The Panzer III was the backbone of the German panzers in its role as a gun tank in its early years of victories. Initially armed with a 37mm L46.5 gun, then a 50mm L42 gun and finally a longer 50mm L60 gun, the Panzer III was instrumental in ensuring armoured superiority through a fine combination of armament, armour and speed. Most importantly, the tank had a radio and a crew of five, thus distributing the workload efficiently.
The tank featured here is the Panzer III Ausf N, armed with a short-barrelled 75mm gun for infantry support. Where the Panzer IV once supported the Panzer III with a short 75mm, the roles were reversed! By 1942-43, the Panzer III was no longer an effective gun tank due to its inability to mount a larger high velocity weapon and was relegated to providing support.
The example here had many jerry cans on the turret. Don't ask me why they were there. I don't know.
Tank Museum, Bovington: July 2006
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