German tank T 3 modifications. Medium tank Pz Kpfw III and its modifications

Not long ago, the restoration of the German Pz.III tank was completed, about the process of which we have a small photo report:. Now let's take a look inside and look at the jobs of the tank crew.

2. Crew Pz Kpfw III consisted of five people: a driver and a gunner-radio operator, located in the control compartment, and a commander, gunner and loader, located in a three-seat turret.

3. At the bottom of the photo, on the left, is the driver’s seat, and at the bottom right is the radio operator’s position. A gearbox is installed between them.

4. Driver's mechanic position. The viewing slot has an armored curtain with several positions and is clearly visible in photographs from the outside. The side clutches, thanks to which the tank turns, are painted gray.

5. Radio operator position.

6. View of the fighting compartment from the driver’s seat. The transmission tunnel is painted gray at the bottom, inside of which there is a driveshaft that transmits engine torque to the gearbox. The side cabinets contained stowage shells. The tower is three-seater.

7. Gunner's sight. On the right is the breech of the gun with the year of manufacture stamped, 1941.

Photographer: Moiseenkov Andrey.

We express our gratitude to the staff of the Central Museum armored weapons and technicians for assistance in photography.

Medium tank Pz Kpfw III
and its modifications

In total, during the period from 1937 to August 1943, 5,922 Pz Kpfw III tanks of various modifications were produced, of which 700 units were produced with a 75-mm gun and more than 2,600 with a 50-mm gun. Based on the Pz Kpfw III, and other combat vehicles: assault guns, flamethrowers and command tanks. Some of the tanks in 1943-1944. was converted into armored observer vehicles and ARVs.

The crew consisted of 5 people. This number of crew members, starting with the Pz Kpfw III, became standard on all subsequent German medium and heavy tanks. This number determined the functional division of duties of the crew members: commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator.

All Pz Kpfw III battle tanks were equipped with the FuG5 radio.

Medium tanks Pz Kpfw III Ausf A, B, C, D(Sd Kfz 141)

Pz Kpfw III Ausf B Pz Kpfw III Ausf D

Combat weight - 15.4–16 tons. Length - 5.67...5.92 m. Width - 2.81...2.82 m. Height - 2.34...2.42 m.
Armor 15 mm.
Engine - Maybach HL 108TR. Speed ​​- 40 km/h. Cruising range is 165 km on the highway and up to 95 km on the ground.
Armament: 37 mm KwK L/46.5 cannon and three 7.92 mm MG 34 machine guns (two in the turret).

Pz Kpfw III Ausf A: 10 cars were produced in 1937.

Pz Kpfw III Ausf B: 15 cars were produced in 1937.

Pz Kpfw III Ausf C: 15 vehicles were produced at the end of 1937 and January 1938.

Pz Kpfw III Ausf D: 30 vehicles were produced from January to June 1938.

The Pz Kpfw III Ausf A tanks had five large diameter road wheels. In the following modifications B and C, the chassis was completely different. These tanks had 8 small road wheels and 3 support rollers. On the Pz Kpfw III Ausf D tanks, the shape of the commander's cupola, which had five viewing slots, was changed, and its armor was increased to 30 mm.

Tanks Pz Kpfw III Ausf A, B, C, D participated in the Polish campaign. Pz Kpfw III Ausf A and Ausf B were withdrawn from service in February 1940 combat personnel. Pz Kpfw III Ausf D tanks took part in the occupation of Norway in April 1940, then were withdrawn from service.

Medium tank Pz Kpfw III Ausf E(Sd Kfz 141)

96 tanks were produced from December 1938 to October 1939.

Medium tank Pz Kpfw III Ausf E

Pz Kpfw III Ausf E - the first mass series. They used a new 12-cylinder carburetor engine "Maybach" HL 120TR (3000 rpm) with a power of 300 hp. With. and a new gearbox. The frontal and side armor was increased to 30 mm, while the mass of the tank reached 19.5 tons, and the pressure on the ground increased from 0.77 to 0.96 kg/cm 2. The hull was made from solid armor plates instead of composite ones, as on previous models. Emergency hatches were made on both sides, and a radio operator's viewing device was installed on the right side of the hull. The chassis of the tank of this modification had six rubber-coated road wheels and an individual torsion bar suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers, which did not undergo significant changes in subsequent modifications.

Combat weight - 19.5 tons. Length - 5.38 m. Width - 2.94 m. Height - 2.44 m.

Many vehicles were re-equipped with a 50-mm cannon from August 1940 to 1942. At the same time, the front and rear parts of the hull were shielded with 30-mm armor plates.

Production was carried out at the factories of three companies - Daimler-Benz, Henschel and MAN.

Medium tank Pz Kpfw III Ausf F(Sd Kfz 141)

435 vehicles were produced from September 1939 to July 1940.

The Pz Kpfw III Ausf F tank had the same dimensions and armor as the Pz Kpfw III Ausf E and minor design improvements, including a new type of commander's cupola. Added air intakes on the roof.

Combat weight - 19.8 tons.
Armor: turret, front and sides of the superstructure and hull – 30 mm, rear of the superstructure and hull – 21 mm.
Engine - Maybach NL 120TR. Speed ​​- 40 km/h. Cruising range - 165 km.
Armament: 37 mm KwK L/46.5 cannon and three 7.92 mm MG 34 machine guns (two in the turret).
The gun's ammunition capacity is 131 shots.

