Panzer II
>Type Light tank
>Place of origin Nazi Germany
>In service 1936–1945
>Wars World War II
>Designed 1934
>Produced 1935–1943
>Number built 1,856 (excluding conversions)
>Weight 8.9 tonnes (Ausf. A-C)
>Length 4.81 m (15 ft 9 in)
>Width 2.22 m (7 ft 3 in)
>Height 1.99 m (6 ft 6 in)
>Crew 3 (commander/gunner, driver, loader)
>Main armament 1 × 2 cm KwK 30 Ausf. a–F 1 × 2 cm KwK 38 Ausf. J–L
>Secondary armament 1 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
>Engine 6-cyl petrol Maybach HL 62TRM 140 PS ( 138 hp, 103 kW)
>Power/weight 15.7 PS/tonne
>Suspension Leaf spring
>range 200 km (120 mi)
>Speed 40 km/h (25 mph)
The Panzer II is the common name used for a family of German tanks used in World War II. The official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen II (abbreviated PzKpfw II).
Although the vehicle had originally been designed as a stopgap while larger, more advanced tanks were developed, it nonetheless went on to play an important role in the early years of World War II, during the Polish and French campaigns. The Panzer II was the most numerous tank in the German Panzer divisions beginning with the invasion of France. It was used in both North Africa against the British and on the Eastern Front against the Soviet Union.
The Panzer II was supplemented by the Panzer III and IV in 1940/41. Thereafter, it was used to great effect as a reconnaissance tank. By the end of 1942 it had been largely removed from front line service and it was used for training and on secondary fronts. Production of the tank itself ceased by 1943 but its chassis remained in use as the basis of several other armored vehicles, chiefly self-propelled artillery such as the Wespe and Marder II.
Although the vehicle had originally been designed as a stopgap while larger, more advanced tanks were developed, it nonetheless went on to play an important role in the early years of World War II, during the Polish and French campaigns. The Panzer II was the most numerous tank in the German Panzer divisions beginning with the invasion of France. It was used in both North Africa against the British and on the Eastern Front against the Soviet Union.
The Panzer II was supplemented by the Panzer III and IV in 1940/41. Thereafter, it was used to great effect as a reconnaissance tank. By the end of 1942 it had been largely removed from front line service and it was used for training and on secondary fronts. Production of the tank itself ceased by 1943 but its chassis remained in use as the basis of several other armored vehicles, chiefly self-propelled artillery such as the Wespe and Marder II.
