At the origin the specifications of the future Panzer IV were emitted by the Colonel-General Heinz Guderian in 1930. This tank was with Panzer III to constitute the principal element of Panzerdivisions rejecting Panzer I and Panzer II to a role of training or reconaissance. The original role of this tank was the destroy of the opposing anti-tank weapons out of reach other German models. To carry out this target it was to be armed with the howitzer of 75 mm L/24. It thus acts in the beginning of a tank of support. The development of this medium tank (class of the 20 tons) began under the denomination from "medium farm tractor" because of the prohibition made in Germany build tanks by the winners of 14-18 (Treaty of Versailles). However from the accession of Hitler to the head of the country, the German army launches out in 1934 in vast and very secret program of rearmament. Krupp and Rheinmetall-Borsig receive the specifications of a tank of battle under the name of code "Bataillonsführerwagen" (tank of commander of battalion) or more simply BW. In 1935, Rheinmetall-Borsig proposes a prototype, the VK 2001 (Rh) using the suspension which in the beginning had been developed for the heavy tank Neubaufahrzeug. However this prototype will be abandoned to the profit of the model of Krupp (this one will use however certain equipment of its competitor).

Prototype VK 2001 (Rh) of Rheinmetall firm.

src: site "Achtung Panzer "

The model of Krupp made its appearance in 1936 under designation of Versuchskraftfahrzeug 622 (given by Heereswaffenamt - Department of the armoured vehicles) but was baptized by its originator, Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf.A. The shielding of this first model was very (too much) light, especially taking into consideration that of the last model of the series. Only one small number (35) of this tank which was in fact a model of preproduction was produced.

Comparison enters the model of origin and the ultimate models of the series.

src: Vincent Bourguignon

The suspension used by Krupp was extremely similar to that used by the vehicles of railroad, consistent in 2 X 4 bogies with spring in the form of quarter of ellipse. It should be noted that the arrangement total of Panzer IV including dimensions - the disposition of the crew, of the tools... - will hardly change throughout the production. The change will relate mainly to the length of the gun, the equipment of vision and the thickness of the shielding.

In an aim of rationalization, Panzer IV included many elements coming from Panzer III like the machine-gun of hull, the valves of vision of the turret, the hatches of turret, the cupola of commander, the ports of pistol shooting... Moreover inside many mechanical components were similar between the two vehicles. The principal purpose of this standardization of the material was to facilitate and increase the mass production of tanks.

Panzer IV because of its number will become the war-horse of Panzerdivisons.

src: "La Deuxième guerre mondiale " Ed. Christophe Colomb

It should not be forgotten that Panzer IV was developed before Panzer III, this established fact will still reproduce with Panzer VI Tiger and Panzer V Panther. This tank east considered by much the first genuine modern tank of the story of the armoured tanks and had very appreciable capacities of combat and mobility. Although the Germans considered at the beginning of the war Panzer III more completed, Panzer IV had the advantage to have broader hull and turret ring allowing the use of larger gauges. In half of the conflict, Panzer IV had definitively taken the top becoming thus the war-horse of Panzerdivisions and was the German tank more produced during the Second World War. This fact a very high number of conversions was produced being the proof of the number of hulls available. This excellent tank definitely more reliable than its big brothers Panther, Tiger and Königstiger was one of the best tanks of the second world war, mobility, reliability and fire power point of view, and will remain very useful for the German units throughout the war even if its supremacy on the battle fields will be harshly called into question to see cancelled by the improvement of the ennemy models like Sherman(76) or T-34/76. Panzer IV will remain in service in many armies after the war, especially in the Middle East until 1967!