Pz Kpfw III ausf A

In 1934 the German High Command’s General Guderian, wrote a report with the necessary capabilities for a new medium tank that did not exceed the 24 tons of weight and that would be the backbone of the German Armored Forces. The main role for the new vehicle would be to fight other tanks and open a gap in the enemy lines. In 1935, MAN, Daimler-Benz, Rheinmetall and Krupp companies presented prototypes that were tested during 1936 and 1937, resulting the Daimler-Benz’s prototype as the winner. In May 1937, the “Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf A (Sd Kfz 141)”, known worldwide as Panzer III.A was presented. This model was armed with a 37mm KwK gun, two 7.92mm MG.34 coaxial machine guns and another MG.34 installed on the front of the superstructure. A V12 Maybach petrol engine that developed 250 hp was selected and the Panzer III.A entered “mass” production, which was extremely short, with only 10 vehicles produced in 1937.

Panzer III.A gallery and more info