Panzer III Cross a Rough Field during Training

A pair of Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf.Es cross a rough field during a training exercise. Note especially how the panzer's torsion bar suspension easily and smoothly conforms to the broken ground. The Panzer III was the first modern main battle tank, possessing features that are still seen on tanks to this day. For instance, the turret crew had specific duties: the commander coordinated the actions of his crew and the actions of his panzer with others; the loader loaded the main weapon, while the gunner sighted and fired it. This is in contrast to other contemporary tanks where each of the turret crewmen was usually assigned more than one specific task (for instance, some French tanks had a commander who also loaded and fired the main weapon). The remainder of a Panzer III's crew (the driver and the radio operator) also had specific tasks that they performed in a combat situation. Thus, a properly trained crew could coordinate their actions to optimize their panzer's performance as an individual combat vehicle and concentrate their efforts in support of neighboring panzers.

Source :
Book "Panzer Vor: German Armor At War 1939-45" by Frank V. De Sisto