Difference between revisions of "Pz.II C (DAK)"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!--''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''-->
 +
[[File:GarageImage Pz.IIС(DAK).jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 +
{{break}}
 +
The '''Pz.Kpfw. II DAK''' ('''Panzer II DAK''') is a premium Rank I German light tank with a battle rating of 1.0. It was introduced in Update 1.41.27. A premium version of the [[Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. C|Panzer II C]], it costs 250 [[:Category:Economy#Golden_Eagles|Golden Eagles]]. This is the first vehicle in the German ground forces tech tree. It is quick and nimble, however as a reserve tank it does not have a very heavy punch. The 20mm gun does not have a huge penetration rating, however the armour piercing types are capable of taking care of most of its reserve vehicle opponents.
 +
 
 +
This is a very quick little tank when fully developed. However, even completely undeveloped, it has a decent turn of speed. It has a high rate of fire which makes it very forgiving as far as aiming and hitting is concerned, and even allows a (relatively) accurate fire on the move capability, assuming the ground is not too rough.
 +
 
 +
On rough ground the Pz II pitches like a lifeboat in a storm, making firing on the move impossible. However, this is where you are able to hide in the furrows between rises, allowing you sneak up on the enemy and attack from surprise. Its rate of fire is a problem, however, as reloading its magazine can take a rather long time when in combat, and if you change ammunition during a fight, the magazine will be changed out immediately after the next shot is fired, not when the magazine is emptied.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
+
<!--''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
  
−
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''-->
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 35 mm (11°) ''Front plate'' <br> 30 mm (73°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 35 mm (36°) ''Bottom glacis'' || 15 mm || 15 mm || 15 mm
 +
|-
 +
| Turret || 30 mm ''Turret front'' <br> 30 mm ''Gun Mantlet''|| 15 mm || 15 mm || 10 mm
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Sides !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Cupola || 15 mm || 10 mm
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
* Suspension wheels are 10 mm thick while tracks are 15 mm thick.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
−
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
+
<!--''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''-->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
 +
|-
 +
! Weight (tons)
 +
!colspan="1" | Add-on Armor<br>weight (tons)
 +
!colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
 +
|-
 +
|rowspan="2" | 9.1 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | N/A || colspan="1" | 49 (AB)
 +
|-
 +
|44 (RB/SB)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|216
 +
|267
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|123
 +
|140
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|23.74
 +
|29.34
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|13.52
 +
|15.38
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
−
''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''
+
<!--''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''-->
 +
{{main|KwK 30 (20 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | [[KwK 30 (20 mm)|20 mm KwK 30]]
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="2" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="2" | 150 (10) || 280 || -9°/+20° || ±180° || N/A
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
 +
|-
 +
! style="width:4em" |Mode
 +
! style="width:4em" |Stock
 +
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 +
|-
 +
| ''Arcade'' || 8.30 || 11.50 || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
 +
|-
 +
| ''Realistic'' || 8.30 || 9.80 || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 +
|-
 +
| 7.80 || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
===== Ammunition =====
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 +
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
 +
|-
 +
! 10m
 +
! 100m
 +
! 500m
 +
! 1000m
 +
! 1500m
 +
! 2000m
 +
|-
 +
| PzGr || API-T || 46 || 45 || 33 || 23 || 15 || 11
 +
|-
 +
| PzGr 40 || HVAP-T || 64 || 63 || 33 || 23 || 15 || 11
 +
|-
 +
| Sprgr. || HEFI-T* || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="10" | Shell details
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 +
! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s
 +
! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
 +
''in m:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
 +
''in mm:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° <br> from horizontal:''
 +
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
 +
|-
 +
! 0%
 +
! 50%
 +
! 100%
 +
|-
 +
| PzGr || API-T || 780 || 0.15 || N/A || N/A || N/A || -1° || 47° || 60° || 65°
 +
|-
 +
| PzGr 40 || HVAP-T || 1050 || 0.1 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +1.5° || 66° || 70° || 72°
 +
|-
 +
| Sprgr. || HEFI-T* || 900 || 0.11 || 0.3 || 0.1 || 10.2 || +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
======Belt types======
 +
{|class="wikitable"
 +
| '''Belts''' || '''Shell composition''' || '''Combat usage'''
 +
|-
 +
|align="left"|'''''Default ''''' ||align="left"| [[:Category:Ammunition#Kinetic_energy_shells|API-T]], [[:Category:Ammunition#Cannon_shells|HEFI-T]] <br>(Armour Piercing Incendiary tracer – High Explosive Fragmentation Incendiary tracer) shell ||align="left"| 50% of this belt are useless against tanks or planes. However against other SPAA this belt can reliably take out crew, armament, ammo and engine. Having one belt in reserve does not hurt.
 +
|-
 +
|align="left"|'''''PzGr''''' ||align="left"| [[:Category:Ammunition#Kinetic_energy_shells|API-T]] <br> (Armour Piercing Incendiary tracer) shell ||align="left"| Intermediate usage until the better PzGr 40 can be used. Decent enough versus light tanks and other vehicles from the rear. Due the lack of HE filler underwhelming damage, yet still better than the PzGr 40.
 +
|-
 +
|align="left"|'''''PzGr''''' ||align="left"| HVAP-T <br> (High Velocity Armour Piercing tracer) shell ||align="left"| Best penetrating shell of this vehicle. However, the damage effects are very poor. In close combat snipe for modules and crewmember for increased survival rate. Nothing is more annoying than emptying a clip and then to get killed in the reload because the enemy gunner survived. Against angled armoured it is not very effective like any other APCR shell, this is offset by the very high base penetration though.
 +
|}
  
