Panzer III
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
| General Characteristics (Ausf J) |
| Length: | 5.52 m |
| Width: | 2.9 m |
| Height: | 2.5 m |
| Weight: | 22 t |
| Speed: | 40 km/h (road)
19 km/h (off-road) |
| Range: | 155 km |
| Primary armament: | 50mm gun |
| Secondary armament: | Two 7.92mm machine guns |
| Power plant: | 197 kW (265 hp) |
| Crew: | 5 (Commander, gunner, loader,
driver and radio operator) |
The Panzer III is a German medium tank used in World War II.
Production History
The first prototype was designed by Daimler-Benz in 1936.
Variants
- Panzer III Ausf A,B,C,D - pre-production models in 1937-38. 75 produced.
- Panzer III Ausf E,F - Production models 1939-1940. Armed with 37mm (later 50mm) guns. 531 produced.
- Panzer III Ausf G - More armour. Armed with 37mm (later 50mm) guns. 600 produced in 1940-41.
- Panzer III Ausf H - Minor modifications. 308 produced in 1940-41.
- Panzer III Ausf J - The hull was lenghtened. 2616 produced in 1941-42.
- Panzer III Ausf L - Minor modifications. 653 produced in 1942.
- Panzer III Ausf M - 250 produced in 1942-43.
- Panzer III Ausf N - Armed with a 75mm L/24 gun. 700 produced in 1942-43.
- Tauchpanzer III - Some tanks were converted to "diving tanks" for Operation Sealion.
- Bergepanzer III - In 1944 all Panzer IIIs were converted to armoured recovery vehicles.
- Sturmgeschütz III - tank destroyer with 75mm StuK.
Combat History
Used in the campaigns agains Poland, France, the Soviet Union and in North Africa. Some were still in use in Normandy in 1944.
