The Panzer IV was developed in the first few months of the 2nd World War to provide the German armored forces with a better protected vehicle carrying a 7.5 CM cannon. This was a reaction to the limits of its predecessor the model III with a 5 CM cannon compared to the threat of the enemy's means, in particular the soviet T34s which were equipped with an arm of that caliber as well as good armor plating. The model IV tank was extensively used on all fronts during the 2nd World War by the German Army. Many different gradually improved versions were produced to face the on-going improvements of the opponents means.