Introduced in 1937, the Panzer III was one of the most versatile tanks in the German Army. Over a five year production period it more than trebled its maximum armour thickness and the size of its gun increased from 37mm to 75mm.
The large doors on the turret and the tiny escape hatches in the sides of the hull are typical features of German tanks at this time. The extra ventilation was much appreciated by German tank crews, especially in the desert, but it also made the tank more vulnerable when attacked from the side.
The Panzer III on loan from the Bovington Tank Museum was built in 1942 and issued to the 8th Panzer Regiment, part of the 15th Panzer Division. The division was sent to the front line in July, but by 16 October had lost 26 of their 65 tanks. The Museum's vehicle was captured by British forces at the battle of Alam Halfa, Egypt in the summer of 1942. Following a period of evaluation, it was stored at the School of Tank Technology at Chertsey until 1951 when it was gifted to the Tank Museum.
