Nazi Germany had several main tank designs during World War II. The German tank force was an amazing success due to tactical innovation more than tank quality. Many of their tanks outclassed allied armor, delivered more casualties than they took in most engagements due to the impressive training the German soldiers received, and the excellent tactics used by the German forces.

The German Panzer force at the start of World War II was not especially impressive. Only 4% of the defence budget was spent on armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) production. Guderian had planned for two main tanks, the Panzer III was in production but the second support tank with a 75 mm gun was not. Designated the Panzer IV, design work had begun in 1935 and trials of prototypes were undertaken in 1937, but by the time of the invasion of Poland only a few hundred 'troop trial' models were available. The development work was then halted and limited production began by Krupp in Gruson, Essen and Bochum in October 1939 with 20 vehicles built. Even that low number could not be sustained however, production dropping to ten in April 1940. Production was also dropped because metal was very expensive and not many citizens were donating it.

List of German Tank in World War II


1. Panzer I, The first of these German-built tanks was the Panzer I. It was not designed for combat, but rather as a training vehicle to familiarize tank crews with Germany's modern battle concepts, and to prepare the nation’s industry for the upcoming war effort. Nevertheless, the tank design did see actual combat, first during the Spanish Civil War of 1936, then again during World War 2, and elsewhere.

Since the tank was never intended to be used in actual combat, it was plagued by weapon and armour shortcomings through its entire life. Attempts were made to improve the design, but with little success. The Panzer I’s participation in the Spanish Civil war did, however, provide vital information to the German military about modern tank warfare.

Panzerkampfwagen I
SdKfz101.jpg
Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf. A on display at the Deutsches Panzermuseum Munster, Germany
Type Light tank
Place of origin Nazi Germany Germany
Service history
In service 1934–1954
Used by Nazi Germany, Bulgaria, Republic of China, Hungary, Spain
Wars Spanish Civil War, Second World War, Second Sino-Japanese War
Production history
Designed 1934
Manufacturer Henschel, MAN, Krupp, Daimler
Produced 1934–1936
Number built 833
Specifications
Weight 5.4 tonnes
Length 4.02 m
Width 2.06 m
Height 1.72 m
Crew 2; Commander and Driver

Armor Between 7 and 13 mm
Primary
armament
Two 7.92 mm MG13 machine guns
Engine Krupp M 305 four cylinder air cooled gasoline engine.
60 PS (59 hp, 44 kW)
Power/weight 11.1 PS/t
Suspension Quarter-elliptical leaf spring suspension.
Operational
range
200 km on-road; 175 km off-road.
Speed 50 km/h on-road; 37 km/h off-road.


2. Panzer II, The Panzer II was ordered into production because the construction of medium tanks, later to be known as the Panzer III and IV, was falling behind schedule. The Panzer II was intended to “fill the gap” until the III and IV could come into full production. Along with the Panzer I, the II made up the bulk of German tank forces during the invasion of Poland and France.
Panzerkampfwagen II
PzKpfw II 01.jpg
Type Light tank
Place of origin Nazi Germany
Service history
In service 1936–1945
Wars Spanish Civil War, World War II
Production history
Designed 1934
Produced 1935–1943
Number built 1,856 (excluding conversions)
Specifications
Weight 7.2 tonnes
Length 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)
Width 2.2 m (7 ft 3 in)
Height 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in)
Crew 3 (commander/gunner, driver, loader)

Primary
armament
1 × 2 cm KwK 30 Ausf.A–f
1 × 2 cm KwK 38 Ausf.J–L
Secondary
armament
1 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
Engine 6-cyl petrol Maybach HL
140 hp (105 kW)
Power/weight 15 hp/tonne
Suspension leaf spring
Operational
range
200 km (120 mi)
Speed 40 km/h (25 mph)



3. Panzer III, The Panzer III was intended to be the main medium core of the German armor force when it was designed during the inter-war period. While it was originally designed to fight other tanks, its 37 mm and later 50 mm guns could not keep pace with Soviet T-34 and KV tanks. In 1941, the Panzer III was the most numerous German tank, but by late 1943 it was largely replaced by later versions of the Panzer IV and Panther.
Panzerkampfwagen III
PzkpfWg III Ausf. H
Panzer III Ausf. H
Type Medium tank
Place of origin Nazi Germany
Service history
In service 1939–1945
Used by Nazi Germany
Romania
Hungary
Independent State of Croatia
Turkey
Norway
Wars World War II
Production history
Designer Daimler-Benz
Designed 1935-1937
Manufacturer Daimler-Benz
Produced 1939–1943
Number built 5,774 (excluding StuG III)
Specifications
Weight 23.0 tonnes (25.4 short tons)
Length 6.41 m (21.0 ft)
Width 2.90 m (9.5 ft)
Height 2.5 m (8.2 ft)
Crew 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator/bow machine-gunner)

