The Finest Half Hour, Episode 14: The Siege of Leningrad

Commanders!

Leningrad, the deadliest siege in the history of the world–it’s a story of terror and heroism, privation and hope. How much can one city endure?

Find out today as we talk about a city cut off from the rest of the world, surviving on the thin lifeline of supplies and munitions brought over a frozen lake. Listen as Leningrad tries to hold out against the Nazi menace, and the still-struggling Red Army tries to relieve the city.

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To help tell the story, we’ve partnered up with The Tank Museum, Bovington, to showcase the Panzer IV.

It was originally designed as a close-support tank for infantry divisions, while the Panzer III would take on enemy tanks. In the winter of 1941-1942, the Panzer IV was upgraded after encountering the Soviet T-34. The Panzer IV had a larger turret ring than the Panzer III, which enabled it to be fitted with the longer, more powerful 75 KwK 40 gun. The Panzer IV thus took over the anti-tank role of the Panzer III.

The Panzer IV was eventually succeeded by the Panther, but it continued as a significant part of German armored forces until the end of the war.

The Tank Museum’s Panzer IV was completed as an Ausf D, with 30mm extra armor on the superstructure front and 20mm armor on the hull and superstructure sides before it even left the factory.

In 1943, additional armor was put on the front, and the original 75mm KwK L/24 replaced with the KwK 40 L/43. It was used as a driving instruction vehicle.

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