The FReeper Foxhole's TreadHead Tuesday - PanzerKampfwagen III

Despite plans for a 50mm gun, the following versions of the PzKpfw III, Ausf. F and some Ausf. G, were still armed with the 37mm gun, untill the 50mm KwK L/42 came available. A somewhat lower commander's cupola was a dinstinctive new feature, as was a prominent equipment box on the back of the turret. From the Ausf. F on the idler wheels were also altered to simplify production, in that the new idler was spoked. Some 450 examples of this model were produced, with a production output of 100 vehicles per month. the Ausf. G appeared in October 1940, and became the backbone of the tank regiments. For North African service special radiators and air filters were used. These Fiefel filters, partly protected by armor, were fitted to the exterior of the engine compartment. Vehicles with this sort of equipment received the designation Tp (Tropical) and were the mainstay of the Afrika Korps.

Panzer IIIs were used to cross the river Bug in 1941

The front wall of the bow armor in the Ausf. E to H was strengthened by addition of a 30mm armor plate (either screwed-on or welded-on). The Ausf. G was fitted with a new commander's cupola that no longer cut into the rear wall of the turret, simplifying production. Late 1940 the PzKpfw III Ausf. H appeared, with stronger suspension and wider track width. The fighting weight had risen to 21.6 tons. The PzKpfw III was designed for the Central European area, which caused insuperable difficulties on the Eastern front. Physical limitations, such as bridge load and road conditions, and design limitations (armament and armor) made it difficult to remain equal to the enemy. Despite Hitler's orders, the Army Weapons office did not install the available 50mm 39L/60 gun, but the weaker 50mm L/42. When the Russian T34 and KV tanks appeared, the weakness of the German tank armament was quickly revealed to its fullest extent.

Russian POWs on a PzKpfw III near the Oskol-front

In 1941 the Ausf. J was introduced, which had a strengthened armor of 50mm, but the first series still fitted the short L/42 gun. Only at the end of 1941 was the second series of the Ausf. J fitted with the L/60 as standard equipment. Using the armor piercing Panzergranate 40 shell, this gun had a much higher muzzle velocity. All earlier PzKpfw IIIs returned to Germany for general overhaul after April 1941 and were upgunned with this weapon. The PzKpfw III Ausf. L was a further improvement introduced at the end of 1941 and had increased front turret armor and additional 'spaced armor' plates 20mm thick in front of the turret shield and the driver's plate. The Ausf. L was the last model with hinged escape doors located centrally on both sides of the hull.

A PzKpfw III Ausf. M in Russia, 1943

During 1942, 75mm L/24 guns were installed in PzKpfw III tanks, and also flame-throwing tanks were delivered intended for use at Stalingrad. Instead of the 50mm gun, a 14mm flame-throwing barrel was installed, which reached only an insufficient 35 meters (Ausf. M). The last version was the Ausf. N, which came off the production line towards the end of 1942. It was armed with the short-barrelled 75mm KwK L/24 gun, which was a left-over of the up-gunned PzKpfw IV. Of these vehicles 666 were manufactured when the production of the PzKpfw III ended in 1943. In total more than 6000 vehicles were built. Facilities freed of the production of the PzKpfw III were converted to the production of self-propelled guns as the Sturmgeschütz, Panzerjäger and Feldartillerie.

A PzKpfw III of the "Berlin Bears"

In order to improve the PzKpfw III's own defence capabilities, 5mm thin steel skirts (schurzen) were hung from brackets along the hull sides and turret sides and rear, intended to detonate anti-tank shells before they struck the body of the tank itself. While of use against lighter anti-tank weapons, the benefits of these skirts were more often psychological than actual when dealing with the 76mm gun of the T-34. A protective coating of Zimmerit was applied to prevent the attachment of magnetic charges. This substance was no longer used after the end of 1944. Like the PzKpfw I and II, the PzKpfw III had rather narrow tracks, and to improve its cross-country performance in snow and on soft terrain, track extensions were fitted to the outer edge to help spread the ground loading (the so-called 'Ostkette'). Because of the extra width, the tanks could be driven safely only on flat terrain. From 1943, all new vehicles and repaired ones were also equipped with smoke-laying launchers on each side of the turret.

