Pz.IV H

Pz.IV H

Pz.IV G

Pz.IV J

Pz.IV H

Pz.IV G

Pz.IV J

Germany

II Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
4.0	3.7	3.7

Class:

Medium tank

Research:11 000

Purchase:22 000

Show in game

Description

The Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. H (Panzer IV Ausf. H) is a rank II German medium tank with a battle rating of 4.0 (AB) and 3.7 (RB/SB). It was introduced during the Closed Beta Test for Ground Forces before Update 1.41. The most common iteration of the Panzer IV, the Ausf. H carries the powerful 75 mm L/48 gun that can destroy most tanks at its BR. It also has side-skirts that can provide a small degree of protection to the side armour of the tank.

The most distinctive aspect of this Panzer IV compared to its previous iterations, is that its covered head to toe in 5mm thick spaced armour skirts (known as Schurtzen). These skirts, while they won't stop much in the way of an enemy AP or APBC shell, It can give tanks like the M4A3 (105) some trouble in damaging you. There is a small mobility penalty from having the extra armour though, compared to the G and F2. So keep that in mind. It's also the first Panzer IV to get the upgraded 75mm L/48 gun. Which, while not that much of an upgrade from the L/46 on the G and F2, still packs a punch at it's BR. It also is the only Panzer IV in the game that comes with Zimmereit modelled on the hull, turret, and turret skirts. This just affects the visuals though, as War Thunder doesn't have infantry armed with magnetic mines.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

• Rolled homogeneous armour
• Cast homogeneous armour (Cupola)

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	80 mm (11-12°) Front plate 20 mm (73°) Front glacis 80 mm (13-14°) Lower glacis	30 + 5 (6°) mm	20 mm (4-15°)	10 mm
Turret	50 mm (11°) Turret front 50 mm (7-29°) Gun mantlet	30 (23-26°) + 5 (0-1°) mm	30 (15-17°) + 5 mm	16 mm Front 25 mm Rear
Armour	Sides	Roof
Cupola	95 mm	25 mm

Notes:

• Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick while tracks are 20 mm thick.
• The hull and turret side is protected by an extra 5 mm thick plate to provide protection against HEAT and HE rounds.
• Add-on Armour gives an additional 20 mm of armour can be added to the front facing surfaces.

The Panzer IV Ausf. H is vulnerable to most front shot engagement, especially so if no serious attempt is made in compound angling. The front plate in its unsloped format is an enticing target, but beware to not hit the front sloping glacis right in front of it as that area has a tendency to bounce everything. Also, avoid hitting straight into the ball machine gun and driver's port in the front as these also have a tendency to nullify an armour-piercing shot. When using APHE rounds, simply hit centre mass of the front plate and let the post-penetration effect do the rest.

In the case of a vehicle with a gun simply unable to penetrate this front plate, aim towards the turret that still retains a 50 mm front plate. Even the weaker non-autocannon armaments can penetrate through this front plate and incapacitate the turret crew. Aim for the turret left side (right side when shooting it) to knock out the gunner and if using ammunition with explosive filler, also ruin the gun breech, loader and commander. Then get around the side and chip away at weak spots until the threat is destroyed.

Alternatively, aim at the Panzer IV from its long vulnerable sides in cases where its turret traverse cannot keep up with a flanking manoeuvre or catching it in an ambush. The interior is fully stocked with ammo racks even when the user is taking a minimum load. Moreover, the fuel tank resides at the very bottom of the centre of the tank, so a penetrating shot with APHE will either detonate the ammunition, set the tank on fire, or knock out a good portion of the crew, if not fully destroy the tank with all three effects.

In every case scenario, it is to the benefit of the surviving player to fire the first shot against the Panzer IV Ausf. H above all else, as it would deny the Panzer IV H even a chance to use its high-penetrating 75 mm gun.