−
=== Additional armament ===
+
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
−
''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br />ammo
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br />rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br />rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" width="10%" |Recommendations
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
| '''15''' || 8&nbsp;''(+7)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+14)'' || style="text-align:center" | || style="text-align:center" | Yes
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
−
''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''
+
<!--''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''-->
 +
{{main|MG 34 (7.92 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | [[MG 34 (7.92 mm)|7.92 mm MG 34]]
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | ''Coaxial mount''
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="4" | 1,800 (150) || 900 || N/A || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== Usage in the battles ==
 
== Usage in the battles ==
−
''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
<!--''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''-->
 +
The main key to success with this vehicle is to drive aggressively, trying to get shots at relatively close range (100m-300m or even less). Aiming for the enemy's weak spots, it is often possible to set your opponent on fire, allowing the Pz II to take on vehicles beyond its battle rating.
 +
 
 +
Where possible, try to use the terrain to remain hull down. Even the smallest undulations are quite often enough to mask your hull, allowing you to take quick shots with minimal risk. However closing the distance quickly with your opponent is really the only way to set up a kill, as your armour is not enough to bounce a shot in a face up fight.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''-->
−
 
 
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
* Fast and more armoured compared to its Soviet counterpart, the [[T-26 mod.1939]];
−
 
+
* Excellent frontal armour, can shrug off most rounds, including its own 20 mm cannon
 +
* The gun can be utilized as an AA gun.
 +
* Equipped with a magazine, allowing for rapid follow-up shots
 +
* High penetration offered by the PzGr. 40 rounds
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
+
* Like all German tanks the transmission and the engine are very prone to being damaged;
 +
* The crew is prone to knock out easily.
 +
* Low penetration of ordinary AP rounds, low damage from individual PzGR. 40 rounds
 +
* Bright yellow facade is often noticeable in non-desert areas (including beaches)
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''-->
 +
===Development===
 +
In 1934, the development of the new German tanks, which would be the [[Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. E|Panzer III]] and [[Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. E|Panzer IV]], was falling behind schedule despite an urgent need for tanks. As a stopgap solution until the designs were finalized, the Germany Army submitted a request for a new tank, giving the responsibility of designing to Krupp, MAN, Henschel, and Daimler-Benz.
 +
 
