SdKfz 167 StuG IV (Sturmgeshutz IV)

History of SdKfz 167 StuG IV (Sturmgeschutz IV)

StuG IV (or Stumgeschutz IV, SdKfz 167) is an updated approach to the successful StuG III tank destroyer/assault gun series. The type saw extensive combat operations during World War II, mainly with German infantry divisions. Based on the Panzer IV medium tank chassis, the new car features a powerful 7.5 cm (75 mm) StuK 40 L/48 gun in a solid hull structure, while retaining the very low profile of its predecessor.

It was in use from December 1943, after Hitler personally approved the plan, and would continue production until the final weeks of the war in 1945.

The new "StuG" design differs from the previous StuG III by the use of the aforementioned Panzer IV medium tank hull (albeit without the turret placement). As a turretless design, with the gun, recoil system and breech all housed within the hull structure itself, the StuG IV can be mass-produced faster.

However, this comes at the cost of tactical flexibility, which forces the crew to face the entire tank towards the enemy (rather than just rotating the turret). The vehicle received six smoke grenade launchers for basic verification and self-defense. Additionally, the crew can deploy one or two 7.92mm MG34 general-purpose machine guns against enemy infantry (one of which is fitted with a collapsible armored shield). Side skirt armor became standard to counteract anti-tank weapon attacks along vulnerable flanks.

Frontal armor has been increased and a Zimmerit paste coating has been applied to prevent "sticky" bombs (hand grenades, mines, or homemade explosives attached to tanks by enemy infantry). A 300-horsepower Maybach HL 120 V-12 Series water-cooled gasoline engine propels the vehicle to a speed of 25 miles per hour.

The range is 130 miles.

On the 75mm gun, a unique "pigskin" armor shield has been added where the barrel penetrates the hull structure. This provides enhanced point protection in weak areas where the thick angular surface of the mantle can be invoked to deflect or absorb enemy projectiles or shrapnel.

The vehicle carries projectiles up to 63x75mm, proving to be larger than the previous StuG III offered.

The vehicle is operated by four persons: driver, vehicle commander, gunner and ammunition operator. The driver sits in the front left of the vehicle, and the rest of the occupants sit in the main part of the fuselage.

Between 1943 and 1945, Krupp produced the StuG IV series of assault guns in Germany. 1,139 were eventually delivered (compared to the roughly 9,000 StuG IIIs produced previously).

As an assault gun, this type can be used in offensive or defensive roles depending on the current combat state - attacking enemy formations or enemy armor with equal lethality. The German 75mm gun certainly proved its prowess against most Allied armoured vehicles in the war, with the exception of a few Soviet heavyweights. Of course, the Soviets restored the captured StuG IV vehicles to working condition during the brutal battle against the Germans on the Eastern Front.

As their numbers limit their availability, StuG IVs do not directly replace capable StuG III vehicles, but are used in combination where possible.

Only a handful of StuG IV vehicles are on display today (2013).

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

54x75mm projectile.

600x7.92mm ammo.

Changes