Mobility

Mobility characteristic
Weight (tons)	Add-on Armor weight (tons)	Max speed (km/h)
26.0	0.4	43 (AB)
		39 (RB/SB)
Engine power (horsepower)
Mode	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	465	572
Realistic/Simulator	265	300
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Mode	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	17.88	22.00
Realistic/Simulator	10.19	11.54

Armaments

Main armament

75 mm KwK 40 L/48
Capacity			Vertical guidance	Horizontal guidance	Stabilizer
87			-10°/+20°	±180°	N/A
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode	Stock	Upgraded	Prior + Full crew	Prior + Expert qualif.	Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade	8.3	11.5	__.__	__.__	__.__
Realistic	8.3	9.8	__.__	__.__	__.__
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock	Prior + Full crew	Prior + Expert qualif.	Prior + Ace qualif.
7.6	__.__	__.__	__.__

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration in mm @ 90°
		10m	100m	500m	1000m	1500m	2000m
PzGr 39	APCBC	140	137	125	112	100	89
PzGr 40	APCR	177	176	154	130	109	92
Hl.Gr 38B	HEAT	80	80	80	80	80	80
Sprgr. 34	HE	10	10	10	10	10	10

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity in m/s	Projectile Mass in kg	Fuse delay in m:	Fuse sensitivity in mm:	Explosive Mass in g (TNT equivalent):	Normalization At 30° from horizontal:	Ricochet:
								0%	50%	100%
PzGr 39	APCBC	750	6.8	1.3	15.0	28.9	+4°	48°	63°	71°
PzGr 40	APCR	930	4.2	N/A	N/A	N/A	+1.5°	66°	70°	72°
Hl.Gr 38B	HEAT	450	4.4	0.0	0.1	872.1	+0°	62°	69°	73°
Sprgr. 34	HE	570	5.7	0.1	0.1	686	+0°	79°	80°	81°

Smoke characteristic
Ammunition	Velocity in m/s	Projectile Mass in kg	Screen radius in m	Screen time in s	Screen hold time in s:	Explosive Mass in g (TNT equivalent):
K.Gr.Rot Nb.	570	6.8	13	5	20	50

Shell types

• PzGr 39 - Armour Piercing Ballistic Cap shell - This is your main ammo type, always use this if you think it can penetrate enemy armour. It deals the most damage because of its explosive filler.
• PzGr 40 - Armour Piercing Composite Rigid shell - This type of ammo should be used only if you are having trouble penetrating your opponent, or trying to hit a fast-moving tank at some distance. However, its damaging potential is much lower because it has no explosive filler to further enhance damage after the penetration. It can be also used against highly sloped armour like on the T-34 tanks or the M10 tank destroyer, as it does not ricochet so easily.
• Hl.Gr. 38B - Cumulative Anti-armour shell - it is recommended to completely avoid this kind of shell as its performance is vastly inferior in all aspects compared to APCBC or APCR ammo used by this tank.
• SprGr. 34 - High Explosive shell - You should carry only very few of these. They are useless against anything other than unarmoured AA vehicles, to which it is lethal.

Ammo racks

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	4th rack empty	5th rack empty	6th rack empty	7th rack empty	8th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
87	78 (+9)	68 (+19)	58 (+29)	48 (+39)	38 (+49)	28 (+59)	19 (+68)	10 (+77)	1 (+86)	yes

Turret empty: 58 (+29)

Machine guns

7.92 mm MG 34
Coaxial mount
Capacity (Belt capacity)				Fire rate (shots/minute)	Vertical guidance	Horizontal guidance
3,000 (150)				900	N/A	N/A

