Drawings of the tank pz 3. Jobs for the crew of the tank Pz.III. Fighting compartment of the tank

Approved as a memo on the use of a German combat vehicle - a medium tank T-III, designed for the rank and file and commanding staff of all branches of the Red Army and benefits for partisans and sabotage units operating in the territory occupied by the enemy. This document has been compiled for the preparation and publication of a manual on the use of captured tanks after they have been captured by the Red Army.

From IKTP - /Romanov/

Warrior of the Red Army!

Perfectly master the trophy technique!

In the battles for the freedom and independence of our Motherland, the fighters and commanders of the Red Army capture various models of military equipment Nazi Germany and her allies. Despite the unfamiliar design, in some parts of the Red Army, tankers are able to deal with enemy equipment and successfully use it in battles with Nazi troops. However, in many formations, the study of enemy equipment is not given due attention, which is unacceptable.

Each soldier of the Red Army must know all the features and military equipment of the enemy in order to skillfully apply in the defense of our Motherland - the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

German medium tank T-III is the most advanced type of tank of the Nazi army. It has the following distinctive features:

1. High speed traffic on and off the roads.

2. Excellent running smoothness.

3. Simple and reliable motor capable of consuming gasoline. However, for best results, aviation gasoline or other first-class gasoline should be used.

4. The small size of an artillery shot and the possibility of firing an electric discharge device, which significantly increases the speed and accuracy of fire.

5. Convenient location of evacuation hatches, allowing for quick evacuation in the event of a tank fire.

6. Good observation devices that provide all-round visibility from the tank.

7. Good tank radio equipment.

8. Ease of operation by untrained personnel.

Tankers Osipov and Gareev are mastering a captured tank. July 1941

Captured tank PiKpfw III Aust H on trial* in Kubinka. Summer 1941

Trophy tank PzKpfw III Ausf J. Kubinka, 1943

The total weight of the average German T-III tank is 19-21 tons, the engine is a 12-cylinder petrol type "Maybach" with water cooling. Maximum engine power 320 hp Fuel tank capacity - 300 l. The mouths of the gas tank and the cooling radiator are located in the engine compartment to the right along the course of the tank. Access to the fuel tank and radiator fillers is through the right hatch in the roof of the engine compartment.

Currently, the T-III tank is armed with a 50-mm tank gun, the main characteristics of which are slightly higher than the domestic 45-mm tank gun mod. 1938, which significantly increases it combat capabilities in comparison with the tank of the specified type of previous releases with weapons from the 37-mm tank gun of tanks.

In addition, many T-III tanks with a 50-mm cannon have reinforced frontal armor thickness of the turret box and turret (up to 52-55 mm in total), which makes them impenetrable to armor-piercing shells of a 45-mm anti-tank gun at a distance of more than 400 m. These tanks are usually equipped with equipment to overcome deep fords and water obstacles up to 5 m deep. The mass of such tanks is 22-22.5 tons.

All known cases of the use of captured medium tanks T-III in the units of the Red Army confirm the high combat characteristics specified type of tank.

Good armor protection of the medium tank T-III, high smoothness of its course, a large number of and the high quality of observation devices makes it possible to recommend the use of this type of tank, especially as a vehicle for the commander of a tank unit or a tank for reconnaissance of the close rear of the Nazi troops.

German tank PzKpfw III Ausf H, captured by Soviet soldiers. July 1941

PzKpfw lII Ausf J as a T-60 tank company commander's vehicle. Winter 1942

When conducting reconnaissance and / or sabotage operations, it is best to overcome the contact line of troops in the evening, since at this time the German trenches are mostly not completely filled and the often passing German tank does not arouse much curiosity and is not checked by the German infantrymen, while in the afternoon this much more difficult to avoid. When fighting on captured tanks in the depths of the enemy’s defenses in the evening, it is not recommended to open your own lighting and fire from a machine gun, since lighting and machine gun fire can give the enemy the location of your tank.

The most successful are the actions of captured tanks in the enemy's position in groups of 2 pieces.

Being captured during the fighting, the tank is subject to repair mostly in the field and with the involvement of a minimum amount of materials and equipment. Tank units are highly reliable and can be operated even by an unskilled driver. A repair manual for the T-III tank is being developed.

For drivers familiar with driving trucks, tractors and tanks, the following sequence of starting the tank and starting to move can be recommended.