Armor 5–70 mm (0.20–2.8 in)
Primary
armament
1 × 3.7 cm KwK 36 Ausf. A-F
1 × 5 cm KwK 38 Ausf. F-J
1 × 5 cm KwK 39 Ausf. J¹-M
1 × 7.5 cm KwK 37 Ausf. N
Secondary
armament
2-3 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
Engine 12-cylinder Maybach HL 120 TRM
300 PS (296 hp, 220 kW)
Power/weight 12 hp/t
Suspension Torsion-bar suspension
Operational
range
155 km (96 mi)
Speed 40 km/h (25 mph) road, 20 km/h (12 mph) off road



4. Panzer IV, The Panzer IV was the workhorse of the German tank force during World War II. It saw combat in all theaters, and was the only German tank to remain in production for the entire war.

The Panzer IV was originally intended to be a support tank. It was thus armed with a 75 mm howitzer intended primarily to fire high explosive shells in support of other tanks or infantry. By Mid 1942, it was rearmed with a longer 75 mm dual-purpose gun which could defeat most Soviet tanks. In the second half of the war, about half of all German tanks were Panzer IVs.

Panzerkampfwagen IV
SdKfz161-1-1.jpg
A Panzer IV Ausf G. in desert colors, bearing the palm tree insignia of the 15th Panzer Division of the Afrika Korps.
Type Medium tank
Place of origin Nazi Germany
Service history
In service 1939–1967
Used by Nazi Germany
Romania
Turkey
Hungary
Bulgaria
Finland
Spain
Croatia
Syria
Wars World War II, Six-Day War
Production history
Designer Krupp
Designed 1936
Manufacturer Krupp, Steyr-Daimler-Puch
Unit cost ~ 103,462 Reichsmarks[1]
Produced 1936–45
Number built 8,800 (estimate)
Specifications (Pz IV Ausf H, 1943[2])
Weight 25.0 tonnes (27.6 ST; 24.6 LT)
Length 7.02 m (23 ft 0 in)
Width 2.88 m (9 ft 5 in)
Height 2.68 m (8 ft 10 in)
Crew 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator/bow machine-gunner)

Armor 10–80 mm (0.39–3.1 in)
Primary
armament
7.5 cm (2.95 in) KwK 40 L/48 main gun (87 rds.)
Secondary
armament
2–3 × 7.92-mm Maschinengewehr 34
Engine 12-cylinder Maybach HL 120 TRM
300 PS (296 hp, 220 kW)
Power/weight 12 PS/t
Transmission 6 forward and 1 reverse ratios
Suspension Leaf spring
Fuel capacity 470 l (120 US gal)
Operational
range
200 km (120 mi)
Speed 42 km/h (26 mph) road, 16 km/h (9.9 mph) off road


5. Panther Tank, The Panther was a medium tank (45 tonnes) with a crew of five, which was designed to counter the excellent Soviet T-34 tank. In weight it was comparable to US and Soviet heavy tanks. It had sloped armour (for better protection) and carried a long-barreled 75 mm gun. Series production began in 1943 and a total of 4,800 were produced. Initial mechanical problems were mostly fixed, and the Panther is considered the best German tank of the war.
Panther
Bundesarchiv Bild 183-H26258, Panzer V "Panther".jpg
Panther Ausf. D tanks, 1943. The D model can best be recognized by the drum cupola.
Type Medium tank
Place of origin Nazi Germany
Service history
In service 1943–1945 (Nazi Germany)
Used by Nazi Germany (main user)
France (a few captured)
Soviet Union (a few captured)
Romania (13 post war)
Bulgaria (a few captured)
Hungary (a few captured)
Wars World War II
Production history
Designer MAN AG
Designed 1942
Produced 1942–1945
Number built about 6,000
Specifications
Weight 44.8 tonnes (44.1 LT; 49.4 ST)
Length 6.87 metres (22 ft 6 in)
8.66 metres (28 ft 5 in) gun forward
Width 3.27 metres (10 ft 9 in)
3.42 metres (11 ft 3 in) with skirts
Height 2.99 metres (9 ft 10 in)
Crew 5 (Driver, radio-operator/hull machine gunner, commander, gunner, loader)