Usage in the battles

This tank can be described in one word. Capable. While this version of the Panzer IV isn't nearly as renowned and feared as the Ausf. F2 variant that precedes it, it's still a very capable medium tank. The Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. H has a new gun that, while not that different to the guns on the G and F2, still packs a deadly punch in it's BR range. The armour is meh, with a paltry 50mm of armour at the front of the turret, and 80mm of armour at the front of the hull. This makes you an easy target for tanks like KV-2s, T-34-85 (D-5T)s, and M4A3E2 Jumbos among others. But, with some careful play and some creative use of angling, you can bounce some shots from equal rank tanks, and destroy tanks at the top of your BR range. Mobility of this tank is lacking, albeit not by much. (It is the heaviest version of the entire Panzer 4 series after all). It's acceptable, but it will still take time for it to accelerate to its top speed, as your engine is underpowered and your tracks are narrow, which results in poorer cross-country performance than comparable tanks.

The Pz.Kpfz IV Ausf. H is a capable, versatile tank, perfect for sniping, ambushing, flanking, and second line defence. Make use of its accurate gun for hitting the enemy from a distance. But keep in mind it's weak turret armour should return fire come your way. This tank also works very well supporting heavy tanks. Hide behind a friendly heavy that can tank the damage, while you can pop out and destroy the enemy if your teammate can't. Or you can use your decent mobility and get around to shoot into the enemy tanks flanks. In an equal BR rank or lower, you can reliably bounce shots if angled properly, but remember that frontal confrontation in a full up-tier can lead to a quick end.

Tactics-wise, on an open map like Kursk, make like a true German tank and hit the enemy from range. Don't bother going in close, as your advantages lie at range. On a city map like Advance to the Rhine, go for flank routes, or stick with your heavies, giving them more firepower should they need it. Keep in mind to keep the frontal armour angled as you go around corners to bounce any shots.

Although most tanks in Rank III can destroy you pretty quickly, the tanks you need to avoid in open combat (if possible) are KV-2s, SU-152s, T-34-85 (D-5T)s, M4A3E2 Jumbos, and if you're playing in Arcade: Tigers and Panthers

• For KV-2s, if it's looking at you, (And hopefully reloading) shoot at the flat of the turret below the mantlet. It's flat, relatively thin armour, and your shell should go right through and take out everyone and everything in the turret. From the side, shoot it in the side of the hull (At a 90-degree angle for best effects) to ignite the fuel tanks and maybe even detonate the ammo. Shooting the turret isn't recommended unless for knocking out the gunner or the breach, as there are a lot of crew members in there, and the shells in the turret rarely ignite. Trying to destroy it that way will take time.

• For SU-152s, shoot to the right of the gun, above the driver's viewport, and it will wreck everything inside. If that's an option, try to get around it. It is a casemate after all. Once you're on its side, shoot it in the crew compartment to obliterate it.

• For T-34-85(D-5T)s, it is imperative you get the first shot off, as their 85mm will go through you 85 ways from Sunday, and nuke your entire tank interior. Don't shoot the turret unless you have no other option, as it's incredibly trollish and prone to bouncing your shot. Instead, shoot the hull centre. Pay close attention not to hit the driver's hatch as it's actually more armoured than the glacis itself.

• M4A3E2 Jumbo's will give you the hardest time, as their frontal armour is nigh impenetrable, aside from the machine gun port. It's a small, unreliable target, but it's your only chance of penetrating the Jumbo from the front. If you're lucky and catch a Jumbo on its side, shoot it in its hull. As it's Turret side (and rear!) armour is still thick enough to block your shots. Also, keep in mind, that if the Jumbo is showing its side while angling toward you, that the side armour behind its tracks is very thinly armoured. Try shooting there if you can.

