CHRONOLOGY

1934
January	Requirement for PzKpfw III announced.
1937
May	First production of PzKpfw III.
1940
October	British purchasing commission signs contracts for US M3 light and medium tanks.
1941
March	M3 design completed.
April	M3 pilot models built.
October	M3 medium reclassified substitute standard when M4 was standardized.
1942
February	M3 light and medium tank delivered to the British.
May 26–	Combat debut of M3 mediums
June 18	with UK during the Gazala Line battle.
October 23–November 5	Battle of El Alamein, resulting in Rommel’s retreat toward Tunisia.
November 8	Operation Torch commences with Allied landings in Morocco and Algeria.
November 11	Vichy French forces sign armistice. Eighth Army enters Libya.
December 3	After weeks of advancing into Tunisia and Libya, German counterattacks regain some territory.
December 17	Germans commence withdrawal from Libya.
December 22	British commence attacks near Medjez el Bab.
December 24	Allied attacks in Tunisia are halted.
1943
January 14	21. Panzer-Division deployed to halt Allied advance from west.
January 15	British recommence offensive.
January 18	Tiger tanks are committed for the first time.
January 23	Tripoli falls to British.
January 25	US forces secure Maknassy.
January 30	21. Panzer-Division pushes back US and French units at Faïd.
February 14	10. and 21. Panzer-Divisionen attack II US Corps near Faïd, defeating US forces at Sidi Bou Zid.
February 15	German attack reinforced by elements of 15. Panzer-Division.
February 17	German attack continues with two-thirds of 1st US Armored Division destroyed.
February 19	Germans attack toward Kasserine Pass and Sbiba; both routes defended by US and British troops.
February 20	Germans seize Kasserine Pass and almost make it to Sbiba but are held by the British.
February 21–22	Battered British and US units halt German drives toward Thala, Tébasse, and Sbiba. US reinforcements help push Germans back, and Rommel commences a withdrawal.
February 24–26	Axis command is reorganized, and their forces continue to withdraw while conducting delaying attacks.
April	M3 medium reclassified limited standard as sufficient M4s become available.
May 12	Axis forces in Tunisia surrender.
1944
April	M3 medium declared obsolete.

The Germans tested several prototypes of PzKpfw III variants in efforts to improve the design. This is one of two 1939 Daimler-Benz Type ZW40 tanks fitted with a diesel engine and the large interleafed road wheels as used on halftracks.

A photograph showing a German Panzer III after it has been captured by British troops in North Africa. (IWM E16567)

This overhead shot clearly shows the right-hand side sponson gun, turret, and turret machine-gun cupola which were distinctive features of the M3. (NARA)