Light "two" of the Wehrmacht: about the Panzerkampfwagen II tank

_{A shot of the Polish reconstruction of the battles of World War II}

One of the massively used by the Nazis tanks the initial period of World War II is the Pz.Kpfw. II (Panzerkampfwagen II). Often in historiographic essays, this 9,5-ton light tank is referred to as "two". The German troops pinned serious hopes on the "two" and considered it sufficient for a rapid advance deep into the USSR within the framework of the so-called "blitzkrieg".

Near Moscow, the Nazis realized the reality - the blitzkrieg did not work out, the war goes into a protracted phase. And they also realized that light tanks could not win a big war. In the second half of 1942, production of the Panzerkampfwagen II was stopped, as it required other armored weapons on the battlefields, primarily on the Eastern Front.

However, the light tank Panzerkampfwagen II itself still deserves some attention. If only because in total more than 2 thousand units were produced in various modifications. These combat vehicles were operated not only by the Wehrmacht. German "twos" were in service with the allies of Nazi Germany - Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia.

Details about the Pz.Kpfw.II light tanks are given in the story on the Starina channel, which indicated that the video was of an educational nature.

Comments

[rocket757]

Everything has its own time and place.
Technology becomes obsolete and becomes a thing of the past, letting the next generation forward.

[Catfish]

The German troops pinned serious hopes on the "two" and considered it quite sufficient for a rapid advance deep into the USSR within the framework of the so-called "blitzkrieg".

As far as I remember, they relied more on T - III and T - IV, knowing perfectly well what tanks are in service with the Red Army.

[hohol95]

They wanted to rely only on III-ku. But at first there were big problems with its mass production and the main tanks turned out to be II and IV. Not bezrybe ... Saved only by the tactics of use, the lack of a large number of anti-tank guns among the opponents. As soon as the enemy had a strong defense, the "two" went to reconnaissance, training and anti-guerrilla units. They were removed from the first line.

[Zaurbek]

When I had to install a "long" 75mm cannon, it turned out that it was minimally difficult to install it in a Pz IV (turret shoulder, weight). Although the three were more progressive in terms of suspension

[hohol95]

All the problems of the first Troeks were due to the suspension. Which Herr Kniepkamp suggested. And the Krupp members rejected his instructions and created a pendant for the Four themselves.

[Xlor]

This is a classic infantry support tank - this is the use of such tanks and was planned by all General Staffs.

[smaug78]

This is a classic infantry support tank - this is the use of such tanks and was planned by all General Staffs.

True, the Germans did not know about this and for some reason the deuce was not given to the infantry units for reinforcement.

The idea of ​​creating an "infantry support tank" was announced by the Arms Directorate in the fall of 1939.
Source: http://aviarmor.net/tww2/tanks/germany/pz1f.htm

[hohol95]

With 14,5mm frontal armor and 20mm cannon to support the infantry ???

[Xlor]

Quote: Sea Cat

As far as I remember, they relied more on T - III and T - IV, knowing perfectly well what tanks are in service with the Red Army.

When the Wehrmacht counted on the use of such tanks, no one even thought that a tank could fight a tank. The tank, in the view of the military of that time, is a tool for breaking through and supporting the advancing infantry. None of the generals envisioned any tank battles ...

[Aleksandre]

Quote: Xlor

When the Wehrmacht counted on the use of such tanks, no one even thought that a tank could fight a tank. The tank, in the view of the military of that time, is a tool for breaking through and supporting the advancing infantry. None of the generals envisioned any tank battles ...

"Attacks by enemy armored vehicles in the future are inevitable, but we will have the opportunity to send our tanks to meet them, grouped into large formations specially prepared for such a battle ..." (c)
Guderian N. "Achtung - Panzer!" Die Entwicklung der Panzerwaffe, ihre Kampftaktik und ihre operativen Möglichkeiten. - Stuttgart, 1937
It can also be assumed that all these thoughts were in the author's head long before the book was published.

[Niko]

You are right, a good quote. However, the fact that some thoughts are hovering in someone's head, even if good thoughts are in a good head, does not mean that the industry immediately rushes to implement them.

[Aleksandre]

Quote: Niko

However, the fact that some thoughts are hovering in someone's head, even if good thoughts are in a good head, does not mean at all that the industry and immediately rushes to embody them

Yes, as the saying goes, "let's drink to our desires coinciding with our capabilities." But Schneller Heinz, after all, since the 35th year of the Chief of Staff of the Panzerwaffe was not a horseradish, and there is a position and authority, so he could and apparently brought his theoretical calculations about the future to the industry. "Three", by the way, has already become like a tank, in contrast to this miscarriage of the T-2, which should generally be called a wedge)

[Luminman]

Quote: rocket757

Technology becomes obsolete and becomes a thing of the past, letting the next generation forward.

The technique does not become obsolete. The views on its use are becoming obsolete. By 1942, there was simply nowhere to use such tanks. Anyway, on the Eastern Front

[Alexey Z]

Against the partisans

[Avior]

The saturation of the Soviet troops with anti-tank equipment made the use of light tanks ineffective, even as good as the T-2.

[smaug78]

here is a good article about the "two" - https://warspot.ru/6915-vneplanovyy-tank. No fantasies

The German troops pinned serious hopes on the "two" and considered it quite sufficient for a rapid advance deep into the USSR within the framework of the so-called "blitzkrieg".

[Aleksandr97]

Modifications of the Pz.Kpfw. II - ABCD / EFGJL
Release of the tank by years
1938 - 664 pcs
1939 - 250 pcs
1940 - 52 pcs
1941 - 298 pcs
1942 - 367 pcs
1943 - 77 pcs
1944 - 7 pcs
Total 1715 pcs.