Germany's 3c/ZW; Panzerbefehlswagen III Ausf D1 command tank

Photos

Panzerbefehlswagen III Ausf D1:

Panzerbefehlswagen III Ausf E:

Design

30 were built between June 1938 and March 1939. Based on an Ausf D chassis. It had thicker armor, a dummy gun, and a fixed turret.  Had frame aerial for the FuG 8 (radio) installed above the engine compartment, however in 1943 this was replaced by pole type aerials. 39 of these were available in the Panzer divisions in 1940. These were designated SdKfz 266 and FuG 6 and 2 were installed, SdKfz 267 had the FuG 6 and 8 sets installed, and SdKfz 268 had the FuG 6 and 7 sets installed. It did have a MG34 mounted in the mantlet.

Prototype

Production

The PzKpfw III series production figures.

Variants

• 4a/ZW², Panzerbefehlswagen III Ausf E: Sometimes used by Luftwaffe forward air controllers. First used in France. The turret was fixed in place and there additional vision and pistol ports. The FuG 6, FuG 7, and FuG 8 or FuG 13 were installed. Used same SdKfz designations as PzBefWg Ausf D1.
  SdKfz 266 used the FuG6 and FuG2 radios.¹ SdKfz 267 used the FuG6 and FuG8 radios.¹ SdKfz 268 used the FuG6 and FuG7 radios.¹
  Used throughout war and were phased out due to attrition.
• 7a/ZW², Panzerbefehlswagen III Ausf H: Had 30 mm armor plates bolted to the bow and front superstructure. Early vehicles had a dummy "37 mm" gun, and later vehicles had a dummy "50 mm" gun installed. The last models had dummy gun removed. It did have a MG34 mounted in the mantlet. A circular hatch was installed in turret room and an observation sight was installed.
• Panzerbefehlswagen III Ausf J, Panzerbefehlswagen mit 5cm KwK L/42: 81 were produced from August to November 1942, and 104 were converted from March to September 1943 by Daimler-Benz. The hull MG was removed and the number of rounds was reduced to 75 50 mm and 1,500 MG. Used FuG5 and FuG7, also FuG5 and FuG8.¹
  It was issued to newly formed Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler, Das Reich, Tötenkopf, and Wiking SS Panzer Divisions. It was also issued as replacements to other units. Starting in 1943 they were issued to Sturmpanzer, assault gun, and armored radio-control detachments.
• 7/ZW², Panzerbefehlswagen III Ausf K, Panzerbefehlswagen MIT 5cm KwK 39 L/60: 50 were produced from December 1942 to February 1943. Based on the PzKpfw III Ausf L. Had a smaller MG mount in the hull. Additional vision and pistol ports were added to the superstructure. The coaxial machine-gun was removed. Had 50 mm L/42 or 50 mm L/60 gun installed into a PzKpfw IV Ausf F turret that was modified. It had a smaller mantlet installed to the left of the turret and an armored vision port installed to the right. 2 triple smoke mortars were mounted on the turret sides. A FuG8 radio was installed and a 2 meter "star" antenna was placed in an armored socket between the 2 inspection hatches over the engine compartment. Some had Seitenschürzen (armored side skirts) installed. 331 were available in July 1943.
  The SdKfz 268 used the FuG5 and FuG7, and the SdKfz 267 used the FuG5 and FuG8.¹
  331 were available in July 1943.

Usage

From 1938 to 1939 the Stab (headquarters) of each Panzer detachment, regiment, and brigades each got Panzerbefehlswagen. Only 38 were available at the start of the invasion of Poland and some units did not receive any.

They were retired in early 1941 due to inadequate suspension.

Specifications