 +
The product was a design that is based off the German Panzer I light tank, but was larger with the addition of an extra bogie wheel and had a 20 mm autocannon as its main armament. The finished tank was designated the '''Panzer II''' and production was to start in 1935, but did not start delivering tanks until 18 months later.  At this time, it was in a low rate production status by 1936 in the '''[[Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. C|Panzer II Ausf. C]]''' variant. In the 1940s, the Panzer II was upgraded to the '''[[Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. F|Panzer II Ausf. F]]''', which entered into production in 1941 with increased armour and a torsion bar suspension system. A total of 524 Ausf. F were produced between March 1941 to December 1942.
 +
 
 +
The Panzer II Ausf. F had a 35 mm front armour and 20 mm side armour compared to the 14 mm all-around armour on the Ausf. C. The 20 mm autocannon on the turret was the same, based off the 20 mm FlaK 30 then in use with a firing rate of 600 rpm from a 10-round magazine. The tank also came with a coaxial machine gun as well. The turret was hand cranked by the commander, who doubled as the gunner of the tanks. The crew of the Panzer II consist of three people, the driver, commander, and loader who doubled as a radio operator. The Panzer II Ausf. C could reach a speed of 33 mph with its torion-bar suspension
 +
 
 +
===Combat usage===
 +
The Panzer II would serve in the initial stages of World War II in the Battle of Poland, France, and Operation Barbarossa as Germany's most numerous tank (By May 1940, there were about a thousand Panzer Is and IIs, but only 381 Panzer III and 290 Panzer IVs). The Panzer II also saw service in the German Afrika Korps (''Deutsches Afrikakorps, '''DAK''''') during the Northern Africa campaign. By 1941, it was clear that the Panzer II was starting to become obsolete, and with increasing quantity of Panzer IIIs and IVs, the Panzer II was relegated to reconnaissance duties when going against the Allies.
 +
 
 +
Despite the up-armouring in the different Panzer II variants, the Panzer II could still be penetrated by most towed anti-tank weapon in service at the time, leaving the crew at risk to enemy fire. By 1942, it was largely removed from front lines and production ceased by 1943. The turrets of these obsolete tanks were used as gun turrets on defensive bunkers on the Atlantic Wall, and the chassis stayed in use for other purposes, such as a self-propelled gun and tank destroyer in the ''Wespe'' and ''Marder II'' respectively.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
 
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
 
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
 +
 +
[[File:Pz.IIС(DAK) Roof Image.jpg.jpg|x300px|thumbnail|none|Panzer II DAK's roof, showing the Afrika Korps symbol.]]
 +
 +
===Sights===
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/post/675135/en/ RideR2's Realistic gunsight (TZF4a, TZF 5a/b/d/e/f/f2, TZF 9b/b1/c/d, TZF 12/a) for Pzkpfw II, Pzkpfw III, Pzkpfw IV, Pzkpfw V, Pzkpfw VI]
 +
 +
==Obtainable events==
 +
* The Panzer II DAK was available to be earned during the [https://warthunder.com/en/news/4994-special-german-unity-day-en German Unity Day] in October 2017. If already unlocked, the player could also receive [[Bf.109A_Flegel|Flegel's Bf 109A]], and 250 GE if a player also has that plane as well.
  
 
== Read also ==
 
== Read also ==
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
[https://warthunder.com/en/news/2778/current/ Official War Thunder forum article: [Vehicle Profile<nowiki>]</nowiki> PzKpfw II Ausf C/F and DAK]
−
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
 
−
''ETC.''
 
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==

Revision as of 16:14, 16 November 2018

Rank VI USA | Premium | Golden Eagles
A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
Pz.II C (DAK)
germ_pzkpfw_ii_ausf_c_dak.png
Pz.II C (DAK)
Germany flag.png Germany
I Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
1.3 1.3 1.3
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:250 Specs-Card-Eagle.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage Pz.II C (DAK).jpg


The Pz.Kpfw. II DAK (Panzer II DAK) is a premium Rank I German light tank with a battle rating of 1.0. It was introduced in Update 1.41.27. A premium version of the Panzer II C, it costs 250 Golden Eagles. This is the first vehicle in the German ground forces tech tree. It is quick and nimble, however as a reserve tank it does not have a very heavy punch. The 20mm gun does not have a huge penetration rating, however the armour piercing types are capable of taking care of most of its reserve vehicle opponents.