To start the engine of the T-III tank, you must:

1. Place the front shift lever in the middle position.

2. Open the gas tap by placing its handle in a vertical position, which is located on the engine bulkhead behind the right seat.

3. Press and turn to the right along the course of the tank the mass switch lever, which is located in the engine compartment and is located against the door of the engine bulkhead.

4. Drown the key in the ignition to failure.

5. Press the starter button while lightly pressing the gas pedal with your foot and with your right hand press down the starting jets handle located on the floor to the right of the driver's seat.

6. If the engine does not start from the starter, it is necessary to take the crank fixed on the right wing, open the hatch in the aft (rear) part of the tank, insert the crank into the ratchet of the inertial starter and smoothly turn it counterclockwise for about half a minute.

After that, to start the engine, pull the cable ring located to the left of the ratchet.

To start moving on tank T-III necessary:

1. Check the position of the brake pedal. The pedal must be in the up (raised) state.

2. Press the clutch pedal with your left foot.

3. Without releasing the clutch pedal, place the front shift lever in the forward (forward) or rear (reverse) position.

4. Put the rear shift lever in the position corresponding to the desired gear.

5. Slowly release the clutch pedal and, pressing the gas pedal at the same time, start moving.

To quickly stop the tank, you must quickly press the clutch pedal and at the same time strongly press the brake pedal.

In terms of control, the tank does not have any features that significantly distinguish it from domestically produced tanks.

To turn the tank to the right or to the left, you need to pull the corresponding vertical turn lever towards you while simultaneously pressing the gas pedal.

To transfer the tank to a higher gear (to speed up the movement), it is necessary to move the rear gearshift lever to the position marked with the largest division of the sector scale, accelerate the tank by pressing the gas pedal, then quickly press and release the clutch pedal,

The transfer of the tank to a lower gear is carried out in a similar way.

To stop the tank, you need to move the rear gearshift lever to the position corresponding to the lowest gear, then press and quickly release the clutch pedal. Then, making sure that the tank is in low gear, depress the clutch pedal while pressing the brake pedal with your foot, then move the front gearshift lever to the middle position, stopping the engine from engaging with the gearbox and release the clutch pedal.

Do not forget to remove the key from the ignition after stopping the tank, which leads to engine shutdown, and then open the mass shift lever, preventing the battery from discharging.

A tank with a 50 mm gun has the same basic control mechanisms as with a 37 mm gun, with the exception of the mass switch, which is located in the engine compartment on the wall to the left along the tank.

To load a 37mm or 50mm cannon you need:

1. The handle of the wedge lock stopper, located on the right side in the upper part of the breech, pull to the right and move forward until the stopper sits in the socket. Then move the bolt handle (located at the bottom, on the right side of the breech) towards you and at the same time press the latch lever located in the bolt handle, after which the bolt will open.

2. Fold the projectile into the tray and push it into the breech, after which the shutter will close itself. The gun is loaded.

Aiming is carried out through an optical sight, fixed to the left of the gun. The horizontal and vertical aiming of the gun is carried out by handwheels, also located to the left of the gun.

To make a shot, it is necessary that the mass is turned on and the engine is running, since the shot is made by an electric discharge device.

To do this, you must perform the following steps:

1. Turn on the electric shutter switch located in front of the turret turn signal.

2. Turn on the plugs in the electric trigger plugs located on the front wall of the tower to the right and left of the gun,

3. Press the red button to the right of the gun, after which the letter “F” will appear in the window next to the button

4. Press the descent lever located on the handle of the gun's horizontal aiming handwheel.

The use of a tank machine gun has no special features compared to the use of an MG-34 infantry machine gun.

If it is impossible to use the captured tank, it must be rendered unusable, since even a slightly damaged tank can be restored and used against the troops of the Red Army.

Captured PzKpfw Ш Ausf H with paratroopers. Winter 1942

Tower interior tank PzKpfw III. Figure from the instruction manual in Russian.

To do this, you must first remove the machine guns from the tank and hide or carry them away, for which you need to do the following:

1. Open the hatch of the tank mask, to do this, press up the handle of the hatch lever, located in front to the right of the machine guns, and force the lever forward to failure.

