Panzerkampfwagen II Sd. Kfz. 121 (Light Tank)

Panzerkampfwagen II was first issued to combat units in the spring of 1936 and saw active service till 1942. Afterwards, it served on secondary fronts until the end of the war as well as a training tank. Originally, Panzerkampfwagen II was the main component of the early Panzer pisions being issued to company and platoon commanders. It was soon after issued to Panzer Battalions. Some sources state that small number (probably Ausf b and A with Panzer Abteilung 88 of Legion Condor) was used during the Spanish Civil War (1936-38). It is unconfirmed if really any Panzerkampfwagen II tanks were used in Spain. Panzerkampfwagen II tanks were used first in action during unopposed annexation of Austria and occupation of Czechoslovakia. Panzerkampfwagen II took part in the Polish Campaign in 1939 and was used as a combat tank. Following the reorganization of the Panzertruppen in 1940/41, it was relegated to the role of reconnaissance tank. During the Campaign in the West in 1940 and early stage of the Invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, Panzerkampfwagen II served mainly as reconnaissance but were often used as combat tanks. Majority was removed from frontline service in 1942 but remained as an active part of Panzertruppen until 1943. Some Panzerkampfwagen II tanks were still in service during the Normandy Battles of 1944 and even in 1945 (145 as of March of 1945). 1223 Panzerkampfwagen II tanks took part in the Polish Campaign of 1939, being the most numerous of all German tanks. 83 tanks were lost including significant number (approx.32) in the fighting for Warsaw. Only 18 Panzerkampfwagen II took part in the German Invasion of Norway in 1940 as part of Pz.Abt.z.b.V.40, where they acted as infantry support. On May 10th of 1940, there were 920 Panzerkampfwagen II tanks ready for the German Blitzkrieg in the West in mid-1940. 260 Panzerkampfwagen II tanks were ready for the Operation Marita in the Balkans on April 6th of 1940. On June 22 of 1941, 782 Panzerkampfwagen II tanks took part in the Operation Barbarossa, where many tanks were lost to Soviet tanks and anti-tanks. Panzerkampfwagen II tanks were used in North Africa, by DAK to the surrender in 1943, with some success as the nature of the battlefield was more mobile and shortages of equipment forced Rommel to use them lacking updated replacements. In 1942, only 381 were in service for the German Summer Offensives in Russia. On July 1 of 1943, on the eve of Operation Zitadelle, there were 107 Panzerkampfwagen II tanks in service. On October 1 of 1944, there were total of 386 Panzerkampfwagen II tanks in German service but following this month no more reports about available Panzerkampfwagen II tanks were made. The only Waffen SS units to be equipped with Panzerkampfwagen II were Panzer-Grenadier Division Leibstandarte, Das Reich and Wiking fighting on the Eastern Front. Leibstandarte received its first Ausf F tanks in late 1942 but by spring of 1943, all were withdrawn from service. Panzerkampfwagen II also saw service with Germany's ally - Slovakia. It is an unconfirmed rumour that probably after the war few saw service with Lebanese Army (probably from Romania).

Panzerspahwagen II Ausf L Luchs - Sd.Kfz.123 (VK 1303).