This is a very quick little tank when fully developed. However, even completely undeveloped, it has a decent turn of speed. It has a high rate of fire which makes it very forgiving as far as aiming and hitting is concerned, and even allows a (relatively) accurate fire on the move capability, assuming the ground is not too rough.

On rough ground the Pz II pitches like a lifeboat in a storm, making firing on the move impossible. However, this is where you are able to hide in the furrows between rises, allowing you sneak up on the enemy and attack from surprise. Its rate of fire is a problem, however, as reloading its magazine can take a rather long time when in combat, and if you change ammunition during a fight, the magazine will be changed out immediately after the next shot is fired, not when the magazine is emptied.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 35 mm (11°) Front plate
30 mm (73°) Front glacis
35 mm (36°) Bottom glacis 		15 mm 15 mm 15 mm
Turret 30 mm Turret front
30 mm Gun Mantlet		 15 mm 15 mm 10 mm
Armour Sides Roof
Cupola 15 mm 10 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels are 10 mm thick while tracks are 15 mm thick.

Mobility

Mobility characteristic
Weight (tons) Add-on Armor
weight (tons) 		Max speed (km/h)
9.1 N/A 49 (AB)
44 (RB/SB)
Engine power (horsepower)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 216 267
Realistic/Simulator 123 140
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 23.74 29.34
Realistic/Simulator 13.52 15.38

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: KwK 30 (20 mm)
20 mm KwK 30
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance 		Stabilizer
150 (10) 280 -9°/+20° ±180° N/A
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode Stock Upgraded Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade 8.30 11.50 _.__ _.__ _.__
Realistic 8.30 9.80 _.__ _.__ _.__
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
7.80 _.__ _.__ _.__
Ammunition
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration in mm @ 90°
10m 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m
PzGr API-T 46 45 33 23 15 11
PzGr 40 HVAP-T 64 63 33 23 15 11
Sprgr. HEFI-T* 2 2 2 2 2 2
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
in m/s 		Projectile
Mass in kg 		Fuse delay

in m:

Fuse sensitivity

in mm:

Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent): 		Normalization At 30°
from horizontal: 		Ricochet:
0% 50% 100%
PzGr API-T 780 0.15 N/A N/A N/A -1° 47° 60° 65°
PzGr 40 HVAP-T 1050 0.1 N/A N/A N/A +1.5° 66° 70° 72°
Sprgr. HEFI-T* 900 0.11 0.3 0.1 10.2 +0° 79° 80° 81°
Belt types
Belts Shell composition Combat usage
Default API-T, HEFI-T
(Armour Piercing Incendiary tracer – High Explosive Fragmentation Incendiary tracer) shell 		50% of this belt are useless against tanks or planes. However against other SPAA this belt can reliably take out crew, armament, ammo and engine. Having one belt in reserve does not hurt.
PzGr API-T
(Armour Piercing Incendiary tracer) shell 		Intermediate usage until the better PzGr 40 can be used. Decent enough versus light tanks and other vehicles from the rear. Due the lack of HE filler underwhelming damage, yet still better than the PzGr 40.
PzGr HVAP-T
(High Velocity Armour Piercing tracer) shell 		Best penetrating shell of this vehicle. However, the damage effects are very poor. In close combat snipe for modules and crewmember for increased survival rate. Nothing is more annoying than emptying a clip and then to get killed in the reload because the enemy gunner survived. Against angled armoured it is not very effective like any other APCR shell, this is offset by the very high base penetration though.
Ammo racks
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		Recommendations Visual
discrepancy
15 8 (+7) 1 (+14) Yes

Machine guns

Main article: MG 34 (7.92 mm)
7.92 mm MG 34
Coaxial mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
1,800 (150) 900 N/A N/A

Usage in the battles

The main key to success with this vehicle is to drive aggressively, trying to get shots at relatively close range (100m-300m or even less). Aiming for the enemy's weak spots, it is often possible to set your opponent on fire, allowing the Pz II to take on vehicles beyond its battle rating.

