German armored fighting vehicle production during World War II
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World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
era. Vehicles include tanks, self-propelled artillery, assault guns and tank destroyers.
Where figures for production in 1939 are given, they refer to September 1939 onwards; that is, they only count wartime production.
Total production
| Pre-war | 1939 | 1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | Wartime | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panzer I Panzer I The Panzer I was a light tank produced in Germany in the 1930s. The name is short for the German ' , abbreviated . The tank's official German ordnance inventory designation was SdKfz 101 .Design of the Panzer I began in 1932 and mass production in 1934... |
1,893 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1,893 |
| Panzer II Panzer II The Panzer II was the common name for a family of German tanks used in World War II. The official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen II... |
1,223 | 15 | 110 | 265 | 848 | 803 | 151 | - | 2,181 | 3,404 |
| Panzer 38(t) Panzer 38(t) The Panzerkampfwagen 38 was originally a Czech tank of pre-World War II design. After Czechoslovakia was taken over by Germany, it was adopted by the German Army, seeing service in the invasions of Poland and Russia. Production ended in 1942, when its armament was deemed inadequate. In all, over... |
78 | 153 | 467 | 678 | 652 | 1,008 | 2,356 | 1,335 | 6,549 | 6,627 |
| Panzer III Panzer III Panzer III was the common name of a medium tank that was developed in the 1930s by Germany and was used extensively in World War II. The official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen III translating as "armoured battle vehicle". It was intended to fight other armoured fighting vehicles and... |
98 | 157 | 1,854 | 2,213 | 2,958 | 5,435 | 4,752 | 1,136 | 16,311 | 16,409 |
| Panzer IV Panzer IV The Panzerkampfwagen IV , commonly known as the Panzer IV, was a medium tank developed in Nazi Germany in the late 1930s and used extensively during the Second World War. Its ordnance inventory designation was Sd.Kfz... |
211 | 45 | 368 | 467 | 994 | 3,822 | 6,625 | 1,090 | 13,311 | 13,522 |
| Panzer V Panther | - | - | - | - | - | 1,849 | 4,003 | 705 | 6,557 | 6,557 |
| Panzer VI H Tiger I Tiger I Tiger I is the common name of a German heavy tank developed in 1942 and used in World War II. The final official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. E, often shortened to Tiger. It was an answer to the unexpectedly formidable Soviet armour encountered in the initial months of... |
- | - | - | - | 78 | 649 | 641 | - | 1,368 | 1,368 |
| Panzer VI B Tiger II Tiger II Tiger II is the common name of a German heavy tank of the Second World War. The final official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. B,Panzerkampfwagen – abbr: Pz. or Pz.Kfw. Ausführung – abbr: Ausf. .The full titles Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf... |
- | - | - | - | - | 1 | 428 | 140 | 569 | 569 |
| Elefant Elefant The Elefant was a "schwerer Panzerjäger" of the German Wehrmacht used in small numbers in World War II. It was built in 1943 under the name Ferdinand, after its designer Ferdinand Porsche. In 1944, after modification of the existing vehicles, they were renamed Elefant... |
- | - | - | - | - | 90 | - | - | 90 | 90 |
| Total | 3,503 | 370 | 2,799 | 3,623 | 5,530 | 13,657 | 18,956 | 4,406 | 46,936 | 50,439 |
Notes:
- figures include both tank production and chassis production used for other vehicles, thus Panzer III figures include StuG III production.
- Panzer III figures for 1942 excludes 449 Panzer IIIN converted from older types, redelivery of these units extended into 1943.
Panzer I
Panzer I
The Panzer I was a light tank produced in Germany in the 1930s. The name is short for the German ' , abbreviated . The tank's official German ordnance inventory designation was SdKfz 101 .Design of the Panzer I began in 1932 and mass production in 1934...
Pre-war: 1,893 hulls had been produced. 1,867 were fitted with turrets, and the rest used as command or training vehicles.
Panzer II
Panzer IIPanzer II
The Panzer II was the common name for a family of German tanks used in World War II. The official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen II...
