 could have guessed that this massive machine, equipped with a short-barreled infantry support gun and considered to be auxiliary, would be so widely used in the German army. With the final result of 9000 units, it became the most massive tank ever produced in Germany, whose production, despite the shortage of materials, grew to the very last days of World War II in Europe.

Working horse of the Wehrmacht

Despite the fact that military vehicles appeared more modern than the German T-4 tank - the Tiger, the Panther and the Royal Tiger - it was not only a large part of the Wehrmacht's weapons, but also part of many elite SS divisions. The recipe for success was probably in a large shell and tower, ease of maintenance, reliability and reliable chassis, which allowed to expand the array of weapons, compared with the Panzer III. From model A to F1, early modifications using a short 75mm barrel were gradually replaced by "long" ones, from F2 to H, with a very efficient high-speed gun inherited from Pak 40 that could cope with Soviet KV-1 and T -34. In the end, the German T-4 tank (pictured in the article) completely outperformed the Panzer III both in numbers and in its capabilities.

Design of the prototype "Krupp"

Initially, it was assumed that the German T-4 tank, whose technical characteristics were determined in 1934 by the Waffenamt, would act as an "escort vehicle" to conceal its true role, prohibited by the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

Participation in the development of the concept was accepted by Heinz Guderian. This new model was to become an infantry support tank and deployed in the rear of the tank divisions. It was planned that at the level of the battalion one such machine should be accounted for every three Panzer III. Unlike the T-3, equipped with a variant of the standard 37-mm Pak 36 gun with good anti-tank characteristics, the short trunk of the Panzer IV howitzer could be used against all types of fortifications, blockhouses, dots, anti-tank guns and artillery positions.

At first, the weight limit of the combat vehicle was 24 tons. The companies MAN, Krupp and Rheinmetall-Borsig created three prototypes, and Krupp received the main contract. The suspension was first completely new, with six alternating wheels. Later, the army demanded the installation of spring springs, which provided the best vertical deviation. Compared with the previous system, this made the course smoother, but the need for a new tank stopped further development. Krupp returned to a more traditional system with four twin wheeled carriages and leaf springs, facilitating maintenance. The crew of five people was planned - three were in the tower (the commander, charging and the gunner), and the driver with the radio operator - in the case. The fighting compartment was relatively spacious, with improved sound insulation of the rear engine compartment. The German T-4 tank inside (photo in the material illustrates this) was equipped with an on-board communication system and a radio.

Although this is not very noticeable, but the Panzer IV case is asymmetric, the tower is shifted by 6.5 cm to the left, and the engine - to 15 cm to the right. This was done in order to directly connect the ring of the tower with the transmission for faster rotation. As a result, boxes with ammunition were located on the right.

The prototype, designed and built in 1936 at the Krupp AG plant in Magdeburg, was designated by the Land Forces Armament Department as Versuchskraftfahrzeug 622. Nevertheless, in the new pre-war nomenclature, it quickly became known as Pz.Kpfw.IV (Sd.Kfz. 161).

The tank had a Maybach HL108TR gasoline engine with a capacity of 250 liters. With., And a box SGR 75 with five front and one rear gears. The maximum test speed on a flat surface was 31 km / h.

75-mm gun - low-speed Kampfwagenkanone (KwK) 37 L / 24. This gun was intended for shooting with high-explosive projectiles on concrete fortifications. Nevertheless, some anti-tank capability was provided by the armor-piercing projectile Panzergranate, whose speed reached 440 m / s. He could pierce a 43-mm steel sheet at a distance of 700 m. Two MG-34 machine guns completed the armament, one coaxial and the other in the front of the machine.

In the first batch of Type A tanks, the thickness of the shell armor did not exceed 15 mm and the tower - 20 mm. Although it was hardened steel, such protection could withstand only light firearms, light artillery and grenade launcher fragments.

Early "short" preliminary series

The German T-4 A was a kind of preliminary series of 35 units produced in 1936. The next was Ausf. B with a modified commander's dome, a new engine Maybach HL 120TR, developing capacity of 300 liters. With., As well as a new transmission SSG75.

