A German Mk IV Special tank destroyed in Italy, 1943

Photograph by Major Wilfred Herbert James Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), World War Two, Italy, 1943.

The caption refers to 'Mk IV Specials' of the 16th Panzer Division being sent from Naples to stop the Allied advance.

The Panzer IV was the workhorse of the German Panzer Corps, and saw action in all theatres of combat throughout the war, including Italy. The British nicknamed the Panzer IVAusf F2 the 'Mark IV Special', since it was superior to any American or British tank then in use due to its 75mm KwK 40 L/43 gun. This had been introduced to counter the Soviet T34 tank.

The tank is fitted with additional armour on the turret to reduce the effect of anti-tank weapons.

From an album containing 242 photographs compiled by Major W H J Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters).