Why was the Pz. IV first intended to support infantry?

The Pz. IV was originally intended as an infantry-support tank because the German army recognized a specific need for tanks equipped with more powerful 75-mm guns to provide necessary support for other units, such as the Pz. III, during intense combat operations.12

While other tanks of the era, such as the Pz. III, were designed for different roles, they often lacked the firepower required to engage in heavy fighting on their own. By designing the Pz. IV with a 75-mm gun, the German military aimed to create a vehicle capable of providing the heavy fire support that infantry and lighter armored units required to overcome defensive obstacles. Although it began in this support role, the Pz. IV eventually evolved to become the backbone of Germany's panzer divisions from 1943 until the end of World War II, as it was refitted with thicker armor and a high-velocity gun to counter threats like the Soviet T-34.21