| Year | December 1938 |
| Vehicle Type | Medium Battle Tank |
| Origin & Designer | Germany/Daimler-Benz, Henschel & MAN |
| Numbers Produced | 96 |
| Crew | 5 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Radio Operator & Driver) |
| Main Armament | 1 x 37mm L/46.5 KwK 36 Gun |
| Main Armament | [@sponson_traverse] |
| Elevation | -10° to +20° |
| Turret Traverse | 360° (Manual) |
| Gun Traverse | [@gun_traverse] |
| Gun Mount | [@gun_mounts] |
| Maximum Range | [@maximum_range] |
| Armour Penetration | [@armour_penetration] |
| Gun Sight | TZF-5a |
| Secondary Armament | 3 x 7.92mm MG34s (Coaxial & Bow) |
| Smoke Discharger | [@smoke_discharger] |
| Ammunition Carried | 131 x 37mm + 4.500 x 7.92mm |
| Height | 2.44m |
| Width | 2.91m |
| Length | 5.38m |
| Combat Weight | 19.500 kg |
| Ground Clearance | 0.38m |
| Fording Depth | 0.80m |
| Trench Crossing | 2.60m |
| Obstacle Clearance | 0.60m |
| Climbing Ability | 30° |
| Radio | FuG-5 |
| Armour | Hull Front: 30mm Hull Sides: 30mm Hull Rear: 21mm Hull Top: 17mm Hull Bottom: 16mm Gun Mantle: 30mm Turret Front: 30mm Turret Sides: 30mm Turret Rear: 30mm Turret Top: 12mm |
| Engine | Maybach HL 120TR (Petrol) |
| Transmission | 10 Forward & 4 Reverse |
| Maximum Road Range | 165 km |
| Maximum Cross Country Range | 95 km |
| Maximum Water Range | [@maximum_water_range] |
| Maximum Road Speed | 40 kph |
| Maximum Cross Country Speed | 18 kph |
| Maximum Water Speed | [@maximum_water_speed] |
| Variants | [@variants] |
| Notes | The suspension problems found on earlier marks of Mk. IIIs were eradicated and the Panzer III Ausf E was the first to be designed with torsion bars which solved the problems. The running gear was now replaced by six road wheels. It also had thicker armour which increased the weight and new escape hatches built into the hull sides. The Ausf E was armed with a 37mm KwK 36 gun and twin coaxial MG34s. In late 1940 some had their 37mm guns replaced with the larger 50mm KwK 38. |