Panzerdivision) was formed on 2 July 1956 in Hamburg and was one of the first major formations of the new German Army or Bundeswehr after the Second World War.

The 3rd Armoured Division was stationed on the North German Plain between the rivers Elbe and Weser.

The 3rd Armoured Division was disbanded on 30 September 1994.

The Division provided support to numerous disasters, e. g. during serious floods in North Germany in 1962 and 1976 as well as the flooding of the Elbe Lateral Canal.

In January 1979 elements of the Division were deployed during the emergency caused by heavy snowfall in North Germany.