Panzer II: Workhorse of "Blitzkrieg" 

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"Welsh names are too long" *laughs in German*

"Okay why do you need a 20mm machine gun with your agricultural tractor vehicle?" The inspector guy: "uhh.. The weeds are evil"

"Farming in 1930s must have been quite a dangerous job" Not just then! The Soviet news agency published the news: “Near the Sino-Soviet border, a Chinese tank attacked a peacefully plowing Soviet tractor driver. The tractor returned the fire and flew back to base."

"Knock-over capability" - All cars should have this listed in the owner's manual.

Ah yes, the inspector of the motorized combat troops - *Herr Kraftfahrkampftruppen und für Donaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschaftskapitän und Bezirksschornsteinfegermeister* I know that guy

I saw an ad for World of Tanks, then a sponsorship for War Thunder in the same video. 2020 really is wild.

I just finished the book of a French tanker that fought Pz II in Belgium in 1940 with his H35. He says that during an assault the Germans used to fire blindly with their machine guns at distances over 1000m in order to cover their movement. He also says that the "20 mm autocannon" of the Pz II was often used with tracers for psychological effects.

Germany needed this tank to guard its potatoes!!!

Fascinating video. I had always assumed the PzKpfw II was a deliberate, doctrinal decision to have a light tank, like the M3 Stuart, or Soviet T 50/60/70. Almost this whole video was new material for me. Thank you.

Original Quote 5:32 „46. Als Nachrichten- und Führungsmittel werden angewandt: a) zu anderen Fahrzeugen: das Funkgerät, die Flaggen, die Führungszeichen nach H. Dv. 472, die Leuchtpistole, die Taschenlampe; b) innerhalb des Panzerkampfwagens: Kommandos durch den Sprechschlauch, Berührungszeichen.” (H.Dv. 470/5b: Die Ausbildung am Panzerkampfwagen II (2 cm), Sonderkraftfahrzeug 121 (Sd. Kfz. 121). Ernst Siegfried Mittler und Sohn, Buchdruckerei: Berlin, 1939, S. 32) Original Quote 6:09 „67. Zum Anfahren ist vorheriges Anlassen und Durchwärmen des Motors erforderlich (im Sommer nach etwa 5, im Winter nach 10 Minuten). Auf das Ankündigungskommando (z.B. Erscheinen des Flaggen- oder Handzeichens) kuppelt der Panzerfahrer aus und schaltet je nach der Fahrbahn auf Straßen und im ebenen Gelände den dritten, in schwierigem Gelände den ersten oder zweiten Gang ein.“ (H.Dv. 470/5b: Die Ausbildung am Panzerkampfwagen II (2 cm), Sonderkraftfahrzeug 121 (Sd. Kfz. 121). Ernst Siegfried Mittler und Sohn, Buchdruckerei: Berlin, 1939, S. 40) Original Quote 6:35 „69. Geschwindigkeitsstufen sind: 10, 20 und 30 km/h. Der Panzerfahrer hat stets den größtmöglichen Gang zu wählen. Falls Gelände und Feindlage nichts anderes erfordern, wird grundsätzlich ohne besonderes Kommando mit 20 km/h gefahren. Andere Geschwindigkeiten müssen ausdrücklich befohlen werden, z.B.: ‚30 km!‘“ (H.Dv. 470/5b: Die Ausbildung am Panzerkampfwagen II (2 cm), Sonderkraftfahrzeug 121 (Sd. Kfz. 121). Ernst Siegfried Mittler und Sohn, Buchdruckerei: Berlin, 1939, S. 41) Original Quote 7:15 „77. Das Maschinengewehr ist als Waffe mit großer Schußfolge, guter Treffleistung und moralischer Wirkung der Hauptträger des Feuerkampfes. Es wird eingesetzt gegen lebende Ziele, wie Schützen, M.G.-Nester, Panzerabwehrwaffen, Artillerie u.a. Besonders gegen Massenziele (Kolonnen, Reserven, auffahrende Geschütze) hat es große Wirkung.“ (H.Dv. 470/5b: Die Ausbildung am Panzerkampfwagen II (2 cm), Sonderkraftfahrzeug 121 (Sd. Kfz. 121). Ernst Siegfried Mittler und Sohn, Buchdruckerei: Berlin, 1939, S. 47) Original Quote 7:45 „79. Die Kanone (2 cm Kw. K. 30) dient als Waffe mit hoher Durchschlagsleitung und Schußfolge in erster Linie zur Bekämpfung von Panzerzielen. Die Bekämpfung von feindlichen Panzerkampfwagen erfolgt in der Regel vom stehenden Wagen ab 600 m. Die Kanone dient außerdem zur Bekämpfung von Panzerabwehrwaffen auf Entfernung von über 500 m, wenn ein flankierendes M.G.-Feuer nicht möglich ist.“ (H.Dv. 470/5b: Die Ausbildung am Panzerkampfwagen II (2 cm), Sonderkraftfahrzeug 121 (Sd. Kfz. 121). Ernst Siegfried Mittler und Sohn, Buchdruckerei: Berlin, 1939, S. 49) Original Quote 8:51 „Sie [2 cm Kw. K. 30] dient gleichzeitig, vom Zug- oder Gruppenführer angewandt, zur Zielanweisung für den Zug oder die Gruppe. Kurze Feuerstöße von 2 bis 3 Schuß bilden die Hauptfeuerart vom stehenden oder fahrenden Wagen. Befinden sich dicht neben den Schutzschilden von Panzerabwehrwaffen oder Batterien noch Ziele (z.B. Bedienungen oder Ansammlungen), so werden Kanone und M.G. zusammen angewandt.“ (H.Dv. 470/5b: Die Ausbildung am Panzerkampfwagen II (2 cm), Sonderkraftfahrzeug 121 (Sd. Kfz. 121). Ernst Siegfried Mittler und Sohn, Buchdruckerei: Berlin, 1939, S. 49)

Military History Visualized when full circle. Before Bismark used to play War Thunder/Sim games and then he transitioned his channel to purely history. Now he got sponsored by War Thunder.

