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Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. A

Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. A

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PzIII_A (Stock)

AnnoG102 Pz III.png
Totals
35000 Price
200 Hit Points
14.6 / 15.45 kgWeight
Crew
  1. Commander
Armor
14.5/14.5/14.5Hull Armor(front/sides/rear, mm)
14.5/14.5/14.5Turret Armor(front/sides/rear, mm)
Maneuver
320 h.p.Engine Power
68 km/hSpeed Limit
40 deg/secTraverse Speed
Firepower
36 Standard Shell Damage
40 mmStandard Shell Penetration
2.3 Time for Complete Loading
44 deg/secTurret Traverse Speed
Communication
320 mView Range
310 mSignal Range
III
Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. A
35000
Produced in 1937, with a total of 10 vehicles manufactured. The project was canceled due to its weak suspension and inadequate armor.

15cm s.I.G. 33B Sfl

Stock

Level Turret Weight (t) Turret Armor (front/sides/rear, mm) Gun Traverse Speed (deg/s) View Range (m)
turret II PzKpfw-III-Turm Ausf. A 800 14.5/14.5/14.5 44 320
Level Gun Weight (t) Average Penetration (mm) Rate of Fire Dispersion at 100 m Aiming Time
gun I 3,7 cm KwK 36 L/46.5 100 40/74/18 36/36/42 26.09 0.46 1.7
Level Engine Weight (t) Engine Power (h.p.) Chance of Fire on Impact
engine IV Maybach HL 108 TR 450 320 20
Level Suspension Weight (t) Load Limit Traverse Speed (deg/s)
chassis II PzKpfw-III-Ketten Ausf. A 7000 15.45 40
Level Radio Weight (t) Signal Range (m)
radio III FuG 5 0 310

M4E5 Sherman

Attack

Level Turret Weight (t) Turret Armor (front/sides/rear, mm) Gun Traverse Speed (deg/s) View Range (m)
turret II PzKpfw-III-Turm Ausf. A 800 14.5/14.5/14.5 44 320
Level Gun Weight (t) Average Penetration (mm) Rate of Fire Dispersion at 100 m Aiming Time
gun I 2 cm KwK 38 L/55 70 23/46/18 11/11/42 153.85 0.57 1.6
Level Engine Weight (t) Engine Power (h.p.) Chance of Fire on Impact
engine IV Maybach HL 108 TR 450 320 20
Level Suspension Weight (t) Load Limit Traverse Speed (deg/s)
chassis II PzKpfw-III-Ketten Ausf. A 7000 15.45 40
Level Radio Weight (t) Signal Range (m)
radio III FuG 5 0 310

T71E1

Speed

Level Turret Weight (t) Turret Armor (front/sides/rear, mm) Gun Traverse Speed (deg/s) View Range (m)
turret II PzKpfw-III-Turm Ausf. A 800 14.5/14.5/14.5 44 320
Level Gun Weight (t) Average Penetration (mm) Rate of Fire Dispersion at 100 m Aiming Time
gun I 2 cm KwK 38 L/55 70 23/46/18 11/11/42 153.85 0.57 1.6
Level Engine Weight (t) Engine Power (h.p.) Chance of Fire on Impact
engine IV Maybach HL 120 TR 510 350 20
Level Suspension Weight (t) Load Limit Traverse Speed (deg/s)
chassis III PzKpfw-III-Ketten Ausf. B 7000 19.35 44
Level Radio Weight (t) Signal Range (m)
radio VI FuG 7 0 415
Level Turret Weight (t) Turret Armor (front/sides/rear, mm) Gun Traverse Speed (deg/s) View Range (m)
turret III PzKpfw-III-Turm Ausf. C 2200 30/30/30 35 320
Level Gun Weight (t) Average Penetration (mm) Rate of Fire Dispersion at 100 m Aiming Time
gun III 5 cm KwK 38 L/42 700 60/96/25 70/70/90 24 0.48 2.3
Level Engine Weight (t) Engine Power (h.p.) Chance of Fire on Impact
engine IV Maybach HL 120 TRM 510 440 20
Level Suspension Weight (t) Load Limit Traverse Speed (deg/s)
chassis III PzKpfw-III-Ketten Ausf. B 7000 19.35 44
Level Radio Weight (t) Signal Range (m)
radio VII FuG Spr. 1 0 455

T21P2

Attack

Level Turret Weight (t) Turret Armor (front/sides/rear, mm) Gun Traverse Speed (deg/s) View Range (m)
turret III PzKpfw-III-Turm Ausf. C 2200 30/30/30 35 320
Level Gun Weight (t) Average Penetration (mm) Rate of Fire Dispersion at 100 m Aiming Time
gun II 2 cm Flak 38 L/112 110 39/51/18 11/11/42 153.85 0.45 1.4
Level Engine Weight (t) Engine Power (h.p.) Chance of Fire on Impact
engine IV Maybach HL 120 TRM 510 440 20
Level Suspension Weight (t) Load Limit Traverse Speed (deg/s)
chassis III PzKpfw-III-Ketten Ausf. B 7000 19.35 44
Level Radio Weight (t) Signal Range (m)
radio VII FuG Spr. 1 0 455