The last 100 tanks were armed with the 50 mm KwK38 L/42 cannon, and later most of Previously released tanks of this series were also rearmed with these guns. At the same time, additional armor plates 30 mm thick were installed.

The last Pz Kpfw III Ausf F were in full service in June 1944.

Medium tank Pz Kpfw III Ausf G(Sd Kfz 141)

600 vehicles were produced from April 1940 to February 1941.

Tanks of the Pz Kpfw III Ausf G modification received the 50-mm KwK38 L/42 tank gun, developed by Krupp in 1938, as their main armament. At the same time, the re-equipment of previously produced tanks of modifications E and F with a new artillery system began. The ammunition load of the new gun consisted of 99 rounds. The thickness of the rear hull armor was increased to 30 mm. The tank's weight reached 20.3 tons. The turret design was changed: an exhaust fan was installed on the roof and a new commander's cupola was installed. A rotating driver's viewing device is used.

Combat weight - 20.3 tons. Length - 5.41 m. Width - 2.95 m. Height - 2.44 m.
Armor of the turret, superstructure and hull – 30 mm.
Engine - Maybach NL 120TR. Speed ​​- 40 km/h. Cruising range - 165 km.

Medium tank Pz Kpfw III Ausf H(Sd Kfz 141)

308 vehicles were produced from October 1940 to April 1941.

The Pz Kpfw III Ausf H received a new transmission, an improved turret, a new commander's cupola, additional 30-mm armored front and rear hull screens and frontal superstructures (30+30 mm). In 1941, the frontal armor of the Pz Kpfw III Ausf H tank was not penetrated by shells from Soviet 45 mm anti-tank guns of the 1937 model, American 37 mm M5 guns and British 40 mm guns.

Combat weight - 21.8 tons. Dimensions are the same.
Armor of the turret, superstructure and hull – 30 mm, additional armor plates on the forehead and rear of the hull and on the forehead of the superstructure – 30 mm.
Armament: 50 mm 5cm KwK38 L/42 cannon and two 7.92 mm MG 34 machine guns.
The gun's ammunition capacity is 99 rounds.

Medium tank Pz Kpfw III Ausf J(Sd Kfz 141)

1549 vehicles were produced from March 1941 to July 1942.

Pz Kpfw III Ausf J with short-barreled 5cm KwK38 L/42 cannon

Armament: 50 mm 5cm KwK38 L/42 cannon and two 7.92 mm MG34 machine guns.
The gun's ammunition capacity is 99 rounds.

The Pz Kpfw III Ausf J tank was protected by even thicker armor - 50 mm. A new type of installation for the radio operator's machine gun has been introduced - ball. The first 1,549 tanks were armed with a 50-mm short-barreled KwK38 L/42 cannon. Beginning in December 1941, the new 50-mm long-barreled gun KwK39 L/60 began to be installed on Pz III Ausf J tanks for the first time.

The first Pz Kpfw III Ausf J tanks with a short-barreled gun entered service with a separate tank regiment sent to the Eastern Front in September 1941. The rest went to make up for losses on the Eastern Front and North Africa.

Medium tank Pz Kpfw III Ausf J(Sd Kfz 141/1)

1067 vehicles were produced from December 1941 to July 1942.

Pz Kpfw III Ausf J with 5cm KwK39 L/60 long-barreled gun

These tanks were equipped with a more powerful 50-mm long-barreled KwK39 L/60 gun. The need for this arose from the experience of fighting on the Eastern Front. In tanks with the new L/60 cannon, the ammunition load was reduced due to the new cartridge (shot) length from 99 to 84 pieces.

Combat weight - 21.5 tons. Length - 5.52 m. Width - 2.95 m. Height - 2.50 m.
Armor: front and rear of superstructure and hull – 50 mm, turret and sides – 30 mm.
Engine - Maybach NL 120TR. Speed ​​- 40 km/h. Power reserve - 155 km.
Armament: 50 mm 5cm KwK39 L/60 cannon and two 7.92 mm MG 34 machine guns.
The gun's ammunition capacity is 84 rounds.

Pz Kpfw III J tanks with a 50-mm L/60 long-barreled gun entered service with five new tank battalions formed for and. The rest came to make up for high losses on the Eastern Front. Tanks with the L/60 gun fought very successfully in North Africa with British tanks, but were ineffective in combat with Soviet T-34 and KV.

In June 1942, there were about 500 Pz Kpfw III Ausf J tanks with a 50 mm cannon at the fronts and in reserve. Before the start of the offensive near Kursk, 141 Pz Kpfw III Ausf J were located as part of Army Groups “Center” and “South”.

Medium tank Pz Kpfw III Ausf L(Sd Kfz 141/1)

653 vehicles were produced from June to December 1942.

Medium tank Pz Kpfw III Ausf L

Combat weight - 22.7 tons. Length - 6.28 m. Width - 2.95 m. Height, m ​​- 2.50 m.
Frontal armor of the turret – 57 mm, superstructure – 50+20 mm, hull – 50 mm. The armor of the sides and stern of the turret and the sides of the superstructure and hull is 30 mm. Armor of the stern of the superstructure and hull – 50 mm.
Engine - Maybach NL 120TR. Speed ​​- 40 km/h. Power reserve - 155 km.
Armament: 50 mm 5cm KwK39 L/60 cannon and two 7.92 mm MG 34 machine guns.

