Combining the chassis of the Panzer IV and a modified StuG III G superstructure, the Sturmgeshutz IV was introduced to increase assault gun production following the bombing of a major StuG assembly plant. With over a thousand StuG IV produced this AFV was often assigned to Panzer, Panzer Grenadier, Infantry and Volksgrenadier units and saw combat in all theatres from early 1944 onwards. Its low profile, ease of production and suitability to defensive battles made it well suited to the needs of the German army during the final year of the war. Despite its production numbers, only one StuG IV has survived, and the assault gun has received only moderate attention from publishers, usually as a later chapter in books on the StuG III or Panzer IV.

Contents

Like other Tankpower books, this title is clearly aimed at modelers with plenty of the sort of detail modelers ask for. The focus of the book is on the StuG IV’s history, appearance, technical features, and combat markings with many photos included.

The book has a well-structured format that makes it easy to find specific information when using it as a modeling or general military reference. The opening section presents the history of the StuG IV and the arrangements for its production. The next sections recount the modifications made during production, and describe the StuG IV in detail covering the layout, details on the power unit and transmission, chassis modifications, armament, optics and electricals. One section covers its combat use and the final section the painting & markings, this being quite short and superficial. The text is dual Polish and English text and although the English is well translated some slips exist. While largely a summary of existing research, this book’s text presents the information in a unified and accessible format.

The front section includes a good compilation of 30 wartime photos, and a surprising number were new to me, while others are not that widely published. A key benefit is that this is the only large collection of wartime photos of the StuG IV in one volume that I know of. The images are printed clearly on glossy paper and most are quite large (typically 1/3 to ½ page in size).

The scale drawings are in 1/35 with some by Hilary Doyle and most by Jacek Szymanski. There is a side profile of the Krupp prototype. For the early to mid production StuG IV based on the Panzer IV Ausf H chassis there are three pages covering 5 views. The late production StuG, which had the Ausf J hull with flame suppressing exhausts (flammvernichter), is covered to the same level. One plan shows the internal layout (cross profile) and another illustration the armor thickness. The line drawings seem well researched with small detail such as screw heads and electrical cabling to the headlamp.

Nine pages present 27 color side profiles that include a wide range of configurations, schemes and units, so for modelers this offers plenty of inspiration.

The final section contains walk-around photos of the one surviving StuG IV which is on open air display in Poland. This damaged vehicle was recovered from a swamp in 1999 and has been partly restored. Apart from providing close-up details, the photos dating from 1999 when it was recovered and 2006 also give some indication of the repair work. While damaged the vehicle is surprisingly authentic in its fittings, having benefited from being undisturbed for 55 years. This is the only books I know of which has a large collection of photos of this surviving StuG IV.

Summary

Tankpower’s “StuG IV” provides a very useful reference on this late war assault gun, which has the bonus of being visually well presented. I particularly appreciate having a broad collection of wartime and museum photos of the StuG IV in one book. Given the lack of other titles on the StuG IV, I am very pleased in how this title fills that gap on my bookshelf. Definitely recommended.

Neville Lord

Tankpower’s military titles are stocked by specialist retailers including Historica Books who specialize in WWII titles.

Related 1/35 Kits

Dragon makes the most accurate 1/35 scale kits of the StuG IV. Dragon offers both an early production version (kit 9038) and a late production version (kit 9043). The early production release has slightly crisper tooling for some features.

Italeri and Tamiya both offer 1/35 models of the StuG IV but both are older kits with limitations.

User Contributed Notes