2. Turn the locking lever of the cover of the detachable casing away from you and fold down the cover of the casing.

3. Turn the locking lever of the cape located behind the casing away from you and fold the cape.

4. Move the latch of the swivel fork to the right, and fold the fork back.

5. Raise the machine gun by the middle part and take it out, giving it back.

To remove the machine gun from the ball mount, it is necessary to turn it counterclockwise by 30-40 ° in order to bring the tide into the longitudinal groove, then remove the machine gun by moving it back.

Then, with blows of a sledgehammer or scrap, destroy the engine, gearbox and breech of the gun. Access to the engine is through the overhead hatch, and to the gearbox through the control compartment. If the hatches are closed, open them with a large screwdriver or crowbar. The gun can be ruined by pouring a handful of earth into the muzzle, and then firing from it.

If there is fuel in the tank, the tank can be blown up by putting ends, rags or straw soaked in gasoline or oil on the neck of the tank and igniting them. For the complete destruction of the tank, it can be strengthened at the junction of the frontal and side armor plates with inside a tola charge of 1.5-2 kg and blow it up with a fire tube, or with an electric fuse.

But it should be remembered that the competent use of a captured tank will bring a much greater contribution to the approach of victory over the Nazi invaders.

Death to the German invaders!

It is made according to the following layout scheme: the power plant is located at the rear, the fighting compartment and the control compartment are in the middle part of the hull, and the power transmission and drive wheels are at the front. The relatively low body of the tank is welded from rolled armor plates. On modifications A-E frontal the armor had a thickness of 15 mm, on modifications F and G it was 30 mm, on modification H it was reinforced with additional sheets up to 30 mm + 20 mm, and on J-O modifications it was already 50 mm + 20 mm. The multifaceted turret was located in the center of the hull. The gun without a muzzle brake was mounted in the turret using a wide cylindrical mask.

The following modifications of the tank were produced:

• A-E - a tank with a 37-mm gun;
• F-N - a tank with a 50 mm gun;
• M-O - assault tank with a 75-mm howitzer;
• self-propelled flamethrower;
• armored command vehicle;
• armored observation vehicle.

From 1940 to 1942, the Pz-III tanks were the main armament tank divisions. Due to the weakness of armament and armor since 1943, they were used only as special vehicles. In total, the German industry produced 5,700 Pz-III tanks of various modifications.

By 1936, the German tank forces were armed with light tank PzKpfw I, armed with only a couple of machine guns and having light bulletproof armor. This tank could not be seriously considered as a combat vehicle, its lot was service in training units, and their role on the battlefield was at best limited to reconnaissance and communications. Having come to power, Hitler refused to comply with the restrictions imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles, and joined the technological race that had begun in Europe. During the three years leading up to the Second World War, German technology made a leap, moving from PzKpfw I light tanks to medium PzKpfw III and PzKpfw IV, which were destined to become the main German tanks, which largely predetermined the successes and failures of the III Reich.

Tanks were designed to withstand direct hit armor-piercing projectile.
The frontal armor of the tank could withstand a hit high-explosive projectile. To fight tanks, special anti-tank guns were used, which had a small caliber, but fired a projectile at high speed. In service with the Wehrmacht 37-mm anti-tank gun could penetrate the armor of almost any tank.

When fighting with enemy infantry, high-explosive fragmentation shells with a low initial speed, but more large caliber. Therefore, according to Heinz Guderian, two types of tanks should have been adopted in service with tank units, with fundamentally different weapons. One tank to fight enemy tanks, the other to fight infantry.

The tank with anti-tank weapons was the PzKpfw III, armed first with a 37 mm and later with a 50 mm cannon. The PzKpfw IV was chosen to fight the infantry, armed with a short-barreled 75-mm cannon.

MAN, Daimler-Benz AG, Rheinmetall-Borsing and Krupp participated in the competition to create a 15-ton tank. For reasons of secrecy, the tank was assigned symbol"platoon commander's vehicle" ("Zugfuehrerwagen", ZW). Prototype tests took place in 1936-1937. at the training grounds in Kummersdorf and Ulm. In comparative tests, the model presented by the company "Daimler-Benz" won, which it was decided to develop.

Tank PzKpfw III, modifications A, B, C, D

The PzKpfw III tank consisted of four main elements: the hull, the turret, the front part of the superstructure with the turret shoulder strap, and the aft part of the superstructure with the overhead armor plate. The main elements were interconnected by welding, and the details of each element were connected by rivets and bolts. Inside the body of the machine was divided by a bulkhead.

