Book Review of
Panzer III German Army Light Tank
Operation Barbarossa, 1941
Author: Dennis Oliver
Pen & Sword Tank Craft Series
ISBN: 9781526771711
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: $28.95
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: $28.95
HISTORY:
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 formidable T-34, 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 Panzer III 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.
The Pz.Kpfw. III tank was the mainstay of the Panzer Divisions during the Blitzkrieg era, which could fairly be said to have ended with the Germans’ failure to take Moscow in the winter of 1941. Although less heavily armoured than many of its opponents, and somewhat outgunned by the latest Soviet types, the Pz.Kpfw. III was at the forefront of the advances made over almost impossible distances during the summer and autumn and provided the core of the armoured reserve that fought the defensive battles of the winter months.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Medium tank
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1939–1945
Used by: Germany, Hungary, Romania, Slovak Republic, Croatia, Norway, Turkey
Wars: World War II
Designer: Daimler-Benz
Designed: 1935–1937
Manufacturer: Daimler-Benz
Unit cost: 103,163 Reichsmark (Ausf. M)
Produced: 1939–1943
No. built: 5,774 (excluding StuG III)
Mass: 23.0 tonnes (25.4 short tons)
Length: 5.56 m (18 ft 3 in)
Width: 2.90 m (9 ft 6 in)
Height: 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Crew: 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator/bow machine-gunner)
Armour: Ausf A-C: 15 mm all around, Ausf D-G: 30 mm all around, Ausf J: 50 mm all around
Main armament: 1 × 3.7 cm KwK 36 Ausf. A-G, 1 × 5 cm KwK 38 Ausf. F-J, 1 × 5 cm KwK 39 Ausf. J¹-M, 1 × 7.5 cm KwK 37 Ausf. N
Secondary armament: 2–3 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
Engine: 12-cylinder Maybach HL 120 TRM of 300 PS (296 hp, 220 kW)
Power/weight: 12 hp (9.6 kW) / tonne
Suspension: Torsion-bar suspension
Fuel capacity: 300-320 litres
Operational range: 165 km (103 mi)
Maximum speed: Road: 40 km/h (25 mph), Off-road: 20 km/h (12 mph)
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 formidable T-34, 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 Panzer III 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.
The Pz.Kpfw. III tank was the mainstay of the Panzer Divisions during the Blitzkrieg era, which could fairly be said to have ended with the Germans’ failure to take Moscow in the winter of 1941. Although less heavily armoured than many of its opponents, and somewhat outgunned by the latest Soviet types, the Pz.Kpfw. III was at the forefront of the advances made over almost impossible distances during the summer and autumn and provided the core of the armoured reserve that fought the defensive battles of the winter months.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Medium tank
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1939–1945
Used by: Germany, Hungary, Romania, Slovak Republic, Croatia, Norway, Turkey
Wars: World War II
Designer: Daimler-Benz
Designed: 1935–1937
Manufacturer: Daimler-Benz
Unit cost: 103,163 Reichsmark (Ausf. M)
Produced: 1939–1943
No. built: 5,774 (excluding StuG III)
Mass: 23.0 tonnes (25.4 short tons)
Length: 5.56 m (18 ft 3 in)
Width: 2.90 m (9 ft 6 in)
Height: 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Crew: 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator/bow machine-gunner)
Armour: Ausf A-C: 15 mm all around, Ausf D-G: 30 mm all around, Ausf J: 50 mm all around
Main armament: 1 × 3.7 cm KwK 36 Ausf. A-G, 1 × 5 cm KwK 38 Ausf. F-J, 1 × 5 cm KwK 39 Ausf. J¹-M, 1 × 7.5 cm KwK 37 Ausf. N
Secondary armament: 2–3 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
Engine: 12-cylinder Maybach HL 120 TRM of 300 PS (296 hp, 220 kW)
Power/weight: 12 hp (9.6 kW) / tonne
Suspension: Torsion-bar suspension
Fuel capacity: 300-320 litres
Operational range: 165 km (103 mi)
Maximum speed: Road: 40 km/h (25 mph), Off-road: 20 km/h (12 mph)
THE AUTHOR:
Dennis Oliver is the author of over twenty books on WWII armoured vehicles, including Tiger I and II tanks: German Army & Waffen SS, Normandy Campaign 1944, Jagdpanther Tank Destroyer,: German Army. Western Europe 1944-1845; and Tiger I and Tiger II Tanks/German Army and Waffen-SS, The Lost Battles in the West 1945.
Dennis Oliver is the author of over twenty books on WWII armoured vehicles, including Tiger I and II tanks: German Army & Waffen SS, Normandy Campaign 1944, Jagdpanther Tank Destroyer,: German Army. Western Europe 1944-1845; and Tiger I and Tiger II Tanks/German Army and Waffen-SS, The Lost Battles in the West 1945.
THE BOOK:
Pen & Sword books is located in the UK.
This book is soft-cover of 64 pages in 6 ½” x 11 ½” page format.
It contains 41 black and white wartime photos. One photo inside a factory, 12 photos with crews.
There are 20 color photos, a map and 2 data lists.
For color profiles there are: Eleven 5-views of the Ausf. H, one of a Ausf. F, one of a Ausf. L, five of a Ausf. J and six of the Ausf. G. These include unit insignias.
