APPENDIX 1
Panzer I variants
Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf.A ohne Aufbau
The first Panzer I vehicles to be built. Fifteen of this variant were completed by various firms: Daimler-Benz, Henschel, Krupp, MAN, and Rheinmetall. The Ausf.A ohne Aufbau was a Panzer I hull without any superstructure or turret. The interior was completely open. The suspension and hull were identical to the Ausf.A, but total weight was reduced to 3.5 tons and height to 1.15m. Performance was similar.
Munitionsschlepper auf Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf.A
Fifty-one Sd.Kfz 111, the Munitionsschlepper (ammunition tractor) were built to provide Panzer units with an armoured tracked vehicle in order to resupply panzer units on the front.
Brückenleger auf Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf.A
Bridging equipment was tested on prototype Ausf.A chassis. However, due to the weak suspension it was decided to use it on the Panzer II chassis.
Flammenwerfer auf Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf.A
Designated as the Sd.Kfz 265, the kl.Pz.BefWg Flammenwerfer had a portable flamethrower and was mounted in one of the machine guns. It was intended to give the Panzer I additional firepower against close targets.
Kleiner Panzerbefehlswagen (kl.Pz.Bef.Wg)
The kl.Pz.Bef.Wg served with all Panzer units during the early part of the war. One hundred and eighty-four were built by Daimler-Benz at the same time as Ausf.B production, and six prototypes were built from Ausf.A Panzers.
4.7cm PaK(t) (Sf) auf Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf.B
Known as the Panzerjäger I, or tank hunter, this was the first in a series of Panzer destroyers. It comprised of a mounted Czech 4.7cm PaK(t) antitank gun. Eighty-six rounds were carried for the main gun.
15cm sIG 33 (Sf) auf Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf.B
Known as the Bison it mounted a 15cm heavy SIG33 infantry gun. Thirty-eight of these vehicles were converted from Ausf.B variants in February 1940. They served with six heavy SP infantry gun companies, and remained in service until 1943.
Flammenwerfer auf Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf.B
This prototype field model was constructed, but there is no record of it entering service.
Ladungsleger auf Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf.B
The Ladungsleger, or explosives layer, was converted on the rear deck of an Ausf.B Panzer and used to lay explosives to destroy field fortifications. Whilst rare, these vehicles were used in armoured engineer companies.
Flakpanzer
The Panzer I was converted into a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, and known as a Flakpanzer I. Due to high manufacturing costs it was rarely seen in service.
Panzer II Variants
Panzer II Ausf.A (Pz.Kpfw.IIA)
The Ausf.A was built in limited numbers, and was divided into three sub-variants. The Ausf.A/1 was initially built with a cast idler wheel with rubber tyre, but this was replaced after ten production prototypes with a welded part. The Ausf.A/2 had better engine access. The Ausf.A/3 included improved suspension and engine cooling. In total seventy-five were produced from May 1936 to February 1937 by Daimler-Benz and MAN.
Panzer II Ausf.B (Pz.Kpfw.IIB)
The Ausf.B saw limited service. It had new suspension, the length of the body was increased, and there was increased superstructure, deck, and turret roof strength. Only twenty-seven of these vehicles were produced.
Panzer II Ausf.C (Pz.Kpfw.IIC)
The Ausf.C was the last in the first series of Pz.Kpfw.II. A number of modifications were made including the suspension, with the replacement of the six small road wheels and tracks. Some twenty-five of these variants were produced from March until July 1937.
Panzer II Ausf.A, B and C
This was the first real production model. The Ausf.A entered production in July 1937 and was superseded by the Ausf.B in December 1937. A few minor changes were made in the Ausf.C version, which became the standard production model from June 1938 through to April 1940. A total of 1,113 of these vehicles were built from March 1937 to April 1940 by Alkett, FAMO, Daimler-Benz, Henschel, MAN, MIAG, and Wegmann.