Pre-war: 1,223.
| 1939 | 1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pz II | 15 | 9 | 223 | 302 | 77 | 7 | - | 633 |
| Pz II (f) | - | 90 | 42 | 23 | - | - | - | 155 |
| Marder II | - | - | - | 511 | 212 | - | - | 723 |
| Wespe | - | - | - | - | 514 | 144 | - | 658 |
| Bison | - | - | - | 12 | - | - | - | 12 |
| Total | 15 | 99 | 265 | 848 | 803 | 151 | - | 2,181 |
Variants:
- Panzer II (f) - flamethrower tank (converted from older types)
- Marder IIMarder IIThe Marder II was a German tank destroyer of World War II based on the Panzer II chassis.-History:During the very first days of Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union, the Germans were shocked to encounter Soviet T-34 medium tanks and KV heavy tanks...
- 75 mm PaK 40 L/46 or captured Soviet 76.2 mm gun on Panzer II chassis (Sd.Kfz. 131/132) (some converted from older types) - WespeWespeThe SdKfz 124 Wespe , also known as Leichte Feldhaubitze 18 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II , was a German self-propelled artillery vehicle developed and used during the Second World War...
- 105 mm light field howitzer on Panzer II chassis (Sd.Kfz. 124) - Sturmpanzer II Bison - 150 mm heavy infantry gun on Panzer II chassis
Panzer 38(t)
Panzer 38(t)Panzer 38(t)
The Panzerkampfwagen 38 was originally a Czech tank of pre-World War II design. After Czechoslovakia was taken over by Germany, it was adopted by the German Army, seeing service in the invasions of Poland and Russia. Production ended in 1942, when its armament was deemed inadequate. In all, over...
Pre-war: 78.
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| 1939 | 1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pz 38(t) | 153 | 367 | 678 | 198 | - | - | - | 1,396 |
| Marder 138 | - | - | - | 110 | 783 | 323 | - | 1,216 |
| Marder 139 | - | - | - | 344 | - | - | - | 344 |
| Grille | - | - | - | - | 225 | 346 | - | 571 |
| Hetzer | - | - | - | - | - | 1,687 | 1,335 | 3,022 |
| Total | 153 | 367 | 678 | 652 | 1,008 | 2,356 | 1,335 | 6,549 |
Variants:
- Marder 138 (Marder IIIMarder IIIThe Marder III is the name for a series of World War II German tank destroyers built on the chassis of the Panzer 38. The German word Marder means "marten" in English...
) - 75 mm PaK 40 L/46 gun on Panzer 38(t) chassis (Sd.Kfz. 138) - Marder 139 (Marder IIIMarder IIIThe Marder III is the name for a series of World War II German tank destroyers built on the chassis of the Panzer 38. The German word Marder means "marten" in English...
) - captured Soviet 76.2 mm gun on Panzer 38(t) chassis (Sd.Kfz. 139) - Grille - 150 mm heavy infantry gun on Panzer 38(t) chassis (figures include munition-carrying versions of the Grille) (Sd.Kfz. 138/1)
- HetzerHetzerThe Jagdpanzer 38 , later known as Hetzer , was a German light tank destroyer of the Second World War based on a modified Czechoslovakian Panzer 38 chassis. The project was inspired by the Romanian "Mareşal" tank destroyer.The name Hetzer was at the time not commonly used for this vehicle...
(Jagdpanzer 38(t)) - 75 mm PaK 39 L/48 gun on a widened Pz 38(t) chassis (Sd.Kfz. 138/2)
Panzer III
Panzer IIIPanzer III
Panzer III was the common name of a medium tank that was developed in the 1930s by Germany and was used extensively in World War II. The official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen III translating as "armoured battle vehicle". It was intended to fight other armoured fighting vehicles and...
