Panther

The Panther is considered by many to be the finest medium tank in World War II. During the initial phases of Operation Barbarossa, the most prevalent Soviet tank types encountered were the T-26, BT-5 and BT-7 fast tanks and these were knocked out in vast numbers. Later, the appearance of numbers of KV-1 and T-34 began to cause concern to the German army as these tanks were largely immune to German anti-tank guns like the 37mm gun.

The Panther was developed in response to the T-34, featuring a sloped glacis, wide tracks (thus reducing ground pressure), greater mobility, and a high velocity gun. The 75mm gun of the Panther is 70 calibres in length and thus, has a higher muzzle velocity than the guns mounted on the M4 Sherman, the T-34, the Pzkw IVH. This equated to greater penetration of armour for the gun. At the standard combat ranges of 1000m, the Panther is thus able to destroy most medium and some heavy tanks of that period.

The Panther Ausf D first made its appearance in Operation Zitadelle (Citadel) in 1943 though most were lost to mechanical breakdowns rather than enemy action. Improved versions which solved most of the teething problems soon followed with the Ausf A and Ausf F. The Panther soon proved to be the finest medium tank of the Second World War and it has been estimated by the US Army that it would take five Shermans to take out a single Panther.