03/03/2025
The Panzer IV for Germany and the T34 for the Soviet Union formed the backbone of their armored divisions for much of the war. These were the most widely produced, cost effective, longest serving and successful tanks for Germany and the Soviet Union.
In the early stages of the war, Panzer leader General Heinz Guderian asserted that the T-34 had vast superiority over contemporary German tanks.
It was faster, far more mobile off-road, easier to maintain, better armored and had a better gun.
The shock of encountering the Soviet T-34 and KV1 tanks made the Germans quickly develop a newly mounted gun capable of piercing the Soviet armor.
In Early 1942, the Panzer IV was equipped with a long barrel high velocity 75 millimeter L43 cannon and the improved variant was designated as model F2.
This was able to pe*****te the T34s armor at all angles from distances up to 1000m.
In late 1942, the Model G was initially equipped with the same L43 gun but was later upgraded to a more powerful, longer 75 millimeter, L48 cannon.
The introduction of the T-34/85 with a longer 85 millimeter cannon, created in 1943 and entering mainline service in 1944 was the Soviet response to keeping it competitive.
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