Pre-war: 98.
| 1939 | 1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pz III A-F | 157 | 396 | - | - | - | - | - | 553 |
| Pz III G-J | - | 466 | 1,673 | 251 | - | - | - | 2,390 |
| Pz III J/1-M | - | - | - | 1,907 | 64 | - | - | 1,971 |
| Pz III N | - | - | - | 449 | 213 | - | - | 662 |
| Pz III (f) | - | - | - | - | 100 | - | - | 100 |
| StuG III A-E | - | 192 | 540 | 93 | - | - | - | 825 |
| StuG III F-G | - | - | - | 695 | 3,011 | 3,849* | 1,038 | 8,593 |
| StuH 42 | - | - | - | 12 | 204 | 903 | 98 | 1,217 |
| Total | 157 | 1,054 | 2,213 | 3,407 | 3,592 | 4,752 | 1,136 | 16,311 |
* not including 173 converted Panzer III.
- Panzer III A-F - armed with 37 mm gun
- Panzer III G-J - armed with 50 mm L/42 gun
- Panzer III J/1-M - armed with 50 mm L/60 gun
- Panzer III N - armed with 75 mm L/24 gun (converted older types)
- Panzer III (f) - armed with flamethrower
- StuG III A-ESturmgeschütz IIIThe Sturmgeschütz III assault gun was Germany's most produced armoured fighting vehicle during World War II. It was built on the chassis of the proven Panzer III tank...
- Sturmgeschütz III. Assault Gun armed with 75 mm L/24 on Panzer III chassis (Sd.Kfz. 142) - StuG III F-GSturmgeschütz IIIThe Sturmgeschütz III assault gun was Germany's most produced armoured fighting vehicle during World War II. It was built on the chassis of the proven Panzer III tank...
- Sturmgeschütz 40. Assault Gun armed with 75 mm L/43 or L/48 on Panzer III chassis (Sd.Kfz. 142/1) - StuH 42 - Sturmhaubitze 42. StuG III with 105 mm light field howitzer (Sd. Kfz. 142/2)
Panzer IV
Panzer IVPanzer IV
The Panzerkampfwagen IV , commonly known as the Panzer IV, was a medium tank developed in Nazi Germany in the late 1930s and used extensively during the Second World War. Its ordnance inventory designation was Sd.Kfz...
Pre-war: 211.
| 1939 | 1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pz IV A-F1 | 45 | 268 | 467 | 124 | - | - | - | 904 |
| Pz IV F2-J | - | - | - | 870 | 3,013 | 3,126 | 385 | 7,394 |
| StuG IV | - | - | - | - | 30 | 1,006 | 105 | 1,141 |
| Jagdpanzer IV | - | - | - | - | - | 769 | - | 769 |
| Jagdpanzer IV/70 | - | - | - | - | - | 767 | 441 | 1,208 |
| Sturmpanzer IV | - | - | - | - | 66 | 215 | 17 | 298 |
| Hornisse | - | - | - | - | 345 | 133 | 16 | 494 |
| Hummel | - | - | - | - | 368 | 289 | 57 | 714 |
| Möbelwagen | - | - | - | - | - | 205 | 35 | 240 |
| Wirbelwind | - | - | - | - | - | 100 | 6 | 106 |
| Ostwind | - | - | - | - | - | 15 | 28 | 43 |
| Total | 45 | 268 | 467 | 994 | 3,822 | 6,625 | 1,090 | 13,311 |
- Panzer IV A-F1 - Panzer IV with short 75 mm L/24 gun
- Panzer IV F2-J - Panzer IV with long 75 mm L/43 or L/48 gun
- StuG IVSturmgeschütz IVThe Sturmgeschütz IV , was a German assault gun of the Second World War.-Development:The Sturmgeschütz IV resulted from Krupp's effort to supply an assault gun...
- Assault Gun. Modified superstructure of Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. G on Panzer IV chassis; armed with 75 mm L/48 gun (Sd.Kfz. 167) - Jagdpanzer IVJagdpanzer IVThe Jagdpanzer IV, Sd.Kfz. 162, was a tank destroyer based on the Panzer IV chassis built in three main variants. As one of the casemate-style turretless Jagdpanzer designs, it was developed against the wishes of Heinz Guderian, the inspector general of the Panzertruppen, as a replacement for the...