The first Pz Kpfw III Ausf L tanks entered service, and and.

Medium tank Pz Kpfw III Ausf M(Sd Kfz 141/1)

250 vehicles were produced from October 1942 to February 1943.

Performance characteristics similar to Pz Kpfw III Ausf L.

Three grenade launchers for smoke grenades were installed on the sides of the turret. The width of the vehicle with the eastern caterpillar increased to 3.27 m. When installing screens on the sides of the hull, the width of the tank reached 3.41 m.

Medium support tank Pz Kpfw III Ausf N(Sd Kfz 141/2)

663 vehicles were produced from June 1942 to August 1943. Another 37 vehicles from Pz Kpfw III J were converted.

Performance characteristics are the same as modifications L, M.

Armament: 75mm 7.5cm KwK L/24 cannon and two 7.92mm MG 34 machine guns.

Intended to provide support to the Tigers or to perform functions in tank regiments that were performed by tanks Pz Kpfw IV with a short-barreled 75 mm cannon.

Medium flamethrower tank Pz Kpfw III (F1)(Sd Kfz 141/3)

100 vehicles were produced from February to April 1943. Created on the basis of the Pz Kpfw III Ausf M tank.

Crew – 3 people.
Combat weight - 23 tons.
Armament: flamethrower (1000 liters of fire mixture) and 7.92 mm MG 34 machine gun.
Flame throwing range – up to 60 m.

Command tanks based on Pz Kpfw III

Medium command tank Pz Bef Wg(Sd Kfz 141)

81 vehicles were produced from August to November 1942.

This tank is based on the Pz Kpfw III Ausf J tank. The frontal machine gun was removed and the gun's ammunition load was reduced to 75 rounds.

Armament: 50 mm 5cm KwK L/42 cannon and 7.92 mm MG 34 machine gun in the turret.
Radio stations – FuG5 and FuG7 (or FuG 8).

Medium command tank Pz Bef Wg Ausf K

50 vehicles were produced from December 1942 to February 1943. This command tank is based on the Pz Kpfw III Ausf M tank.

Armament: 50mm long-barreled 5cm KwK39 L/60 cannon and 7.92mm MG 34 machine gun in the turret.
Radio stations – FuG 5 and FuG 8 (or FuG7).

In the period from June 1938 to September 1941, command tanks of the D, E, H series with one machine gun in the turret (a mock-up instead of a cannon) were also produced. A total of 220 vehicles of these series with various radio stations were built.

Combat use of medium tanks Pz Kpfw III

By the beginning of the invasion of the USSR, the Wehrmacht and SS troops had about 1,550 Pz Kpfw III tanks. The troops intended to attack the USSR numbered 960 tanks Pz Kpfw III Ausf E, F, G, H, J.

Made according to the following layout diagram: power point located at the rear, the fighting compartment and control compartment are in the middle part of the hull, and the power transmission and drive wheels are in the front. The relatively low hull of the tank is welded from rolled armor plates. On modifications A-E frontal the armor had a thickness of 15 mm, on modifications F and G it was 30 mm, on modification H it was reinforced with additional sheets up to 30 mm + 20 mm, and on modifications J-O it was already 50 mm + 20 mm. A multifaceted tower was located in the center of the building. The gun without a muzzle brake was installed in the turret using a wide cylindrical mantlet.

The following modifications of the tank were produced:

• A-E - tank with a 37 mm cannon;
• F-N - tank with a 50 mm cannon;
• M-O - assault tank with a 75 mm howitzer;
• self-propelled flamethrower;
• armored command vehicle;
• armored observation vehicle.

From 1940 to 1942, Pz-III tanks were the main armament of tank divisions. Due to the weakness of weapons and armor since 1943, they were used only as special machines. In total, the German industry produced 5,700 Pz-III tanks various modifications.

By 1936, the German tank forces were armed with light tank PzKpfw I, armed with only a pair of machine guns and having light bulletproof armor. This tank could not be seriously considered as a combat vehicle; its destiny was service in educational units, and their role on the battlefield was at best limited to reconnaissance and communications. Having come to power, Hitler refused to comply with the restrictions imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles and joined the technological race that had begun in Europe. During the three years preceding World War II, German technology made a leap, moving from the PzKpfw I light tanks to average PzKpfw III and PzKpfw IV, which were destined to become the main German tanks, which largely determined the successes and failures of the Third Reich.

The tanks were designed to withstand a direct hit from an armor-piercing shell.
The frontal armor of the tank could withstand a hit from a high-explosive shell. To fight tanks, special anti-tank guns were used, which had a small caliber, but fired a projectile with high speed. The 37-mm anti-tank gun in service with the Wehrmacht could penetrate the armor of almost any tank.

When fighting with enemy infantry, high-explosive fragmentation shells with low initial speed, but of a larger caliber. Therefore, according to Heinz Guderian, in service tank units should have adopted two types of tanks with fundamentally different weapons. One tank is for fighting enemy tanks, the other is for fighting infantry.

As a tank with anti-tank weapons PzKpfw III came forward, armed first with a 37-mm and later with a 50-mm cannon. To fight infantry, they chose the PzKpfw IV, arming it with a short-barreled 75 mm cannon.

