The panzer IV was the main battle tank produced by Germany during WWII. More than 9000 Panzer IVs were produced from 1937 to 1945 in ten different versions (identified by a letter from A to J). For this reason, this tank was continuously up-graded to improve its gun and armour capabilities. Despite the fact that the Panzer IV was initially designed according to Heinz Guderian specifications as a medium tank to fight against infantry and fortifications, it then replaced the Panzer III in the tank-fighting role. During the invasion of France, the armamement of the Panzer IV revealed its weakness when engaged face-to-face against strong french B1bis, as it did later during North-african campain against british Matilda's. During the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, the insufficient penetration power of Panzer III and IV against soviet T-34 led to the design of the new german tank, the "Panther". However, as the Panzer IV was less expensive and more reliable than the Panther, it was again produced and up-graded with a long and more accurate gun (version F2, then G). After the WWII, Syria bought several dozens of Panzer IVs and still used them in 1967 during the "6 days war" against Isra?l."