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Panzer IV ausf G
History: The 1,750 ausf G were acquired by ten seperate orders,
issued to Krupp-Gruson, Vomag and Nibelungenwerke. Of this number, only 1,678 were
completed as Panzer. The remainder were used as prototype for the Hummel 10 chassis
and the Brummbär 53 chassis. From late March 1943, the 7,5cm KwK40 L/48 was
installed instead of the L/43, with a total of 1,275 ausf G receiving the L/43.
Delivery of ausf G, with additonal armour bolted or welded to the front of the hull and
superstructure, began on 20 June 1942. Starting at 16 per month from July to
November 1942, half of the ausf G production were to be fitted with additional armour,
form December 1942, resulting in approximately 700 ausf G having the extra protection.
Specific features: The early ausf G were identical with the ausf F2. This
gradually changed throughout the production run as improvements were introduced. The
first change entailed vision ports being eliminated from the turret sides and in the
loader's side of the turret front. Other changes, in the summer of 1942, included a
new style muzzle brake, installing a system which allowed the transfer of coolant to
another Panzer to aid cold-weather starting, and smokedischargers mounted on the turret
side instead of the hull rear. In January 1943, the driver's episcope (KFF2) was
eliminated. In March 1943, a new cupola with thicker armour and a single-piece hatch
attached to the sides of the hull and which surrounded the turret sides and rear.
The very late models of the ausf G received a new type of drive sprocket, and the radio
antenna was moved to the left hull rear, making it almost impossible to distinguish a late
ausf G from an early ausf H.
Combat service: At the start of the summer offensive in Russia, late in June 1942,
approximately 170 ausf F2 and G were with units at the front. This number had
increased to 841 Panzer IV (lang) with army Groupe Centre and South, at the rest of the
Kursk offensive. In 1943, the Panzer IV were extended from medium companies to every
company in each detachment of Panzer regiments, each company having twenty-two Panzer IV.
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