The PzKpfw III: Lord of the Blitzkrieg

168 converted from July to October 1940. Data as for Pz Kpfw III Ausf F (3.7cm) and (5cm), Pz Kpfw III Ausf G and Ausf H, and gr Pz Bef Wg.

 

The Tauchpanzer was developed in mid-1940 for the proposed invasion of England (Sea Lion). The Pz Kpfw III were modified and provided with a submersion kit. Air-intakes were fitted with locking covers, and the exhaust was fitted with non-return valves. The cupola, gun mantlet and hull MG were sealed with waterproof fabric covers. An inflatable rubber tube surrounded the turret ring. While submerged, the tank drew air through a pipe from a float carrying a snorkel device and radio antenna which remained on the surface. A gyro-compass was used for underwater navigation. The Tauchpanzer could operate in depths of up to 15 metres. A vessel with a hinged ramp was used to disembark the Tauchpanzer at a suitable ...

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Prototype development of large interleaving road wheels, using a Pz Kpfw III Ausf H (7 ZW) as the basis of the conversion. The three prototypes were built late in 1940 was used for training purposes after testing had been completed. Further development was halted and in 1943/44, prototypes were fitted with dozers and were used to clean up the streets of bombed cities. This suspension was later adopted in Tiger and Panther.

 

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After 1943 Pz Kw III variants were equipped with 5 mm thick side plates, known as aprons or skirt armour to increase protection against hits from anti-tank rifles and hollow-charge ammunition. The aprons, which fitted on to longitudinal rails on both sides of the vehicle, were removable and could be fitted around the turret (Army Technical Pamphlet 1943, No 433). The width of the vehicle, which was first shown on 19th March 1943 in Rugenwalde, was 341 cm. For tank units on the Eastern Front a wider track was issued in 1944 (Army Technical Pamphlet 1944, No 256), the so-called "Ostkette" (literally Eastern track). This was intended to increase the cross-country capabilities of the Pz Kw III and its variants in snow and on soft going. This was simply a makeshift, for the track with its extension on one side could only be used with safety in flat country. The ...

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The following report written by Hauptmann Oehme, the commander of the 8.Kompanie/Panzer-Regiment 3, relate their experience in attempting to knock out T34 and KW-I tanks:

Combat Report for the Period of 11 through 17 August 1942:

At about 1800 hours, I received the order to drive to Jelnja to support the Gruppe von Bisehoffshausen with the Panzers that had just been repaired and the four Pz.Kpfw.IV (7.5 cm Kw.K.40 L/43) that had just arrived.

 

The Panzer-Kompanie counterattacked JeInja, which was surrounded by our Panzers and taken under heavy fire by all of the Panzers. The front elements of the Russians pulled back and most of the houses in the village went up in flames. It was observed that two T34s drove off in reverse out of burning sheds.

 

As dawn broke, the Russians renewed the attack with tank and infantry forces. The ...

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A Technological Approach to the Problem of Urban Warfare
 

By Larry Parker 

Introduction

Urban Warfare has been part of the human condition since the advent of cities and organized conflict. Cities form the political and economic center of gravity of nations. They are one of the preferred operating areas for the weaker party in any conflict in order to negate numerical superiority or technological advantage. Consequently, while there are many good reasons to avoid urban warfare tactically, there are equally compelling strategic realities that make urban warfare necessary. Since urban warfare is unavoidable at times, the question becomes how to conduct urban campaigns effectively. At Stalingrad Nazi Germany sought a technological solution to the problem of urban warfare. This paper will examine the StuIG 33B within the larger context of the Russian Campaign. Given the Wehrmacht's technological superiority and its tactical success in 1942 why was the overall campaign ...

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The need of command vehicles for tactical control of the Panzer regiments was realized from the inception of the armoured troops in 1935. More space was required than was provided by the kleine Panzerbefehlswagen, resulting in the adaptation of the Pz Kpfw III design for the grosse Panzerbefehlswagen (Large Armoured Command Vehicle). The external appearance was maintained as closely as possible to that of the Pz Kpfw III, so that the command vehicle would not unduly attract enemy fire. The initial order for 32 of Panzerbefehlswagen III Ausf D1 was not completed because of production delays and the introduction of a better suspension design.

Panzerbefehlswagen Ausf E (Sd Kfz 266-268)

Radio: FuG6 + FuG2 (Sd Kfz 266)

Radio: FuG6 + FuG8 (Sd Kfz 267)

Radio: FuG6 + FuG7 (Sd Kfz 268)

Like the armoured car command variants these vehicles carried a distinctive loop aerial above the engine compartment, though this was replaced by ...

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The Panzerbefehlswagen Ausf. K mit 5 cm Kwk 39 L/60 or Panzerbefehlswagen Ausfuhrüng Ausf. K mit 5 cm Kwk 39 L/60 or abbreviated to Pz.Bef.Wg. III Ausf. K mit 5 cm Kwk 39 L/60

Major Franz Bake in front of his Pz. Bef. Wg. III Ausf. K command tank (whose markings are unknown, though by regulation it should have been numbered 'R01' or 'R00'). He displays the Oak-Leaves awarded on 1 August 1943 as regimental commander of Pz Regt 11. Of special interest are the three badges for single-handed destruction of an enemy tank worn on his right sleeve. On 11 July, during the Kursk offensive, 6.Pz Div was serving with Army Detachment Kempf as part of the northwards drive towards Prokhorovka. Bake was leading a tank column (headed by a captured T-34, for deception) in an attempt to seize a vital bridge over ...

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Model by Pavel Zmeskal

Orders were given to get the 5cm KwK39 L/60 gun into a production series as quickly as possible which resulted in the Ausf J series being split between this gun and the 5cm KwK L/42. Originally, in August 1940, Hitler had ordered the L/60 gun, but the Ordnance Department did not implement the decision as the L/42 had recently been introduced and had proved successful. At his birthday demonstration in April 1941, Hitler saw the Pz Kpfw III Ausf J still without the long gun and insisted on its fitting as soon as possible. Events in Russia two months later proved the need for a more powerful armament.

The only differences between the Ausf J with the 5cm KwK L/42 and those with the 5cm KwK39 L/60, were the gun itself and the ammunition stowage which was reduced because of ...

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Model by Pavel Zmeskal

It is a common misconception that the Panzer IIIs issued to the Tiger battalions were, as a rule, Ausf. Ns. The corresponding TO&E, KStN 1176d simply called for Panzer IIIs, version not specified. The organisation was changed in March 1943.

 

In this period, the type of Panzer IIIs issued (or in operation) were:

s.PzAbt 501 - 25 PzIII 75mm

s.PzAbt 504 - 19 PzIII 50mm

s.PzAbt 503 - 25 PzIII 75mm

s.PzAbt 505 - 25 PzIII 50mm

s.PzAbt 502 - 9 PzIII 50mm, 17 PzIII 75mm

s.PzKp GD - 10 PzIII 50mm

s.SS-PzKp - each 10 PzIII 50mm

 

I am a bit puzzled by the question in regards to PzIII befehlspanzer in the Tiger battalion. The Stabskompanie was organized according to KStN 1150b with a Nachtrichten Zug of 2 Tiger Befehlswagen and one Panzer III and a 1. Zug with 5 Panzer III. So the additional radio equipment (and ...

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