Tk Pz.Kpfw.III was the result of two years of design work carried out by various German manufacturing firms competing lor attracts to build new is for the rearmament of the German Army. By this time, a standard busulhad been decided upon with the engine mounted in the rear and the inn-mission and final drives mounted in the front of the vehicle. The tank as to be manned by live men. The cnuimandcr was situated cenirnlly in Ae turret with the gunner on the left and loader on the right. The driver was seated on the left side of the transmission and the radio operator/machine gunner was seated on the right.