19 December 2012

Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf.N During a Lull in Combat


Image size: 1600 x 1060 pixel. 688 KB
Date: Wednesday, 1 July 1942
Place: Soviet Union
Photographer: Unknown

Panzerkampfwagen III ausf N during a lull in combat. Note additional track links, bogey wheel, and supply packs strung on the front. The commander's cupola is open and you can see the two pieces of the hatch. The ausf N was also known as Sturmpanzer III (assault tank) because it mounted a 75mm short barrelled gun, the same one fitted into the early Panzer IV tanks. This was intended as an infantry support vehicle, to engage and destroy soldiers before they could attack heavy tanks. They were assigned to Tiger battalions and to assault infantry. It could also be used to reduce static fortifications. The ausf N was built on damaged Panzer III chassis returned for maintenance. Lighter armor than previous versions was fitted to compensate for the additional weight of the heavier gun. According to John Winner, this is a Panzer III of the 1.Kompanie/schwere Panzer-Abteilung 501 in Tunisia. Behind it you can see another Pz. III and one of the unit's Tigers.

Source:
http://www.worldwar2database.com/gallery3/index.php/wwii121

3 comments:

  1. Alif, this is a Pz. III of the 1./s.Pz.Abt.501 in Tunisia. Behind it you can see another Pz. III and one of the units Tigers.

    John Winner

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  2. Thank you John for the additional infos. It's been added now... :)

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  3. This is the morning of 26 February 1943 and we're on Route C64 in Tunisia. The tank is part of "Kampfgruppe Lang" which is spaced out along the road (in case of air attack). They are about to launch Operation "Ochsenkopf" and by this afternoon they will be stuck in battle at Sidi N'sir.

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