Pz IV Beob 7.5 cm gun and ammo

[Kelvin]

Hi, everyone, Pz IV variant Pz IV Beob had a turret with a gun, is it a dummy gun or real gun ? Normally artillery observation tank did not need the gun for combat e.g. Pz III Beob only had a machine gun. But I cannot find about detailed data on Pz IV Beob 's gun, if its gun work, how many ammunition she carried. ( Pz IV normally carried 87 rounds and Pz IV Bef carried 72 rounds), anyone have any ideas ?

[Alanmccoubrey]

Kelvin, the Beobpanzer IV was fitted with the same gun as a normal Pz IV so the L/48 75mm. The Beobpz IV would have carried the same amount of ammunition as its contemporary BefPz IV.

[Kelvin]

Hi, Alan, is it a waste of resoures in Panzer units. e.g. I see 19. Panzer Division OOB chart on Dec 1 1944, there were totally seven Panzer Beob IV in its self-propelled battalion of Panzer Artillerie Regiment, one in battalion headquarter and two each in Wespe batteries and another two in Hummel battery. That mean seven Pz IV with tank guns in self-propelled howitzer battalion, for what ? just protection of SP guns and provided observation for artillery firing ? Pz III Beob only had MG, seemed make sense in its role in artillery battalion.

[Alanmccoubrey]

Kelvin, Because they needed to be able to defend themselves. The British had moved away from dummy guns on their command and observation tanks as well remember. The Beob tank had to be up front with the advancing tanks after all.

[Kelvin]

Hi, Alan, thank.