The primary function of PzKpfw III was to ensure the tank against tank combat , the role of battle tank. The tactics provided that Pz.Kpfw 38(t)s and Pz.Kpfw III formed the spearhead whereas the light tanks Pz.Kpfw I and Pz.Kpfw II occupied the sides. Pz.Kpfw IV formed as for them the rear-guard, choosing their targets at long range and drew their rounds (gun of 75 mm L/24 with low initial speed) over the first lines. The secondary tasks of combat were generally entrusted to the regiments of infantry motorized more known after 1942 as Panzergrenadiers. The action of Panzerdivisions, not requiring always the full employment of their strength of tanks, a complete heavy company, was attached temporarily to these regiments of motorized infantry. That offered a support of fire particularly appreciated. However, Panzerwaffe was in general against this use considering that as a dispersion of invaluable resources in a role for which Sturmartillerie had been specifically conceived.

Panzer III armed with the 50mm KwK L/60 at high initial speed which though being an excellent weapon was of an insufficient gauge against Russian T-34s and Kv-Is.

src: "Connaissance de l'Histoire (Hachette n°17)"

During the campaigns of 1939 and 1940 Panzerdivisons included two armoured regiments of two battalions (Panzer Abteilung), each battalion was composed of four companies. That it is for the theory, in practice, September 1939 medium Panzerdivision did not have more than 20 Pz.Kpfw IIIs, or two to three tanks per section. Result, generally, the personnel of a company per battalion remained in layoff with the back in the deposits. In May 1940 manpower climbed up to 90 PzKpfw IIIs by division (only in certain privileged divisions), generally they were 50 Panzers III per Division.

After the victory in France, Hitler decided to double the number of Panzerdivisions. This was carried out by not providing more Panzerdivisons but of one regiment with 4 battalions or two regiments with two battalions. However six regiments will be equipped with three battalions. At the time of "Barbarossa" in June 1941, 17 Panzerdivisions equipped with a total of 3.200. Each Battalion was on average equipped with 2 companies of 22 Panzers III. Manpower in the tanks of Panzerdivisions varied between 120 and 200. Panzer IV at that time represented only one sixth of manpower of tanks, Panzer III still was very much used though that the gun of 37mm was completely obsolete, it was quickly replaced by the 50mm KwK L/42). The appearance of T-34 of Kv-1 with their thick shielding threw amazement and the distress within Panzerdivisions. An internal reorganization of the battalions of Panzer was urgent. Obsolete Pz.Kpfw I and II completion disappeared, and the battalions from now on were composed of only Pz.Kpfw III with guns of 50 mm L/42 or L/60 and of Pz.Kpfw IV with gun of 75 mm L/24. Cependant, the 50 mm KwK L/42 or L/60 were not sufficient any more for the combat tank vs tank and it was the song known swan for Panzer III bus Pz.Kpfw IV with the guns of 75mm KwK L/43 or L/48 having become the genuine tank of battle. The concept of heavy company had thus become obsolete, and the battalions from now on were equipped with only three companies identically equipped.

Panzer III on the Russian front.

src: site "Germany's Vehicle History"

From mid the 1943, Germany was on the defensive, Panzerwaffe had lost the initiative and from now on was generally confined in a strategic role of counter-attack. Against the Russian, American and British medium tanks, Panzer III did not make any more the weight and disappeared gradually from the first lines to be cantonned in roles of support, reconnaissance or command. The more recent models could be still used for the combat to fill the holes but it was increasingly rare. The regiments of the luckiest elite or will have a battalion equipped with Panthers and the other of Pz.Kpfw IV, but it was not the standard. Indeed, because of heavy losses not compensated by the production, the material missed and more and more often the holes were filled by assault guns or tank destroyers, so that in 1944 the majority of the regiments counted only one or two companies or a complete battalion of tanks. The assault guns and the tank destroyers with their limited horizontal field of fire, were not very effective like battle tank, but could ensure a fire support very appreciable. The situation was degraded more and more with the wire of the months, and the regiments of panzer used all that fell to them under the hand and which was in a position to function. The strict organization of the units left the place little by little to groups of combat or "Kampfgruppen" made up of all and anything being able to fire and roll.

Panzer III in progression supported by the infantry.

src: site "Germany's Vehicle History"

In short, conceived at the origin like battle tank, Panzer III lost gradually are role of war-horse of Panzerdivisions will be replaced in this role by Panzer IV. Robust mechanically, very mobile, it would have been with a better armament, the best tank of first half of the conflict but in 1943 it was completely obsolete. Pz.Kpfw III in service in the units will be armoured of Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS in Poland, Holland, Belgium, Russia (Barbarossa), North Africa (during all the program), then was hardly seen thereafter.

The cold of the Russian winter is hard both for the material the men.

src: "La Seconde Guerre Mondiale, Ed. C. Colomb".