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
Ford Mk V Armoured Car Ford Mk V Armoured Car The Ford Mk V Armoured Cars were built in Ireland by Thompson & Son of Hanover Works, Carlow. The Ford Mk V was built with .5 inch mild steel plate, onto a Ford chassis of 122 inches. Fitted with an 85 horsepower petrol Ford V8 3,621 cc engine, the Mark V was much smaller, cheaper to build and had better performance than its predosesor the GSR Ford Mk IV. Empty of all unessential equipment the Mark V weighed just over five tons, with a max speed of 45 km per hour (28 MPH) and a