In the front compartment there was a gearbox with a steering mechanism, in the rear compartment there was a combat and engine compartment. The shape of the hull, turret and superstructure, as well as the layout of all five crew members, remained unchanged throughout the entire period of serial production of the PzKpfw III.

The first version of the PzKpfw III Ausf.A was produced in May of 1937. 15 vehicles were built, of which only eight received weapons and until 1939 were part of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd tank divisions. The rest of the tanks were used for testing.

Comparative tactical specifications tanks

In the same 1937, the PzKpfw III Ausf.V tank went into production. This series was also limited to 15 cars. Several of them took part in the September 1939 campaign. In October 1940, five machines of this series were used to create prototypes of the Sturmgeschuetz III assault guns.

In July 1937, the PzKpfw III Ausf.C tank went into production. Until January 1938, only 15 pieces were produced. Several tanks of this modification also participated in the September battles in Poland.

In January 1938, the production of PzKpfw III Ausf.D tanks began. Until 1939, 55 machines of this type were built. Only 30 of them received weapons, the rest were used to test the suspension, weapons and engines. Several Ausf.D tanks saw action in Poland and Norway.

first four PzKpfw modifications III (Ausf.A, B, C and D) were actually prototypes manufactured by Daimler-Benz. They were not intended for large-scale production, and each subsequent modification was a modified version of the previous one. All tanks of these four modifications were powered by Maybach HL108TR engines with a power of 250 hp. and a 5- or 6-speed "Zahnradfabrik" gearbox. Those tanks that were armed carried a 37 mm KwK35/36 L/46.5 cannon and three MG-34 machine guns (two in the turret and one in the superstructure). The thickness of the armor was only 5 mm-15 mm. This thickness protected only from rifle fire, but the mass of the tank did not exceed 15 tons. The Ausf.A, B and C tanks had a simple drum turret for the commander of the vehicle, while the Ausf.D received a cast turret similar to the one on the PzKpfw IV Ausf.B.

Only a few PzKpfw III tanks participated in the Polish campaign of 1939. The remaining vehicles were used for testing and crew training. Several PzKpfw III Ausf.Ds, together with PzAbt zb V 40 (NbFz VI), took part in the battles in Norway in April-May 1940. Later, these same machines came to Finland, where they served in 1941-1942.

Tactical and technical characteristics

* Part of the Ausf.D machines had armor protection, similar to Ausf.A - C, and, accordingly, a smaller combat weight.

* Part of the Ausf.D vehicles had armor protection similar to the Ausf.A - C, and, accordingly, a lower combat weight.

* Part of the Ausf.D vehicles had armor protection similar to the Ausf.A - C, and, accordingly, a lower combat weight.

Panzerkampfwagen III (T-III)- German medium tank of the Second World War, mass-produced from 1938 to 1943. The abbreviated names of this tank were PzKpfw III, Panzer III, Pz III. In the departmental rubricator military equipment Nazi Germany, this tank had the designation Sd.Kfz. 141 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug 141 - machine special purpose 141). In Soviet historical documents and popular literature, the PzKpfw III was referred to as "Type 3", T-III or T-3.
These combat vehicles used by the Wehrmacht from the first day of World War II. The latest records of the combat use of the PzKpfw III in the regular composition of the Wehrmacht units date back to the middle of 1944, single tanks fought until the surrender of Germany.
Mid 1941 to early 1943 PzKpfw III was basis of the armored forces of the Wehrmacht(Panzerwaffe) and, despite the relative weakness compared to contemporary tanks of the countries anti-Hitler coalition, made a significant contribution to the success of the Wehrmacht of that period. Tanks of this type were supplied to the armies of Germany's Axis allies. Captured PzKpfw IIIs were used by the Red Army and the Allies with good results. On the basis of the PzKpfw III in Germany and the USSR, self-propelled artillery installations (ACS) for various purposes were created.
By the time of the invasion of the USSR PzKpfw III was the main weapon of the tank units of the Wehrmacht. On June 22, 1941, in the divisions sent to the USSR, there were about 1000 vehicles of this type, which ranged from 25 to 34% of the total number of tanks sent to the USSR.
As part of a tank battalion PzKpfw III were part of a light tank company (three platoons of five tanks each, plus two in the control platoon). Thus, a typical Wehrmacht tank division during the invasion of the USSR with one two-battalion tank regiment had 71 PzKpfw III units military purpose plus 6 - special commander's for management. In fact, the division into light and medium tank companies in 1941 was of a formal nature. From the end of 1940, tank divisions were reorganized (instead of tank brigade two-regiment composition, one regiment of two-three battalion composition remained in them) and the Pz III (17 Pz III and 5 Pz II in each) became the main vehicle of the light tank company, and the Pz IV (14 Pz IV and 5 Pz II) became the main vehicle. Thus, taking into account headquarters tanks, each tank battalion had 37 Pz III tanks. So a typical tank division (not equipped with Czech tanks) had from 77 to 114 Pz III tanks.
Tank PzKpfw III was generally a typical representative of the German school of tank building, but with some significant features inherent in other design concepts. Therefore, in terms of its design and layout solutions, on the one hand, it inherited the advantages and disadvantages of the classical layout. german type”, and on the other hand, did not have some of its negative features. In particular, an individual torsion bar suspension with small-diameter road wheels was unusual for German vehicles, although it proved itself very well in production and operation. Later "Panthers" and "Tigers" had a less reliable in operation and repair and structurally more complex "chessboard" suspension, traditional for German tanks.
Generally PzKpfw III was a reliable, easy-to-operate machine with high level comfort for the crew, its modernization potential for 1939-1942 was quite sufficient. On the other hand, despite the reliability and manufacturability, overloaded chassis and the volume of the turret box, insufficient to accommodate a more powerful gun, did not allow it to stay in production longer than 1943, when all the reserves for turning a "light-medium" tank into a full-fledged medium were exhausted.

