PLAY
Ground Vehicles
Pz.III M
II
Rank
AB
3.3
RB
3.3
SB
3.3
Battle rating
Germany
Game nation
Medium tank
Main role
6,900
RP
Research
32,000
SL
Purchase
General information

The Panzerkampfwagen III Ausführung M (Panzer III M) (Sd.Kfz. Index: Sd.Kfz. 141/1) is the eleventh variant of the Panzerkampfwagen III medium tank family (the "I" variant was skipped). In February 1942, orders for the Panzer III M were placed. They shared the same characteristics as the Panzer III L but were outfitted with deep-wading equipment. It was mounted with the same long-barrelled 50 mm Kampfwagenkanone (KwK) 39 L/60 tank gun. While the greater length of the barrel increased the 50 mm KwK 39 L/60 tank gun's velocity and penetration power over the previous 50 mm KwK38 L/42 tank gun, the introduction of the Soviet T-34 medium tanks and KV-1 heavy tanks quickly rendered it obsolete. With the arrival of the long-barrelled 75 mm KwK40 L/43 tank gun in the Panzer IV F2, the German Wehrmacht eventually decided to discontinue all future Panzer III manufacturing and redirect all resources to the development of more Panzer IVs. Beginning in May 1943, 5 mm side skirt armour panels known as Schürzen were installed on the hull side to prevent the Soviet 14.5 mm anti-tank rifle from penetrating the Panzer III's side armour. More plates were added to completely surround the turret, leaving only the front open for the main gun. Since the Panzer III M fought in the North African Campaign during fierce engagements with British forces, it has been painted in the distinctive Dunkelgelb yellow coat.

Introduced in the Closed Beta Test for Ground Forces before Update 1.41, the Panzer III M variant retains the overall characteristics of the earlier Panzer III L variant. The most visible changes are the integration of 5 mm Schürzen armour plates on both sides of the hull, as well as additional armour plates that completely surround the turret, leaving only the front open for the main gun. This layout is quite similar to the Panzer IV H variant of the Panzer IV medium tank family. It is the ultimate modification of the Panzer III medium tank, combining firepower, protection, and mobility. The enhanced protection will undoubtedly be appreciated by players, particularly against low-calibre tank guns from early opponent light tanks. However, when fighting against enemies of higher rank, the Panzer III M will suffer greatly, owing to the fact that the 50 mm KwK39 L/60 tank gun lacks the penetration required to engage enemies from a distance. Closing in on the adversary is frequently essential, yet doing so often allows the enemy to penetrate the Panzer III M more easily.



Survivability and armour
Armour front / side / back
Hull 53 / 30 / 53 mm
Turret 50 / 30 / 30 mm
Visibility 88 %
Crew 5 persons
Support systems
Mobility
Max speed
Forward 5359 km/h
Backward 1011 km/h
Power-to-weight ratio 1311.524.920.2 hp/t
Engine power 300265572465 hp
Weight 23 t
Optics
Gunner
Commander
Driver
Optics zoom
1.9x–3.5x
Armaments
50 mm KwK39 cannon
Ammunition 84 rounds
First-order 22 rounds
Reload basic crew → aces
4.8 → 3.7 s
Vertical guidance -10 / 20°
Turret Rotation Speed basic crew → aces
Horizontal 9.88.318.413.31411.926.419 °/s
Vertical 2.82.29.86.343.2149 °/s

AmmunitionTypeArmor penetration (mm) at a distance:
10 m100 m500 m1000 m1500 m2000 m
APC10610183655039
HE12119765
APCR13012190624229
APCR13712688563623
7.92 mm MG34 machine gun (coaxial)
Ammunition 3,750 rounds
Belt capacity 150 rounds
Reload basic crew → aces
10.4 → 8 s
Fire rate 900 shots/min

BeltBelt fillingArmor penetration (mm) at a distance:
10 m100 m500 m1000 m1500 m2000 m
AP/AP/AP-T13127320
7.92 mm MG34 machine gun
Ammunition 2,100 rounds
Belt capacity 150 rounds
Reload basic crew → aces
10.4 → 8 s
Fire rate 900 shots/min
Vertical guidance -10 / 20°
Turret Rotation Speed basic crew → aces
Horizontal 6353.6118.685.79076.5169.4122.4 °/s
Vertical 6350.4220.5141.19072315201.6 °/s

BeltBelt fillingArmor penetration (mm) at a distance:
10 m100 m500 m1000 m1500 m2000 m
AP/AP/AP-T13127320
Economy
Repair cost Basic → Reference
AB 825 → 1,124 SL
RB 947 → 1,291 SL
SB 1,178 → 1,606 SL
Crew training 9,200 SL
Experts 32,000 SL
Aces 270 GE
Research Aces 250,000 RP
Reward multiplier AB / RB / SB
50 / 80 / 90 % SL
130 % RP
Total cost of modifications 13,820 RP
19,950 SL
Talisman cost 860 GE

Research order:
Pz.III M

Mobility
Protection
Firepower
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