Panzer IV tank - Germany: books - history and technology

Panzer IV und seine Abarten (Spielberger)

Der von 1937 bis zum Kriegsende produzierte Panzerkampfwagen IV wurde anfangs nur in geringen Stückzahlen hergestellt, aber schliesslich mit 8500 Exemplaren der meistgebaute deutsche Panzer.
Mit kurzer Kanone war er ursprünglich als Unterstützungsfahrzeug gedacht, jedoch änderte sich sein Einsatzspektrum mit dem Einbau einer langen Kanone grundlegend. Er war in der zweiten Kriegshälfte der wichtigste deutsche Panzer.

Mit Fotos, Risszeichnungen und technischen Daten dokumentierte Panzer-Experte Walter J. Spielberger die Prototypen-Entwicklung, die verschiedenen Entwürfe sowie die Serienausfertigungen. Angereichert mit über 40 neuen Bildern.

Panzer IV & Its Variants (Spielberger)

With emphasis on detail this book from the Spielberger series shows in factory, test and combat photographs, and detailed line drawings, all production models, prototypes and modifications of the Panzer IV tank. Covers also all variations, including all vehicles that used the Panzer IV chassis.

The OKH Toy Factory - The Nibelungenwerk: Tank Production in St. Valentin

In the village of St. Valentin in the western part of Lower Austria a major defense industry developed during WW II. The Nibelungen Werk was planned under the code name "Spielwarenfabrik" (Toy Factory) as the largest and most modern German tank assembly plant with generous settlement systems. In spite of wartime restrictions during the construction and during the production the plant eventually became during the production period 1941-1945 the most important and largest manufacturer of the Panzerkampfwagen IV. Today agricultural tractors are produced in the remaining buildings.

The author grew up in the immediate vicinity of the former Nibelungen Werk and some of his family members have worked in this factory. He has succeeded to collect an important number of pictures from public and private archives.
This book will give the interested reader a very detailed insight into the formation and in the operation of this tank assembly plant. This detailed historical documentation is underlined by the presentation of mostly unpublished images and documentary material from the company archives.

Panzerkampwagen IV and its Variants 1935-1945 (Book 2) (Spielberger)

This book is the final documentation on the Panzerkampfwagen IV series, the most often-built German tank of World War II and presents the exact chronology of the vehicle's development from 1935-45, plus many hitherto unknown and pioneering test vehicles.
The authors discuss the origin of the “Large Tractor”, the so-called Neubau (New-Built) Vehicle and the attempts in 1944 to install the 7.5 cm Kampfwagenkanone 42 L/70 of the “Panther” onto the Panzer IV. The authors have dedicated an entire chapter to armament, and action in all war theaters.

Panzer IV

The Panzer IV programme was started in 1934, forming, alongside the Panzer IIs and IIIs, the schnellen Truppen, the force that was to become the Panzerwaffe.
At first, German planners envisioned the tank in a secondary role, but during the invasions of The Low Countries and France, it took on a more central role. When the Panzerwaffe turned east to attack the Soviet Union, the Panzer IV initially fared poorly against the better-armed T-34.

However, upgrades to its gun and armour protection saw it perform far better, not only against Soviet armour but also against British and American tanks in North Africa and Italy. In 1944, it was slowly replaced by the Panzer V Panther, but the dire strategic situation meant that it bore the brunt of the Allied D-Day invasion and its aftermath, and it remained in service until the end of the war.

Fully illustrated throughout with contemporary photographs, this fascinating study from German armour expert Thomas Anderson tells the complete story of Germany's most widely produced tank of World War II, from its design and development to its many upgrades and variants.

Panzerkampfwagen IV : The Backbone of Germanys WWII Tank Forces (Legends of Warfare)

The Panzerkampfwagen IV, or Panzer IV as it is more popularly known, formed the backbone of Germany's tank formations during WWII. With production totaling more than 8,500, the Panzer IV was the most plentiful German tank of the war, and the only German tank that remained in production for the duration of the conflict.

Through more than 180 photos, this volume chronicles the design, development, and operational deployment of this ubiquitous German tank.
This material is arranged in nine chapters, each focusing on a specific production model (Ausfuhrung) of the tank.

Comprehensive tables reveal the details of the performance and technical specifications of each variant. A concise, easy to read text, and detailed photographic captions expose the secrets of this iconic tank.

The Panzer IV - The Workhorse of the Panzerwaffe (Hitler's War Machine)

The Panzer IV was the only German tank to stay in production throughout the war. It was the backbone of the Panzer force and was deployed on every front. Due to its efficient armament, robust armour and outstanding reliability, it was preferred by crews over the Panther, Tiger and King Tiger.

This comprehensive overview of the Panzer IV in action was compiled by Emmy Award winning historian Bob Carruthers. It draws heavily on war-time intelligence reports to produce a fascinating insight into the development and combat history of the Panzer IV at the tactical and operational level.

Also featured are rare photographs and illustrations which provide an absorbing study, from an array of primary sources, of the world of the Panzer IV and its crews.

The Panzer IV : Hitler's Rock (Images of War)

The Panzerkampfwagen Mk IV proved to be the one constant in Hitler's Panzerwaffe throughout the Second World War - the German equivalent of the American Sherman and the Soviet T-34.
The Mk IV served on every major front, in France, the Balkans, North Africa, the Soviet Union and, at the end of the war, in Germany itself - it was a key weapon in the blitzkrieg attacks launched early in the war and in the later desperate defence of the Reich.

