The medium tank T-3 (Pz Kpfw.III Ausf.L). Developed in 1935. A crew – 5 persons. Armament: gun KWK 37 L / 24 (50 mm), machine gun MG-34 (7.92 mm). Armor – 10-50 mm. The speed is 40 km / h. Power – 300 hp.
Museum of the Victory, Moscow.
The Panzerkampfwagen III, commonly known as the Panzer III, was a medium tank developed in the 1930s by Germany, and was used extensively in World War II. The official German ordnance designation was Sd.Kfz. 141. It was intended to fight other armoured fighting vehicles and serve alongside and support the similar Panzer IV, which was originally designed for infantry support.
However, as the Germans faced the Soviet T-34 and KV-1, more powerful anti-tank guns were needed, and since the Panzer IV had more development potential with a larger turret ring, it was redesigned to mount the long-barrelled 7.5 cm KwK 40 gun.
The Panzer III effectively swapped roles with the Panzer IV, as from 1942 the last version of the Panzer III (Panzer III N) mounted the 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 that was better suited for infantry support. Production of the Panzer III ceased in 1943. Nevertheless, the Panzer III’s capable chassis provided hulls for the Sturmgeschütz III assault gun until the end of the war.
Engine: 12-cylinder Maybach HL120 TRM petrol engine 300 PS (296 hp, 220 kW).
Manufacturer: Daimler-Benz.
