The Panzer IIIJ was designed to provide a response to the increasingly well armed and armoured Russian tanks it was to face in Russia from 1942. (also sent to North Africa as part of Rommel’s forces) With an up-gunned 50mmL60 it could take on T34s at medium range with a good prospect of destroying the enemy, unlike its predecessors, and no British or American tank at the time was invulnerable to its main gun, including the Matilda II. Its armour was also increased, but still was generally inadequate. Over 1500 of this model were produced, providing the backbone of the Panzer Divisions though late 1942 and into 1943, some still in service by the end of the war.