Panzer IIIJ
While the Panzer I and II were considered technology demonstrators and training tanks, the Panzer III was meant to be paired with the slightly larger Panzer IV as Germany's main tank. The Panzer III was intended as a medium tank, relying more on speed and mobility to exploit breakthroughs into the vulnerable rear of the enemy--what Germany was developing into the blitzkrieg strategy. As such, the Panzer III was heavier, better armored, and better armed than the Panzer II, but was not really intended to duel with enemy tanks. The early versions of the Panzer III were equipped with a 37mm gun, which was known to be inadequate against French and British heavy tanks--but the Germans intended those to be left to the heavier Panzer IV.
The Panzer III was used in all of Germany's campaigns in the first three years of World War II, but its armor and armament were poor against French, British and Polish tanks. What made the Panzer III effective, however, was how it was used. A four man crew instead of the regular three was standard; gunner and loader were separate roles. This left the tank commander with no other role than commanding the crew, picking out targets and informing the driver where to go. Since a radio mounted in the turret was standard, Panzer III commanders could also maneuver platoons. Germany's opponents still used mostly two-man turret crews, where the tank commander helped to load the main gun; very few Allied tanks had radios. This allowed the Panzer III to use pack tactics against heavier opponents.
The experience in France was enough for the Wehrmacht to upgun the Panzer III in its later marks, which replaced the 37mm with a high-velocity 50mm. Even these proved inadequate during the invasion of Russia in 1941, where the Germans faced the superb T-34. The Panzer III's only advantage against the T-34 was its radio, but the T-34 was equal to the Panzer III in mobility. Rapidly after 1941, the Panzer III was pulled out of fighting in Russia. Many were deployed to North Africa with the Afrika Korps, where they were effective against British light and "cruiser" tanks, though once the Sherman arrived in numbers, the Panzer III was once more relegated to secondary theaters. By 1944, except for Panzer IIIs issued as emergency replacements to German units, most Panzer IIIs were converted to Sturmgeschutz (StuG) assault guns. Though the Panzer III was something of an interim tank between the early Panzer II and more effective Panzer IV, it performed well despite its shortcomings. 5774 were produced, and a few survive in museums.
Dad built this Panzer III for his Afrika Korps collection; it carries standard panzer yellow camouflage for desert operations. Attached to the rear is a bustle for jerry cans for extra fuel or water. This is an Ausf. J variant, with increased armor on the turret and hull front, and a 50mm gun.
Panzer IIIJ
While the Panzer I and II were considered technology demonstrators and training tanks, the Panzer III was meant to be paired with the slightly larger Panzer IV as Germany's main tank. The Panzer III was intended as a medium tank, relying more on speed and mobility to exploit breakthroughs into the vulnerable rear of the enemy--what Germany was developing into the blitzkrieg strategy. As such, the Panzer III was heavier, better armored, and better armed than the Panzer II, but was not really intended to duel with enemy tanks. The early versions of the Panzer III were equipped with a 37mm gun, which was known to be inadequate against French and British heavy tanks--but the Germans intended those to be left to the heavier Panzer IV.
The Panzer III was used in all of Germany's campaigns in the first three years of World War II, but its armor and armament were poor against French, British and Polish tanks. What made the Panzer III effective, however, was how it was used. A four man crew instead of the regular three was standard; gunner and loader were separate roles. This left the tank commander with no other role than commanding the crew, picking out targets and informing the driver where to go. Since a radio mounted in the turret was standard, Panzer III commanders could also maneuver platoons. Germany's opponents still used mostly two-man turret crews, where the tank commander helped to load the main gun; very few Allied tanks had radios. This allowed the Panzer III to use pack tactics against heavier opponents.
The experience in France was enough for the Wehrmacht to upgun the Panzer III in its later marks, which replaced the 37mm with a high-velocity 50mm. Even these proved inadequate during the invasion of Russia in 1941, where the Germans faced the superb T-34. The Panzer III's only advantage against the T-34 was its radio, but the T-34 was equal to the Panzer III in mobility. Rapidly after 1941, the Panzer III was pulled out of fighting in Russia. Many were deployed to North Africa with the Afrika Korps, where they were effective against British light and "cruiser" tanks, though once the Sherman arrived in numbers, the Panzer III was once more relegated to secondary theaters. By 1944, except for Panzer IIIs issued as emergency replacements to German units, most Panzer IIIs were converted to Sturmgeschutz (StuG) assault guns. Though the Panzer III was something of an interim tank between the early Panzer II and more effective Panzer IV, it performed well despite its shortcomings. 5774 were produced, and a few survive in museums.
Dad built this Panzer III for his Afrika Korps collection; it carries standard panzer yellow camouflage for desert operations. Attached to the rear is a bustle for jerry cans for extra fuel or water. This is an Ausf. J variant, with increased armor on the turret and hull front, and a 50mm gun.