Compatible Equipment

Small Spall Liner
Camouflage Net
Coated Optics
Enhanced Gun Laying Drive
Additional Grousers
Improved Ventilation Class 1
Binocular Telescope
Toolbox

Compatible Consumables

Automatic Fire Extinguisher
Chocolate
100-octane Gasoline
105-octane Gasoline
Manual Fire Extinguisher
Large First Aid Kit
Large Repair Kit
Small First Aid Kit
Small Repair Kit

Player Opinion

Pros and Cons

Pros:


  • Good Power/Weight ratio means good acceleration
  • Good hull traverse speed
  • Very good top speed
  • Good penetration, damage and rate of fire


Cons:


  • Very inaccurate guns
  • Weak armor
  • Higher chance of engine fire
  • Low maneuverability at speed
  • Upgraded turret slows the tank down


Performance

The Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. A boasts an excellent top speed and maneuverability. It excels in the scout role, and after learning the ropes in tiers 1 and 2, players should find this to be an enjoyable next step. It does have drawbacks such as paper-thin 14mm armor (except for the turret which has 30mm all around), and its stock gun is not much more powerful than those found on the previous two tiers. However, once fully upgraded, it is more than a match for the equivalent Soviet and American tanks. It also excels in an anti-scout role such as taking down faster tanks such as the BT-7 that it can penetrate consistently. To make up for the longer aim time, it can take up a "scout-sniper" role in that it can first rush ahead to spot the enemies, and as soon as it makes first contact with the enemy it can then escape with its good speed and then take up a better sniping position to take out the arriving enemies. The gun can and will absolutely decimate hordes of enemies unaware of the tanks position and will rarely need to be well aimed considering the 5cm gun used.


Early Research

  • The 2cm Flak 38L/112 gun and the FuG-7 and FuG Spr.1 radios carry over from the Pz.II and should be mounted if already researched.
  • Prioritize the 2nd turret which must be mounted before next mounting the 5cm top gun.
  • Tracks next followed by the 2nd and 3rd engines.
  • Last, but not least, research and mount the Tier-8 radio for great signal range if not carried over from the Pz.II.


Historical Info

During the mid-1930s, and after gaining an experienced taste from the Spanish Civil War of how warfare would be fought in the coming decades, the Wehrmacht began developing a new armored doctrine based on the lightning fast application of force in combined arms operations.

Under General Heinz Guderian, a project was commenced to solicit designs for two new types of tank. One would be a support tank and would be armed with a large caliber gun. The other would be mounting an anti-tank gun and 2 machine guns. The former would become the Pz.Kpfw. IV. The latter would become the Pz.Kpfw. III.

Late in 1935, development proposals were requested from MAN (Nurnberg), Daimler-Benz AG (Berlin-Marienfelde), Rheinmetall-Borsig (Berlin), and Krupp AG (Essen) for a 15-ton fully-tracked vehicle, and in the interest of security to be named Zugfuhrerwagen (ZW): platoon commander’s vehicle.

The vehicle's development began with a series of arguments between the Waffenamt (the Ordnance Department) and the Inspector for Mechanized Troops over its armament. The Waffenamt had chosen the 3.7cm cannon while the Inspector for Mechanized Troops demanded 5cm gun. Ultimately, the 3.7cm was chosen as the vehicle's main armament because the infantry was already equipped with the standard 37mm Pak 35/36 L/45 anti-tank gun. This meant that only one type of gun and ammunition needed to be produced, although the turret and turret ring were capable of mounting the heavier 5cm gun.

Since this new vehicle was to be used in the forward echelons of assault tank formations, it was decided to require heavier armor in the front than in the rear. Top speed was specified to be 40km with a crew of 5 men, with a new turret based on an enlarged version of that found on the Pz.Kpfw. II. The Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. A was the first German Tank to use a new intercom system for in-tank communications, which was fitted to all later Panzer tanks, and was highly successful.

Eventually, the Daimler-Benz design was selected and ten prototypes were constructed in 1937. Some sources state that as many as fifteen were constructed, but only eight were armed. These eight equipped units of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Panzer Divisions and took part in Anschluss, the take-over of Sudetenland and the Polish Campaign.


