The Panzer IIIN

[Horseman]

Last night I discovered an interesting thing about the Pz IIIN. It has a close defence of 6! I'm not sure if this was meant to be or an error but the cost of the IIIN compared to other (arguably superior except CD) tanks is high so i suspect it's designed.

Anyway thought I'd share in case others hadn't realised. Some of these (combined with a pair of IVG's with vigilant heros) really helped in my purge of Stalingrad

[gokkel]

They also had a higher than usual CD than other tanks in PC1, it is very likely intended.

I quite liked them in Stalingrad and maybe 1 other scenario, as they are cheaper in core slots than the high-end Panzer IV models and well suited for holding the line, dealing with soft targets and maybe engage in close terrain in a pinch (although you still prefer to have infantry in there).

[Horseman]

I agree that I'd rather have infantry for the close terrain fighting. The 6 CD doesn't make the Pz IIIN great in the streets of Stalingrad, it makes them OK. Arguably better than infantry (other than Pioneers) at holding a line but still not great against highly entrenched enemy.

I only have 6 infantry in my core so it was nice to be able to bring some tanks in too.

Have to say I've been enjoying myself, a nice mix of scenarios.

[Vaughn]

Its intentional. The Panzer IIIN has always been a nice little hidden gem. Great infantry support. At least till 44.

[Retributarr]

Panzer III?:

I was watching a show/documentary on the "Smithsonian Channel" on the war in North Afrika.

What was mentioned was that when Rommel landed in Africa with the Afrika Corps... he was supplied with Panzer III tanks... that had their "turret-cannons/guns" upgraded from a 37mm to 50mm Anti-Tank gun. The British at that point in time had something like a 6-Pounder? or something like a 37mm equivalent or even less gun on their tanks. So!... Rommel started off with a head-on advantage against the British on a tank for tank basis. Rommel also had 88mm Anti-Tank Guns offloaded with the PzIII Tanks at the same time.

This was because 'Hitler' was not satisfied with the lack-lustre' performance of the PzIII with its underpowered cannon in the invasion of the low-countries and France.

I'm just hopefully adding to your discussion, even though it has no bearing on the assault on Moscau!.

[Horseman]

I believe some of Rommels PzIII's may still have had the 37mm guns as there were still some in use at this stage but would have mostly if not entirely been upgunned to 50mm sooner rather than later.

The Brits at this stage used mostly 2 pounders on the majority of their tanks (possibly all) but did have some 6 pound AT guns - and those were lethal but few and far between. Was it the 2 pounders that were called door knockers? I can't remember but think they were because mostly they just "knocked on the door" and then the 6 pounders opened up for the kill!

[impar]

The III N was meant to be a support tank, the role the IV was meant to fulfil in early WW2.
It even was equiped with the same gun early IVs had.

[gunnergoz]

The IIIN was primarily a companion to the Tiger. It was intended to provide anti-infantry support where the Tiger was primarily for use against enemy armor. Tiger battalions often had a company of Pz IIIN's accompanying them. The IIIN was not widely distributed apart from those companies.

[George_Parr]

I believe some of Rommels PzIII's may still have had the 37mm guns as there were still some in use at this stage but would have mostly if not entirely been upgunned to 50mm sooner rather than later.

Not 100% sure about the very first tanks that arrived, but by summer 1941 at the latest all Panzer IIIs in Africa were definately using the 5cm gun.
source: http://niehorster.org/011_germany/afv-s ... -06-22.htm

Seeing how the majority of Pz III at that date were armed with the 5cm gun regardless of where they were used (about three times as many as those that still had the 3.7cm gun) and the knowledge about what Britain might be able to field, I guess it seems possible if not even likely that they only send the newer models to Africa right from the get go.

[Horseman]

I believe some of Rommels PzIII's may still have had the 37mm guns as there were still some in use at this stage but would have mostly if not entirely been upgunned to 50mm sooner rather than later.

Not 100% sure about the very first tanks that arrived, but by summer 1941 at the latest all Panzer IIIs in Africa were definately using the 5cm gun.
source: http://niehorster.org/011_germany/afv-s ... -06-22.htm

Seeing how the majority of Pz III at that date were armed with the 5cm gun regardless of where they were used (about three times as many as those that still had the 3.7cm gun) and the knowledge about what Britain might be able to field, I guess it seems possible if not even likely that they only send the newer models to Africa right from the get go.

Indeed- plus the 5th light division was hastily assembled so may well have been "factory fresh" tanks assigned to it which would have been 50mm guns I think. (Only a handful of the IIIG were produced with 37mm guns)