Panzer IV Before Fall Gelb

Panzer IV Ausf.D in the Western Front before Fall Gelb, 21 March 1940. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Huschke from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 689. Despite increased production of the medium Panzer IIIs and IVs prior to the German invasion of France on 10 May 1940, the majority of German tanks were still light types. According to Heinz Guderian, the Wehrmacht invaded France with 523 Panzer Is, 955 Panzer IIs, 349 Panzer IIIs, 278 Panzer IVs, 106 Panzer 35(t)s and 228 Panzer 38(t)s. Through the use of tactical radios and superior tactics, the Germans were able to outmaneuver and defeat French and British armour. However, Panzer IVs armed with the KwK 37 L/24 75-millimetre (2.95 in) tank gun found it difficult to engage French tanks such as the Somua S35 and Char B1. The Somua S35 had a maximum armour thickness of 55 mm (2.2 in), while the KwK 37 L/24 could only penetrate 43 mm (1.7 in) at a range of 700 m (2,300 ft). The British Matilda II was also heavily armoured, with at least 70 mm (2.76 in) of steel on the front and turret and a minimum of 65 mm on the sides, but were few in number.

Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-124-0216-11,_Im_Westen,_Panzer_IV.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzer_IV