Panzerkampfwagen II or Panzer II Ausf F – Sd.Kfz. 121
The Panzerkampfwagen II (PzKpfw II) was a German light tank primarily used in the early stages of World War II, particularly during the invasions of Poland and France. It was developed as a reconnaissance vehicle and as a training platform for tank crews. Armed with a 20mm KwK 30 L/55 autocannon, it was capable of engaging infantry and light armored targets but lacked the firepower to combat heavily armored enemy tanks. Additionally, the PzKpfw II was equipped with a 7.92mm MG34 machine gun for close-range defense.
The tank’s armor was relatively thin, ranging from 5mm to 14.5mm, offering limited protection against anti-tank weapons. Its mobility, however, was one of its key strengths. Powered by a Maybach HL 108TR engine generating 140 horsepower, the PzKpfw II had a top speed of around 40 km/h (25 mph) and a range of approximately 150 km (93 miles), making it highly maneuverable and well-suited for reconnaissance and fast-paced operations.
Weighing about 8.5 tons, the PzKpfw II had a crew of three and was designed for rapid deployment. As more advanced tanks were introduced, the PzKpfw II became increasingly obsolete, but it remained in service for a number of years, with over 1,800 units produced between 1935 and 1940.
