The Panzer (PzKpfw) III was originally meant to be a reconnaissance tank but during the early war years it served as the mainstay of the Panzer divisions. The first four marks, Ausf A-D, were experimental and the first production model was the Ausf E. Only 98 PzKpfw IIIs were available for the invasion of Poland in 1939, but this number was rapidly increased with, ultimately, a total of 6,157 PzKpfw IIIs being constructed.
The Panzer III was the principal German tank in the Blitzkrieg campaigns against Yugoslavia, Greece and Russia, but was effectively withdrawn from frontline service in 1943, although the chassis was to form the basis of the Sturmgeschutz III assault gun (of which 9,40p9 were built). This title describes in detail the gun tank versions, from the very first lightly armed models that were progressively developed and improved up to those with a 50mm or 70mm gun. The PzKpfw III was the only German tank to remain in the battle lines from 1939 until the final German surrender in May 1945.
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