The companies MAN, Daimler-Benz AG, Rheinmetall-Borsing and Krupp took part in the competition to create a 15-ton tank. For reasons of secrecy, the tank was assigned symbol"platoon commander's vehicle" ("Zugfuehrerwagen", ZW). The prototypes were tested in 1936-1937. at the training grounds in Kummersdorf and Ulm. In comparative tests, the model presented by Daimler-Benz won, and it was decided to develop it.

Tank PzKpfw III, modifications A, B, C, D

The PzKpfw III tank consisted of four main elements: the hull, the turret, the front part of the superstructure with the turret ring, and the rear part of the superstructure with an over-engine armor plate. The main elements were connected to each other by welding, and the parts of each element were connected with rivets and bolts. Inside, the car body was divided by a bulkhead.

The front compartment contained a gearbox with a steering mechanism, and the rear compartment contained the combat and engine compartments. The shape of the hull, turret and superstructure, as well as the arrangement of all five crew members, remained unchanged throughout the entire period of serial production of the PzKpfw III.

First option tank PzKpfw III Ausf.A was produced in May 1937. 15 vehicles were built, of which only eight received weapons and until 1939 were part of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd tank divisions. The remaining tanks were used for testing.

Comparative performance characteristics tanks

Also in 1937, the PzKpfw III Ausf.B tank went into production. This series was also limited to 15 cars. Several of them took part in the September 1939 campaign. In October 1940, five vehicles of this series were used to create prototypes. assault guns"Sturmgeschuetz III".

In July 1937, the PzKpfw III Ausf.C tank went into production. Until January 1938, only 15 pieces were produced. Several tanks of this modification also took part in the September battles in Poland.

In January 1938, production of PzKpfw III Ausf.D tanks began. Until 1939, 55 vehicles of this type were built. Only 30 of them received weapons, the rest were used to test suspension, weapons and engines. Several Ausf.D tanks took part in battles in Poland and Norway.

First four PzKpfw modifications III (Ausf.A, B, C and D) were actually prototypes produced by Daimler-Benz. They were not intended for large-scale production, and each subsequent modification was a modified version of the modification of the previous one. All tanks of these four modifications had Maybach HL108TR engines with a power of 250 hp. and a 5- or 6-speed "Zahnradfabrik" gearbox. Those tanks that were armed carried a 37-mm KwK35/36 L/46.5 cannon and three MG-34 machine guns (two in the turret and one in the superstructure). The armor thickness was only 5mm-15mm. This thickness protected only from rifle fire, but the mass of the tank did not exceed 15 tons. The Ausf.A, B and C tanks had a simple drum turret for the vehicle commander, while the Ausf.D had a cast turret similar to the one on the PzKpfw IV Ausf.B.

Only a few PzKpfw III tanks took part in the Polish campaign of 1939. The remaining vehicles were used for testing and crew training. Several PzKpfw III Ausf.D together with PzAbt zb V 40 (NbFz VI) took part in battles in Norway in April-May 1940. Later, these same vehicles came to Finland, where they served in 1941-1942.

Performance characteristics

* Some Ausf.D vehicles had armor protection similar to Ausf.A - C, and, accordingly, a lower combat weight.

* Some Ausf.D vehicles had armor protection similar to Ausf.A - C, and, accordingly, a lower combat weight.

* Some Ausf.D vehicles had armor protection similar to Ausf.A - C, and, accordingly, a lower combat weight.

Pz Kpfw III (T-III)