Panzer II Ausf.D and E
Ausf.D was developed for a reconnaissance role. Only the turret was the same as the Ausf.C model, with a new hull and superstructure design and the use of a Maybach HL62TRM engine driving a seven-gear transmission (plus reverse). A total of 143 Ausf.D and Ausf.E tanks were built from May 1938 to August 1939 by MAN, and they served in Poland. They were withdrawn in March 1940 for conversion to other types after proving to have poor off-road performance.
Panzer II Ausf.F
The Ausf.C, the Ausf.F were designed as reconnaissance tanks and served in the same role as the earlier models. 524 were built from March 1941 to December 1942 as the final major tank version of the Panzer II series.
Panzer II (Flamm)
The Ausf.D and Ausf.E tank variant, known as the Flamm and nicknamed the Flamingo had a new turret and mounted a single MG34 machine gun. Two remotely controlled flamethrowers were mounted in small turrets at each front corner of the vehicle. 150 of these were built from January 1940 to March 1942.
Panzer II Ausf.L “Luchs”
This light reconnaissance tank was designated as Ausf.L. It was the only Panzer II design with the Schachtellaufwerk overlapping road wheels and “slack track” configuration to enter series production. Some 100 of these vehicles were built from September 1943 to January 1944 as well as the conversion of four Ausf.M tanks. It became known as the Panzerspähwagen II, and was nicknamed “Lynx”.
Self-propelled guns on Panzer II chassis
The 15cm sIG 33 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II (Sf) mounted a 15cm sIG33 heavy gun on a on a turretless Panzer II chassis. It had an open-topped 15cm thick armoured superstructure to protect it against small arms and shrapnel. Only twelve were built in November and December 1941. These served with the 707th and 708th Heavy Infantry gun companies in North Africa until they were finally destroyed in action in 1943.
Another self-propelled gun was built on the chassis of the Panzer II. Mounted on its superstructure was the 7.62cm PaK 36(r) auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf.D/E (Sd.Kfz. 132). The gun was a captured Soviet 76.2cm anti-tank gun.
7.5cm PaK 40 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II (Marder II) (Sd.Kfz. 131)
The 7.5cm PaK 40 was mounted on the chassis of the Ausf.F. 576 of these models were built from June 1942 to June 1943. The Marder II became a major tank destroyer on the Eastern Front and saw action until the end of the war.
5cm PaK 38 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II
A 5cm PaK 38 was mounted on the Panzer II chassis. It was only moderately successful and so not many of these variants were produced.
Leichte Feldhaubitze 18 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II (Wespe)
This vehicle mounted a 10.5cm leichte Feldhaubitze 18/2 field howitzer in a built-up superstructure. The Panzer II proved an efficient chassis for this weapon and it became the only widely produced self-propelled 10.5cm howitzer in the German arsenal. Between February 1943 and June 1944. Six hundred and seventy-six were built, by FAMO. It served on all major fronts and was nicknamed the Wasp
Munitions Selbstfahrlafette auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II
To support the Wespe on the battle front, a number of Wespe chassis were completed without mounting the howitzer, and were used as ammunition carriers instead. They carried ninety rounds of ammunition. One hundred and fifty-nine were produced, and could be converted by mounting the leFH 18 in the field if required.
Limited production, experiments and prototypes
Panzer II Ausf.G (Pz.Kpfw.IIG)
Known as the Schachtellaufwerk by the Germans, this was a reconnaissance tank. Only twelve were ever built and it is not known if they ever reached active service.
Panzer II Ausf.H (Pz.Kpfw.IIH)
Only prototypes were ever produced and these were cancelled in September 1942.
Brückenleger auf Panzerkampfwagen II
These were built for bridge laying and served with the 7th Panzer Division in May 1940. Another vehicle was produced, designated as the Panzer II Ausf.J (Pz.Kpfw.IIJ), which included heavier armour. Twenty-two were produced by MAN between April and December 1942, and seven were deployed to the 12th Panzer Division on the Eastern Front.