Historical Gallery

Sources and External Links

Germany
Light Tanks ILeichttraktor IIPz.Kpfw. 38H 735 (f) IIPz.Kpfw. 35 (t) IIPz.Kpfw. I IIPz.Kpfw. II IIIPz.Kpfw. 38 (t) IIIPz.Kpfw. III Ausf. A IIIPz.Kpfw. II Ausf. J IIIPz.Kpfw. I Ausf. C IIIPz.Kpfw. II Ausf. G IIIT-15 IVPz.Kpfw. 38 (t) n.A. IVPz.Kpfw. II Luchs VVK 16.02 Leopard VIVK 28.01 VIIAufklärungspanzer Panther VIIISpähpanzer Ru 251
Medium Tanks IIIPz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. A IIIPz.Kpfw. S35 739 (f) IVPz.Kpfw. III IVPz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. D IVVK 20.01 (D) VPz.Kpfw. III/IV VPz.Kpfw. IV VPz.Kpfw. IV Hydrostat VPz.Kpfw. V/IV VPz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. H VT-25 VIPz.Kpfw. IV Schmalturm VIVK 30.01 (P) VIVK 30.01 (D) VIVK 30.02 (M) VIIPanther/M10 VIIPz.Kpfw. V Panther VIIVK 30.02 (D) VIIIPanther mit 8,8 cm L/71 VIIIIndien-Panzer VIIIPanther II IXE-50 IXLeopard prototyp A XE-50 Ausf. M XLeopard 1
Heavy Tanks IVPz.Kpfw. B2 740 (f) IVDurchbruchswagen 2 VVK 30.01 (H) VIVK 36.01 (H) VIIPz.Kpfw. VI Tiger VIIPz.Kpfw. VI Tiger (P) VIIILöwe VIIIPz.Kpfw. Tiger II VIIIVK 45.02 (P) Ausf. A IXE-75 IXVK 45.02 (P) Ausf. B XE-100 XMaus
Tank Destroyers IIPanzerjäger I IIIMarder II IVHetzer IVMarder 38T VPz.Sfl. IVc VStuG III Ausf. G VIDicker Max VIJagdpanzer IV VINashorn VIIE-25 VIIJagdpanther VIISturer Emil VIIIFerdinand VIIIJagdpanther II VIII8,8 cm PaK 43 Jagdtiger VIIIRhm.-Borsig Waffenträger IXJagdtiger IXWaffenträger auf Pz. IV XJagdpanzer E-100 XWaffenträger auf E 100
Self-Propelled Artillery IIG.Pz. Mk. VI (e) IIISturmpanzer I Bison IIIWespe IVPz.Sfl. IVb IVSturmpanzer II VGrille VIHummel VIIG.W. Panther VIIIG.W. Tiger (P) IXG.W. Tiger XG.W. E-100
Light Tanks
USA IT1 Cunningham IIM2 Light Tank IIT1E6-X IIT1E6-X1 IIT2 Light Tank IIT7 Combat Car IIIM22 Locust IIIM3 Stuart IIIMTLS-1G14 IVM5 Stuart VM24 Chaffee VIT21 VIT37 VIIM41 Walker Bulldog VIIT71 VIIIM41B Brazilian Bulldog VIIIT49
UK IICruiser Mk. I IICruiser Mk. III IIICruiser Mk. IV IIICruiser Mk. II IVValentine IVCovenanter VCrusader
Germany ILeichttraktor IIPz.Kpfw. 38H 735 (f) IIPz.Kpfw. 35 (t) IIPz.Kpfw. I IIPz.Kpfw. II IIIPz.Kpfw. 38 (t) IIIPz.Kpfw. III Ausf. A IIIPz.Kpfw. II Ausf. J IIIPz.Kpfw. I Ausf. C IIIPz.Kpfw. II Ausf. G IIIT-15 IVPz.Kpfw. 38 (t) n.A. IVPz.Kpfw. II Luchs VVK 16.02 Leopard VIVK 28.01 VIIAufklärungspanzer Panther VIIISpähpanzer Ru 251
France IRenault FT IID1 IIHotchkiss H35 IIIAMX 38 IVAMX 40 VELC AMX VIAMX 12 t VIF224 AMX Chaffee VIIAMX 13 75 VIIIAMX 13 90
USSR IMS-1 IIBT-2 IIT-26 IIT-60 IITetrarch IIIBT-7 IIIBT-SV IIIM3 Light IIIT-127 IIIT-46 IIIT-70 IVA-20 IVT-50 IVT-80 IVValentine II VIMT-25 VIILTTB VIIIT-54 ltwt.
China IRenault NC-31 IIVickers Mk. E Type B IIIType 2597 Chi-Ha IVM5A1 Stuart VI59-16 VIType 64 VIIWZ-131 VIIIWZ-132
Japan IRenault Otsu IIType 95 Ha-Go IIIType 98 Ke-Ni IVType 5 Ke-Ho
Czechoslovakia
Sweden
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