When was the Panzer III first produced?
The first model designated Ausführung A rolled off the assembly line in May 1937. Ten units were produced that year with two remaining unarmed during testing.
Questions about Panzer III
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What gun did the Panzer III carry after facing Soviet T-34 tanks?
Germans rearmed the vehicle with a longer-barreled 5 cm KwK 38 L/42 gun and later Ausf. J variants received the even longer 5 cm KwK 39 L/60 gun. By spring 1942 this new cannon could penetrate the T-34's heavy sloped armor frontally at ranges under one thousand meters.
How many Panzer III vehicles were produced during World War II?
About eighteen thousand vehicles based on the Panzer III chassis were produced across all variants during World War II. This figure accounted for over a quarter of all tanks and assault guns produced by Nazi Germany.
Why did production of the Panzer III cease in 1943?
Production ceased entirely in 1943 following the German defeat at the Battle of Kursk in summer 1943. The Panzer IV had become Germany's main medium tank due to its better upgrade potential while the Panzer III was relegated to secondary roles such as tank-training or close support work.
What suspension system did the Panzer III use from Ausführung E onwards?
The Ausf. E standardized the torsion-bar suspension design using six larger road wheels per side. This innovation made the Panzer III one of the first tanks to use this specific configuration alongside the Soviet KV heavy tank.