Germany’s ever-improving tank
The Panzer III was a simple and reliable tank which could be produced in large numbers – leading it to become the principle combat tank at the backbone of the German Armoured Divisions between mid-1940 and mid-1942.
Its success lay in the ability to easily modify and improve it. Over a five year period, its armour trebled in thickness and the size of its gun increased from 37mm to 50mm. Making improvements to existing tanks was quicker and more convenient than building brand new vehicles.
In 1940, the Panzer III was probably not as good as contemporary British tanks, but by 1942 it was considered better than any of them. The large doors on the turret and tiny escape hatches gave extra ventilation, especially useful for tank crews in the desert.
The Ausf L was introduced in June 1942 and a total of 653 were manufactured. Key features of the Ausf L include even thicker armour on the turret front as well as spaced armour on the gun mantlet and superstructure front.
Approximately 6,140 Panzer III tanks were built in total – with production ending with the Ausf N in August 1943. However the Panzer III chassis continued in production until 1945 as the basis of the Sturmgeschutze III assault gun.
The Tank Museum’s Panzer III L
The Tank Museum’s example is an early production Aus L, modified for ‘tropical’ service.
It was shipped via Naples to Benghazi in Libya in July 1942, arriving on the SS Lerica on July 18th. It was issued to the 8th Panzer Regiment, part of the 15th Panzer Division and probably fought in the battle of Alam Halfa.
It was subsequently captured by the British Army and shipped to the UK; the details of its’ capture and subsequent history are unclear.
The Museum’s staff have restored the tank to running order, have repainted it in its’ original camouflage and markings
