Difference between revisions of "Pz.III E"
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| − | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced | + | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during the Closed Beta Test for Ground Forces before [[Update 1.41]]. The successor of the [[Pz.III B|Panzer III B]] and the predecessor of the [[Pz.III F|Panzer III F]] on the German tree line, the Panzer III Ausf. E has an improved armour layout with 30 mm thick front and side armour while retaining the [[KwK 36 (37 mm)|37 mm]] gun. |
== General info == | == General info == | ||
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If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.--> | If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.--> | ||
| − | The crew of the Pz. III E is well-spaced out, enabling survival of a frontal penetration or two by typical low-rank cannons. Compared to the [[Pz.III B]], the frontal armour protection is roughly doubled, with 30-35 mm on the turret face and 30 mm on the upper & lower front plates. The turret has some overlapping plates for up to 65 mm of protection on some areas, sometimes saving you from otherwise guaranteed knockout. The sides are also 30 mm thick while the rear is 20 mm sloped, making it totally immune to tank-mounted .50 cal machine guns. | + | The crew of the Pz. III E is well-spaced out, enabling the survival of a frontal penetration or two by typical low-rank cannons. Compared to the [[Pz.III B]], the frontal armour protection is roughly doubled, with 30-35 mm on the turret face and 30 mm on the upper & lower front plates. The turret has some overlapping plates for up to 65 mm of protection on some areas, sometimes saving you from an otherwise guaranteed knockout. The sides are also 30 mm thick while the rear is 20 mm sloped, making it totally immune to tank-mounted .50 cal machine guns. |
=== Mobility === | === Mobility === | ||
<!--Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.--> | <!--Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.--> | ||
| − | Top speed improves significantly over the Pz. III B, at 71 kph forward and 12 kph reverse. Power/weight ratio is similar, 29.3 hp/ton in AB and 15.38 hp/ton for RB/SB. | + | Top speed improves significantly over the Pz. III B, at 71 kph forward and 12 kph reverse. Power/weight ratio is similar, 29.3 hp/ton in AB and 15.38 hp/ton for RB/SB. Manoeuvrability is similar to its predecessor. |
== Armaments == | == Armaments == | ||
| Line 33: | Line 33: | ||
== Usage in battles == | == Usage in battles == | ||
<!--Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).--> | <!--Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).--> | ||
| − | The Pz. III E still has the "average" | + | The Pz. III E still has the "average" flavour of its predecessor but is able to rely on its armour a little more than before. However, the higher BR of 1.7 means it runs into much nastier opposition. The B1 ter at 2.3 is just about unpenetrable from any side even with the APCR shell, the Matilda Mk II at 2.7 is slightly easier to pen but has a gun strong enough to annihilate you at a mere glance. The M5A1 at 2.3 runs circles around you with a better gun than you. |
=== Pros and cons === | === Pros and cons === | ||
| Line 42: | Line 42: | ||
* Gun is average for the rank | * Gun is average for the rank | ||
* APHE post-penetration effect helps destroy targets quickly considering its other downsides | * APHE post-penetration effect helps destroy targets quickly considering its other downsides | ||
| − | * High-pen APCR for rank helps immensely during | + | * High-pen APCR for rank helps immensely during up-tiers |
* Significantly improved mobility over Pz. III B | * Significantly improved mobility over Pz. III B | ||
* Totally immune against .50 cal machine gun fire from other tanks | * Totally immune against .50 cal machine gun fire from other tanks | ||
| Line 51: | Line 51: | ||
* Stock shell not suited to destroying many opponents | * Stock shell not suited to destroying many opponents | ||
* APCR post-penetration is generally inadequate yet you are forced to use it more often than not | * APCR post-penetration is generally inadequate yet you are forced to use it more often than not | ||
| − | * Easily crippled or knocked out from above by aircraft-mounted .50 | + | * Easily crippled or knocked out from above by aircraft-mounted .50 calibre machine guns |
== History == | == History == | ||
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' | ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' | ||
| + | === In-game description === | ||
| + | "The Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. E was the first large-scale variant of this tank. The machine had a new torsion suspension design, and its wheels had a much larger diameter. This greatly simplified its manufacture and servicing. The construction of the hull was modified, slightly shortening the front and rear sections. Some design improvements were made to facilitate the crew's ability to evacuate when needed and to improve their field of view. The construction of the Kugelblende 30 machine gun's mantlet saw improvements, as well, and a small container of smoke bombs was affixed to the aft of the tank's hull. The more powerful Maibach HL120TR engine, with 300 horsepower, was installed, along with a mechanical Variorex SRG 328-145 transmission with ten forward gears and four reverse gears. These changes increased the tank's maximum speed and cross-country ability. | ||
| + | |||
| + | During the tank's single year of production, beginning in October 1938, the companies MAN, Deimler-Benz, Henschel, MIAG, Alket, Krupp, FAMO, Wegmann, and MNH produced about 100 specimens. | ||
| + | The Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. E tank variant participated in every military operation which took place during the first stage of World War II. | ||
| + | This variant became the basis for all subsequent ones. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The tank's first combat experience was successful, and from 1940 to 1941 some of the tanks were outfitted with a 5cm KwK L/42 gun in a new cannon mantlet. Afterwards, the remaining Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. E tanks were withdrawn from the front lines and converted into Pz.Beo.Wg. artillery spotters or repair and rescue vehicles. | ||
| + | |||
| + | On the whole, the Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. E tank was reliable and easy to operate and provided a high level of crew comfort. | ||
| + | This tank's main disadvantage was that its armament was relatively weak for a medium tank." | ||
== Media == | == Media == | ||
Revision as of 17:16, 22 May 2019
Contents
Description
The Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. E is a rank I German medium tank
with a battle rating of 1.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced during the Closed Beta Test for Ground Forces before Update 1.41. The successor of the Panzer III B and the predecessor of the Panzer III F on the German tree line, the Panzer III Ausf. E has an improved armour layout with 30 mm thick front and side armour while retaining the 37 mm gun.
