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
Panzer brigade was unclear. The other supportive components included one Panzer Aufklärungs-Kompanie, one Panzer Pioniere-Kompanie and one Sturmgeschütz Kompanie. Thus, these brigades could field two Panzer and two Panzergrenadier battalions. Aside from the Panzer Brigades above, there were also ad-hoc units that were known as Panzer Brigades; there was a Panzer Brigade that was actually a commando unit (Panzer Brigade 150). With few exceptions, like the 106th Panzer Brigade, the Panzer Brigades were short-lived. Most were eventually disbanded by absorption into existing panzer and panzergrenadier divisions. Books Websites Panzer brigade Panzer Brigades were formations in the German Army during World War II.