Tanks

PJthough not as common in panzergrenadier formations as they should have been - assault guns like the StuG III were more usual, as tanks were diverted to full panzer divisions as

Below: A panzergrenadier squad move cautiously through a village on the Vorouez Front in January 1943. They are supported by a Stug III armed with a L/24 short barrelled 7.5cm gun. They were often attached to panzergrenadier units instead of tanks.

Wespe

Crew: 5

Maximum road speed: 40km/h (25mph)

Maximum range: 140km {87 miles)

Weight: 11.5 tonnes (11.3 tons)

Armament: One 105mm gun, one 7.92mm (0.31 in) MG

¦  Pz Kpfw III Ausf M

Crew: 5; Weight: 22,300kg (22 tons); Length: (including gun) 6.41m (19.5ft), Hull 5.52m (16.8ft); Widtei: 2.95m (9ft);

Height: 2.50m (7.6ft); Armour: 50mm front, 20mm sides; Armament: 50mm KwK 39 L/60 cannon, 2 x 7.92mm MG; Powerplant: Maybach HL 120 12 cyclinder petrol engine - 140hp; Performance: Speed (road): 40 kmh. Range (road) 175km

The real workhorse of the German panzer forces was the Pz Kphv IV, which remained in production throughout the war and, continually up-gunned and up-armoured, gave excellent and reliable service in all theatres. The Pz Kpfw IV was the tank most commonly found equipping panzer-grenadier divisions. It was a match for most Allied tanks when it was armed with the long-barrelled 75mm KwK 40 L/48, as most were by the war’s end. Despite the increased strain put on the powerplant by the constant growth in its armour protection, it remained a tank with good mobility.

¦  Pz Kpfw IV Ausf H

Crew: 5; Weight: 25,000kg (24.6 tons); Length: (including gun) 7.02m (21.4ft), Hull 5.89m (18ft); Width: 3.29m (10ft); Height: 2.68m (8.2ft); Armour: 70mm front, 30mm sides; Armament: 75mm KwK 40 L/48 gun, 2 x 7.92mm MG; Powerplant: Maybach HL 120 12 cyclinder petrol engine - 300hp; Performance: Speed (road): 24 kmh, Range (road) 200km

The Pz Kpfw V Panther was the best German tank of the war. It was arguably the best tank of the war and combined fearsome firepower, excellent armour protection and reasonable mobility. The tank, however, was very complex, which led to mechanical failures and slowed production. By the end of 1944 the well-equipped Grossdeutschland Panzer Regiment’s IsL Battalion contained four companies of Panthers.

¦ Pz KpfwV Panther Ausf A

Crew: 5; Weight: 45,500kg (44.8 tons); Length: (including gun) 8.86m (27ft), Hull 6.88m (21ft); Width: 3.43m (10.5ft); Height: 3.10m(9.4ft); Armour: 80mm front, 45mm sides; Armament: 75mm KwK 42 L/70 cannon, 2 x 7.92mm MG; Powerplant: Maybach HL 230 P 30 12 cylinder engine - 700hp; Performance: Speed (road): 46 kmh. Range (road) 177km