Modules

As with most tanks make sure you research Parts and FPE. Then focus on researching Pz.Gr. 40 (APCR shells) so your tank can stand the chance against heavily armoured vehicles like the Panther. After progressing this far into the unlock tree Artillery should be taken swiftly as well. Accuracy is decent, so sidestepping over to the mobility upgrades to aid the bad acceleration is not a bad idea, in particular Filters and Transmission are useful.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• 75 mm KwK 40 gun can destroy most equivalent tanks with stock rounds, with APCR for more heavily armoured vehicles
• Great gun accuracy
• Good turret traverse
• Good gun depression of -10°
• 5 man crew, able to spare 2 casualties before combat efficiency drops
• Decently fast and manoeuvrable for the battlefield
• 80 mm of frontal armour that can absorb some damage when angled properly, and even resist shells in long-range engagements
• Access to 20 mm of additional armour in the form of T-34 tracks (effectively 15 mm RHA) that cover almost the whole of the front of the hull and the turret armour
• Side-skirts can soak up HE and HEAT shells, as well as bomb and rockets at a sufficient distance

Cons:

• Flat armour on all sides
• Side armour is weak, very vulnerable to 20 mm autocannons at close range
• Small gun mantlet, with weak 50 mm frontal turret armour
• Cramped turret crew space means that one hit can knock out entire turret crew
• Cupola extends up from the profile and can be a weak point for enemies to shoot at
• Like all Panzer IV models, ammo racks all over the hull and are likely to be hit
• Heaviest of the Panzer IV model, consequently it is the slowest of them all
• Acceleration is mediocre
• Poor cross-country performance due to the underpowered engine and narrow tracks
• No smoke grenade dischargers

History

Development

The Pz.Kpfw. IV's creation, like its predecessor the Pz.Kpfw. III, was devised by Heinz Guderian, where he envisioned a support tank to be used to handle anti-tank guns and fortifications. The Panzer IV was to work alongside the more numerable Panzer III in Panzer Divisions (three company of IIIs and one of IVs) to engage the enemy, giving the role of fighting enemy armoured forces to the Panzer IIIs. The tank was to have the short 75 mm Howitzer as its main armament and have a weight limit of 24 tons. MAN, Krupp, and Rheinmetall-Borsig worked on the development of the tanks, but the Krupp's model was selected for further testing.

The chosen model from Krupp once finished used a leaf-spring double-bogie system for its suspension, doing away the proposed interleaved or torsion bar suspension system earlier devised. The vehicle held a crew of five, the commander, gunner, loader, radio operator (and hull machine gunner), and driver. Though it looked symmetrical, the Panzer IV turret was actually offset to the left of the chassis centre line a bit while the engine was also offset to the right, this was to allow the torque shaft to turn the turret. The offset also meant that more of the ammo is held on the right side of the tank in storage areas. The Panzer IV was then accepted into service and production began in 1936.

Panzer IV Ausf. H

In the latter part of World War II, the Panzer IV in its base form was deemed inadequate against the new tanks the Allies have, the Soviet T-34 and American M4 Shermans was able to come toe-to-toe with the Panzer IV, if not better than it. Germany rapidly upgraded their Panzer IV to compete with the enemy, mainly the armour and gun. From the Ausf. C to the Ausf. G, the armour increased from the original 20 mm to 80 mm thick and the original KwK 37 L/24 75 mm Howitzer to the longer KwK 40 L/48 75 mm.

The Panzer IV Ausf. H began production in June 1943. The 80 mm front glacis armour is now a single piece rather than attached via weld or bolt. Zimmerit paste is also added onto the Panzer IV hull to prevent the use of magnetic anti-tank mines. Schürzen side skirts on the hull added 5 mm thickness while the turret added 8 mm thickness, plus its application as spaced armour improved its efficiency. A common complaint of the Schürzen side skirts was that it was easy for the skirts to just fall off by brushing against the foliage. The Ausf. H return rollers were changed from rubber-rimmed to cast steel. All these modifications increased the tank weight to 25 tons, and despite the use of a new suspension, the cross-country speed dropped to only 10 mph (16 km/h). Despite that, the Panzer IV Ausf. H would go on to be the most produced Panzer IV variant. These features pushed the Panzer IV's limits to its maximum capacity. An attempt to mount the Schmalturm found on the Panther Ausf. F failed and only further proved this point.