- Tank Destroyer with 75 mm L/48 gun on Panzer IV chassis (Sd.Kfz. 162) - Jagdpanzer IV/70Jagdpanzer IVThe Jagdpanzer IV, Sd.Kfz. 162, was a tank destroyer based on the Panzer IV chassis built in three main variants. As one of the casemate-style turretless Jagdpanzer designs, it was developed against the wishes of Heinz Guderian, the inspector general of the Panzertruppen, as a replacement for the...
- Tank Destroyer with 75 mm L/70 gun on Panzer IV chassis (Sd.Kfz. 162/1) - Sturmpanzer IVBrummbärThe Sturmpanzer IV was a German armoured infantry support gun based on the Panzer IV chassis used in the Second World War. It was used at the Battles of Kursk, Anzio, Normandy, and helped to put down the Warsaw Uprising...
(Brummbär) - with 150 mm field howitzer on Panzer IV chassis (Sd.Kfz. 166) - HornisseNashornNashorn , initially known as Hornisse , was a German tank destroyer of World War II. It was developed as an interim solution in 1942 and was armed with the outstanding Pak 43 anti-tank gun...
- 88 mm PaK43/1 auf Geschützwagen III/IV, later known as Nashorn (Sd. Kfz. 164) - HummelHummel (artillery)The Hummel was a self-propelled artillery gun based on the Geschützwagen III/IV chassis, armed with a 15 cm howitzer. It was used by the German Wehrmacht during the Second World War from late 1942 until the end of the war....
- 150 mm field howitzer on Geschützwagen III/IV chassis (Sd.Kfz. 165) - MöbelwagenMöbelwagenThe 3.7cm FlaK auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen IV , nicknamed Möbelwagen because of its boxy turret , was a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun built from the chassis of the Panzer IV tank...
- Anti Aircraft. 37mm FlaK 43 L/89 on Panzer IV chassis (Flakpanzer IV Sd.Kfz.161/3) - WirbelwindWirbelwindThe Flakpanzer IV "Wirbelwind" was a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun based on the Panzer IV tank. It was developed in 1944 as a successor to the earlier self-propelled anti-aircraft gun Möbelwagen....
- Anti Aircraft. quadruple 20mm FlaK 38 L/112.5 guns on Panzer IV chassis, with armored turret (Flakpanzer IV) - OstwindOstwindThe Flakpanzer IV "Ostwind" was a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun based on the Panzer IV tank. It was developed in 1944 as a successor to the earlier self-propelled anti-aircraft gun Wirbelwind....
- Anti Aircraft. 37mm FlaK 43 L/89 on Panzer IV chassis, with armored turret (Flakpanzer IV)
The Panzer IV
Panzer IV
The Panzerkampfwagen IV , commonly known as the Panzer IV, was a medium tank developed in Nazi Germany in the late 1930s and used extensively during the Second World War. Its ordnance inventory designation was Sd.Kfz...
was originally armed with a low-velocity 75 mm L/24 gun. In 1942 this was upgraded to a 75 mm L/43 gun, in 1943 to a 75 mm L/48 gun; both these guns are classed as "long" in the table.
Panzer V (Panther)
| 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panther | 1,848 | 3,777 | 507 | 6,132 |
| Jagdpanther | 1 | 226 | 198 | 425 |
| Total | 1,849 | 4,003 | 705 | 6,557 |
Variants:
- PantherPanther tankPanther is the common name of a medium tank fielded by Nazi Germany in World War II that served from mid-1943 to the end of the European war in 1945. It was intended as a counter to the T-34, and to replace the Panzer III and Panzer IV; while never replacing the latter, it served alongside it as...
(Panzer V) was armed with a 75 mm KwK 42 L/70 gun (Sd.Kfz. 171) - JagdpantherJagdpantherThe Jagdpanther was a tank destroyer built by Nazi Germany during World War II based on the chassis of the Panther tank. It entered service late in the war and saw service on the Eastern and Western fronts...