Until the summer of 1943, the Germans divided theirs into light, medium and heavy weapons. Therefore, with approximately equal mass and armor thickness Pz. III was considered average, and Pz. IV - heavy.
However, it was the Pz. III was destined to become one of the concrete incarnations military doctrine fascist Germany. Not forming a majority in the Wehrmacht tank divisions either in the Polish (96 units) or in the French campaign (381 units), by the time of the attack on the USSR it was already being produced in significant quantities and was the main vehicle of the Panzerwaffe. Its history began simultaneously with other tanks. with which Germany entered the Second World War.
In 1934, the weapons service ground forces issued an order for combat vehicle with a 37-mm cannon, which received the designation ZW (Zugfuhrerwagen - company commander). From four companies. participating in the competition. only one - Daimler-Benz - received an order for the production of a pilot batch of 10 cars. In 1936, these tanks were transferred to military testing under the army designation PzKpfw III Ausf. A (or Pz. IIIA). They clearly bore the mark of the influence of W. Christie's designs - five large-diameter road wheels.
The second experimental batch of 12 pieces of model B had a completely different chassis with 8 small road wheels, reminiscent of Pz, IV. On the next 15 experimental tanks Ausf C chassis was similar, but the suspension was noticeably improved. It should be emphasized that all other combat characteristics on the mentioned modifications remained essentially unchanged.
This cannot be said about the D series tanks (50 units), the frontal and side armor of which was increased to 30 mm, while the mass of the tank reached 19.5 tons, and the specific armor increased from 0.77 to 0.96 kg/cm2.
In 1938, at the factories of three companies at once - Daimler-Benz, " " and MAN - production of the first mass modification of the Troika began - Ausf. E. 96 tanks of this model received a chassis with six rubber-coated road wheels and a torsion bar suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers. which was no longer subject to significant changes. The combat weight of the tank was 19.5 tons. The crew consisted of 5 people. This number of crew members, starting with PzKpfw III. became standard on all subsequent German medium and heavy tanks. Thus, already from the mid-30s, the Germans achieved a functional division of duties among crew members. Their opponents came to this much later - only by 1943-1944.
The PzKpfw III E was armed with a 37 mm cannon with a 46.5 caliber barrel and three MG 34 machine guns (131 rounds and 4,500 rounds). 12-cylinder carburetor Maybach HL 120TR with a power of 300 hp. at 3000 rpm it allowed the tank to reach a maximum speed on the highway of 40 km/h; The cruising range was 165 km on the highway and 95 km when driving over rough terrain.
The layout of the tank was traditional for the Germans - with a front-mounted transmission, which shortened the length and increased the height of the vehicle, simplifying the design of control drives and their maintenance. In addition, the prerequisites were created for increasing the size of the fighting compartment.
Characteristic of the hull of this tank is... however, for all German tanks of that period, there was equal strength of the armor plates on all main planes and an abundance of hatches. Until the summer of 1943, the Germans preferred ease of access to units over the strength of the hull.
Deserves positive assessment, which was characterized by a large number of gears in a gearbox with a small number of gears: one gear per gear. The rigidity of the box, in addition to the ribs in the crankcase, was ensured by a “shaftless” gear mounting system. To facilitate management and improve average speed movements, equalizers and servomechanisms were used.
The width of the caterpillar tracks - 360 mm - was chosen based mainly on road traffic conditions, while off-road capability was significantly limited. However, in the conditions of the Western European theater of operations, off-road conditions still had to be looked for.
The PzKpfw III medium tank was the first truly combat tank of the Wehrmacht. It was developed as a vehicle for platoon leaders, but from 1940 to early 1943 it was the main medium tank of the German army. PzKpfw III of various modifications were produced from 1936 to 1943 by Daimler-Benz, Henschel, MAN, Alkett, Krupp, FAMO, Wegmann, MNH and MIAG.
Germany entered the Second World War armed with, in addition to the light tanks PzKpfw I and PzKpfw II, medium tanks PzKpfw III versions A, B, C, D and E (see chapter "Tanks of the interwar period. 1918-1939", section " Germany").
Between October 1939 and July 1940, FAMO, Daimler-Benz, Henschel, MAN and Alkett produced 435 PzKpfw III Ausf tanks. F, which differed slightly from the previous modification E. The tanks received armor protection for the air intakes of the braking system and control system, access hatches to the control system mechanisms were made of two parts, and the base of the turret was covered with special protection so that if a projectile hits the turret, it would not jam. Additional side lights were installed on the wings. Three running lights of the "Notek" type were located on the front of the hull and the left wing of the tank.
PzKpfw III Ausf. F were armed with a 37-mm cannon with a so-called internal mantlet, and 100 vehicles of the same version were armed with a 50-mm cannon with an external mantlet. In 1942-1943, some tanks received a 50-mm KwK 39 L/60 cannon, the first 10 vehicles with The 50 mm gun was built back in June 1940.
Production of version G tanks began in April - May 1940, and by February 1941, 600 tanks of this type had entered the Wehrmacht tank units. The initial order was 1,250 vehicles, but after the capture of Czechoslovakia, when the Germans put many Czechoslovak LT-38 tanks into service, which received the designation PzKpfw 38 (t) in the German army, the order was reduced to 800 vehicles.
On the PzKpfw III Ausf. G the thickness of the stern armor increased to 30 mm. The driver's inspection slot began to be closed by an armored flap. An electric one in a protective casing appeared on the roof of the tower.
The tanks were supposed to be armed with a 37 mm cannon, but most of the vehicles left the assembly shops with the 50 mm KwK 39 L/42 cannon, developed by Krupp in 1938. At the same time, the re-equipment of previously produced tanks of models E and F with a new artillery system began. The new gun consisted of 99 rounds, and 3,750 rounds were intended for two MG 34 machine guns. After rearmament, the tank's weight increased to 20.3 tons.
The location of boxes with spare parts and tools on the fenders has changed. The roof of the turret had a hole for launching signal flares. An additional equipment box was often attached to the rear wall of the turret. received the humorous name "Rommel's chest".
Tanks of later production were equipped with a new type of commander's cupola, which was also installed on the PzKpfw IV and was equipped with five periscopes.
Tropical tanks were also built. They were designated PzKpfw III Ausf. G (trop) and featured an improved cooling system and air filters. 54 units of these vehicles were produced.
The G version tanks entered service with the Wehrmacht during the French campaign.
In October 1940, from MAN, Alkett. Henschel, Wegmann, MNH and MIAG launched mass production of tanks of the N version. By April 1941, 310 (according to some sources 408) vehicles were built out of 759 ordered in January 1939.
The thickness of the armor of the rear wall of the turret of the PzKpfw III Ausf tanks. H increased to 50 mm. The applicated frontal armor was reinforced with an additional 30 mm thick armor plate.
Due to the increase in the mass of the tank and the use of 400 mm wide tracks, special guides had to be installed on the support and support rollers, which increased the diameter of the rollers by 40 mm. To eliminate excessive track sag, the front support roller, which on version G tanks was located almost next to the spring shock absorber, had to be moved forward.
