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Panzer IV / 70(V)
History: The Panzer IV / 70(V) was an improved version of the
Jagdpanzer IV with the PaK42 L/70 mounted in place of the shorter PaK39 L/48. It
went into production along-with the Jagdpanzer IV which it replaced completely in December
1944.
Specific features: As for the Jagdpanzer IV. The 7,5cm PaK was held at + 13°
elevation by a travel lock when moving in non-combat areas. Late models were to have
the Vorsatz P mount (additional machine-pistol mount) in the roof over the gunner.
This was a mount for the 7.92mm MP44 with a curved barrel attachment. The long gun
and 80mm superstructure front made the Panzer IV / 70(V) nose heavy with resulant failures
of the rubber-tyred wheels. Later models, therefore, were fitted with steel-rimmed
wheels at the first two wheel stations. Late models also had only three return
rollers.
Combat service: In August 1944, the Panzer IV / 70(V) was issued to the 105th and
106th independent panzer brigades. Other tank brigades received these vehicles
together with the independent Panzerjäger detachments, and the tank-hunter detachments of
the Panzer divisions. The Panzer IV / 70(V) was first used in numbers during the
Ardennes offensive in December 1944, when approximately 137 were available.
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