- For the Steel Division: Normandy 44 unit see SD:Panzer IV H
Panzer IV H is a German Tank unit in Steel Division II.
Background[ | ]
The workhorse of the Nazi war machine, Panzer IV started its long service in 1936 as a fire support tank, equipped with a short-barreled 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 howitzer. In this role, Panzer IV would focus on taking out enemy fortifications, anti-tank emplacements, and infantry from a long range, protecting the lighter, faster Panzer III tanks focusing on taking out enemy armor. However, following Fall Barbarossa and the shock of fighting against superior Soviet tanks, it quickly displaced Panzer III as the primary battle tank. Krupp's design was larger, sturdier, and could readily accept significant armor upgrades and long-barreled guns capable of defeating Soviet armor. The Panzer IV chassis was used as the base for many other fighting vehicles. 8,553 Panzer IVs of all versions were built during World War II, a production run in Axis forces only exceeded by the StuG III assault gun with 10,086 vehicles. A significant number of these tanks was also transferred to Axis allies and continued to used in various militaries worldwide after the War ended.
The Panzer IV Ausf. H entered production in June 1943 and featured several upgrades, including a single plate glacis, reinforced final drive with higher gear rations, factory-applied Zimmerit magnetic coating, and pre-mounted Schurzen on the turret and sides of the vehicle to act as protection against HEAT warheads and anti-tank rifles. A total of 3774 Panzer IV H tanks were produced, seeing combat on all fronts of the war.
Usage[ | ]
116. Panzer's Panzer IV Abteilungen was the II./Panzer Regiment 16
21. Panzer's Panzer Regiment 100 which was renamed to Panzer Regiment 22 was equipped with Panzer IV
Panzer-Lehr's II./Panzer-Lehr-Regiment 130 were equipped with Panzer IV.
20. Panzer's only Panzer Abteilungen since the rest was in Germany refitting was equipped with a mixture of Panzer III, Panzer IV and T-34. Kampfgruppe Brausch from 20. Panzer supported 1 Blindata "România Mare" during the counterattack in the Soviet offensive.
5. Panzer's II./Panzer Regiment 31 was equipped with Panzer IV.
4 Munte were supported by a armored battlegroup from 13. Panzer Division.
3rd company I./SS-Pz.Rgt.5 of 5. SS-Panzer "Wiking" was equipped with 22 Panzer IV H.
Panzergrenadier "Großdeutschland"'s Panzer Regiment has a Abteilungen equipped with Panzer IV H.
Panzerdivision Tatra was made up of Kampfgruppe Ohlen which had Panzer Kompanie Gutschmidt which had 8 Panzer 38(t) and a mixture of Panzer III and Panzer IV.
Sperrverband Kessel command KG Gradel which had a Armored Group from II/4 Panzer Regiment. These Group had some Panzer IV.
16. Panzer's II./Panzer Regiment 2 was equipped with Panzer IV.
Strategy[ | ]
Deutsche warhorse, getting tired in 1944[ | ]
Not like in Normandy, Panzer IV H in Belarus was proved to be more incompetent facing Russian iron tie. When fight against T-34/85 front to front, Panzer IV H has no chance to win from range 500-2000 meters. You may find your Panzer IV H cannot penetrate Russian tanks` front armour, even with number advantage on your side. Though in real world, Panzer IV H has advantage on aiming accuracy due to optical instruments while T-34/85 could not fire in that long range at Panzer IV to achieve hit, in this game T-34/85 is given 50% accuracy compared only 40% accuracy given to Panzer IV. Lower accuracy and penetration number means using Panzer IV H would be much harder. My advice, using Panzer IV H wisely, try to flank enemy (though its speed is not high enough), and shoot T-34/85`s side-armour. Most of time, use this tank as infantry supporter, leave Russian tanks to Flak 88 or Panzerfaust/Panzerschreck.
Panzer IV's battle advantage[ | ]
Despite Panzer IV Hs is relatively useless against any Soviet medium tanks in 1944, their massive number can still make up their shortcomings. Namely, in late game, large number of Panzer IVs with the support of anti-tank air units and heavy tanks can deliver massive desturction over enemy's infantry by using their HE. Their AP shells, despite not effective can still stun most of the Soviet tanks and force them to withdraw.