Panzer III als Tauchpanzer – Wehrmacht History

Panzer III als Tauchpanzer

Amphibious Vehicle

Service Data:

In Service: 1939 to 1945

Production Data:

Manufacturer: Alkett, FAMO, Daimler-Benz, Henschel, M.A.N
Chassis No: 61001-61650
Number built: 168 converted

Technical Data:

Type: Amphibious Vehicle

Crew: 5 men
Length: 5.38 m
Width: 2.91 m
Height: 2.44 m
Weight: 19,800 kg
Fuel Capacity: 320 liters
Engine: 1 × Maybach HL 120 TR 12 cylinder liquid cooled Vee petrol engine producing up to 300 hp at 3,000 rpm
Gearbox: 10 forward 4 reverse
Speed: road 40 km/h cross country km/h
Range: road 165 km cross country km
Armament:
1 × 3.7 cm KwK 36 L/46.5
3 × 7.92 mm MG 34 machine guns
Ammunition:
main 131 rounds
secondary 4,500 rounds
Armour: 12 mm to 30 mm
Electronics: FuG 5
Operators: Heer

History:

The Panzer III als Tauchpanzer or Panzerkampfwagen III als Tauchpanzer or abbreviated to Pz.Kpfw. III als Tauchpanzer

168 Panzer III als Tauchpanzer were converted in the same way as the underwater version of the Panzer IV als Tauchpanzer. Extra waterproofing was provided for the engine air intakes, and the exhaust was fitted with nonreturn valves in place of the normal mufflers. The cupola, mantlet and machine gun mountings were all covered with a waterproof fabric. The driver’s visor was made watertight by a special cover with a vision block. An inflatable rubber tube was also used to seal the turret ring. The air was drawn from the usual surface float.

The were Tauchpanzer designed and converted for Operation Sea Lion the invasion of United Kingdom once the operation was cancelled, the Panzerkampfwagen IV als Tauchpanzer were issued to ordinary Panzer units. The majority of them went to the 18. Panzer-Division, while the remainder were issued to the Panzer-Regiment 6 of the 3. Panzer-Division. The 18. Panzer-Division crossed the River Bug underwater on 22 June 1941 during operation Barbarossa.

Gallery:

Panzer III als Tauchpanzer Heer Comments