Bergepanzerwagen auf Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf.J
A Panzer II recovery vehicle, about which little is recorded.
Panzer II Ausf.M (Pz.Kpfw.IIM)
The Ausf.M replaced the turret with a larger, open-topped turret mounting a 5cm KwK 39/1 gun. Four were built by MAN in August 1942, but did not see service.
Panzerkampfwagen II ohne Aufbau
A number of chassis of these vehicles were used for engineers, for personnel and as equipment carriers.
Panzer Selbstfahrlafette 1C
This prototype Panzer II chassis mounted a 5cm PaK 38 gun, on the chassis of the Ausf.G. Only two of these vehicles were produced. Both saw active service.
VK 1602 Leopard
The VK 1602 was intended as a replacement for the Ausf.L, armed with a 5cm KwK 39, powered by a Maybach HL157P engine, driving an eight speed transmission (plus reverse). While the hull was based on that of the Pz.Kpfw.IIJ, it was redesigned after the Pz.Kpfw. V Panther. However, neither of them saw service.
Panzer 38(t) Variants
Panzer 38(t) Ausf.A-C
General:
Role: Medium tank
Crew: 4
Armament and armour:
Main armament: 37.2mm Skoda A7 (L/47.8) gun with 90 rounds
Secondary armament:
2 x 7.92mm MG 37(t) (Model 37) machine gun with 2,550 rounds.
Armour:
front 25mm, side 15mm
Power and weight:
Power/Weight: 10 kW/metric ton (13.0 hp/short ton)
Power: 91.9 kW (123.3 hp, 125 PS)
Engine: Praga EPA Model I inline six-cylinder, liquid-cooled, petrol
Bore: 110mm (~ 4.331 in)
Stroke: 136mm (~ 5.354 in)
Displacement: 7754.7 cc (~ 473.22 cu in)
Transmission:
5 forward, 1 reverse
Weight:
combat: 9.5 tonnes, dry: 8.5 tonnes
Performance:
Speed: 56km/h (35mph)
Range: 200km (120miles)
Dimensions:
Length: 4.61m
Width: 2.14m
Height: 2.40m
PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf.A-D
TNH tank in German manufacture.
PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf.E-G
Pz 38(t) with frontal armour increased to 50mm by bolting on an additional 25mm armour.
PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf.S
90 TNH ordered by Sweden in February 1940 but seized by Germany.
Stridsvagn m/41 S(eries)I
Swedish license-built TNH version as compensation for the seized Ausf.S tanks. One hundred and sixteen produced.
Stridsvagn m/41 S(eries)II
Strv m/41 with upgraded armour and stronger engine. One hundred and four produced.
SdKfz 138 Marder III
Carried German 75mm gun in open-top superstructure.
SdKfz 139 Marder III
Carried Soviet 76.2mm gun in open-top superstructure.
SdKfz 138/1 Grille
Carried German 150mm infantry gun; also munition variant, which carried ammunition.
SdKfz 140 Flakpanzer 38(t)
Carried a 20mm anti-aircraft gun.
SdKfz 140/1
Aufklärungspanzer 38(t) mit 2cm KwK 38 reconnaissance tank with 20mm turret from a SdKfz.222 armoured car (seventy built).
SdKfz 140/1
Aufklärungspanzer 38(t) mit 7.5cm KwK37 L/24, 75mm gun mounted in a modified superstructure (only two built).
Jagdpanzer 38(t)
(Unofficially known as the Hetzer) a tank destroyer carrying a 75mm L/48 antitank gun.
G-13
Swiss designation for post-war-built Jagdpanzer 38(t) sold by Czechoslovakia.
Nahkampfkanone 1
Swiss-built tank destroyer, similar to Marder III. Only one built.
Pansarbandvagn 301
Swedish Stridsvagn m/41 (SI and SII). In the 1950s, 220 were rebuilt to armoured personnel carriers.
Stormartillerivagn m/43
Assault gun based on the m/41 SII chassis. Thirty-six produced.