General info
Survivability and armour
The crew of the Pz. III E is well-spaced out, enabling the survival of a frontal penetration or two by typical low-rank cannons. Compared to the Pz.III B, the frontal armour protection is roughly doubled, with 30-35 mm on the turret face and 30 mm on the upper & lower front plates. The turret has some overlapping plates for up to 65 mm of protection on some areas, sometimes saving you from an otherwise guaranteed knockout. The sides are also 30 mm thick while the rear is 20 mm sloped, making it totally immune to tank-mounted .50 cal machine guns.
Mobility
Top speed improves significantly over the Pz. III B, at 71 kph forward and 12 kph reverse. Power/weight ratio is similar, 29.3 hp/ton in AB and 15.38 hp/ton for RB/SB. Manoeuvrability is similar to its predecessor.
Armaments
Main armament
The Pz. III E has the same main gun as its predecessor, the 37 mm KwK 36. Ammunition is the same - PzGr. APHE with 46 mm penetration and 13 g explosive mass as the stock option, with 91 mm penetrating PzGr.40 APCR as an unlock.
Machine guns
Like its predecessor, the Pz. III E has two coaxial 7.92mm MG34 machine guns that easily shred lightly armoured flak trucks seen commonly at low ranks. Slow turret traverse makes it generally useless vs aircraft, however.
Usage in battles
The Pz. III E still has the "average" flavour of its predecessor but is able to rely on its armour a little more than before. However, the higher BR of 1.7 means it runs into much nastier opposition. The B1 ter at 2.3 is just about unpenetrable from any side even with the APCR shell, the Matilda Mk II at 2.7 is slightly easier to pen but has a gun strong enough to annihilate you at a mere glance. The M5A1 at 2.3 runs circles around you with a better gun than you.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Gun is average for the rank
- APHE post-penetration effect helps destroy targets quickly considering its other downsides
- High-pen APCR for rank helps immensely during up-tiers
- Significantly improved mobility over Pz. III B
- Totally immune against .50 cal machine gun fire from other tanks
Cons:
- Slow turret traverse of only 5.1 degrees/s makes it not well-suited to close-range combat
- Stock shell not suited to destroying many opponents
- APCR post-penetration is generally inadequate yet you are forced to use it more often than not
- Easily crippled or knocked out from above by aircraft-mounted .50 calibre machine guns
History
Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).
In-game description
"The Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. E was the first large-scale variant of this tank. The machine had a new torsion suspension design, and its wheels had a much larger diameter. This greatly simplified its manufacture and servicing. The construction of the hull was modified, slightly shortening the front and rear sections. Some design improvements were made to facilitate the crew's ability to evacuate when needed and to improve their field of view. The construction of the Kugelblende 30 machine gun's mantlet saw improvements, as well, and a small container of smoke bombs was affixed to the aft of the tank's hull. The more powerful Maibach HL120TR engine, with 300 horsepower, was installed, along with a mechanical Variorex SRG 328-145 transmission with ten forward gears and four reverse gears. These changes increased the tank's maximum speed and cross-country ability.
During the tank's single year of production, beginning in October 1938, the companies MAN, Deimler-Benz, Henschel, MIAG, Alket, Krupp, FAMO, Wegmann, and MNH produced about 100 specimens. The Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. E tank variant participated in every military operation which took place during the first stage of World War II. This variant became the basis for all subsequent ones.
The tank's first combat experience was successful, and from 1940 to 1941 some of the tanks were outfitted with a 5cm KwK L/42 gun in a new cannon mantlet. Afterwards, the remaining Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. E tanks were withdrawn from the front lines and converted into Pz.Beo.Wg. artillery spotters or repair and rescue vehicles.
On the whole, the Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. E tank was reliable and easy to operate and provided a high level of crew comfort. This tank's main disadvantage was that its armament was relatively weak for a medium tank."
Media
Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.
See also
Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:
- reference to the series of the vehicles;
- links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.
External links
Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:
- topic on the official game forum;
- encyclopedia page on the tank;
- other literature.
| Germany medium tanks | |
|---|---|
| Pz.III | Pz.III B · Pz.III E · Pz.III F · Pz.III J · Pz.III J1 · Pz.III J1 TD · Pz.III L · Pz.III M · Pz.III N |
| Pz.IV | Pz.IV C · Pz.IV E · Pz.IV F1 · Pz.IV F2 · Pz.IV G · Pz.IV H · Pz.IV J · Pz.Bef.Wg.IV J |
| Pz.V | VK 3002 (M) · Panther A · Panther D · Panther F · Panther G · Ersatz M10 · Panther II |
| M48 upgrades | M48A2 G A2 · M48 Super |
| Leopard 1 | Leopard I · Leopard A1A1 · Leopard A1A1 (L/44) · Leopard 1A5 · C2A1 · Turm III |
| Leopard 2 | PT-16/T14 mod. · Leopard 2K · Leopard 2AV |
| Leopard 2A4 · Leopard 2 (PzBtl 123) · Leopard 2A4M · Leopard 2 PL · Leopard 2A5 · Leopard 2 PSO · Leopard 2A6 · Leopard 2A7V | |
| Trophies | ▀M4 748 (a) · ▀T 34 747 (r) |
| Other | Nb.Fz. · KPz-70 |
| USA | mKPz M47 G · M48A2 C |
| USSR | ◊T-72M1 |