PzKpfw III Ausf. Js of the 2nd Pz.Div. with large rear storage boxes

The PzKpfw III was also used as command vehicle (Panzerbefehlwagen III). Like the armored command car, these vehicles carried a distinctive frame aerial above the engine compartment, though this was replaced by pole-type aerials from 1943. For the defence of the five-men crew there was a machine-gun (MG34); a dummy gun replaced the main armament since absence of a gun would have made its function apparent to the enemy. The absence of main armament gave enough interior space for a command staff but made the vehicle of limited use on active service. A new design, the Panzerbefehlwagen III Ausf. K, was equipped with a 50mm gun in a fully traversing turret. In 1943, armored artillery observation vehicles based on the Pz KW III were introduced. The official designation was “Panzerbeobachtungswagen III (Sd Kfz 143).” Armament was a single MG 34, and a 4 man crew. It served until 1944.

The exit hatches in the side of the hull

After 1943 the Panzerkampwagen III was no longer a viable battle tank (although the Stug. III continued to be produced throughout the war).

Ausf. N had the short L/24 75mm gun from the PzKpfw IV and was also called Sturmpanzer III

In January of 1944 it was therefore decided that all Panzer III returned for overhaul should be instead converted into Bergepanzer. The vehicles were generally equipped with a large anchor which made it at least possible to recover heavy tanks under favorable conditions.

The most visible modifications were the replacement of the turret with a large wooden box (which covered the driver's hatches as well). A large derrick crane was added on the rear deck. Another interesting feature is the near exclusive use of Ostkette on these vehicles. Between March and December of 1944, a total of about 150 Panzer III's were converted. It is interesting to not that as of February 1945, 130 were still listed as available.

Landmines were revealed to be one of the banes of armored warfare during World War II. All combatants developed numerous specialized vehicles in an attempt to deal with enemy minefields and provide a clear avenue for tanks and infantry. The Panzer III variant was equipped with an extended and raised suspension along with a front-mounted book to carry the mine-detonation equipment. The photo above shows the chassis sans boom.

A design project to mount what appears to be the 8.8cm KwK43 L/71 on the chassis of a Sturmgeschütz III made it at least to the wooden mock-up stage. The mantelet appears to be identical to the one on the Tiger II's production turret, while the gun is the earlier monobloc KwK 43. To provide for installation of the larger gun, both the height and length of the superstructure appear to have been increased.

After experimenting with open-topped mountings of the siG33 on the Panzer I and Panzer II, it was decided that a fully-enclosed compartment would be used for the next attempt. This new mounting utilized the hull as the Sturmgeschütz III Ausf E and F/8 but with a completely redesigned superstructure to create the StuIG33B. As with previous self-propelled vehicles mounting the siG33, production numbers were low, with only 24 having been completed from December 1941 to October of 1942. The primary mission for these vehicles was knocking down buildings and other fortifications encountered during city fighting.

Some of the StuIG33B's were sent along with a Sturmgeschütz company to Stalingrad in November of 1942. Another group was attached to 23rd Panzer division in the campaign to break the Soviet encirclement of Stalingrad. This same group later served to delay the Soviet advances in the region during the following winter.

>From February of 1943 to April of 1943, 100 Ausf M tanks produced by MIAG in Braunsweig were converted by Wegmann in Kassel to Flammpanzer - flame-thrower tanks. New vehicles were designated as PzKpfw III (Fl) / Sd.Kfz 141/3. They were also commonly known as Flammpanzer III or Panzerflammwagen III. It was unmodified Ausf M tank with additional 30mm to 50mm armor plates welded on for protection to the hull front. This was done, as Flammpanzer III tanks had to get closer to their targets being vulnerable to enemy fire. In contrast to regular tanks, it was operated by three men crew composed of commander/flame gunner, radio operator/hull gunner and driver. The main gun and internal ammunition stowage were replaced with the flame-thrower and fuel tanks. This vehicle was armed with 14mm Flammenwerfer flame-thrower and two 7.92mm MG 34 machine guns.

