STRIDSVOGN KW.III Ausf.J/N
INTRODUCTION
I found another Stridsvogn KW.III (Ex-German Panzer 3 operated by Norway) that was used at Rena military camp, a couple km north of Elverum, Norway. It is an Ausf.J mid to late production with an Ausf.N 75mm short cannon that has replaced the origninal L/42 or L/60 50mm cannon that it originally was armed with. This could be a cool Frankentank to be added with Norway in either a subtree in the Swedish techtree or an potential Norwegian/Danish techtree. The vehicle’s protection is sufficient against much of what it faces at it’s br, and the cannon and it’s available ammunition is really good, and will do well in it’s likely br rating.
HISTORY
The Pz.III came to Norway a little after the German invasion of Norway in April 1940, the Germans did not expect there to bee a need for heavier tanks, as Norway did not have any other than a couple armored trucks. Because of this the smaller and less powerful Pz.III and Stug.III were brought to Norway. During the occupation, the tanks Germany used here were sent to Germany and upgraded a number of times, and in a wide variety of variants and mixes, and when the war came to an end, the Germans surrendered all their vehicles to Norwegian and British/American forces that had fought in Norway. The British wanted to sabotage most of these vehicles, and among trying to blow up the barrels of the various tanks, they had driven over and destroyed a whole bunch of surrendered motorcycles. Most of these tanks were later on put in service in the Norwegian Army, and because of the British sabotage, the Norwegians worked on restoring these vehicles until 1948, before they were ready to be used. And because of the vehicles being damaged and parts having to be taken from here and there, those vehicles that already had been upgraded/mixed by the German army during the occupation, were even further mixed by the Norwegians during the restoration, with this vehicle potentially being one example. Then they were taken over by the army, the Panzerkampfwagen III were named and officially given the designation Stridsvogn KWIII, and the Sturmgeschütz III were given the designation Stormkanon KWIII. The majority of these tanks were put in service in so called “Airport Troops” to guard the various airports in the country.
The fate of the StuG.III are unfortunately lesser known, but thankfully the Pz.III is better documented, those remained in service until the mid/early 1950’s when they got replaced by the New M24 Chaffe tanks received tough the weapons aid programme, and lrgely replaced by 1953. After ended service those remaining Pz.III were either dug down and encased in concrete in defensive positions around some airfields in Norway, where they were used in a “Bunker” to shoot at invaders. Those were used until the 1960’s when the tanks were rendered obsolete. After this they were for some reason completely buried along with the bunker/fort they were integrated with, and almost forgotten until these people decided to save them and have them restored.
This Panzer 3 Ausf.J/N hybrid was used at Rena military camp, some kilometers north of Elverum, Norway. It’s one of the few tanks that was kept in storage for all these years intact, and can still, today be seen exhibited outside Rena camp!
I have spent a lot of time, and have tried to identify all the Stridsvogn KWIII and Stormkanon KWIII that was used by the Norwegian army, that i have managed and been able to find pictures of. As none of the books mentioning them, has any sort of descriptions of their modifications or hybrid combinations, i’ve had to do this myselves, so there might be errors. If you see something, let me know!.
VEHICLE BREAKDOWN AND IDENTIFICATION
-Image should be of this exact vehicle, and is taken during an exercise held in Oslo city the autumn of 1950
Ausf.J Mid to late production hull and turret
-It has recieved the tow eyes that are welded on the frontal plate, something that were added mid-prduction.
-The headlights were moved to the bow later in production
-It has recieved the spaced armor on the cannon mantlet, something that were added with the late proction variant, however the small bow above the drivers vision has been welded, likely due to later ones coming like this standard, and here they have used parts that were made for older models.
Ausf.N cannon
-Original L/24 75mm cannon and it’s mantlet has been integrated on the Ausf.J tower
Details about this specific vehicle
-Lisence plate: Unknown, can barely be seen
-part of the spaced armor on the upper hull plate, the small bow that is above the drivers vision has been welded over, to increase protection. This was done later in the war, unknown when.
-Roadwheel on left fender front, 15mm structural armor (Wt stats)
-Add on amor/tracks lower frontal plate, 20mm RHA armor protection (wt stats)
ARMAMENT
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Main Gun: 75 mm KwK 37 L/24
Ammunition: 64 rounds
Elevation: -10° to +20°
Note: Primarily used HE (High Explosive) and HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) rounds for self-defense.
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1x 7.92x57mm Mg34
-Placement: Turret coaxial, right side of cannon
-Cartridge: 7.92x57mm Mauser
-Ammunition capacity: 600 rounds
-Mass: 12.1 kg
-Length: 1,219 mm
-Barrel length: 627 mm
-Action: Recoil-operated, opened rotating bolt
-Rate of fire: 800–900 rounds/min
-Muzzle velocity: 765 m/s
-Effective firing range: 3,500 m with tripod and telescopic sight
-Maximum firing range: 4,700 m
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1x 7.92x57mm Mg34
-Placement: coaxial hull MG, right side
-Cartridge: 7.92x57mm Mauser
-Ammunition capacity: 600 rounds
-Mass: 12.1 kg
-Length: 1,219 mm
-Barrel length: 627 mm
-Action: Recoil-operated, opened rotating bolt
-Rate of fire: 800–900 rounds/min
-Muzzle velocity: 765 m/s
-Effective firing range: 3,500 m with tripod and telescopic sight
-Maximum firing range: 4,700 m
TECHNICAL DATA
Spoiler
Weight: 25 tonnes
Length (overall): 7.02 m (including main gun)
Width: 2.88 m
Height: 2.68 m
Crew: 5 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver, Radio Operator)
Propulsion: Maybach HL 120 TRM V12 gasoline engine, 265 hp (earlier models had 320 hp)
Top Speed: 38 km/h (road)
Operational Range: Increased to 320 km (road) due to an auxiliary fuel tank, which replaced the electric turret traverse motor.
ARMOR
Front (upper & lower glacis): 80 mm
Sides (upper & lower): 30 mm
Rear (upper & lower): 20 mm
Top and Floor: 10 mm
ALBUM
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SOURCES
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Den Sorte lue : medlemsblad for kameratforeningen Norske Dragoner hvori opptatt Hedmarks Dragonforening. august 2017 Vol. 14 Nr. 3
Nasjonalbiblioteket
Information and specs about various Pz.III variants
https://fox3000.com/pz3.htm
Images and some information
Redirecting...
Background and service history
Book: Motoriserte Militærkjøretøy i Norge
Copyright 2005 by Forsvarsmuseet/HMK All rights reserved
Billedbehandling/Grafisk produksjon: Mikro Marketing, Asker
Press: Gan Grafisk, Oslo
Motoriserte Militærkjøretøy i Norge Bind 1
ISBN 82-91218-43-9
The book is printed in 3,000 copies, 100 of which are leatherbound
front cover/back cover: The wheel rider squadron at Trandum 1953
Defense publications No. 3 Oslo 2005
Stridsvogn & Stormkanon KW-III (Panzer III & StuG III in Norwegian Service) - Tank Encyclopedia
POLL
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Til_Dovre_Faller
