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I see Pfalz D III and Pfalz D IIIa used interchangeably in this thread. Often, when answering about the D IIIa, the D III keeps getting referred to. So...
The D III and D IIIa, while looking similar, were in fact very different in the air. The difference in engines was one part, and the tail structure was significantly different as well.
They should not be referred to interchangeably. What can be said about the D III applys to the D III. What can be said about the D IIIa, applies to the D IIIa.
The D III was indeed underpowered and not a real success. The D IIIa was a terrific improvement. The Pfalz D IIIa was the major heavy lifter in the German Air Service for a number of months, and didn't do a bad job. The Entente, though hugely outnumbering their German opponents, did not sweep the Germans from the skies during that time.
The D IIIa, though not a spectacular aircraft, was a very serviceable weapon and did not do badly.
And, though the Entente fliers considered it easy meat (it would just drop out of the sky when you fired on it), they were mostly being hornswaggled by the tactics. Plane dropping from the sky = kill. When it fact it was Plane dropping from the sky = got away from you.
Mogadeet
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