Chris, can you give any definitive tips on identifying the different Ausfs of PzKpfw III from photographs? I am experiencing most difficulty in separating H from J from L. Also, why was there no Ausf K? Thanks.
the changes would seem to be mainly armour upgrades which are difficult to see, if at all possable. The H introduced a new ball turret for the hull MG due to the increased armour and the J introduced changed hatches from 2 piece to 1 piece. However I have seen PIII's marked up as J or later with the two piece hatches which means either the author made a mistake or it's even more complex. I can see no reference anywhere to a K version or any explaination as to why that it. FNG
I usually use Jentz' Germany's Panzers in World War II: From Pz.Kpfw.I to Tiger II to tell the different Ausführungen apart, as it has numerous clear photographs of each version, as well as profile drawings. The new Panzer Tracts volumes on the Pz. Kpfw. III should also be very help helpful, once they are all out. I do recall reading of an Ausf. K, which I believe was cancelled fairly early on. I don't remember the specifics, but I think it's mentioned in Spielberger's Pz. Kpfw. III book.
Thanks Chris. I take it that the differences are too small & numerous for you to list. FNG has listed a few that I had heard of from Chamberlain & Ellis ( I believe). But for every "rule" there seem to be several exceptions to 'muddy the waters'. Best wishes, David.
The Germans had the habit of upgrading vehicles as they went, and thus you could get an Ausf. B that has been upgraded to Ausf. D standard, but still looks a bit like an Ausf. B, but is technically referred to as an Ausf. D, but doesn't look quite right... I'll stop before I confuse myself.
Ausf K designation In accordance to The Spielberger German Armor & Military Vehicles Series - Vol. III: Panzer III & It's Variants, the following is said of the Ausf K: "...Daimler-Benz received a development contract for a new armored command tank in January of 1941. It was to carry the 50mm KwK 39 as its primary armament and be reequipped with means available to the troops. Thus it had to be possible to install additional radio sets with no trouble. Thus was the Panzer befehlswagen III, Ausf. K created (called "8a/ZW" by Daimler-Benz, and with chassis numbers 70201 to 704000). The vehicle began troop testing in August of 1941: .......Series production lasted from August 1942 to August 1943." The listed reference is so far the only reference I found regarding the Ausf. K variant. Walter Spielberger had written this in the 1970s in German titled "Der Panzerkampfwagen III und seine Abarten" by Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart. Tomas Jentz series Panzer Tracts have covered up to PzKpfw III H in the books: Panzer Tracts No. 3-1 and Panzer Tracts No. 3-2. A future No. 3-3 is needed to cover through Ausf. N variants.