Other improvements include changes in the position of the fender lights, tow hooks, and the shape of the access hatches. The designers moved the box with smoke bombs under the canopy of the rear plate of the power compartment. An angular profile was installed at the base of the tower, protecting the base from being hit by a projectile.
Instead of the Variorex gearbox, version H vehicles were equipped with the SSG 77 type (six forward gears and one reverse). The design of the turret was changed in such a way that the crew members in it rotated with the turret. The tank commander, as well as the gunner and loader, had their own hatches in the side walls and roof of the turret.
Baptism of fire tanks PzKpfw III Ausf. H received during Operation Barbarossa. In 1942-1943, the tanks were re-equipped with a 50-mm KwK L/60 cannon.
The next production version was the PzKpfw III Ausf. J. They were produced from March 1941 to July 1942. The front and rear of the vehicle were protected by 50 mm armor. The armor on the sides and turret was 30 mm. The armor protection of the gun mantlet has increased by 20 mm. Among other minor improvements, the most significant was the new type of installation of the MG 34 machine gun.
Initially the PzKpfw III Ausf. J were armed with a 50 mm KwK 38 L/42 cannon, but starting in December 1941, they began to be equipped with a new 50 mm KwK 39 cannon with a barrel length of 60 calibers. A total of 1,549 vehicles with the KwK 38 L/42 cannon and 1,067 vehicles with the KwK 38 L/60 cannon were built.
The appearance of a new version - PzKpfw III Ausf. L - due to unsuccessful installation work on the PzKpfw III Ausf. J of the standard turret of the PzKpfw IV Ausf G tank. After the failure of this experiment, it was decided to begin production of a new series of tanks with the improvements provided for the L version and armed with a 50 mm KwK 39 L/60 cannon.
Between June and December 1942, 703 tanks of the L version were produced. Compared to previous versions the new vehicles had reinforced armor for the cannon mantlet, which simultaneously served as a counterweight to the elongated barrel of the KwK 39 L/60 gun. The front of the hull and turret was protected by additional 20 mm armor plates. The driver's viewing slot and the MG 34 machine gun's mantlet were located in holes in the frontal armor. Other changes concerned the track tension mechanism, the location smoke bombs at the rear of the tank under the bend of the armor, the design and location of the running lights and the placement of tools on the fenders, the loader's viewing slot in the additional armor of the gun mantlet was eliminated. At the top of the armor protection of the mask there was a small hole for inspection and maintenance of the mechanisms of the gun's recoil device. Besides. the designers eliminated the armor protection of the turret base, which was located on top of the tank’s hull, and the viewing slots on the sides of the turret. One L version tank was tested with recoilless rifle KwK0725.
Of the ordered 1000 PzKpfw III Ausf. L, only 653 were built. The rest were converted to N version tanks, equipped with a 75 mm caliber gun.
Latest version tank PzKpfw III with a 50-mm cannon was M. Tanks of this modification were further development PzKpfw III Ausf. L and were built from October 1942 to February 1943. The initial order for the new machines was 1,000 units, but given the advantages Soviet tanks over the PzKpfw III with a 50 mm cannon, the order was reduced to 250 vehicles. Some of the remaining tanks were converted to Stug III self-propelled guns and PzKpfw III (FI) flamethrower tanks, and the other part was converted to the N version, installing 75-mm cannons on the vehicles.
Compared to the L version, the PzKpfw III Ausf. M had minor differences. Triple smoke grenade launchers NbKWg of 90 mm caliber were installed on both sides of the turret, a counterweight of the KwK 39 L/60 gun was mounted, and the side walls of the hull were eliminated escape hatches. All this made it possible to increase the ammunition load from 84 to 98 rounds.
Exhaust system The tank allowed him to overcome water obstacles up to 1.3 m deep without preparation.
Other improvements concerned changing the shape of towing hooks, navigation lights, installing a rack for mounting an anti-aircraft machine gun, and brackets for attaching additional armored screens. The price of one PzKpfw III Ausf. M (without weapons) amounted to 96,183 Reichsmarks.
On April 4, 1942, Hitler ordered a study into the feasibility of rearming PzKpfw III tanks with a 50-mm Pak 38 cannon. For this purpose, one tank was equipped with a new cannon, but the experiment ended unsuccessfully.
The tanks of the latest production version were designated PzKpfw III Ausf. N. They had the same hull and turret as the L and M versions. For their production, 447 and 213 chassis and turrets of both versions were used, respectively. The main thing that distinguished the PzKpfw III Ausf. N from its predecessors, this is the 75-mm KwK 37 L/24, which was armed with the PzKpfw IV tanks of the A-F1 versions. The ammunition load was 64 rounds. PzKpfw III Ausf. N had a modified gun mantlet and a solid commander's cupola, the armor of which reached 100 mm. The viewing slot to the right of the gun was eliminated. In addition, there were a number of other minor differences from earlier versions of the car.
Production of N version tanks began in June 1942 and continued until August 1943. A total of 663 vehicles were produced, another 37 tanks were converted to the Ausf standard. N during the repair of machines of other versions.
In addition to combat, so-called linear tanks, 5 types of command tanks were produced total number 435 pieces. 262 tanks were converted into artillery fire control vehicles. A special order - 100 flamethrower tanks - was completed by Wegmann. For a flamethrower with a range of up to 60 meters, 1000 liters of fire mixture were required. The tanks were intended for Stalingrad, but only reached the front at the beginning of July 1943 - near Kursk.
At the end of the summer of 1940, 168 tanks of versions F, G and H were converted for movement under water and were to be used during the landings on the English coast. The immersion depth was 15m; fresh was supplied with a hose 18 m long and 20 cm in diameter. In the spring of 1941, experiments were continued with a 3.5-m pipe - a “snorkel”. Since the landing in England did not take place, a number of such tanks from the 18th Panzer Division crossed the bottom of the Western Bug on June 22, 1941.
Since July 1944, the PzKpfw III was also used as an ARV. At the same time, a square wheelhouse was installed in place of the tower. In addition, small batches of vehicles were produced for transporting ammunition and carrying out engineering work. There were prototypes of a minesweeper tank and options for converting a linear tank into a railcar.
PzKpfw III were used in all theaters of war - from Eastern Front before African desert, enjoying the love of German tank crews everywhere. The amenities created for the crew's work could be considered a role model. Not a single Soviet, English or American tank that time. Excellent observation and aiming devices allowed the Troika to successfully fight the more powerful T-34, KB and Matildas in cases where the latter did not have time to detect it. Captured PzKpfw IIIs were favorite command vehicles in the Red Army precisely for the reasons listed above: comfort, excellent optics, plus an excellent radio station. However, they, like other German tanks, were successfully used Soviet tank crews and for its direct, combat purpose. There were entire battalions armed with captured tanks.
Production of PzKpfw III tanks was discontinued in 1943, after approximately 6,000 vehicles had been produced. Subsequently, only the production of self-propelled guns based on them continued. Encyclopedia of technology

