Specification Crew : 3 Engine : Maybach HL 120TRM Combat weight : 23 tons Max speed : road . 40 km/h Range : 155 km Length : 6.41 m Width : 2.95 m Height : 2.50 m Main gun : One 14mm Flammenwerfer : Two 7.92mm MG34 Armour : 10mm to 50mm + 30mm

In November 1942 the idea arose to mount a flame-thrower in the turret of the Pz Kpfw III for use in close range combat such as had been experienced at Stalingrad.Production was to have begun in January but was set back a month because of problems with the Flammenwerfer production.One hundred Pz Kpfw III of the Ausf M series were built by MIAG and were turned over to Wegmann for completion as the Pz Kpfw III (FI).The Pz Kpfw III (FI) had the same basic features as the Ausf M since this was the model used to furnish the chassis.A flame-thrower was mounted in the turret in place of the 50mm KwK L/60.Additional protection was afforded by welding 30mm plates to the hull front.Range of the flame-projector was 55m to 60m. The Pz Kpfw III(FI) never reached the troops at Stalingrad , but was issued to Panzer regiments at the rate of seven tanks to each Flame-Thrower Platoon.In July 1943 forty-one were available in the 6th Panzer Division , 11th Panzer Division and Panzer Division Grossdeutschland for the attack on Kursk.