World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseThe Panzerkampfwagen II, PzKpfw II, or Panzer II light tanks were developed in 1934 mainly because work on what would later become Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks was experiencing significant delays. Production for limited field test versions (variants Panzer IIa, IIb, and IIc) began in 1935, and the first definitive variant, Panzer IIA, entered production in Jul 1937. They were sent to Spain for actual combat testing during the Spanish Civil War. When the European War began, they were among the first German tanks to enter Polish territory. By the time of the invasion of France they were the standard battle tanks of German armored divisions. In 1941, when the Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks were finally entering service, the lighter Panzer II tanks were quickly moved from combat duties as their 2-cm cannons were too weak to combat Allied tanks seen in North Africa. They were relegated to reconnaissance roles, which they performed very effectively. By 1942, they were largely removed from service. Production of Panzer II tanks ceased in 1943.

ww2dbaseBetween 1935 and 1943, 1,856 Panzer II light tanks were built. They were built by a number of firms including Alkett, FAMO, Daimler-Benz, Henschel, MAN, MIAG, and Wegmann.

ww2dbaseAfter Panzer II light tanks became obsolete, many of them were converted to self-propelled gun vehicles or utility carriers. There were also several limited number production variant designs such as the Panzer IIL reconnaissance tanks (the only variant with overlapping road wheels) and Panzer II Flamm flamethrowers.

SPECIFICATIONS

A

Machinery	Maybach HL 62 TRM 6-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 140hp
Suspension	Leaf spring
Armament	1x2cm KwK 30 L/55 cannon, 1x7.92mm MG34 coaxial machine gun
Armor	14mm front, 14mm back, 14mm sides, 10mm top, 10mm bottom
Crew	3
Length	4.80 m
Width	2.20 m
Height	2.00 m
Weight	7.0 t
Speed	40 km/h
Range	200 km

B

Machinery	Maybach HL 62 TRM 6-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 140hp
Suspension	Leaf spring
Armament	1x2cm KwK 30 L/55 cannon, 1x7.92mm MG34 coaxial machine gun
Armor	14mm front, 14mm back, 14mm sides, 10mm top, 10mm bottom
Crew	3
Length	4.80 m
Width	2.20 m
Height	2.00 m
Weight	7.0 t
Speed	40 km/h
Range	200 km

C

Machinery	Maybach HL 62 TRM 6-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 140hp
Suspension	Leaf spring
Armament	1x2cm KwK 30 L/55 cannon, 1x7.92mm MG34 coaxial machine gun
Armor	14mm front, 14mm back, 14mm sides, 10mm top, 10mm bottom
Crew	3
Length	4.80 m
Width	2.20 m
Height	2.00 m
Weight	7.0 t
Speed	40 km/h
Range	200 km

D

Machinery	Maybach HL 62 TRM 6-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 140hp
Suspension	Christie
Armament	1x2cm KwK 30 L/55 cannon, 1x7.92mm MG34 coaxial machine gun
Armor	30mm front, 14mm back, 14mm sides, 10mm top, 10mm bottom
Crew	3
Length	4.80 m
Width	2.20 m
Height	2.00 m
Weight	7.0 t
Speed	55 km/h
Range	200 km

F

Machinery	Maybach HL 62 TRM 6-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 140hp
Suspension	Leaf Spring
Armament	1x2cm KwK 30 L/55 cannon, 1x7.92mm MG34 coaxial machine gun
Armor	35mm front, 14mm back, 20mm sides, 10mm top, 10mm bottom
Crew	3
Length	4.80 m
Width	2.20 m
Height	2.00 m
Weight	7.0 t
Speed	40 km/h
Range	200 km

J

Machinery	Maybach HL 62 TRM 6-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 140hp
Suspension	Leaf Spring
Armament	1x2cm KwK 38 L/55 cannon, 1x7.92mm MG34 coaxial machine gun
Armor	35mm front, 14mm back, 20mm sides, 10mm top, 10mm bottom
Crew	3
Length	4.80 m
Width	2.20 m
Height	2.00 m
Weight	7.0 t
Speed	40 km/h
Range	200 km

Photographs

Visitor Submitted Comments

Show older comments

1.  Bill says:
30 Oct 2009 06:20:45 PM

The Panzer II was little more,than a stopgap
until the Panzers III and IV were ready.
The first vehicles were delivered to the
Wehrmacht in 1935.
Its armament was one 30mm cannon and one
7.92mm MG 34 machine gun, the weapons were considered inadequate, but it remained in
service until 1941,and afterward it was used
a reconnaissance role.
Later in its service life, the vehicle was
rebuilt into self-propelled anti-tank, and
artillery guns named the Marder and Wespe.
A number of PzKpfw II self-propelled guns lost by the Afrika Korps during W.W.II were
recovered,repaired and put into service by
the Egyptain Army.

2.  Bill says:
31 Oct 2009 09:52:32 AM

Standard armament of the Panzer II was one
turret-mounted 20mm cannon and one coaxial
7.92mm machine gun.
The turret was not electrically-powered but
was turned by hand using a traverse wheel.
Weapons storage: 180 rounds of 20mmm
ammunition and 2,550 round of 7.92mm
ammunition. During operations, it was not
uncommon for crews to carry more ammo,water,
food and other supplies.
During its service life, the Panzer II was
improved in both performance,added armor and weapons, this increased the weight of the vehicle to 9.35 tonns. This resulted in lower
vehicle agitity and top speed dropped to 15mph!
Some Panzer II's were armed with the 30mm cannon.