Dimensions:
Combat weight - 21.5 tons
Length - 5.52 m
Width - 2.95 m
Height - 2.50 m
Booking, mm:
Hull forehead - 50
Hull sides and stern - 30-50
Forehead of the tower - 30-50
Boards and feed - 30
Roof - 10-17
Bottom - 16
Armament:
Gun - 50 mm KwK 38
Machine guns - 2x7.92 - mm MG-34
Ammunition, shots / cartridges - 99/2700
Mobility:
Engine - Maybach
Specific power, l. s./t - 14.0
Max speed on the highway, km / h - 40
Average speed along the road, km / h - 18
Power reserve on the highway, km - 155
Power reserve along the country road, km - 85
Specific ground pressure, kg/cm? - 0.94
Crossable ditch, m - 2.0
Passable wall, m - 0.6
Crossable ford, m - 0.8

Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. E

Main characteristics

Briefly

in detail

1.7 / 1.7 / 1.7 BR

5 people Crew

88% Visibility

forehead / side / stern Booking

30 / 30 / 20 cases

35 / 30 / 30 towers

Mobility

19.5 tons Weight

572 l/s 300 l/s Engine power

29 hp/t 15 hp/t specific

78 km/h ahead
13 km/h back70 km/h forward
11 km/h back Speed

Armament

131 shells ammo

2.9 / 3.7 sec recharge

10° / 20° UVN

3,600 rounds of ammunition

8.0 / 10.4 sec recharge

150 rounds clip size

900 shots/min rate of fire

Economy

Description

Panzerkampfwagen III (3.7 cm) Ausführung E or Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. E. - German medium tank of the Second World War, mass-produced from 1938 to 1943. The abbreviated names of this tank were PzKpfw III, Panzer III, Pz III. In the departmental rubricator of military equipment of Nazi Germany, this tank had the designation Sd.Kfz. 141 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug 141 - Special Purpose Vehicle 141).

The PzKpfw III tank was generally a typical representative of the German school of tank building, but with some significant features inherent in other design concepts. Therefore, in terms of its design and layout solutions, on the one hand, it inherited the advantages and disadvantages of the classic “German type” layout, and on the other hand, it did not have some of its negative features. In particular, an individual torsion bar suspension with small-diameter road wheels was unusual for German vehicles, although it proved itself very well in production and operation. Later "Panthers" and "Tigers" had a less reliable in operation and repair and structurally more complex "chessboard" suspension, traditional for German tanks.

On the whole, the PzKpfw III was a reliable, easy-to-operate vehicle with a high level of crew comfort; its modernization potential for 1939-1942 was quite sufficient. On the other hand, despite the reliability and manufacturability, the overloaded undercarriage and the volume of the turret box, insufficient to accommodate a more powerful gun, did not allow it to stay in production longer than 1943, when all the reserves for turning a "light-medium" tank into a full-fledged medium were exhausted.

