At the start of World War II the Panzerkampfwagen III was one of the standard tanks used by the German army up to the end of the war. The M version (Sd.Kfz 141/1) which was made between October 1942 and February 1943 was also the last version of the Panzer III to have the 50 mm 39 L/60 cannon. Compared with its predecessor, the M version was equipped with turret and side skirts to give improved armour protection and also with deep fording equipment to enable it to cross water obstacles to a dept