Panzer III addition, to counter enemy anti-tank rifles, starting from 1943, the Ausf. L version began the use of spaced armour sideskirts and screens (known as "Schürzen" in German) around the turret and on the vulnerable hull-sides. However, due to the introduction of the upgunned and more-armoured Panzer IV, the Panzer III was, after the German defeat at the Battle of Kursk in the summer of 1943, relegated to secondary/minor combat roles, such as tank-training, and it was finally replaced as the main German medium tank by the Panzer IV and the Panzer V Panther. The Panzer III's strong, reliable and durable
Mk 5 mine Mk 5 mine The Mk 5 or Mine G.S. Mk V was a cylindrical, metal-cased United Kingdom anti-tank blast mine that entered service in 1943, during the Second World War. It was replaced in British service with the Mk 7 mine. Two versions of the mine were produced, the "Mk. V" and the "Mk. VC" with the same external dimensions. The only difference was that the Mk. VC had a half-sized explosive charge. The mine used a spider pressure plate that makes it resistant to blast overpressure. The spider rests on a central Mk 3 fuse (sometimes referred to as