The section showing built up models shows:
6 color photos of a Tamiya 1/35th scale Panzer III Ausf. A by modeler Mike Tippings. It includes a photo of the metal “Death’s Head” medal
3 color photos of Tamiya 1/35th scale Panzer III Ausf. J by modeler Masahiro Doi. It includes a color photo of the cover of a German “Signal” magazine.
3 color photos of Tamiya 1/48th scale Panzer III Ausf. J also by Masahiro Doi. A German Tanker’s medal and iron cross are shown.
8 color photos of Dragon 1/35th scale Panzer III Ausf. H by Sung Joon Jang.
6 color photos of Dragon 1/35th scale Panzer III Ausf. A, also by Jang.
In the section showing available Panzer III kits:
6 color photos of Dragon 1/35th scale box art of Panzer III variants and 4 color box arts of their Ausf. J kit built up.
Brach Models 1/35th scale box art of their Ausf. B kit.
2 color photos of Miniart 1/35th scale Ausf. D/C, 3 color photos of Attack Models’ 1/72nd scale Ausf. J, 3 color photos of First to Fight brand 1/72nd scale Ausf. E, 3 color photos of Milicast 1/76th scale Ausf. G/H, 6 photos of Voyager 1/35th scale Ausf. E/F, 6 color photos of Aber’s detail set for various versions, 3 color photos of R.B. Models’ 1/35th scale turned aluminum gun barrels, 4 color photos of Eduard 1/35th scale Panzer III accessories, 4 color photos of E.T. Models’ 1/72nd scale upgrade sets for the Panzer III, 3 color photos of the Panzer Art brand resin 1/35th scale accessories (main guns, mantles & drive-sprockets), 3 color photos of Black Dog brand 1/72nd & 1/48th scale resin accessories for the Panzer III, 9 color photos of metal tracks by that many manufacturers in various scales (manufacturers not named).
There are twelve black and white photos of Panzer III running gear. A product companies listing.
The last page of the book shows black and white cover arts of 15 other books in Pen and Sword Tank Craft series:
“Tiger II Tanks”, “Sherman Tanks”, “Panther Tanks”, “Churchill Tanks”, “Panzer IV”, “Jagdpanther Tank Destroyer”, “Achilles & M10”, Panzer I & II, “The Jeep”, “M2/M3” and “Bren Gun Carrier”.
This book will be of great interest to armor modelers and military historians alike.
I want to sincerely thank Casemate Publishers, the N. American distributor of Pen & Sword books for this review sample.
All Pen & Sword book titles can be seen on Casemate’s website at:
Pen & Sword books is located in the UK.
This book is soft-cover of 64 pages in 6 ½” x 11 ½” page format.
It contains 41 black and white wartime photos. One photo inside a factory, 12 photos with crews.
There are 20 color photos, a map and 2 data lists.
For color profiles there are: Eleven 5-views of the Ausf. H, one of a Ausf. F, one of a Ausf. L, five of a Ausf. J and six of the Ausf. G. These include unit insignias.
The section showing built up models shows:
6 color photos of a Tamiya 1/35th scale Panzer III Ausf. A by modeler Mike Tippings. It includes a photo of the metal “Death’s Head” medal
3 color photos of Tamiya 1/35th scale Panzer III Ausf. J by modeler Masahiro Doi. It includes a color photo of the cover of a German “Signal” magazine.
3 color photos of Tamiya 1/48th scale Panzer III Ausf. J also by Masahiro Doi. A German Tanker’s medal and iron cross are shown.
8 color photos of Dragon 1/35th scale Panzer III Ausf. H by Sung Joon Jang.
6 color photos of Dragon 1/35th scale Panzer III Ausf. A, also by Jang.
In the section showing available Panzer III kits:
6 color photos of Dragon 1/35th scale box art of Panzer III variants and 4 color box arts of their Ausf. J kit built up.
Brach Models 1/35th scale box art of their Ausf. B kit.
2 color photos of Miniart 1/35th scale Ausf. D/C, 3 color photos of Attack Models’ 1/72nd scale Ausf. J, 3 color photos of First to Fight brand 1/72nd scale Ausf. E, 3 color photos of Milicast 1/76th scale Ausf. G/H, 6 photos of Voyager 1/35th scale Ausf. E/F, 6 color photos of Aber’s detail set for various versions, 3 color photos of R.B. Models’ 1/35th scale turned aluminum gun barrels, 4 color photos of Eduard 1/35th scale Panzer III accessories, 4 color photos of E.T. Models’ 1/72nd scale upgrade sets for the Panzer III, 3 color photos of the Panzer Art brand resin 1/35th scale accessories (main guns, mantles & drive-sprockets), 3 color photos of Black Dog brand 1/72nd & 1/48th scale resin accessories for the Panzer III, 9 color photos of metal tracks by that many manufacturers in various scales (manufacturers not named).
There are twelve black and white photos of Panzer III running gear. A product companies listing.
The last page of the book shows black and white cover arts of 15 other books in Pen and Sword Tank Craft series:
“Tiger II Tanks”, “Sherman Tanks”, “Panther Tanks”, “Churchill Tanks”, “Panzer IV”, “Jagdpanther Tank Destroyer”, “Achilles & M10”, Panzer I & II, “The Jeep”, “M2/M3” and “Bren Gun Carrier”.
This book will be of great interest to armor modelers and military historians alike.
I want to sincerely thank Casemate Publishers, the N. American distributor of Pen & Sword books for this review sample.
All Pen & Sword book titles can be seen on Casemate’s website at:
Highly Recommended.