In this companion volume to his best-selling visual histories of the Tiger and Panther tanks, Anthony Tucker-Jones provides a concise account of the Mk IV's design, development and performance in combat.
Using over 150 rare wartime photographs, plus a selection of specially commissioned colour, he describes how the initial design of the Mk IV was modified and refined throughout the course of the conflict to counter the threats posed by ever more formidable Allied tanks and anti-tank guns on the battlefield.

While the Mk IV was never produced in the same numbers as the leading Allied tanks, it was without doubt one of the principal armoured vehicles of the Second World War, and Anthony Tucker-Jones's highly illustrated history is the ideal introduction to it.

Panzer IV : 1939-1945 (TankCraft)

The Panzer IV Panzerkampfwagen IV was one the foremost German fighting vehicles of the Second World War, and this volume in the TankCraft series is an ideal introduction to it.
With detailed captions, text and illustrations the book tells the story of the technical development of the Panzer IV and the numerous variants that went into production, and it describes how it evolved from an infantry support vehicle to become the backbone of the Panzer units.
It was modified and upgunned to face the ever-increasing enemy threat, and it proved to be so diverse and effective that it earned a unique tactical role on the battlefield.

A large part of the book showcases available model kits and aftermarket products, complemented by a gallery of beautifully constructed and painted models in various scales.
Technical details as well as modifications introduced during production and in the field are also examined in order to provide everything the modeller needs to recreate an accurate representation of the only Panzer that stayed in production throughout the war.

Panzerkampfwagen IV Medium Tank 1936-1945 (Osprey)

The PzKpfw IV was essentially an integrated support weapon, and its involvement in WWII is difficult to separate from the story of the Panzerwaffe as a whole. A powerful and robust fighting machine, the PzKpfw IV was supplied to various allies of Germany, and remained in service with the Spanish and Finnish armies for some time after the end of the war.
In the glory years of 1942-43 the PzKpfw IV was the mainstay of the Panzerwaffe, and Bryan Perrett's in-depth examination of this prolific fighting machine does full justice to the fascinating history and technical details of one of the greatest armoured vehicles ever to have fought.

Contents: Development History - Special-Purpose Vehicles - PzKpfw IV Described - Organisation and Tactics - PzKpfw IV in Action - The East 1942-1945 - North Africa 1942-1943 - North-West Europe - Postscript.

Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf G, H and J 1942-1945 (Osprey)

The Panzerkampfwagen IV was one of the most numerous and successful German tanks of World War II. Despite the introduction of the Panther and Tiger tanks, the PzKpfw IV remained the backbone of the German armoured units until the end of the war.

Until 1942 armed with a short 7.5cm KwK L/24, it was used primarily in an infantry support role. However with the upgrading to the long 7.5cm it became the main battle tank of the Panzer Divisions.

This book details all of the variants of the Panzerkampfwagen IV with the long guns 7.5cm KwK 40 L/43 and L/48.

Panzer IV at War 1939-1945 - Rare photographs from Wartime Archives (Images of War)

With comprehensive captions and text this superb book tells the story of the Panzer IV to the key battles in Poland, France, North Africa, Italy, Russia and North West Europe. Initially the Panzer IV was designed as an infantry support tank, but soon proved to be so diverse and effective that it earned a unique tactical role on the battlefield.

The book shows how the Panzer IV evolved and describes how the Germans carefully utilized all available reserves and resources into building numerous variants that went into production and saw action on the battlefield. It depicts how these formidable tanks were adapted and up-gunned to face the ever increasing enemy threat.

Between 1936 and 1945, over 8,000 Panzer IV's were built. For most of the war this tank was a match for its opponents' heavy tanks and quickly and effectively demonstrated its superiority on the battlefield.

The Panzer IV was the only German tank to remain in production during the war. Its chassis was converted into more models than any other Panzers that entered service. As well as the various prototype projects and command tanks, observation vehicles, ammunition carriers, recovery vehicles, amphibious armoured ferry vehicles that saw service, the book will show a multiple of converted anti-tank propelled vehicles.

Panzer IV on the Battlefield (2) (World War Two Photobook Series)

"Panzer IV on the Battlefield 2" is Craig Ellis' second book on the Panzer IV for Peko Publishing. Expect large format black & white photos of most if not all variants of this well-known Panzer; from short to long-gunned.

Panzer IV vs Char B1 Bis - France 1940 (Osprey)

The Battle of France in 1940 involved the first large-scale tank-against-tank battles in history. The massive clashes at Stonne, Hannant, and Gembloux involved hundreds of tanks on both sides, yet have faded from memory due to the enourmity of the French defeat.

This book examines two of the premier opposing tanks of the Wehrmacht and the French Army, the German PzKpfw IV and the French Char B1 bis. With a complete history of the design, development, and deployment of these armoured fighting vehicles, the story of these great battles is once again brought to life.

Panzer IV vs Sherman : France 1944 (Osprey)

As the Allies attempted to break out of Normandy, it quickly became apparent that there would be no easy victory over the Germans, and that every scrap of territory on the way to Berlin would have to be earned through hard fighting.

This study concentrates on the ferocious battles between the German Panzer IV and US Sherman that were at the heart of this decisive phase of World War II. The two types were among the most-produced tanks in US and German service and were old enemies, having clashed repeatedly in the Mediterranean theater.
Throughout their long service careers, both had seen a succession of technical developments and modifications, as well as an evolution in their intended roles - but both remained at the forefront of the fighting on the Western Front.

Written by an expert on tank warfare, this book invites the reader into the cramped confines of these armoured workhorses, employing vivid technical illustrations alongside archive and contemporary photography to depict the conditions for the crewmen within.

Contents: Introduction - Chronology - Design and Development - Technical Specifications - The Combatants - The Strategic Situation - Combat - Statistics and Analysis - Conclusion - Further Reading - Index.