Does anyone know which variants of the PzKpfw III and IV were present in the Balkans in 1941? The IIIs that were present were a mix of 3.7cm/L45 and 5cm/L42 types, but I've not been able to work out which version, since Ausf. E through H all were armed with both types of gun at different stages. Does anyone know which version, or what proportion of each if more than one were used?
The PzKpfw IV that served there were all 7.5cm/L24 models, does anyone know which version - Ausf B and Ausf D look like favourites, any information on which or what proportion of each if more than one was used would be greatly appreciated.
Also, if the distribution of the different models was by unit, any information on which of the Pz Divs (2, 5, and 9) used which models in this campaign would be great.
Thanks
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PzKpfw variants in Balkans, 1941
Moderator: Tom Houlihan
I noticed that you had no response to your question. You may already have seen this, but here is the content of an earlier post by Ron Klages, which may help.
Regards
Daniel Kane.
The III/G and the III/H were the first variants to utilize the 5cmKwK L/42 gun. The prior IIIs used the 3.7cm Kwk. The III/G was produced from July 1940 to February 1941 and the III/H was produced from October 1940 to April 1941. A total of 550 III/Gs with the 5cm gun were produced and 308 III/Hs with the 5cm gun.
In the invasion of Poland [September 1939]
no PzKpw IIIs with the 5cm Kwk were used since not built yet
In the invasion of Norway [April 1940]
no PzKpw IIIs with the 5cm Kwk were used since not built yet
In the invasion of France [May 1940]
no PzKpw IIIs with the 5cm Kwk were used since not built yet
In the invasion of North Africa [March 1941]
142 5cm Kwk Pz. IIIs were used but most were Ausf G but there was a few Ausf Hs.
PR 5/5.leDiv. later 21.PD with 71
PR 8/15.PD with 71
In the Balkans [April 1941]
142 5cm Kwk Pz. IIIs were used and while most were Ausf Gs some were Ausf Hs.
PR 3/2.PD with 44
PR 31/5.PD with 32
PR 15/11.PD with 26
PR 36/14.PD with 35
PR 33/9.PD with 29
Invasion of Russia [June 1941]
633 5cm Kwk Pz. IIIs were used with both Ausf Gs and Ausf. Hs. The number increase for the 9.PD [+31], 11.PD [+21] and 14.PD [+21] were probably Ausf Hs since they had fought in the Balkans just the month before the invasion of Russia. The other units most likely had a mixture of Ausf Gs and Hs.
PR 1 /1.PD with 71
PR 6/3.PD with 81
PR 33/9.PD with 60
PR 7/10PD with 105
PR 15/11.PD with 47
PR 4/13.PD with 44
PR 36/14.PD with 56
PR 2/16.PD with 48
PR 39/17.PD with 106
PR 18/18.PD with 15
The Pz.III Ausf J began deliveries in March 1941 but it appears that the first allocations of the J model were as follows:
PR 31/5.PD with 105 allocated after the action in the Balkans but prior to transport to the Russian front in September 1941
PR 3/2.PD with 105 allocated after the action in the Balkans but prior to transport to the Russian front in September 1941
PzRgt 203 with 71 allocated and then sent to fight in the east in December 1941
These were Js sent as replacement units in August/September 1941 to the units fighting in the east.
PR33/9.PD with 2 allocated
PR 15/11.PD with 7 allocated
PR 4/13.PD with 2 allocated
PR 36/14.PD with 4 allocated
PR 18/18.PD with 20 allocated
This is the best I can do regarding the allocation of the Pz. III Ausf H.
I hope this data helps.
best regards
Ron
_________________
Ron Klages
Regards
Daniel Kane.
The III/G and the III/H were the first variants to utilize the 5cmKwK L/42 gun. The prior IIIs used the 3.7cm Kwk. The III/G was produced from July 1940 to February 1941 and the III/H was produced from October 1940 to April 1941. A total of 550 III/Gs with the 5cm gun were produced and 308 III/Hs with the 5cm gun.
In the invasion of Poland [September 1939]
no PzKpw IIIs with the 5cm Kwk were used since not built yet
In the invasion of Norway [April 1940]
no PzKpw IIIs with the 5cm Kwk were used since not built yet
In the invasion of France [May 1940]
no PzKpw IIIs with the 5cm Kwk were used since not built yet
In the invasion of North Africa [March 1941]
142 5cm Kwk Pz. IIIs were used but most were Ausf G but there was a few Ausf Hs.
PR 5/5.leDiv. later 21.PD with 71
PR 8/15.PD with 71
In the Balkans [April 1941]
142 5cm Kwk Pz. IIIs were used and while most were Ausf Gs some were Ausf Hs.
PR 3/2.PD with 44
PR 31/5.PD with 32
PR 15/11.PD with 26
PR 36/14.PD with 35
PR 33/9.PD with 29
Invasion of Russia [June 1941]
633 5cm Kwk Pz. IIIs were used with both Ausf Gs and Ausf. Hs. The number increase for the 9.PD [+31], 11.PD [+21] and 14.PD [+21] were probably Ausf Hs since they had fought in the Balkans just the month before the invasion of Russia. The other units most likely had a mixture of Ausf Gs and Hs.
PR 1 /1.PD with 71
PR 6/3.PD with 81
PR 33/9.PD with 60
PR 7/10PD with 105
PR 15/11.PD with 47
PR 4/13.PD with 44
PR 36/14.PD with 56
PR 2/16.PD with 48
PR 39/17.PD with 106
PR 18/18.PD with 15
The Pz.III Ausf J began deliveries in March 1941 but it appears that the first allocations of the J model were as follows:
PR 31/5.PD with 105 allocated after the action in the Balkans but prior to transport to the Russian front in September 1941
PR 3/2.PD with 105 allocated after the action in the Balkans but prior to transport to the Russian front in September 1941
PzRgt 203 with 71 allocated and then sent to fight in the east in December 1941
These were Js sent as replacement units in August/September 1941 to the units fighting in the east.
PR33/9.PD with 2 allocated
PR 15/11.PD with 7 allocated
PR 4/13.PD with 2 allocated
PR 36/14.PD with 4 allocated
PR 18/18.PD with 20 allocated
This is the best I can do regarding the allocation of the Pz. III Ausf H.
I hope this data helps.
best regards
Ron
_________________
Ron Klages
One more question: I've got some books that state that the PzKw III E and F were retrofitted with the 5cm L45 and additional armour plates, bringing them essentially up to the PzKw III G/H standard - would they then be considered as G or H models, or would they be still classed as PzKw III E/F with the heavier gun?
If the latter, were any of the refitted E/F models present in the Balkans?
Regards
33
If the latter, were any of the refitted E/F models present in the Balkans?
Regards
33