Panzer II

Panzer II was the common name of a German tank used in World War II. The official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen II (abbreviated PzKpfw II or PZKW II). Designed as a stopgap while other tanks were developed, it played an important role in the early years of World War II, during the Polish and French campaigns. By the end of 1942 it was largely removed from frontline service and production of the tank itself ceased by 1943, but its chassis was used for several other armored vehicles.

The Panzer II was designed before the experience of the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39 showed that shell-proof armor was required for tanks to survive on a modern battlefield. Prior to that, armor was designed to stop machinegun fire and HE shell fragments.

Most tank versions of the Panzer II were armed with a 2 cm KwK 30 L/55 cannon. Some later versions employed the 2 cm KwK 38 L/55 which was similar. This cannon was based on the 2 cm FlaK 30 anti-aircraft gun, and was capable of firing at a rate of 280 rounds per minute, a very high rate for a tank. The Panzer II also had a 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 machine gun mounted coaxially with the main gun.

All production versions of the Panzer II were fitted with a 140 hp, gasoline-fuelled six-cylinder Maybach HL 62 TRM engine and ZF transmissions. Models A, B, and C had a top speed of 40 km/h (25 mph). Models D and E had a Christie suspension and a better transmission, giving a top road speed of 55 km/h (33 mph) but the cross country speed was much lower than previous models, so the Model F reverted back to the previous Leaf Spring type suspension. All versions had a range of 200 km (125 miles).

The Panzer II had a crew of three.

Panzer II in The War That Came Early
Despite its flaws, the Panzer II was the most advanced German tank fielded in the Czechoslovakia campaign in 1938. However, given the limited support Czechoslovakia received from its allies, the sheer number of Panzer IIs overcame the individual defects of the tank. They were then used in Germany's invasion of the Netherlands and Belgium that led up to Germany's nearly successful drive on Paris, France.

Sgt. Ludwig Rothe commanded a Panzer II from October, 1938 through April, 1939, when he was killed, and his panzer destroyed.