The flame-thrower was mounted in place of the original 50mm gun and concealed in a thick 1.5m long pipe made to appear as standard armament. The flame-thrower could lowered 8 degrees and raised 20 degrees. Each vehicle carried some 1020 liters of inflammable oil (Flammol) in two tanks inside the vehicle. Oil was pumped into the pipe by Koebe pump driven by two-stroke DKW engine and was ignited by an electric charge (Smitskerzen). The supply of oil allowed some 125 one second or some 80 to 81 two to three seconds long bursts. The maximum range of the flame-thrower was 60m using ignited oil and 50m using cold oil. The range also depended on the weather conditions.

Flammpanzer III was designed in mind with fighting in the urban areas such as Stalingrad, but it was never to reach its destination.

Additional Sources:

www.maus120.com
users.swing.be
armor.kiev.ua
http://www.3-d-models.com

Weight	22.7 tons
Crew	5
Weapons	50mm L60 KwK 39 gun with 98 rounds, 2 7,92mm MG 34 with 2550 rounds
Armor	hull 70mm (nose 50mm, front 50mm+20mm, sides and rear 30mm/50mm, top 18mm, bottom 16mm); turret 57-77mm (front 57mm+20mm, sides and rear 30mm, top 10mm)
Engine	300hp gasoline Maybach HL 120 TRM, 12-cylinders on V, liquid cooled
Speed	40Km/h
Range	155Km
Length (max)	6.28m
Width	2.95m
Height	2.5m

Advantages: upgradability in both armor and gun, mechanical reliability due to highly experienced chassis

Disadvantages: turret too small to accomodate the long barreled 75mm L43 (as in the PzKpfw IV)

FALL IN to the FReeper Foxhole!

It's TreadHead Tuesday. Good Morning Everyone

If you would like added to our ping list let us know.

Good morning, Snippy and everyone at the Foxhole.

He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." —2 Corinthians 12:9

There's advantage in our weakness,
There is blessing in our pain;
It is when we're feeling helpless
That God's grace and strength sustain

Our weakness is a blessing when we lean on God's strength.

Good morning Snippy.

Morning, SAM, snippy, FoxHole crew!

Tanks and caffeine, a fine combination to wake up to on the Tuesday after Iowa, SOTU day.

Good morning EGC, only 11 degrees this morning. brrrr.

Good morning Mayor.

Aeronaut, is that a car under there?

Thanks and good morning RC. Poor ole Dean, huh. It's great to watch these guys fall! Thanks for the bump!

Aeronaut, is that a car under there?

Yep. It's a Taylor Aerocar. It was certificated by the FAA in 1954, and only 4 were ever built. I had one of them at my MN State Fair exhibit last year.

Mornin Snippy..

Dean is a nut case, his speach last night was the worst speech I have ever seen. He should pack it in..

Good morning SAM. I'm learning a lot about tanks. I like TreadHead Tuesday!!!!

Good morning everyone.

Air Power
Junkers JU-87 "Stuka"

The reputation of the Junkers Ju 87 as a weapon of war was made in the early days of World War II, when this dive-bomber was used in the Polish campaign, following up its success there with operations across Europe. The Stuka, as it became known universally (from Sturzkampfflugzeug, or dive-bomber), was considered by the Luftwaffe to he virtually invincible, but this was true only after air superiority had been gained. During the Battle of Britain in 1940 the RAF rapidly disproved the myth and the Stukas were so severely mauled by Hurricanes and Spitfires, that they were eventually withdrawn from operations over Western Europe. Junkers began construction of three prototypes of the Ju 87 in 1934 and a specification was issued around it. Ironically, in view of later events, a 640 hp (477 kW) Rolls-Royce Kestrel engine powered the first aircraft. Square twin fins and rudders proved too weak and during dive testing in 1935 they collapsed and the aircraft crashed.