The Panzer IV Ausf. H stayed as the main German tank alongside the Panther tanks throughout the rest of the war. The 80 mm thickness of the frontal armour could withstand the M4 Sherman's 75 mm gun, and the 76.2 mm gun of the T-34. The Ausf. H served in all combat theatres past 1943, from the Battle of Kursk to the Battle of France, and the Ardennes Offensive. Many were lost due to combat or from lack of fuel and supplies and had to be abandoned. The rapid loss of the Panzer IVs in the German inventory caused a simplified variant to be produced. Designated the Panzer IV Ausf. J, the construction was simplified and the internal mechanics were modified, but the variant is a retrograde of the Ausf. H.

Twenty Panzer IV Ausf. H went to Spain in 1943, which held them as the best tanks they had in their inventory. Spain sold them to Syria in 1967. Around 130 Panzer IVs of various variants made it to Syria in the 1950s and 1960s. These Panzer IVs served the Syrians alongside T-34-85s, T-54s, and T-55s during the Six-Day War against Israel.

In-game description

"The Ausf. H variant was the most mass-produced tank of this type. It was manufactured by the factories of three companies: Krupp-Gruson AG, VOMAG, and Nibelungenwerke. The first 30 tanks under this designation rolled off of the conveyor belt in April 1943. The front plate of the roof turret was thickened to 16 mm, and the rear plate to 25 mm. All Ausf. H tanks received a Zahnradfabrik ZF SSG77 transmission, reinforced drives with cast drive wheels and Schurzen side skirts, which protected the lower part of the sides from anti-tank and hollow-charge projectiles. The radio antenna was moved to the rear of the hull. From the summer of 1943 onward, to simplify production, solid-rolled 80 mm plates replaced the extra 30-mm-thick outer armor.

In September of the same year, the vertical surfaces of the tanks were coated with Zimmerit paste for protection against magnetic mines. From December 1943 onward, the front plates of the hull were merged into a single plate, improving the new front's resistance against shell impacts. In 1944, the tanks were produced with all-metal supporting rollers. Later Ausf. H models received a turret mount for the MG42 machine gun in the commander's cupola, as well as a vertical rear armor plate instead of the oblique plate featured on all previous variants of the tank. The driver's periscope viewing device was removed. During production, many other changes were implemented to reduce the tank's cost and simplify its manufacture.

Manufacturing of the Ausf. H continued until 1944, and 3960 units were made in all. Tanks of this variant were supplied to Hungary and Bulgaria. In 1950, the Bulgarian army was still operating 11 of these vehicles. In Operation Citadel, Pz.Kpfw. IV tanks accounted for nearly 60% of all German tanks. Most of them were G and H variants.

The Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. H proved itself to be a reliable combat machine. Its disadvantages included low maneuverability and speed."

Media

Skins and camouflages for the Panzer 4H series can be found with the search term "#pz_iv_h" or for more results the general term "#panzeriv" on live.warthunder.com.

• Staff vehicle II.PzRgt, 9.XX PzDiv Hohenstaufen - Tarnopol 1944
• Anglerfish from Girls und Panzer for Panzer IV Ausf. H
• Panzer IV ausf H - Modified 3rd panzer division fictional skin
• (What if) Japan bought production license from Germany and then started building German tanks for use with the I.J.A.
• [Realistic] Panzer IV Ausf. H, 12. SS Panzer Division, 1944.
• Tricolour skin by Dr.Nooooo
• A German historical camo used on the Panzer IV Ausf. H in June 1944 in Normandy during the World War II.

Sights

• RideR2's Realistic gunsight (TZF4a, TZF 5a/b/d/e/f/f2, TZF 9b/b1/c/d, TZF 12/a) for Pzkpfw II, Pzkpfw III, Pzkpfw IV, Pzkpfw V, Pzkpfw VI

Read also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,

• reference to the series of the vehicles;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

ETC.

Sources

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.