PzKpfw

PzKpfw is the German designation Panzerkampfwagen, indicating armored fighting vehicles, including tanks, used by the Wehrmacht and related forces. It is employed as a prefix in the designation of German armored vehicles, followed by a number or letter to identify the specific model.

Etymology: Panzerkampfwagen translates to "armor fighting vehicle" or "armored combat vehicle," combining Panzer (armor or tank) and Kampfwagen (combat vehicle). The prefix appears in wartime designations such as PzKpfw I through PzKpfw VI, and in various sub-variants.

Major examples and roles: PzKpfw I was a light tank used for training and infantry support; PzKpfw II was a light reconnaissance tank; PzKpfw III was a medium tank intended to fight other tanks and support infantry; PzKpfw IV became the workhorse, a standard medium tank produced in large numbers with multiple upgrades; PzKpfw V Panther was a mid‑war medium tank with improved firepower and mobility; PzKpfw VI Tiger I and Tiger II were heavy tanks with very thick armor and powerful guns, often facing reliability and maintenance challenges. The designation PzKpfw 38(t) refers to a Czech-origin tank pressed into service by Germany.

Legacy: The PzKpfw prefix is widely used in historical sources and museums to classify German World War II tanks. In postwar German nomenclature and modern armor development, official naming schemes differ, but the PzKpfw lineage remains a recognizable element of wartime armored vehicle history.