picture 195307

A PzKpfw III Ausf. E tank. While the PzKpfw III Ausf. A to Ausf. D were experimental vehicles built in small batches, the Ausf. E can be considered the first truly mass-produced variant. This was the first PzKpfw III to have six wheels per side with an individual torsion-bar suspension, as used on all subsequent variants of the vehicle. Production began in 1938 and the tanks were first used in combat against Poland in 1939. Even though superior models were available, PzKpfw III Ausf. E tanks were still in service for the invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941.