Armor 15–120 mm (0.59–4.7 in)
Primary
armament
1 × 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70
79 rounds
Secondary
armament
2 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
5,100 rounds
Engine V-12 petrol Maybach HL230 P30
700 PS (690 hp, 515 kW)
Power/weight 15.39 PS/tonne (13.77 hp/ton)
Transmission ZF AK 7-200. 7 forward 1 reverse
Suspension double torsion bar, interleaved road wheels
Operational
range
250 km (160 mi)
Speed 55 km/h (34 mph) (first models), 46 km/h (29 mph) (later models)


6. Tiger I, In response to the T-34 after the invasion of the Soviet Union, the German forces ordered the construction of a new heavy tank. Originally to be named the Panzer VI, Hitler ordered the name changed. The tank had formidable firepower and thick armor. It had some mechanical problems due to its weight.
Tiger Ausf. E
Bundesarchiv Bild 183-J14953, Sizilien, Panzer VI (Tiger I).jpg
Tiger I in Sicily in 1943
Type Heavy tank
Place of origin Nazi Germany
Service history
In service 1942–1945
Wars World War II
Production history
Designer Henschel & Son
Designed 1942
Manufacturer Henschel
Unit cost 250,800 RM [2]
Produced 1942–1944
Number built 1,347[Notes 1]
Specifications
Weight 56.9 tonnes or 62.72 tons
Length 6.29 m (20 ft 8 in)

8.45 m (27 ft 9 in) (gun forward)

Width 3.55 m (11 ft 8 in)
Height 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in)
Crew 5

Armour 25–120 mm (0.98–4.7 in)
Primary
armament
1× 8.8 cm KwK 36 L/56
92 rounds
(106 and 120 rounds for some modifications)
Secondary
armament
7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
4,800 rounds
Engine Maybach HL230 P45 (V-12 petrol)
700 PS (690.4 hp, 514.8 kW)
Power/weight 12.3 PS/tonne
Suspension torsion bar
Operational
range
110–195 km (68–121 mi)
Speed 38 km/h (24 mph)



7. Tiger II, Even larger and heavier than the Tiger I the Königstiger (King Tiger) was the largest and most powerful tank released by German forces during the war. It had the firepower to knock out virtually any allied tank and enough armor to shrug off most allied firepower at the time(excluding hollow charge weapons), but it suffered from multiple mechanical problems due to its rushed development and excessive weight.
Panzer VI Ausf. B Tiger II
A large, turreted tank with dull yellow, green and brown wavy camouflage, on display inside a museum. The tracks are wide, and the frontal armor is sloped. The long gun overhangs the bow by several meters.
Tiger II preserved at Bovington Tank Museum
Type Heavy tank
Place of origin Nazi Germany
Service history
In service 1944–1945
Wars World War II
Production history
Designer Henschel & Son / Krupp (turret)
Designed 1943
Manufacturer Henschel & Son / Krupp (turret)
Produced 1943–1945
Number built 492
Specifications
Weight 68.5 tonnes (67.4 LT; 75.5 ST) (early turret)
69.8 tonnes (68.7 LT; 76.9 ST) (production turret)
Length 6.4 metres (21 ft 0 in)
10.286 metres (33 ft 9 in) with gun forward
Width 3.755 metres (12 ft 4 in)
Height 3.09 metres (10 ft 2 in)
Crew 5 (commander, gunner, loader, radio operator, driver)

Armor 25–180 mm (1–7 in)
Primary
armament
1× 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71
"Porsche" turret: 80 rounds
Production turret: 86 rounds
Secondary
armament
7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
5,850 rounds
Engine V-12 Maybach HL 230 P30 gasoline
700 PS (690 hp, 515 kW)
Power/weight 10 PS/tonne (8.97 hp/ton)
Transmission Maybach OLVAR EG 40 12 16 B (8 forward and 4 reverse)
Suspension torsion-bar
Ground clearance 500 mm (1 ft 8 in)
Fuel capacity 860 litres (190 imp gal)
Operational
range
Road: 170 km (110 mi)
Cross country: 120 km (75 mi)
Speed Maximum, road: 41.5 km/h (25.8 mph)
Sustained, road: 38 km/h (24 mph)
Cross country: 15 to 20 km/h (9.3 to 12 mph)