Panzerkampfwagen IV – Ausf. D – Sd.Kfz. 161 – or Panzer IV
The Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. D was a German medium tank used during the early years of World War II, primarily in the invasion of France and subsequent campaigns. The Ausf. D was an evolution of the earlier Panzer IV designs, with improvements to its armor and armament. It was equipped with a 75mm KwK 37 L/24 gun, capable of firing high-explosive rounds and useful for infantry support, but less effective against heavily armored vehicles. A secondary MG34 machine gun was mounted for close defense.
The tank’s armor ranged from 20mm to 30mm, providing moderate protection against small arms and shrapnel but vulnerable to heavier anti-tank weapons. The Panzer IV Ausf. D was powered by a Maybach HL 120 TRM engine, producing 265 horsepower, giving it a top speed of 42 km/h (26 mph) on roads, with a range of around 200 km (124 miles).
Weighing about 20 tons, the Ausf. D had a crew of five and was designed to be a versatile tank that could be used in both offensive and defensive operations. While it was outclassed by more advanced tanks later in the war, it was a key component of the German armored forces in the early campaigns. Approximately 239 units were produced between 1939 and 1940.