The second prototype had a redesigned single fin and rudder and a 610 hp (455 kW) Junkers Jumo 210A engine. It was soon joined by a third prototype with further modifications, and official evaluation took place in 1936 against three competitive aircraft, the Arado Ar 81, Hamburger Ha 137 and Heinkel He 118. Orders were placed with Junkers and Heinkel for 10 aircraft each, the other two types being eliminated.

The pre-production batch of Ju 87A-0 aircraft had 640 hp (477 kW) Jumo 210Ca engines and changes to facilitate production, these being followed by Ju 87A-1 initial production aircraft which began to replace Hs 123 biplanes in the spring of 1937, and three aircraft were tested under operational conditions by the Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War. The Ju 87A-2 was the next production model, with a 680 hp (507 kW) Jumo 210Da engine with supercharger, but this remained in production and service for only about six months before a major redesign was undertaken with the seventh prototype and Ju 87B-0 pre-production series. The new model was the Ju 87B-1 with considerably more power, its Jumo 211Da giving 1,200 hp (895 kW), while the fuselage and landing gear were completely redesigned. Large, streamlined spats replaced the earlier model's trousered main landing gear units and the fin and rudder were enlarged. Again tested in Spain, the new variant proved its abilities, and the production rate was stepped up by in mid-1939 to 60 per month and as a result, on the outbreak of World War 11 the Luftwaffe had 336 Ju 87B-ls on strength.

The Ju 87B-2 which followed had a number of detailed improvements and was built in several variants including ski-equipped versions and, at the other extreme, with tropical operation kit as the Ju 87B- 2/Trop. Italy received a number of Ju 87B-2s and named the type Picchliatello, while others went to Axis countries, including Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania. A long-range anti-shipping version of the Ju 87B series appeared as the Ju 87R type, variants from Ju 87R-1 to Ju 87RA all having detail differences but a common main armament of one 551 lbs (250 kg) bomb with Dienartstab attachment and provision for underwing drop tanks. A pre-production batch (Ju 87C-0) of a navalised version, the Ju 87C-1, was built for operation from the aircraft-carrier Graf Zeppelin, but the ship was not completed and the aircraft were converted back to Ju 87B standard.

Although the Stukas had suffered severe losses at the hands of the RAF, the Luftwaffe had no immediate replacement available and development continued, the next production model being the Ju 87D-1 with the new 1,410 hp (1051 kW) Jumo 211J-1 engine. Considerable changes were made in the aircraft's appearance and armour was increased, probably the most popular improvement. Production of this version began in 1941 and deliveries during that year totalled 476, with 917 in 1942. The type was deployed extensively in the Middle East and on the Eastern Front, and in the former area was even used as a glider tug under the designation Ju 87D-2. The Ju 87D-3 had extra armour protection for the ground-attack role, and an odd experimental version of the Ju 87D-3 had a pod above each wing, both capable of carrying two persons and intended to be used to drop agents behind enemy lines. The pods were designed to be released in a shallow dive and to descend by parachute, but the point of this is obscure and it is not known if flight trials and release ever took place. The designation Ju 87D-4 applied to a torpedo-bomber version. The Ju 87D-5 had the outer wing panels extended to give a span of 49 ft 2 1/2 in (15.00 m), the increase being necessary to cope with the heavier loads that were being carried. Dive brakes were omitted as the variant was intended only for ground-attack.

The Ju 87s in use on the Eastern Front were, by 1943, being severely mauled by the Red Air Force during daytime operations. A night assault version, also without dive brakes, was developed as the Ju 87D-7 with flame-damped exhausts two wing-mounted 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon and night-flying equipment. The Ju 87D-8 final production version was a similar but simplified aircraft. A final operational version should he mentioned, the Ju 87G-1, which was a conversion of the Ju 87D-5 for tank-busting operations with a 37 mm cannon beneath each wing. For a while this version enjoyed considerable success on the Eastern Front, but when Soviet fighters could be spared for deployment against the type its low speed and poor manoeuvrability with the heavy cannon made it extremely vulnerable. The Ju 87H series were trainers, produced by conversion of Ju 87D airframes.

