By Stephen Hart.

When in June of 1941, Germany invaded Russia, Panzertruppe encountered KV series and T-34/76 tanks, far superior in firepower and armour protection to any Panzer in service at the time. It was therefore decided to design a new more powerful medium tank, which could be quickly put into production.

This work details the development and deployment of the most effective and best known German tank of World War II, the Panther Medium Tank, which was available for service in January 1943. Later models ensured that it became one of the most feared tanks of World War II.