First introduced in 1943 during Operation Citadel on the Eastern Front, the Panther's introduction to combat was less than glorious. Following some remodelling it reappeared forming a large chunk of the combat tanks within the Panzer Divisions (along with the smaller Pz Kpfw IV). The Panther was the German response to the superb Russian T-34 with sloping frontal armour and a more powerful gun.