Draft:Panzergranate 40

The Panzergranate 40 (short PzGr. 40 or Pzgr. 40) was a German standard tank shell that was used in World War II. Manufactured in various calibers, it was a special armor-piercing ammunition for use in direct fire combat against heavily armored combat vehicles.

Structure and Use
Externally similar to the projectile of PzGr. 39, the PzGr. 40 was designed without an explosive charge (HE), and was therefore considered to be a “single-type” bullet. To improve the aerodynamic properties, the garnet tip was also shaped as a ballistic hood (BC). It was made of plastic, cold-formable metal.

When it hit an armored target, the hood was deformed, clung to the metal surface and formed a plug through which the “armor-piercing tip” (APCR), the actual impact body or “penetrator”, was driven armor-piercing. The penetrator itself was made of tungsten, but had to be replaced by hardened steel bodies due to material shortages during the war.

Use in Various Weapon Systems
The tank shell was specially designed for fighting armored combat vehicles and was continuously improved and modified until the end of the war. As one of the standard projectiles, it was manufactured in various calibers that could be fired in a whole range of weapon systems. APCR typically has more armor penetration than normal armor piercing shells, as the shell diameter is smaller (See image above) and is held in place by a sabot, made of softer metals, meaning the shells pressure on the plate is reduced, having better penetration.

Technical Data
The PzGr. 40 had a greater net mass, which resulted in higher penetration forces at comparable acceleration values. All in all, this resulted in superior to satisfactory combat values ​​in direct fire combat for all ranges. However, the procurement of materials and the manufacture of the tungsten hard cores became more and more difficult. From 1943 on, production declined, which meant that it was only used to a limited extent. The PzGr, manufactured from 1944. 40 with a simple steel penetrator then also showed significantly lower penetration rates compared to the remaining stocks (if available at all) with tungsten penetrator.

Conclusion
The Panzergranate 40 was a significant development in armor-piercing ammunition during World War II. Despite its eventual decline in use due to material shortages, its design and effectiveness left a lasting impact on the development of military technology.