Bergepanzer III (Sd.Kfz. 144) was a German recovery vehicle built on the Panzerkampfwagen III tank chassis. Production of these vehicles started in March 1944 and was caused by a growing need for heavy recovery vehicles in the German army. A total of 167 tanks were built and all of them were assigned to units containing Pz.Kpfw. III tanks or StuG III assault guns.