Main characteristics

Armor protection and survivability

Booking Pz.III E is not outstanding and does not have rational tilt angles. In view of this, to increase security, it is recommended to put the tank "diamond".

The crew of the tank is 5 people, which sometimes allows you to survive a direct hit on the turret, but penetration into the side or center of the hull with a chamber shell will lead to a one-shot. It is worth noting that the tank has a massive commander's turret, when shooting at it, an enemy tank has a chance to destroy all the crew members in the turret.

The location of the tank modules is good. The transmission in the front of the hull can withstand low-yield chamber shells.

The tank has a lot of ammo racks, and to increase survivability it is recommended to take no more than 30 shells with you.

The layout of the Pz.Kpfw modules. III Ausf. E

Mobility

Good mobility, high top speed and excellent turning on the spot. The tank rides well over rough terrain and holds its speed well, but the tank picks up speed very mediocrely.

Armament

main gun

Barrel length - 45 calibers. Elevation angles - from -10° to +20°. The rate of fire is 15-18 rounds / min, which is a very good indicator. Ammunition consists of 131 rounds.

The 3.7 cm KwK36 is a tank version of the 3.7 cm PaK35/36. KwK36 was installed on early modifications of the Pz.Kpfw. III from Ausf.A to some Ausf.F. Starting from the Aust.F series on the Pz.Kpfw. III began to put 5 cm KwK38.

The gun has the following nomenclature of shells:

• PzGr- armor-piercing chamber shells with a flight speed of up to 745 m / s. It has an average armor effect, however, the high rate of fire of the gun and excellent penetration of the projectile compensates for this. Recommended as the main projectile
• PzGr 40- armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile with a flight speed of up to 1020 m / s. It has excellent penetration, but poor armor action. Recommended for point shots on heavily armored targets.

Machine gun armament

Two 7.92 mm Rheinmetall-Borsig MG-34 machine guns were paired with a 37 mm cannon. The third, the same, machine gun was installed in the frontal sheet of the hull. Machine gun ammunition consisted of 4425 rounds. It can be effective against vehicles that do not have any armor, such as Soviet GAZ trucks.

Use in combat

Classic german entry level tank. The combat rating of 1.7 is quite comfortable for this tank. There are no difficult opponents, it all depends on the ability to accurately shoot and drive in the right direction. A good weapon with a good rate of fire helps in every possible way in battle. Sub-caliber shells are available. Basically, the opponents are lightly armored and there are no special problems for the gun to break through them. If you go to capture the point, it is best to choose the most direct section and, preferably, not turn, because at the slightest turn, precious speed is lost, which is gained not so quickly. The Pz.Kpfw has the same problem. III Ausf. F. If the battle takes place in realistic mode and the point was captured, then usually there are enough respawn points to take the aircraft. But regardless of the mode, it is better to continue the battle by retreating from the point. The enemy can use Art-Strike, and the armor will not save you from a close hit, and even more so a direct one. In addition, there are opponents who want to recapture the point.

• Also, using high speed it is possible and necessary to use flank bypasses with an approach to the rear of the enemy.

With a successful detour from the flank, or in another way, you should not immediately break into battle, shooting at everything that is visible. You need to choose the highest priority target. Firstly, these are singles or cars in the rearguard (closing). When firing, remember that the 37mm cannon has a very weak armor effect, so you need to deliver pinpoint strikes on vital modules.

For example, when meeting with a tank, you can shoot at the turret, thereby damaging the breech or knocking out the gunner (or maybe both options at once), which will give time to reload and deliver a second shot, preferably in the ammunition area or in the MTO (immobilize the enemy). If the enemy catches fire, we quickly look around in search of a second target, if there is no one, we finish off. Then we act according to the situation. If we meet with an enemy self-propelled gun, then the first module needs to knock out the engine, thereby making the self-propelled gun helpless and calmly finish it off. When attacking two opponents at once, the chances of winning are significantly reduced. But even here there are nuances. For example, if this is an SPG, then with the first shot we try to knock out the engine and only then open fire on the tank. Of course, this is just a scenario, and not a 100% rule. We carefully monitor the surroundings.

• Open combat (shootout) is not recommended since the frontal armor is only 30 mm and is penetrated by all opponents. Shrapnel is especially dangerous at close range. In fact, it provides death with one shot.

