The Panzer IV gives fire support to the lighter tanks. Although its role would change as the war progressed; it was the only German tank to stay in continuous production over the course of the war. It too was relatively rare in Poland
in 1939; with only one platoon in each Panzer battalion (although once again 1. Panzerdivision and Panzer Lehr had more). By the Battle of France each battalion had a full Mittlere Panzerkompanie equipped with Panzer IV tanks.