Knocked out German Panzer Mark IV tank, 1944

Photograph by Major Wilfred Herbert James Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), World War Two, 1944.

The 17.3 ton Mk IV was armed with a short barrelled 75 mm gun and fitted with 30 mm armour plate. Manoeuvrable and reliable, it was ideal for supporting infantry and used with great effect during the German attacks on Poland, France and the Low Countries, and during the early stages of the Soviet campaign. Later in the war it was found that the short barrelled 75 mm gun lacked the muzzle velocity to penetrate the armour of the Soviet T34 tank so a long barrelled 75 mm gun became standard in the Mark IV.

From an album containing 45 photographs compiled by Major W H J Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), 1938-1945.