Where possible, try to use the terrain to remain hull down. Even the smallest undulations are quite often enough to mask your hull, allowing you to take quick shots with minimal risk. However closing the distance quickly with your opponent is really the only way to set up a kill, as your armour is not enough to bounce a shot in a face up fight.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Fast and more armoured compared to its Soviet counterpart, the T-26 mod.1939;
  • Excellent frontal armour, can shrug off most rounds, including its own 20 mm cannon
  • The gun can be utilized as an AA gun.
  • Equipped with a magazine, allowing for rapid follow-up shots
  • High penetration offered by the PzGr. 40 rounds

Cons:

  • Like all German tanks the transmission and the engine are very prone to being damaged;
  • The crew is prone to knock out easily.
  • Low penetration of ordinary AP rounds, low damage from individual PzGR. 40 rounds
  • Bright yellow facade is often noticeable in non-desert areas (including beaches)

History

Development

In 1934, the development of the new German tanks, which would be the Panzer III and Panzer IV, was falling behind schedule despite an urgent need for tanks. As a stopgap solution until the designs were finalized, the Germany Army submitted a request for a new tank, giving the responsibility of designing to Krupp, MAN, Henschel, and Daimler-Benz.

The product was a design that is based off the German Panzer I light tank, but was larger with the addition of an extra bogie wheel and had a 20 mm autocannon as its main armament. The finished tank was designated the Panzer II and production was to start in 1935, but did not start delivering tanks until 18 months later. At this time, it was in a low rate production status by 1936 in the Panzer II Ausf. C variant. In the 1940s, the Panzer II was upgraded to the Panzer II Ausf. F, which entered into production in 1941 with increased armour and a torsion bar suspension system. A total of 524 Ausf. F were produced between March 1941 to December 1942.

The Panzer II Ausf. F had a 35 mm front armour and 20 mm side armour compared to the 14 mm all-around armour on the Ausf. C. The 20 mm autocannon on the turret was the same, based off the 20 mm FlaK 30 then in use with a firing rate of 600 rpm from a 10-round magazine. The tank also came with a coaxial machine gun as well. The turret was hand cranked by the commander, who doubled as the gunner of the tanks. The crew of the Panzer II consist of three people, the driver, commander, and loader who doubled as a radio operator. The Panzer II Ausf. C could reach a speed of 33 mph with its torion-bar suspension

Combat usage

The Panzer II would serve in the initial stages of World War II in the Battle of Poland, France, and Operation Barbarossa as Germany's most numerous tank (By May 1940, there were about a thousand Panzer Is and IIs, but only 381 Panzer III and 290 Panzer IVs). The Panzer II also saw service in the German Afrika Korps (Deutsches Afrikakorps, DAK) during the Northern Africa campaign. By 1941, it was clear that the Panzer II was starting to become obsolete, and with increasing quantity of Panzer IIIs and IVs, the Panzer II was relegated to reconnaissance duties when going against the Allies.

Despite the up-armouring in the different Panzer II variants, the Panzer II could still be penetrated by most towed anti-tank weapon in service at the time, leaving the crew at risk to enemy fire. By 1942, it was largely removed from front lines and production ceased by 1943. The turrets of these obsolete tanks were used as gun turrets on defensive bunkers on the Atlantic Wall, and the chassis stayed in use for other purposes, such as a self-propelled gun and tank destroyer in the Wespe and Marder II respectively.

Media

An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

File:Pz.IIС(DAK) Roof Image.jpg.jpg
Panzer II DAK's roof, showing the Afrika Korps symbol.

Sights

Obtainable events

  • The Panzer II DAK was available to be earned during the German Unity Day in October 2017. If already unlocked, the player could also receive Flegel's Bf 109A, and 250 GE if a player also has that plane as well.

Read also

Official War Thunder forum article: [Vehicle Profile] PzKpfw II Ausf C/F and DAK

Sources

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.
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