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104
Close Combat
Panzer
III L Medium Tank
M5A1 Light Tank
Weight
15,380 kg (33,912 lb)
Maximum speed
60 km/h (37.2 mph)
Main gun
37 mm (1.46 in.)
Armor
12 to 67 mm (0.47 to 2.64 in.)
The M5 light tank, introduced in 1942, was fitted
with a larger turret and additional radio equipment
early in 1943 to become the M5A1. Both were
powered by twin Cadillac V-8s coupled to the
Cadillac Hydra-matic transmission. The M5 became
the basis of several variants, generally substituting
other weapons for the 37-mm gun originally fitted in
the M5 turret. Chief among these were the Howitzer
Motor Carriage M8, which mounted a short 75-mm
howitzer; and the T8 reconnaissance vehicle, with a
.50-caliber (12.7-mm) machine gun on a mounting
ring in place of the standard M5 turret. Both of these
soldiered on until the end of the war.
Weight
19,800 kg (43,659 lbs)
Maximum speed
40 km/h (25 mph)
Main gun
50 mm (1.97 in.) L/60
Armor
12 to 50 mm (0.31 to 3.15 in.)
The German Panzer III medium tank, manufactured
from 1936 to 1943, was the primary German tank at
the beginning of the war. Main armament in early
models was a 37-mm gun; to meet the realities of
armored warfare, later models substituted 5-cm and
finally 7.5-cm guns. For the same reason, armor
thickness was increased from 30 mm to 50 mm.
Long after the Panzer III was superseded by more
formidable medium and heavy tanks, its excellent
chassis remained as the basis for numerous self-
propelled artillery pieces (such as the StuG IIIG)
and a variety of special-purpose vehicles, including
flame-throwers, recovery vehicles, and a
“swimming” version for a cross-channel invasion
of England.