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Panzer IV ausf H
History: On the 3,935 ausf H chassis produced, 3774 were completed
as Panzer IV, with 30 used for the first StuG IV and 130 for Brummbär. In November
1943, an attempt was made to alter the suspension to gain ground clearence. The
experiment failed and the Panzer IV retained the same basic suspension from 1937 until the
end of war.
Specific features: The basic change from the ausf G was the SSG77 transmission
fitted to the ausf H. The frontal armour on the ausf H evolved from 50mm basic with
30mm additional, to 80mm basic, to 80mm basic interlocked with the hull sides. Minor
modifications, introduced during the production run of the ausf H, included external
air-filters, all-steel return rollers, a cupola mount for an anti-aircraft machine gun, a
new style idler, and the deletion of the side vision ports for the driver and radio
operator.
Combat service: From 1943, Panzer regiments in the Panzer divisions were to
have one detachment with Panzer IV and one equipped with Panthers. As a result of
problems with the Panther, some Panzer divisions had a second detachment equipped with
Panzer IV, while many had but a single detachment of four companies, each equipped with
twenty-two Panzer IV, plus eight with the HQ Company. On 6 June 1944, most of the
748 Panzer IV with the nine Panzer divisions in France were ausf H.
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