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Of the 3,935 Ausf H chassis produced 3,774 were completed as Pz Kpfw IV , with 30 used for the first StuG IV and 130 for Burmmbär.In November 1943 an attempt was made to alter the suspension to gain ground clearance.The experiment failed and the Pz Kpfw IV retained the same basic suspension from 1937 until the end of the war.
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 , the deletion of the side vision ports for the driver and radio operator and a new cupola with thicker armour and a single piece cupola hatch.
From 1943 Panzer regiments in the Panzer divisions were to have one detachment equipped with Pz Kpfw IV and one detachment with Panthers.As a result of problems with the Panther some Panzer divisions had a second detachment equipped with Pz Kpfw IV , while had but a single detachment of four companies each equipped with twenty-two Pz Kpfw IV , plus eight with the HQ Company.On the 6th of June 1944 most of the 748 Pz Kpfw IV with the nine Panzer divisions in France were Ausf H. |
