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Germany's BW/6; Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf E; PzKpfw IV Ausf E; SdKfz 161 medium tank

Photos

PzKpfw IV Ausf E medium tank of the 12th Panzer Division in Russia on July 9, 1941
Germany's PzKpfw IV Ausf E medium tank with the 12th Panzer Division in Russia, July 9, 1941
PzKpfw IV Ausf E medium tank:
Germany's PzKpfw IV Ausf E medium tank

Design

Appeared late in 1939. New cupola1, segmental shutters, new driver visor1, new simpler sprocket, exhaust fan installed in turret roof, and the turret rear was made from one bent piece of armor. Based on the battle experience in Poland additional armor was added to the front and sides of the hull.1 On late production models access flaps were fitted with a single hinge instead of two.

Usage

40 PzKpfw IV Ausf Ds & PzKpfw IV Ausf Es were sent to North Africa with the 5th and 8th Panzer Regiments.

Specifications

  Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf E
Crew Commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator
52,4
Radio

FuG54

Physical Characteristics  
Weight 46,297 lb
21 tons3,4, 22 tons2,5
Length 19' 5.25"
5.92 m2,4, 5.91 m
Height 8' 8.5"
2.68 m2,4
Width 9' 4"
2.83 m2, 2.84 m4, 2.86 m
Width over tracks  
Ground clearance 0.4 m2
Ground contact length 3.52 m
Ground pressure 0.91 (kg/cm2)2
11.81 psi
Turret ring diameter 1.65 m
Armament  
Main 75 mm KwK 37 L/244
75 mm L/242
75 mm KwK L/243
Secondary  
MG 2: MGs2
2: 7.92 mm MG344
MG - coaxial 7.92 mm MG343
MG - hull 7.92 mm MG343
Side arms  
Quantity  
Main 802
80 Pzgr, Sprgr+Nebel4
Secondary  
MG 2,700, 3,1502, 2,400 Patr SmK4
Side arms  
Armor Thickness (mm) Front: 303, 505
Hull Front, Upper 502
30+30@7°4
Hull Front, Lower 50@15°4
Hull Sides, Upper 20+202
20+20@0°4
Hull Sides, Lower 20+20@0°4
Hull Rear 202
20@15°4 & 10°4
Hull Top 10-112
12@84°-90°4
Hull Bottom 102
10@90°4
Turret Front 35-302
30@10°4
mantlet: 30@round
Mantlet: 35@0°-29°4
Turret Sides 202
20@24°4
Turret Rear 202
20@14°4
Turret Top 102
10@83°-90°4
Engine (Make / Model) Maybach HL 120 TRM2,3
Bore / stroke  
Cooling Water
Cylinders  
Capacity  
Net HP  
Power to weight ratio  
Compression ratio  
Transmission (Type) Synchromesh, ZF SSG 76
6 forward2, 1 reverse2
Steering  
Steering ratio  
Starter  
Electrical system  
Ignition  
Fuel (Type)  
Octane  
Quantity 105 gallons
470 liters2
Road consumption 100 km/235 liters
Cross country consumption  
Performance  
Traverse 360°, electric.4
Speed - Road 40 kph, 42 kph2
21 mph5, 25 mph
Speed - Cross Country 20 kph
Range - Road 200 km, 210 km2
125 miles3
Range - Cross Country 130 km2
Turning radius 5.92 m
Elevation limits -11° to +21°
-8° to +20°4
Fording depth 0.8 m2, 1 m
2' 7.5"
Trench crossing 7' 7"
2.3 m
Vertical obstacle 60 cm
2'
Climbing ability  
Suspension (Type) Leaf springs2
Wheels each side 8x22
Return rollers each side 4x2
Tracks (Type)  
Length  
Width 15.75"
380 mm2
Diameter  
Number of links  
Pitch  
Tire tread  
Track centers/tread 2.39 m

Sources:

  1. German Tanks of World War II, Dr. S. Hart & Dr. R. Hart, 1998
  2. Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1933-1942, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
  3. Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
  4. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
  5. Panzers At War, Michael and Gladys Green, 2005
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