A knocked out German Mark IV Special tank, Italy 1943 (c)

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

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 photograph caption refers to this tank being disguised as a 'Mk VI' Tiger tank. A British tank crewman inspects the turret of the tank disabled in an olive grove. There is the grave of a German soldier in the foreground, with a helmet mounted on a wooden cross.

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