- Tank Destroyer with an 88 mm L/71 PaK43 gun on Panzer V chassis (Sd.Kfz. 173)
Panzer VI (Tiger)
| 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger I | 78 | 649 | 623 | - | 1,350 |
| Sturmtiger | - | - | 18 | - | 18 |
| Tiger II | - | 1 | 377 | 112 | 490 |
| Jagdtiger | - | - | 51 | 28 | 79 |
| Total | 78 | 650 | 1,069 | 140 | 1,937 |
- Tiger ITiger ITiger I is the common name of a German heavy tank developed in 1942 and used in World War II. The final official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. E, often shortened to Tiger. It was an answer to the unexpectedly formidable Soviet armour encountered in the initial months of...
(Panzer VI E/H) was armed with an 88 mm L/56 gun (Sd.Kfz. 181) - SturmtigerSturmtigerSturmtiger is the common name of a World War II German assault gun built on the Tiger I chassis and armed with a large naval rocket launcher. The official German designation was Sturmmörserwagen 606/4 mit 38 cm RW 61. Its primary task was to provide heavy fire support for infantry units...
- Based on Tiger I chassis. 380 mm rocket mortar on Tiger I chassis (converted from battle damaged tanks)
- Tiger IITiger IITiger II is the common name of a German heavy tank of the Second World War. The final official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. B,Panzerkampfwagen – abbr: Pz. or Pz.Kfw. Ausführung – abbr: Ausf. .The full titles Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf...
(Panzer VI B, also known as Königstiger) was armed with an 88 mm L/71 gun (Sd.Kfz. 182) - JagdtigerJagdtigerJagdtiger is the common name of a German tank destroyer of World War II. The official German designation was Panzerjäger Tiger Ausf. B. The ordnance inventory designation was Sd. Kfz. 186. It saw service in small numbers from late 1944 to the end of the war on both the Western and Eastern Front...
- Based on Tiger II chassis. Tank Destroyer armed with a 128 mm L/55 PaK44 gun (Sd.Kfz. 186)
Ferdinand/Elefant
| 1943 | |
|---|---|
| Elefant | 91 |
Notes:
- The Ferdinand/ElefantElefantThe Elefant was a "schwerer Panzerjäger" of the German Wehrmacht used in small numbers in World War II. It was built in 1943 under the name Ferdinand, after its designer Ferdinand Porsche. In 1944, after modification of the existing vehicles, they were renamed Elefant...
(Sd.Kfz. 184) used the chassis of Porsche's losing entry for the Tiger competition. On top of this chassis, a forward-facing 88 mm L/71 gun was mounted.
See also
- German AFVs of World War II
- German tanks in World War IIGerman tanks in World War IINazi Germany had several tank designs during World War II. In addition to these domestic designs, Germany also made use of various captured and foreign-built tanks.- Development and uses :...
- German aircraft production during WW2
- Comparison of early World War II tanksComparison of early World War II tanksThis table compare the tanks in use by the belligerent nations of Europe at the start of the Second World War, employed in the Polish Campaign , the Fall of France , and Operation Barbarossa ....
- Other countries' production figures
- FranceFrench armoured fighting vehicle production during World War IIThis is a list of French combat vehicle production before and during the Second World War. The numbers given are generally those of vehicles actually delivered including exported vehicles. However, it includes those vehicles not yet delivered in June 1940 in the 1940 totals. For the FT 17 only the...
- Soviet UnionSoviet armored fighting vehicle production during World War IIDuring the Second World War from the start of the war between the Soviet Union and Germany on 22 June 1941 Soviet armoured vehicle production was necessary to replace losses due to combat and the loss of production facilities....
- United KingdomBritish armoured fighting vehicle production during World War IIThis article lists British armoured fighting vehicle production during World War II.-Nomenclature:Tanks were known by one of three identification schemes. Firstly a General Staff specification e.g. A13. This could apply to more than one vehicle or if the vehicle was privately developed not have a...
- United StatesAmerican armored fighting vehicle production during World War IIThis page details tank production by the United States of America during World War II.- Stuart series :By the time the United States entered the Second World War in 1942 they had only two tanks ready for combat the M1 Combat Car and the M2 Light Tank. Originally both tanks only came equipped with...
- France