Approved as a reminder on the use of the German combat vehicle - the T-III medium tank, designed for privates and commanding personnel of all branches of the Red Army and manuals for partisans and sabotage units operating in territory occupied by the enemy. This document has been compiled for the preparation and publication of a manual for use captured tanks after their capture by Red Army soldiers.

From IKTP - /Romanov/

Warrior of the Red Army!

Master captured equipment to perfection!

In the battles for the freedom and independence of our Motherland, soldiers and commanders of the Red Army captured various samples of military equipment of Nazi Germany and its allies. Despite the unfamiliar design, in some parts of the Red Army tankers know how to deal with enemy equipment and successfully use it in battles with Nazi troops. However, in many formations, due attention is not paid to the study of enemy technology, which is unacceptable.

Every soldier of the Red Army must know all the features and military equipment of the enemy in order to skillfully apply it in the Defense of our Motherland - the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

The German medium tank T-III is the most advanced type of tank of the Nazi army. Has the following distinctive features:

1. High speed traffic on and off roads.

2. Excellent ride quality.

3. A simple and reliable motor capable of consuming gasoline. However, to obtain the best results, you need to use aviation gasoline or other first-grade gasoline.

4. The small size of an artillery shot and the ability to fire a shot using an electric discharge device, which significantly increases the speed and accuracy of fire.

5. Convenient location of evacuation hatches, allowing for quick evacuation in the event of a tank fire.

6. Good observation devices providing all-round visibility from the tank.

7. Good tank radio equipment.

8. Ease of operation by untrained personnel.

Tankers Osipov and Gareev are mastering a captured tank. July 1941

Captured tank PiKpfw III Aust H being tested* in Kubinka. Summer 1941

Captured tank PzKpfw III Ausf J. Kubinka, 1943

The total weight of the average German T-III tank is 19-21 tons, the engine is a 12-cylinder petrol Maybach type with water cooling. Maximum engine power 320 hp. Fuel tank capacity - 300 l. The necks of the gas tank and cooling radiator are located in the engine compartment on the right along the tank. Access to the gas tank and radiator fillers is through the right hatch in the roof of the engine compartment.

Currently, the T-III tank is armed with a 50-mm tank gun, whose main characteristics are slightly higher than the domestic 45-mm tank gun mod. 1938, which significantly increases it combat capabilities compared to the tank of the specified type of previous releases with armament from a 37-mm tank gun.

In addition, many T-III tanks with a 50 mm gun have increased thickness of the frontal armor of the turret box and turret (up to 52-55 mm in total), which makes them impervious to 45 mm armor-piercing shells anti-tank gun at a distance of more than 400 m. These tanks are usually equipped with equipment for overcoming deep fords and water barriers up to 5 m deep. The mass of such tanks is 22-22.5 tons.

All known cases The use of captured T-III medium tanks in Red Army units confirms the high combat characteristics of this type of tank.

The good armor protection of the T-III medium tank, its high smoothness, a large number and high quality of observation devices allow us to recommend the use of this type of tank, especially as a vehicle for the commander of a tank unit or a tank for reconnaissance of the close rear of the Nazi troops.

German tank PzKpfw III Ausf H, captured by Soviet soldiers. July 1941

PzKpfw lII Ausf J as the vehicle of the commander of a T-60 tank company. Winter 1942

When conducting reconnaissance and/or sabotage operations, it is best to overcome the line of contact of troops in the evening, since at this time the German trenches are mostly not completely filled and often a passing German tank does not cause much curiosity and is not checked by German infantrymen, while during the day much more difficult to avoid. When fighting on captured tanks in the depths of enemy defenses in the evening, it is not recommended to open your own lighting and fire from a machine gun, since lighting and machine-gun fire can give away the location of your tank to the enemy.

The most successful actions of captured tanks are when the enemy is positioned in groups of two.

Having been captured during battles, the tank can be repaired mostly in the field and using a minimum amount of materials and equipment. The tank units are highly reliable and can be operated even by an unqualified driver. A repair manual for the T-III tank is being developed.

For drivers familiar with driving trucks, tractors and tanks, we can recommend the following sequence for starting the tank and starting to move.

