Panzerkampfwagen III, (PzKpfw III) SdKfz 14113:
In 1935 contracts were issued by the Germany Army Weapons Department for prototypes of 2 main battle tanks.7,13 One would have a high velocity gun for battling tanks and the other carrying a large caliber gun to support it by firing HE ammunition. Guderian intended for this model to be the primary tank of the Panzer divisions. It was to be 15,000 kg, but this was later modified to 24,000 kg, which was the limit for many German bridges.
The Mechanized Troops Inspectorate wanted a 50 mm main gun but the Ordnance Department felt that the standard 37 mm infantry gun was sufficient and would ease supply.8,12 A large turret ring was kept so that the tank could later have a larger gun installed.12,13 By 1938 the Ordnance Department decided to ask Krupp to develop a turret to install the 50 mm into.8
To conceal the development of the vehicle it was called the Zugführerwage (ZW, platoon commander's vehicle).7
Daimler-Benz, Krupp, MAN, and Rheinmetall-Borsig created prototypes to the specifications.7,13 Krupp designed a vehicle with a leafspring and bogie wheel suspension based on it's experience with locomotive production.8 Daimler-Benz favored torsion bar springs due to it's experience with automobiles.8
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Ten pre-production, 1/ZW, vehicles were completed in 1936.7
The hull was divided into 4 prefabricated welded assemblies: hull, front & rear superstructure, and turret. The hull had three sub-assemblies: main hull, front superstructure carrying the turret, rear superstructure with the engine.8 These sections were welded, and then all the sections were bolted together.8 A bulkhead divided the hull section, with the front having the gearbox and steering.8 The hull machine gun was operated by the radio operator and was mounted in the front plate of the superstructure.8 Escape doors were mounted centrally on both sides of the hull, which was later eliminated in the last two models.8 The main hull also had doors that gave access to the brake mechanism and allowed for escape of the crew.8
The turrent, which was welded, didn't have a rotating platform.8 The commander's and gunner's seats were suspended from the turret and rotated with it.8 There were large hinged doors on the turret sides.8 The turret also mounted two coaxial 7.92 mm MGs in models Ausf A through Ausf E and one MG for the rest.8
Commander had cupola that allowed all round view and could communicate via throat microphone. He had a central raised seat between the gunner and loader. The driver, radio operator, and commander were connected to the external radio.
Invasion of Poland
98 were available.7 26 of those were lost in action.7
The Ausf B, C, and D versions were used.12
Invasion of France
349 were available.7
After campaign in France, Hitler ordered the up gunning to the 50 mm L/60. However, the army continued to fit the L/42 version to speed up production. After the invasion of Russia Hitler found out that his orders were not followed and immediately a L/60 version was designed (Ausf J/1). The L/60 had a muzzle velocity of 2,700 ft/sec with AP rounds and 3,835 ft/sec with PzGr (Panzergranate) 40 round.
Invasion of Russia
965 PzKpfw IIIs were deployed to fighting units out of a total of 3,332 tanks used in the opening days of Operation Barbarossa.7
On October 4, 1941, at Mtsensk (near Orel), the 4th Panzer Division established a bridgehead over the River Lisiza near Kamenewa when the Soviets attacked.7 Approximately 50 T-34s and KV-1s were waiting in a wood near Woin.7 This attack destroyed 10 PzKpfw IIIs and sent the 4th Panzer Division back across the river.7 All fire from the 50 mm L/42 guns bounced off the KV-1 armor.7
By October 1943, only 5 Panzer Divisions still had PzKpfw IIIs.7 By mid 1944 there were nearly no PzKpfw IIIs in front line units.7 There were still almost 700 in training and garrison units.7
The 12th Panzer Division did have nine on June 27, 1944, at the beginning of the Russian Operation Bagration.7
North Africa
The Afrika Korps was supplied with PzKpfw III Ausf J/1s in April 1942.7 These were the top tank in the theater.7 They were used in June 1942 at the Gazala battles.7 Soon, with the arrival of the American Sherman's these became outclassed.7
Battle of the Bulge
Bergepanzer IIIs and Panzerbefehlswagens were used during the operation, with one command tank being destroyed by allied aircraft.7
The End
By April 1, 1945, there were still 166 PzKpfw IIIs with German forces, and of those 50 were in Norway.7
Other Countries
Turkey received some Ausf Js in 1942. In North Africa some captured tanks were used by Free Polish Forces for training.
Tauchpanzer III:
"Diving tank." 168 Ausf F, G, H, and PzBefWg III Ausf Es were converted from June to October 1940 for Operation Seeloewe (Sealion, invasion of Britain) by the 18th Panzer Regiment of the 18th Panzer Division. The air intakes were closed by rubber seals and the exhausts had non-return valves installed. An inflatable rubber seal was placed around turret ring. The hull MG and commander's cupola had rubber covers installed. There was a pump that removed excess water that got inside tank. When under water it would get air from a 59'7/18 m7 long and 8" diameter hose which was attached to a float that on later models had a radio antenna. It could operate to a depth of 49'7/15 m7 for around 20 minutes. Explosive charges were installed to the seals to be set off to remove the seals when tank reached dry land. A command vessel would communicate to the submerged tank via the radio to guide it.
In August 1940 the first prototypes were tested. A landing test was done in late 1940 with a crane ship called "Viper" and the small freighter "Hans Herbert". They were fitted with ramps to allow the tanks into the water.
Four sections of volunteers from existing regiments were trained on the Island of Sylt.
After the cancellation of Seeloewe the Tauchpanzers were moved to training areas in early 1941. Tanks were modified by having an 11' long and 3" diameter steel snorkel installed over the commander's cupola which replaced the flexible tube. In April 1941 all Tauchpanzers of Panzer Regiment 18 were sent to Eberswalde and diving exercises were carried out at Werbelliner Lake.
Used in crossing River Bug on June 22, 1941 by Panzer Regiment 18.7 After this the tanks were used by both the 6th and 18th Panzer Divisions.
Four Tauchpanzer-Abteilung (A to D) were formed.
Pionierpanzerwagen auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfawagen III:
Ausf L & M had turrets removed and a wooden cargo area was made. On each side of the chassis a Pionierbruecken (bridge) piece was placed.
Munitionspanzer auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen III:
In May 1943 several Ausf E, F, and Gs had turrets removed and converted into ammunition carriers for Tiger units.
Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf N als Schienen-Ketten Fahrzeug SK1:
2 or 3 prototypes were produced during late 1942 and early 1943. The suspension was altered to allow railway bogie wheels to be mounted on the belly to allow travel on railroad tracks. These wheels could be retracted.
Panzerkampfwagen III mit Schachtellaufwerk:
Prototype to use large interleaved roadwheels.3
Minenräumpanzer III:
Had extended and raised suspension system for destroying mines.3
Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf N als Schienen-Ketten Fahrzeug SK1:
Modified to allow for railway wheels to be used on rail lines.3 Prototypes could go 100 kph.3 The wheels could be retracted into hull to allow for normal cross country movement.3
Panzerkampfwagen III Famo Suspension:
Prototype produced in 1942 with interleaved road wheels.4
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
- Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1933-1942, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
- Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
- Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
- German Tanks of World War II, Dr. S. Hart & Dr. R. Hart, 1998
- Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
- Battle Winning Tanks, Aircraft & Warships of World War II, David Miller, 2000
- AFV 2: Panzerkampfwagen III, Walter Spielberger
- Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
- Panzers At War, Michael and Gladys Green, 2005
- Tanks - Over 250 of the World's Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles, Chris Chant, 2004
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