Panzer III

Specification

• Type : Medium tank
  
• Place of origin : Nazi Germany
  
• In service : 1939–1945
  
• Used by : Nazi Germany, Romania, Hungary, Independent State of Croatia, Turkey, Norway
  
• Wars : World War II
  
• Designer : Daimler-Benz
  
• Designed : 1935
  
• Manufacturer : Daimler-Benz
  
• Produced : 1939–1943
  
• Number built : 5,774 (excluding StuG III)
  
• Weight : 23.0 tonnes (25.4 short tons)
  
• Length : 6.41 m (21.0 ft)
  
• Width : 2.90 m (9.5 ft)
  
• Height : 2.5 m (8.2 ft)
  
• Crew : 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator/bow machine-gunner)
  
• Armor : 5–70 mm (0.20–2.8 in)
  
• Primary armament : 1 × 3.7 cm KwK 36 Ausf. A-F ; 1 × 5 cm KwK 38 Ausf. F-J ; 1 × 5 cm KwK 39 Ausf. J¹-M ; 1 × 7.5 cm KwK 37 Ausf. N
  
• Secondary armament : 2-3 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
  
• Engine : 12-cylinder Maybach HL 120 TRM ; 300 PS (296 hp, 220 kW)
  
• Power/weight : 12 hp/t
  
• Suspension : Torsion-bar suspension
  
• Operational range : 155 km (96 mi)
  
• Speed : 40 km/h (25 mph) road, 20 km/h (12 mph) off road
  

History

Panzer III is the common name of a medium tank that was developed in the 1930s by Germany and used extensively in World War II. The official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen III (abbreviated PzKpfw III) translating as "armoured battle vehicle". It was intended to fight other armoured fighting vehicles and serve alongside the Panzer IV. However, it soon became obsolete in this role and for most purposes was supplanted by the Panzer IV, though some Panzer IIIs would continue to be used for infantry support until late in the war.

The Panzer III was used in the campaigns against Poland, France, the Soviet Union and in North Africa. A handful were still in use in Normandy and at Arnhem in 1944.

In the Polish and French campaigns, the Panzer III formed a small part of the German armored forces. Only a few hundred Ausf. A through F were available in these campaigns, most armed with the 37-millimetre (1.46 in) gun. They were the best medium tank available to the Germans and outclassed most of their opponents such as the Polish 7TP, French R-35 and H-35 light tanks.

Around the time of Operation Barbarossa, the Panzer III was numerically the most important German tank. At this time the majority of the available tanks (including re-armed Ausf. E and F, plus new Ausf. G and H models) had the 50-millimetre (1.97 in) KwK L/42 cannon which also equipped the majority of the tanks in North Africa. Initially, the Panzer III's were outclassed by Soviet T-34 and KV tanks. However, the most numerous Soviet tanks were the T-26 and BT tanks. This, along with superior German tactical skill,[2]crew training, and the good ergonomics of the Panzer III all contributed to a rough 6:1 favorable kill ratio for German tanks of all types in 1941

With the appearance of the T-34 and KV tanks, rearming the Panzer III with a longer, more powerful 50-millimetre (1.97 in) cannon was prioritized. The T-34 was generally invulnerable in frontal engagements with the Panzer III until the 50 mm KwK 39 gun was introduced on the Panzer III Ausf. J¹ in the spring of 1942. This could penetrate the T-34 frontally at ranges under 500 metres (1,600 ft).[3] Against the KV tanks it was a threat if armed with special high velocity tungsten rounds. In addition, to counter antitank rifles, in 1943 the Ausf. L version began the use of spaced armor skirts (schürzen) around the turret and on the hull sides. However, due to the introduction of the upgunned and uparmored Panzer IV, the Panzer III was, after the Battle of Kursk, relegated to secondary roles, and it was replaced as the main German medium tank by the Panzer IV and the Panther.

The Panzer III was well designed in that it had a three-man turret crew (gunner, loader and commander), leaving the commander free to concentrate on commanding the tank and maintaining situational awareness. Although other medium tanks of the time also had this feature, most tanks of the late 1930s had fewer than three men in the turret crew, potentially providing the Panzer III with a "fightability" advantage over otherwise similar tanks, such as the French Somua S-35, which only had a one man turret crew.

The Panzer III chassis was the basis for the Sturmgeschütz III assault gun, one of the most successful self-propelled guns of the war.

Variant

• Panzer III Ausf. A, B, C, D - Pre-production models in 1937-1938. 75 produced.
  
• Panzer III Ausf. E, F - Production models 1939-1940. Armed with 3.7 cm KwK 36 L/46.5 (later 5 cm KwK 38 L/42) guns. 531 produced.
  
• Panzer III Ausf. G - More armour on gun mantlet. Armed with 5 cm KwK 38 L/42 gun. 600 produced in 1940-1941.
  
• Panzer III Ausf. H - Minor modifications. Bolt-on armor added to front and rear hull (30 mm + 30 mm plates). 308 produced in 1940-1941.
  
• Panzer III Ausf. I - Variant mentioned in Allied intelligence reports but not an actual existing vehicle.
  
• Panzer III Ausf. J - The hull was lengthened. Front armor increased to 50 mm plate. 482 produced in 1941.
  
• Panzer III Ausf. J¹ - Equipped with the longer and more powerful 5 cm KwK 39 L/60 gun. 1,067 produced in late 1941 to mid 1942.
  
• Panzer III Ausf. K - Panzerbefehlswagen command tank variant with a modified turret. Carried actual main armament rather than a dummy gun found on other Panzer III command versions.
  
• Panzer III Ausf. L - Uparmored to 50 mm + 20 mm plates. 653 produced in 1942.
  
• Panzer III Ausf. M - Minor modifications such as deep-wading exhaust and schurzen. 250 produced in 1942-1943.
  
• Panzer III Ausf. N - Armed with a 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 gun. 700 re-equipped J/L/M models in 1942-1943.