Despite the additional weight, the maximum speed increased to 39 km / h, and protection was strengthened. The thickness of the armor reached 30 mm in the frontal oblique body part and 15 mm in other places. In addition, the machine gun was protected by a new hatch.

After the release of 42 cars, production switched to a German T-4 C tank. The thickness of the armor on the tower increased to 30 mm. The total weight was 18.15 tons. After the delivery of 40 units in 1938, the tank was improved by installing a new Maybach HL 120TRM engine for the next hundred vehicles. It is quite logical that the modification of D. followed. "Dora" can be distinguished by the newly installed machine gun and the outward embrasure. The thickness of the side armor increased to 20 mm. In total, 243 cars of this model were manufactured, the last of which - in the beginning of 1940. Modification D was the last pre-series, after which the command decided to increase the scale of production.

Standardization

The German T-4 E tank was the first large-scale series that was launched during the war. Although many studies and reports indicate the insufficient penetrating power of the 37mm Panzer III gun, its replacement was impossible. In search of a solution for carrying out tests for one prototype Panzer IV Ausf. D, a modification of the medium-speed 50-mm gun Pak 38 was installed. The original order for 80 units was canceled after the end of the French campaign. In tank battles, in particular, against the British "Matilda" and the French "B1 bis", it was finally found out that the thickness of the armor is insufficient, and the penetrating power of the gun is weak. In Ausf. E there was a short-barreled gun KwK 37L / 24, but the thickness of the front armor was increased to 50 mm, with 30 mm steel plates as a temporary measure. By April 1941, when this modification was replaced by Ausf. F, its production reached 280 units.

The latest "short" model

Another modification significantly changed the German T-4 tank. The characteristics of the early model F, renamed F1 at the appearance of the next, have changed due to the replacement of the front cover plate with a 50 mm plate and the increase in the thickness of the side parts of the hull and tower to 30 mm. The total weight of the tank increased to more than 22 tons, which caused other changes, such as an increase in the width of the tracks from 380 to 400 mm to reduce ground pressure with the corresponding replacement of two tension and drive wheels. F1 was produced in an amount of 464 units before its replacement in March 1942.

The first "long"

Even with the Panzergranate armor-piercing projectile, the low-speed Panzer IV could not withstand well-armored tanks. In the context of the forthcoming campaign in the USSR, a decision was to be taken to upgrade the T-3 tank. The now available Pak 38L / 60 gun, the effectiveness of which was confirmed, was intended for installation in the Panzer IV tower. In November 1941, the creation of the prototype was completed, and production was planned. But during the first battles with Soviet KV-1 and T-34, the manufacture of a 50-mm cannon, also used in Panzer III, was discontinued in favor of a new, more powerful Rheinmetall model based on a 75 mm caliber Pak 40L / 46 gun. This led to the appearance of KwK 40L / 43, a relatively long caliber equipped with a muzzle brake, which allowed to reduce the return. The initial speed of the projectile Panzergranade 39 exceeded 990 m / s. He could pierce 77-mm armor at a distance of up to 1,850 m. After the creation in February 1942 of the first prototype, the production of F2 began. By July, they had produced 175 units. In June, the German T-4 F2 tank was renamed to T-4 G, but for both waffenamt both types were designated as Sd.Kfz.161 / 1. In some documents, the model is called F2 / G.

Transitional model

The German T-4G tank was an improved variant of F2 with changes related to the saving of metal by using progressive frontal armor thickened at the base. The frontal glacis was reinforced with a new 30 mm plate, which in total increased the thickness to 80 mm. This was enough to successfully confront the Soviet 76-mm gun and 76.2-mm anti-tank gun. At first they decided to bring this standard to only half the production, but in January 1943 Adolf Hitler personally gave the order for a complete transition. However, the weight of the car increased to 23.6 tons, revealing the limited chassis and transmission capabilities.

The German T-4 tank underwent considerable changes. The tower viewing gaps were eliminated, engine ventilation and ignition at low temperatures were improved, additional holders for spare wheels and staples for crawler links on the glacier were installed. They also served as temporary protection. The headlights were updated, the armored dome was strengthened and modified.

