German cross

Germany's la/LaS 100, 2/LaS 100, 3/LaS 100,
Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf a1, Ausf a2, Ausf b, Ausf c light tank:

Photos

Design

Prototype

Production

  • la/LaS 100, Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf a: 752
    • Production: May 1936 - February 19372
    • Manufacturer: MAN2, Daimler-Benz2
    • Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf a1: 114
      • Manufacturer: MAN4
    • Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf a2: 254
      • Manufacturer: MAN4
    • Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf a3: 504
      • Manufacturer: MAN4
  • Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf b: February 1937 - March 1937: 252
    • Manufacturer: MAN2, Daimler-Benz2
  • Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf c: 1,1132
    • Production: March 1937 - April 19402
    • Manufacturer: MAN2, Daimler-Benz2, Henschel2, Wegmann2, Alkett2, MIAG2, FAMO2

Variants

  • la/LaS 100, Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf a1: MAN constructed 11 in 1935.4 It's nose plate was very rounded.4 Suspension was same as PzKpfw I, with the wheels linked by a girder on a leaf spring and the front wheel on a coil spring.5 Had 3 pairs of wheels in leaf springs. 3 return rollers.
  • Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf a2: MAN constructed 25 in 1935.4 Had minor modifications to the engine compartment and cooling systems.4 Suspension was same as PzKpfw I, with the wheels linked by a girder on a leaf spring and the front wheel on a coil spring.5
  • Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf a3: MAN constructed 50, which entered service in 1936.4 Had modifications to the cooling and suspension.4 Suspension was same as PzKpfw I, with the wheels linked by a girder on a leaf spring and the front wheel on a coil spring.5
  • 2/LaS 100, Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf b: 100 were produced during 1936-1937.4 Had angular (not rounded) nose.4 Suspension was same as PzKpfw I, with the wheels linked by a girder on a leaf spring and the front wheel on a coil spring.5 Fitted with the Maybach HL 62 TR engine to provide more power. Bore on the engine was increased to 105 mm. Had new wider tracks and reduction gears. Armor was increased to 30 mm.
  • 3/LaS 100, Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf c: Had new suspension with five large road wheels that were hung from quarter elliptic springs.4 Henschel started production in 1937. The five road wheels were independently sprung on leaf springs.5 Had 4 return rollers. The nose plate was replaced by squared off front, which was rounded in previous models.

Usage

Specifications

  Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf a Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf b Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf c
Crew 31,2 31,2 31,2,3,5
Radio FuG52 FuG52 FuG52
Physical Characteristics      
Weight 7.2 tons3, 7.6 tons1,2
a1: 7.5 tons4 		7.9 tons1,2,4 8.7 tons5, 8.8 tons3, 8.9 tons1,2,4
Length w/gun 15.8'3
4.38 m1,2 		4.76 m1,2 15' 7"5, 15.8'3
4.81 m1,2
Length w/o gun      
Height

6.75'3
1.95 m1,2

1.96 m1,2

6.6'3,5
1.99 m1,2

Width 8.6'3
2.14 m1,2 		2.14 m1,2 7'5, 7.08'3
2.22 m1,2
Width over tracks      
Ground clearance 0.3 m1 0.31 m1 0.35 m1
Ground contact length      
Ground pressure 0.62 (kg/cm2)1 0.65 (kg/cm2)1 0.73 (kg/cm2)1
Turret ring diameter      
Armament      
Main 20 mm1,3
20 mm KwK 30 L/552
a1: 20 mm KwK 30 L/554 		20 mm1
20 mm KwK 30 L/552 		20 mm1,3,5
20 mm KwK 30 L/552
Secondary      
MG MG1,3
7.92 mm MG342 		MG1
7.92 mm MG342 		MG1,3
7.92 mm MG342
Side arms      
Quantity      
Main 1801
180 Pzgr & Sprgr2 		1801
180 Pzgr & Sprgr2 		1801
Secondary      
MG 1,4251, 2,2502 1,4251, 2,2502 1,4251
Side arms      
Armor Thickness (mm) 14.53
a1: 14.54 		  14.5 - 303
Hull Front, Upper 131, 13@9°2 14.51, 13@10°2 14.51, 14.5@9°2
Hull Front, Lower 13 round2 13 round2 14.5 round2
Hull Sides, Upper 131, 13@0°2 14.51, 13@0°2 14.51, 14.5@0°2
Hull Sides, Lower 13@0°2 13@0°2 14.5@0°2
Hull Rear 131, 13@9°2 & 13@0°2 14.51, 13@0°2 & 13@7°2 14.51, 14.5@9°2 & 14.5@6°2
Hull Top 51, 8@90°2 & 10@70°2 10-121, 12@90°2 & 10@82°2 10-121, 10@81-90°2
Hull Bottom 51 , 10@70°2 51, 5@90°2 51, 14.5@73-63°2 & 5@90°2
Turret Front 51
13 round2
Mantlet: 15 round2 		151
13 round2
Mantlet: 15 round2 		151
14.5 round2
Turret Sides 131, 13@22°2 14.51, 13@21°2 14.51, 14.5@22°2
Turret Rear 131, 13@22°2 14.51, 13@21°2 14.51, 14.5@22°2
Turret Top 81, 8@86-90°2 101, 10@84-90°2 101, 10@86-90°2
Engine (Make / Model) Maybach HL 57 TR1,2
a1: Maybach HL 574 		Maybach HL 57 TR1
Maybach HL 62 TR2
Maybach HL 62 TRM4 		Maybach HL 62 TR1,2
Maybach5
Cooling      
Cylinders a1: 64    
Capacity     6.2 liter6
Net HP a1: 1304 1404 1405
Power to weight ratio      
Compression ratio      
Transmission (Type) 6 forward1,2, 1 reverse1,2 6 forward1,2, 1 reverse1,2 6 forward1,2, 1 reverse1,2
Steering      
Starter      
Electrical system      
Ignition      
Fuel (Type)      
Octane      
Quantity 170 liters1 170 liters1 170 liters1
Road consumption      
Cross country consumption      
Performance      
Traverse 360°, hand2 360°, hand2 360°, hand2
Speed - Road 25 mph3,5
40 kph1,2 		25 mph5
40 kph1,2 		25 mph3,5
39.5 kph1, 40 kph2
Speed - Cross Country      
Range - Road 190 km1, 200 km2 190 km1, 200 km2 190 km1, 200 km2
Range - Cross Country 126 km1 126 km1 126 km1
Turning Radius      
Elevation Limits -9.5° to +20°2 -9.5° to +20°2 -9.5° to +20°2
Fording depth 0.92 m1 0.89 m1 0.92 m1
Trench crossing      
Vertical obstacle      
Climbing ability      
Suspension (Type) Leaf Springs1 Leaf Springs1 Leaf Springs1
Wheels each side 61
a1: 64 		61 61
Return rollers each side      
Tracks (Type)      
Length      
Width 300 mm1 300 mm1 300 mm1
Number of links      
Pitch      
Tire tread      
Track centers/tread      

Sources:

  1. Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1933-1942, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
  2. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
  3. Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
  4. German Tanks of World War II, Dr. S. Hart & Dr. R. Hart, 1998
  5. Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
  6. German Tanks and Armoured Vehicles 1914 - 1945, B. T. White, 1966