SD:Panther D

Panther D is a medium German tank fielded by the Germans from mid-1943 onwards. The tank was developed in response to the Germans encountering the Soviet T-34 tank, which in 1941 and 1942 outclassed the then available German tanks, the Panzer IIIs and Panzer IVs. The Panther tank was considered by many to be the best medium tank in the Second World War, combining good mobility with effective frontal sloping armour and a lethal anti-tank gun. It can penetrate the front armour of nearly all Allied tanks it encounters in long-range engagements, the only exception being the Sherman Jumbo. While the ‘big cats’ are usually only fielded in phase C, the Panther D is a notable exception to this rule and can be deployed in phase B, making it a formidable foe to counter.

Overview
Each Panzer Division should have one Abteilung with Panther and the other with Panzer IV.

1. SS-Panzer deployed 72 Panthers to the Normandy Campaign. While 12. SS-Panzer deployed 66 Panthers to the Normandy Campaign. These tanks includs tanks shipped over during the Normandy Campaign.

Strategy
The Panther D's armor is slightly thinner than the other Panther variants it possesses a slightly less accurate gun, but makes up for this due to it being available from phase B onward. Its powerful gun allows it to destroy nearly any vehicle it encounters, while its 13 frontal armor ensures reliable protection from a wide range of Allied anti-tank units. The player, however, must be careful at all times as to not expose the sides of the panther as they can be very easily penetrated.

The Panther D (and other variants) should be mainly employed in long-range engagements against enemy armor on open grounds. Its gun is less effective against soft targets such as infantry and anti-tank guns.