The final production figure for all models of the Ju 87 was in excess of 5,700, with most of these being built after 1940, when the RAF had already shown the type to be very vulnerable without adequate fighter cover. It can only be assumed that the type continued in production for so long because no suitable replacement was forthcoming.

Specifications:
Type: Two Seat Dive Bomber & Attack Aircraft
Design: Chief Engineer Hermann Pohlmann of Junkers Flugzeug und Motorwerke AG
Manufacturer: Junkers Flugzeug und Motorwerke AG in Dressau until 1939 when the plant moved to Weser Flugzeugbau at the Berlin-Tempelhop airport with components from SNCASO in France

Powerplant:
(B-Series) One 1,200 hp (895 kW) Junkers Jumo 211Da 12-cylinder inverted Vee piston engine.
(D & G-Series) One 1,410 hp (1051 kW) Junkers Jumo 211J-1 12-cylinder inverted Vee piston engine.
(D-7/D-8) One 1,500 hp (1119 kW) Junkers Jumo 211P 12-cylinder inverted Vee piston engine.

Performance:
Maximum speed: 255 mph (410 km/h) at 12,600 ft (3840 m)
cruising speed: 199 mph (320 km/h) at 16,700 ft (5090 m)
service ceiling: 23,915 ft (7290 m)
Range: 954 miles (1535 km) on internal fuel

Dimensions:
Span: 45 ft 3 1/2 in (13.80 m)
length: 37 ft 8 3/4 in (11.50 m)
height: 12 ft 9 1/2 in (3.90 m)
wing area: 343.38 sq ft (31.90 sq m)
Weights: Empty equipped 8,598 lbs (3900 kg) with a maximum take-off weight of 14,550 lbs (6600 kg).

Avionics:
Revi 16B Gunsight
FuG 125 Navigation equipment (H-1/R-11 Only)
LGW-Siemens K 23 Autopilot
FuG 16ZY Radio Transmitter/reciever
BSK 16 Gun Camera

Armaments:
Two Rheinmetall 7.92 mm (0.31 in) forward-firing MG 17 machine guns in wings
Twin 7.92 mm (0.31 in) Mauser MG 81Z machine-guns on GSL-K 81 mounts in rear cockpit,
Maximum bombload of one 3,968 lbs (1800 kg) bomb beneath fuselage,

Alternative loads beneath fuselage and wings, included
anti-personnel bombs. (D-7)
two 20 mm MG 151/20 cannons in the wings (G-1)
two 37 mm BK 3,7 (Flak 18 or Flak 36) cannons in containers below the wings (D-4)
two weapon containers below the wings each containing six 7.92 mm (0.31 in) MG 81 machine guns.

Junkers Ju 87 Stuka in flight

Junkers Ju 87 Stuka on an airfield
Junkers Ju 87 Stuka's in formation

All photos Copyright:
Frans Bonnè
214th Squadron

As I read it the PzKW III with the high velocity 50 mm gun was better armored, had a lower silhouette, and a better armor piercing gun then the early low velocity 75 mm armed American Sherman M4s. The Shermans had a higher top speed and were easier to learn to drive, but otherwise were no not superior to machines withdrawn from service in front line units in 1943. In 1943, when the PzKW III was withdrawn, the armor, gun, and ammunition performance had been improved so as to be definitely superior to the Sherman of 1944 (with the exception of Firefly). At least upgunning to Firefly spec should have been done, and applique frontal armor installed.

Hiya Sam. Cool thread.

On June 22, 1941, these vehicles crossed the Bug underwater, with no need for the building of bridges for the surprise attack.

Must have been one heck of a surprise.