| Full Name | Sonderkraftfahrzeug 141 Panzerkampfwagen III Ausführung D-E |
| Class | Heavy Vehicle |
| Movement | 5 |
| Armor Value | 3 |
| Vs Infantry (RNG / FPR) | 5/5 |
| Vs Vehicle (RNG / FPR) | 5/4 |
| Traits | |
| Period | 1939-1942 |
| Theaters of Service |
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The Panzerkampfwagen III design served extensively during the war, initially in the anti-armor role and later in the infantry support role. It carried a crew of five. Daimler-Benz ceased production in 1943 at 5,774 units, but its chassis provided hulls for a number of other vehicles into spring 1945, including the Sturmgeschütz III assault gun which was the most-produced German armored fighting vehicle of the war. The Panzer III saw service in all theaters. Germany produced these early variants to evaluate different engines, suspension systems, and armor thicknesses. Produced in limited numbers, some saw service in Poland and Norway. The Ausf. D and E variants had thicker armor (30 mm) on the front, rear, and turret than the earlier variants. They carried the 3.7 cm KwK 36 L/45 main gun, which proved adequate during the campaigns of 1939 and 1940. The Ausf. A through G also had two 7.92 mm MG 34 machine guns mounted coaxially in the turret, and one in the hull. It could reach a top speed of 25 mph.