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An initial order for 759 Ausf H was placed in January 1939.This was to be the first model to mount the 50mm KwK and the turret was redesigned to accommodate it.The campaigns in France and Poland had shown a need for increased production and although it was too late to increase the basic armour additional plates were bolted to it.The order for the Auft H was reduced by 450 when the new model of the Pz Kpfw III with heavier basic armour (Ausf J) was planned.
The Ausf H had a newly designed turret the rear of which was formed from a single plate.The basic 30mm armour was increased by the addition of 30mm plates to the hull rear , hull front and superstructure front.A new transmission , sprocket and idler design were also introduced with this model.To protect the smoke candles an armored cover was fitted.The Ausf H was the first model to have a turret basket and this was subsequently retrofitted to the Ausf E , F and G.The 30mm + 30mm armour on the front of the hull and superstructure to the Ausf H was impenetrable at combat ranges by the main enemy tank and anti-tank guns in use in 1941 , the British 2-pounder , the American 37mm M5 and the Russian 45mm Model 1939.
On the 20th of June 1941 there were seventeen Panzer divisions on the border of the territory held by the Russians.Of these six had been issued with Pz Kpfw 38(t) and eleven had Pz Kpfw III.Each and every light armored company had its full complement of seventeen Pz Kpfw III which gave a total 960 Pz Kpfw III Ausf E to J , if those at detachment and regimental headquarters were included.
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