20. German Armored Warfare Doctrine Required Different Tanks
German armored warfare doctrine in the 1930s expected two primary tasks from tanks. The first was to take out antitank guns and deal with infantry strong points, using high explosive shells. The second task was to take on and defeat enemy tanks and armored vehicles with armor-piercing shells. Thus, Germany developed two complementary tanks: the Panzer III and Panzer IV.
Panzer IIIs, armed with a 37mm gun that was considered adequate at the time, were the armor-killing tanks. They were to be supported by Panzer IVs, more heavily armored and armed. Equipped with a short-barreled howitzer-type 75mm gun for firing high explosive shells, Panzer IVs would operate alongside German infantry and take out enemy strongpoints and antitank guns. German tank battalions’ table of organization called for three Panzer III companies, supported by one heavy Panzer IV company.