To start the engine of the T-III tank you need to:

1. Place the front gearbox lever in the middle position.

2. Open the gas tap by placing its handle, which is located on the engine bulkhead behind the right seat, in a vertical position.

3. Press and turn to the right along the tank the mass switch lever, which is located in the engine compartment and located opposite the engine bulkhead door.

4. Turn the key into the ignition switch completely.

5. Press the starter button while lightly pressing the gas pedal with your foot and pressing down the starting jet handle located on the floor to the right of the driver’s seat with your right hand.

6. If the engine does not start from the starter, you need to take the crank mounted on the right wing, open the hatch in the aft (rear) part of the tank, insert the crank into the ratchet of the inertial starter and smoothly turn it counterclockwise for about half a minute.

After this, to start the engine, pull the cable ring located to the left of the ratchet.

To start moving on T-III tank necessary:

1. Check the position of the brake pedal. The pedal must be in the upper (raised) position.

2. Press the clutch pedal with your left foot.

3. Without releasing the clutch pedal, place the front gearbox lever in the forward (forward) or rear (backward) position.

4. Place the rear gear lever in the position corresponding to the desired gear.

5. Smoothly release the clutch pedal and, simultaneously pressing the gas pedal, start moving.

To quickly stop the tank, you need to quickly press the clutch pedal and at the same time press the brake pedal hard.

In terms of control, the tank does not have any features that significantly distinguish it from domestically produced tanks.

To turn the tank to the right or left, you need to pull the corresponding vertical turning lever towards you while simultaneously pressing the gas pedal.

To shift the tank into a higher gear (to speed up the movement), it is necessary to move the rear gearbox lever to the position marked with a larger number on the sector scale, accelerate the tank by pressing the gas pedal, then quickly press and release the clutch pedal,

Shifting the tank to a lower gear is done in the same way.

To stop the tank, you need to move the rear gearbox lever to the position corresponding to the lowest gear, then press and quickly release the clutch pedal. Then, making sure that the tank is in low gear, depress the clutch pedal while simultaneously pressing the brake pedal with your foot, then move the front gearbox lever to the middle position, stopping the engagement of the engine with the gearbox and release the clutch pedal.

After stopping the tank, do not forget to remove the key from the ignition switch, which turns off the engine, and then open the mass shift lever, preventing the battery from discharging.

A tank with a 50 mm gun has the same basic control mechanisms as with a 37 mm gun, with the exception of the mass switch, which is located in the engine compartment on the wall to the left along the tank.

To load a 37 mm or 50 mm gun you need:

1. Pull the wedge bolt stopper handle, located on the right side in the upper part of the breech, to the right and push forward until the stopper fits into the socket. Then push the bolt handle (located at the bottom, on the right side of the breech) towards you and at the same time press the latch lever located in the bolt handle, after which the bolt will open.

2. Place the projectile in the tray and push it into the breech, after which the bolt will close itself. The gun is loaded.

Aiming is carried out through optical sight, fixed to the left of the gun. Horizontal and vertical aiming of the gun is carried out by handwheels, also located to the left of the gun.

To fire a shot, it is necessary that the mass be turned on and the engine running, since the shot is fired by an electric discharge device.

To do this you need to do the following:

1. Turn on the electric release switch located in front of the turret direction indicator.

2. Connect the plugs to the electric release plugs located on the front wall of the tower to the right and left of the gun,

3. Press the red button to the right of the gun, after which the letter “F” will appear in the window next to the button

4. Press the release lever located on the handle of the gun's horizontal aiming handwheel.

The use of a tank machine gun has no special features compared to the use of an MG-34 infantry machine gun.

If it is impossible to use a captured tank, it must be rendered unusable, since even a slightly damaged tank can be restored and used against the Red Army troops.

Captured PzKpfw Ш Ausf H with paratroopers. Winter 1942

Interior of the turret of the PzKpfw III tank. Drawing from the instruction manual in Russian.

To do this, you must first remove the machine guns from the tank and hide or carry them away, for which you must do the following:

1. Open the tank mantlet hatch by pushing up the handle of the hatch lever, located in front to the right of the machine guns, and forcefully push the lever forward until it stops.

2. Turn the locking lever of the detachable casing cover away from you and fold back the casing cover.

3. Turn the locking lever of the cape located behind the casing away from you and fold back the cape.

4. Move the latch of the fork to the right and fold the fork back.

5. Lift the machine gun by the middle part and remove it, pushing it backwards.

To remove the machine gun from the ball mount, you need to turn it counterclockwise by 30-40° in order to bring the tide into the longitudinal groove, and then remove the machine gun, moving it back.

Then, using a sledgehammer or crowbar, destroy the engine, gearbox and breech of the gun. Access to the engine is through the over-engine hatch, and to the gearbox through the control compartment. If the hatches are closed, open them with a large screwdriver or crowbar. A gun can be damaged by pouring a handful of earth into the barrel and then firing it.

If there is fuel in the tank, the tank can be exploded by placing ends, rags or straw soaked in gasoline or oil on the neck of the tank and lighting them. To completely destroy the tank, you can attach a 1.5-2 kg tol charge at the junction of the frontal and side armor plates on the inside and detonate it with a fire tube or an electric fuse.

But it should be remembered that the competent use of a captured tank will make a much greater contribution to the approach of victory over the Nazi invaders.

Death to the German invaders!