Panzerkampfwagen II, SdKfz 121

In 1935, MAN came up with an interim design called the PzKpfw II with a more powerful engine, better armament and heavier armor to support the PzKpfw I before the PzKpfw III and IV could go into production. Two hundred pre-production vehicles, designated Ausf a1, a2 and a3, were produced with beam-riding suspension, like that on the PzKpfw I. In 1937-38 the Ausf A was produced with modified Christie-style suspension. The Ausf B and C had better vision arrangements for the three-man crew (driver, gunner and commander). Frontal armor on the Ausf C was thickened from 15 to 30mm. The Ausf D/E had a revised hull layout and torsion bar suspension. It had a higher road speed but worse cross-country performance. It was an unsuccessful development and only 43 were built. The Ausf F had slightly different frontal armor design but was also unsuccessful and only 24 of these were produced. Experience in Spain, Poland, France and Russia proved that the PzKpfw II was inadequate even in the reconnaissance role.           The last development model was the Ausf L Luchs (Lynx), which was reclassified as a Panzerp�hwagen (armored reconnaissance vehicle) instead of a Panzerkampfwagen (armored fighting vehicle). A further modified suspension with interleaved roadwheels, thicker armor and improved all-round performance made the Ausf L a better vehicle. The first 100 were equipped with the obsolete 20mm KwK 38 cannon but the next 31 had the powerful 50mm KwK 39 L/60. Production ceased in 1943, but various versions served in the reconnaissance battalions until the end of the war. The chassis were also used in the bridgelayer and engineer versions, and self-propelled guns (Wespe).

	Technical data and/or diagram of Panzerkampfwagen II.
	PzKpfw II and IV shelter behind cover, North Africa 1942.
	A PzKpfw II of the 15th Panzer Division fitted with canvas barrel shrouds against the North African sand and dust.
	A PzKpfw II demonstrates its fording ability, Yugoslavia, 1941.
	PzKpfw II Luchs (Lynx), 1944.
	PzKpfw IIs in Poland.
	Another image of a PzKpfw II.

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