Poland, September 1939. The crew of a German PzKpfw IV ausf B or C* restock on ammo.
This photo provides an excellent, detailed view of an early version of the German Panzer IV. At the time, armed with a short barrel, low velocity 7.5cm KwK L/24 howitzer, the Panzer IV was used mainly as an infantry support tank, the battle tank role being entrusted to the PzKpfw III and its high velocity 3.7 and later 5 cm gun.
Initially, the German military considered the PzKpfw III to be superior to the PzKpfw IV but as the war progressed and enemy armor evolved, the need for heavier armament became a priority, and the larger hull and turret ring of the PzKpfw IV allowed for the installation of a long barrel, high velocity 7.5 cm gun, something the PzKpfw III could not support (although later on the Ausf. N variant was equipped with a short barrel, low velocity 7.5 cm gun).
As a result, by 1943 the PzKpfw III was deemed obsolete as a battle tank and relegated to secondary roles.
Camo: Dunkelbraun Nr. 45 (dark brown) and Dunkelgrau Nr. 46 (dark grey). The dark brown colour is usually very difficult to distinguish from the panzer grey on black-and-white photographs (and even colour ones). Most photographs, therefore, appear to show the vehicles painted in a single colour.
*The presence or absence of an armored sleeve around the coaxial mg34 is the only external difference between an ausf. C and a B. In my opinion, the mg is unfortunately covered by a protective cloth.
