III号戦車
This led to the up-arming of the Panzer IV to long barrelled 7.5 cm KwK 40, which could fire both armour-piercing rounds and high explosive rounds, giving the tank a dual role. The Panzer III, which was limited in the size of gun that could be carried, was progressively removed from frontline armour units and relegated to a support role. Production of the Panzer III as a tank ended in 1943; the related Stug III self-propelled gun replacing it on the factory lines.