In 1939 it was decided to push ahead with the 50-mm model of
the PzKpfw III and this entered production in 1940 under the designation PzKpfw
III Ausf F. This was followed by the PzKpfw III Ausf G version with similar
armament but more powerful engine. For operations in North Africa the vehicles
were fitted with a tropical kit. Ausf G was the first to be mounted with the
"Rommelkiste" (Rommelbox) - turret mounted storage bin (Gepack
Kasten), which then became the standard on all PzKpfw IIIs. From August of 1940
until 1942, all 37mm Ausf G tanks just as Ausf E and F tanks were rearmed with
50mm KwK 38 L/42 gun. Vehicles send to North Africa were equipped with
additional air filters and different cooling fan reduction ratio. They were
designated Ausf G(Tp), Tp being short for Tropisch / Trop / Tropen - tropical.
Small number of Ausf G tanks remained in service as late as September of 1944.
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