In later versions, in the spring of 1943, side armor appeared on the hull and on the tower, as well as smoke grenade launchers. But most importantly, there was a new, more powerful gun KwK 40L / 48. After the production of 1275 standard and 412 improved tanks, the production shifted towards the Ausf.H model.

Basic version

The German T-4 N tank (pictured below) was equipped with a new long-barreled gun KwK 40L / 48. Further changes related to facilitating production - side viewing slots were removed, common parts were used with Panzer III. In total, until the next modification of Ausf. J in June 1944, 3774 vehicles were assembled.

In December 1942 Krupp received an order for a tank with fully inclined armor, due to the extra weight required to develop a new chassis, transmission and, possibly, an engine. Nevertheless, production began with an updated version of Ausf.G. The German T-4 tank received a new ZF Zahnradfabrik SSG-76 gearbox, a new set of radio stations (FU2 and 5, and intercom). The thickness of the frontal armor increased to 80 mm without overhead sheets. The weight H reached 25 tons in combat gear, and the maximum speed dropped to 38 km / h, and in real combat conditions - up to 25 km / h, and much less over rough terrain. By the end of 1943, the German T-4 N tank was covered with "Cimmerit" paste, air filters were refreshed, and an anti-aircraft machine for the MG 34 was installed on the tower.

The last simplified model

The last tank, the German T-4 J, assembled at Nibelungwerke in St. Valentine, Austria, as Vomag and Krupp now performed other tasks, and was subjected to simplifications that were more mass-produced and rarely supported by crews. For example, the electric drive of the tower was removed, the aiming was carried out manually, which allowed to increase the volume of the fuel tank by 200 liters, increasing the operating range to 300 km. Other modifications included the removal of the tower viewing window, loopholes and antiaircraft machine in favor of attaching a smoke grenade launcher. "Tsimmerit" was no longer used, as were the anti-cumulative "skirts" of Schürzen, replaced by cheaper mesh panels. The engine cooler housing has also been simplified. The drive lost one reverse roller. Two silencers with flame arresters appeared, as well as a fastener for a 2-ton crane. In addition, the SSG 77 transmission from Panzer III was used, although it was clearly overloaded. Despite these casualties, due to the constant bombing of the Allies, supplies were in jeopardy, and in total until the end of March 1945, only 2,970 tanks out of 5,000 planned were built.

Modifications

Jagdpanzer IV is probably the best and most frightening T-4 tank, a low and very effective hunter, especially comfortable in Italy and Normandy. Since 1943, 1980 units have been built.
Sturmgeschütz IV - assault tank with the already proven superstructure and armament of Sturmgeschütz III. 1140 cars have been created.
Panzerbefehlswagen IV is a command post equipped with a set of radio stations, a full set of electronics and wiring. Used to coordinate artillery support, infantry, as well as to support from the air tank divisions. Capacious and reliable - this is probably the best German military command tank.
Panzerbeobachtungswagen IV is a well-equipped vehicle for artillery surveillance, along with Wespe and the Hummel SAU.
Sturmpanzer IV Brummbär - one of the most impressive German ACS with a 150-mm cannon, served as a prototype for the creation of Heuschrecke and Dicker Max.
Flakpanzer IV Möbelwagen - served as air defense support with a single 37 mm gun. It was produced in 1944-45 (240 units) to compensate for the loss of superiority in the air.
Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind is an air defense device equipped with an ultra-efficient four-barrel 20-mm Flakvierling. More than 100 units have been produced. Another 66 units equipped with a 37-mm cannon were called Ostwind.
Geschützwagen III / IV Hummel - ACS on Panzer IV chassis and with Panzer III parts. Made more than 666 units, one of the most successful German ACS for all time.
Panzerjager III / IV Nashorn is an extremely successful tank fighter equipped with the legendary 88-mm gun. Cost less than the Tiger. Production of 473 cars.
Geschützwagen III / IV Schlepper - produced 150 units with the same layout.
Bergepanzer IV is a German armored recovery vehicle, more powerful than versions based on the Panzer III. In limited quantities, amphibians Panzerfahre and Landwasserschlepper were also produced.
Bruckenleger IV - bridge-laying machine. The length of the bridge was 56 m. 24 units were manufactured.