Pz.Kpfw. II

In July of 1934, the Waffenamt (Ordnance Department) ordered the development of an armored vehicle 10 tons in weight and armed with 20mm automatic cannon. In early 1935, a number of manufacturers including Krupp AG, MAN (chassis only), Henschel und Sohn AG (chassis only) and Daimler-Benz AG provided their prototypes of Landwirtschaftlicher Schlepper 100 (LaS 100) - agricultural tractor, for evaluation by the army. The new vehicle was also known as 2cm MG Panzerwagen and as VK 622 (Versuchkraftfahrzeug 622). The new light tank - Panzerkampfwagen II was to supplement new Panzerkampfwagen I light tank as a vehicle with heavier armament capable of firing armor-piercing and high explosive rounds. Krupp was the first to present their design, but it was not adopted, and it was then decided to utilize chassis designed by MAN and hull by Daimler-Benz. In October of 1935, the first soft steel prototype was tested and 10 LaS 100 tanks, later designated as Ausf a1, were ordered. From late 1935 to May of 1936, MAN produced 10 Ausf a1 tanks. Panzerkampfwagen II (Sd.Kfz.121) was larger than Panzerkampfwagen I, but was still a light training tank and entered combat service due to the delays in production of Panzerkampfwagen III and Panzerkampfwagen IV as a "stop-gap" vehicle for the expanding Panzertruppen. As well as the Panzerkampfwagen I, it did not prove very effective in combat, although it was the main battle tank of the Panzertruppen until 1940/41. Overall, Panzerkampfwagen II just like Panzerkampfwagen I was: ineffective as a combat tank, but was an important step in the development of more powerful panzers. In good hands, it was a good light tank and an effective light reconnaissance tank that provided German designers and manufacturers with more tank building experience. As with any other panzer, its chassis became a base for usual conversions including; Marder II tank destroyers and Wespe self-propelled howitzers, as well as others that were built on its chassis and/or using its components - e.g. Flammpanzer II Flamingo / PzKpfw II(F) flamethrower tanks, the Schwimmpanzer II (an amphibious tank) and the Sturmpanzer II Bison, a self-propelled gun.

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