The Panzerkampfwagen III (PzKpfw III), more commonly referred to as the Panzer III, was a tank developed in the 1930s by Germany and used extensively in World War II. It was designed to fight other AFVs, serving alongside the infantry-support Panzer IV. It soon became obsolete in this role and for most purposes was supplanted by up-gunned Panzer IVs, though some would continue to be used for infantry support until late in the war