Tank ambush is a very common and familiar tactic. We choose any suitable, as you think, place for an ambush and wait for the enemy. It is desirable that the ambush site provides shooting at the enemy's side. In addition, an ambush must be arranged in places unexpected for the enemy, the main thing in an ambush is surprise, to take the enemy by surprise.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

• Good mobility.
• The small size of the tank.
• Good accuracy.
• rapid fire gun

Flaws:

• Slow turret traverse speed.
• Small firepower.
• Slow speed up

Historical reference

Modification PzKpfw III Ausf.E went into production in 1938. Until October 1939, 96 tanks of this type were built at the Daimler-Benz, Henschel and MAN factories. PzKpfw III Ausf.E became the first modification to go into a large series. A feature of the tank was a new torsion bar suspension designed by Ferdinand Porsche.

It consisted of six road wheels, three support rollers, driving and steering wheels. All road wheels were independently suspended on torsion bars. The armament of the tank remained the same - a 37 mm KwK35/36 L/46.5 cannon and three MG-34 machine guns. The thickness of the reservation was increased to 12 mm-30 mm.

The PzKpfw III Ausf.E tanks were equipped with the "Maybach" HL120TR engine with a power of 300 hp. and a 10-speed "Maybach Variorex" gearbox. The mass of the PzKpfw III Ausf.E tank reached 19.5 tons. From August 1940 to 1942, all Ausf.Es produced were re-equipped with a new 50-mm KwK38 L / 42 cannon. The gun was paired not with two, but with only one machine gun. The frontal armor of the hull and superstructure, as well as the aft armor plate, were reinforced with a 30-mm appliqué. Part of the Ausf.E tanks over time went through a rework to the Ausf.F standard. The layout of the tank was traditional for the Germans - with a front-mounted transmission, which reduced the length and increased the height of the vehicle, simplified the design of control drives and their maintenance. In addition, prerequisites were created for increasing the dimensions of the fighting compartment. Characteristic for the hull of this tank, as, indeed, for all German tanks of that period, was the equal strength of the armor plates on all main planes and the abundance of hatches. Until the summer of 1943, the Germans preferred the convenience of access to the units to the strength of the hull. The transmission deserves a positive assessment, which was characterized by a large number of gears in the gearbox with a small number of gears: one gear per gear. The rigidity of the box, in addition to the ribs in the crankcase, was provided by a “shaftless” gear mounting system. In order to facilitate control and increase the average speed of movement, equalizers and servo mechanisms were used. The width of the track chains - 360 mm - was chosen mainly based on road traffic conditions, significantly limiting off-road patency. However, the latter in the conditions of the Western European theater of operations was quite difficult to find.

Media

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In 1935, the directorate of armaments, following Guderian's concept of mat. parts of tank divisions, gave a number of companies a task for a medium tank weighing 15 tons. The project presented by Daimler-Benz turned out to be the best. It was for this company that the right of the head developer of the machine was assigned. In the period from 1937 to 1938, the company produced small batches experienced tanks modifications A, B, C and D. All machines of this series had an armor thickness of only 14.5 millimeters. In 1938, with the release of modification E, real mass production began. The maximum speed of the machine, which had a combat weight of 19500 kg, was 40 km / h. The crew of the combat vehicle included 5 people (driver, commander, gunner-radio operator, gunner and loader). The layout of the Pz Kpfw III was traditional for German tank building - there was a power compartment in the stern, a combined control compartment and transmission compartment in the bow, a fighting compartment in the turret and in the middle of the hull. The front wheels were driving. The turret and hull are welded, made of chromium-nickel armor steel sheets with surface hardening. The armor of the turret and hull was the same - 30 millimeters.

The armament included a tank semi-automatic cannon of 37 mm caliber and three machine guns (two in the turret and frontal).

A. Hitler, after the French campaign, demanded to re-equip the Pz Kpfw III with a 50-mm long-barreled gun L / 60 (this designation is the length of the barrel in klb.). Cause this decision led to the appearance English tanks"Matilda" with thick armor. However, the Ordnance Department took a different decision and preferred a gun with a length of 42 calibers and a low muzzle velocity. The gun was equipped with tanks Pz Kpfw III modifications E, F, G. It was with these machines that the German army began the war with the USSR. Subsequently, the armaments control initiative cost the tank units very dearly - a 50-mm cannon projectile could hardly penetrate the armor of the Soviet T-34s and KBs.

On modification H, which appeared in 1940, due to screens, the thickness of the armor of the stern and frontal parts of the hull was increased to 60 millimeters. The combat weight increased to 21,800 kg required wide tracks in order to maintain a sufficiently high ground pressure at the same level.

German tankers on PzKpfw III in North Africa

Unloading German technology in the port of Tripoli. In the foreground is a PzKpfw III Ausf G tank.

German tank PzKpfw III Ausf. L on the flatbed trailer, which was most often used with the 18 ton FAMO half-track tractor

Modification J tanks (created in the second half of 1941) were finally equipped with a long-barreled gun, which A. Hitler spoke about. An armor-piercing projectile at a distance of 500 meters pierced an armor plate 75 mm thick, and a sub-caliber projectile - 115 mm. The mass of the tank was 21500 kg.

From July 1942, serial production of the L modification began, from October - the M modification, which was distinguished by enhanced armor protection of the frontal part of the hull. The total thickness of armor plates and 20 mm screens reached 70 mm.

The latest modification N was armed with the same short-barreled 75 mm gun, which had previously been installed on the Pz Kpfw IV tank. This modification should be attributed to assault, and not to linear tanks. Between 1942 and 1943, 660 tanks were built.

In total, twelve modifications of the Pz Kpfw III were produced in the amount of 5691 units. In addition, 220 command vehicles were built without cannon armament, 50 with a long-barreled and 81 with a short-barreled gun. In 1943 they produced 100 Pz Kpfw III Flamm - flame throwers. From February 43rd to April 44th - 262 artillery observation tanks Sd Kfz 143 (Pz Beob Wg III). There are 150 tanks in the repair and evacuation redistribution.

From a technical point of view, this medium tank was an interesting vehicle. Many innovations were applied to the Pz Kpfw III: road wheels had a torsion bar suspension, control was carried out using planetary turning mechanisms and servos, and so on.

On the other hand, the "troika" was distinguished by low cross-country ability and insufficient mobility. Attempts to modernize did not bring significant results, except for a partial increase in armor and reinforcement of weapons. The motor group was never revised, and therefore, with an increase in mass, the specific power decreased.

The Germans, with all their desire, could not equalize the combat qualities of the Pz Kpfw III with the T-34, mainly due to the lack of design reserves. The production of these tanks ceased in August 1943. The freed up factory capacities were used to produce assault guns based on the vehicles database.

Combat and technical characteristics of medium tanks Pz Kpfw III (Ausf E / Ausf G / Ausf M / Ausf N):
Year of issue - 1938/1940/1942/1942;
Combat weight - 19500/20300/22700/23000 kg;
Crew - 5 people;
Body length - 5380/5410/5410/5650 mm;
Length with gun forward - 5380/5410/6410/5650 mm;
Width - 2910/2950/2950/2950 mm;
Height - 2440/2442/2500/2500 mm;
The thickness of the armor plates of the frontal part of the hull (angle of inclination to the vertical) - 30 mm (21 degrees) / 30 mm (21 degrees) / 50 mm (21 degrees) / 50 mm (21 degrees) ;
The thickness of the armor plates on the sides of the hull is 30 mm (the angle of inclination to the vertical is 0 degrees);
The thickness of the armor plates of the frontal part of the tower is 30/30/57/57 mm (the angle of inclination to the vertical is 15 degrees);
The thickness of the armor plates of the roof and bottom of the hull - 17 and 16/18 and 16/18 and 16/18 and 16;
Gun brand - KwK / KwK38 / KwK39 / KwK37;
Gun caliber - 37/50/50/75 mm;
Barrel length - 46.5/42/60/24 klb.;
Ammunition, shots - 131/99/92/64 pieces;
The number of machine guns - 3/3/2/2;
Machine gun caliber - 7.92 mm;
Ammunition, cartridges - 4500/2700/3750/3750 pieces;
Engine type and brand - Maybach HL120TR / Maybach HL120TRM / Maybach HL120TRM / Maybach HL120TRM;
Engine power - 300 liters. With.;
Maximum speed on the highway - 40, km / h;
Fuel supply - 320/320/318/318 l;
Power reserve on the highway - 165/165/155/155 km;
The average ground pressure is 0.95/0.93/0.94/0.94 kg/cm2.

German tank PzKpfw III and its crew

German medium tank PzKpfw III Ausf.J. This modification had a lightened hull, and the thickness of the frontal armor was increased to 50 mm.