The Warthunder visuals help. I liked how when you talked about knocking over trees, then you showed the Pz II hitting trees of different sizes.

Stopgap to the stopgap to victory: Panzer I

When you have an austrian discussing deutsch with with 2 germans, and the correct meaning is probably something only Herr von Goethe would really understand😂

I'm pretty sure they named it as an agricultural tractor to get around the treaty of versailles.

Listen dude, when i saw the notification that u posted a fresh one, it made my day. Thanks for all your hard work on these videos. I hope in the near future I'll be able to join ur patreon.

The panzer two was an underrated tank and was really good for the time Great video this is keeping me sane at the moment

Love the humor in the videos, I love the research & sourcing, but legit makes it so much more fun!

Adding War Thunder footage made this video so much more engaging to watch. I think you should do this kind of a thing much more often :-)

Really love the scenes from the game in the video. Makes it so much more alive, especially given that the vids showcase exactly what's being discussed. Wish you'd use more of those!

Using Warthunder to illustrate the kind of trees the Pz.II could deal with was a genuinely great little detail.

@1:40 They probably used the Panzer IIs as protection from the Wehr-wolves

Data packed. Provides continuity of concept. A good perspective of what and why. Thanks for posting.

There actually were 35t's in the inventory in June of '41, operating w/army group north; not sure of the division. Granted they were few in number, but they were there.

The game footage lined up really nice. The platoon formation ingame was a really nice visualization.

A most informative look at a very misunderstood vehicle. I must say, the War Thunder visuals helped in describing what you are reading immensely. Adding a very good visual element that is also very descriptive and illuminating.

Not even using your own gameplay for the sponsorship footage smdh XD On a serious note, excellent video. I love the integration between WT and the information such as the formation footage.

I really like the video, always nice to hear something about the unexpectedly good workhorses of the war. Speaking of Your warthunder ad, well I fully respect that You need to get the money from somewhere and knowing how good source of info You are when it comes to ww2 stuff I can easily tell that Your comment on the game being "as historically accurate as possible" was just You following the script provided by them, I bet I am not suprising anyone though. Great video, always waiting for more.

I remember spawning in a tiger (P) on the abandoned factory map in War Thunder and right when the round started I said in team chat “I’m driving one funky looking tractor :3” and somebody replied with something around the lines of “Same here but she till the ground just fine.”

Could you do a small follow up of this video about the ausf L version, as it was a Pz 2 but very different on its design? Please Also, thanks for this awesome videos

Love your videos

Love this video. Big fan of the Panzer II. Built a C model not long ago.

I love the wehr farming at 1:42

Very good presentation! You can hear them from miles away, and their coming for you. Who wouldn't find that that intimidating?

One of my favourite light tanks of the war

It was my favorite tank in World of Tanks. Frontal armor was good enough in its tier if you just angled your tank and used cover. It was pretty good firing on the move up close as well.

Regarding your figures for Panzers in the Field Army in June 1941, I think you have made an error. You say that there were 180 Panzer I’s, and 0 Panzer 35(t)’s. I think that it was the other way around. 0 Panzer I’s (no longer considered a front line tank, used only for rear area security duties) and 180 Panzer 35(t)’s (all of the latter in the 6th Panzer Division assigned to Army Group North). (Note: I’m assuming that the Panzerbefehlswagen I (radio command vehicle with high superstructure, no turret and only 1 MG) on the Panzer I chassis) is not considered as a Panzer I tank. Because in WW2 all tanks had turrets, and anything without a turret was either a tankette, a self propelled gun or a tank destroyer.)

I did see this tank featured in the video game titled "Company of Heroes 2" as Vehicle Unit for certain faction named "Oberkommado West"

Wow you might be one of the few people to have actually played war thunder when getting a sponsorship.

20mm with light armour and high mobility sounds like the ideal thing for chewing through hordes of troops. Seems like the ideal support tank for a heavy.

"farming must been a quite dangerous job..." man that joke hit so hard i laughed enough to wake my room mate

Die Differenzierung in "Gehölze" und "Bäume" kommt aus dem forstlichen Fachbereich. Der Begriff Baum ist selbsterklärend - das was aussieht wie ein Baum und eine Mindesthöhe übersteigt ist ein Baum. Der Begriff Gehölz umfasst alles was aussieht wie ein Baum aber niedriger ist und zum Stockausschlag neigt (also umgangssprachlich in engen Gruppen wächst). Haselnusssträucher zB. Diese Pflanzen müssen aber verholzt sein, also einen harten "Stamm" haben - ein Farn mit 5m Höhe wäre kein Gehölz, da er nicht verholzt ist.

I love the Panzer 2. It looks so adorable!

1:35 Yes, indeed, also The Treaty of Versailles forbade Germany to have tanks (or an air force) so they had to get creative.

One of my Favorite Tanks ever.

Love to see you review all ww2 tanks this way with War Thunder!

I laughed and laughed at the war thunder footage as you tried to knock down trees. Been there done that. You really notice the difference with the bigger tanks later on in the game.

Inspekteur der Kraftfahrkampftruppen und fur Heeresmotoisierung, brilliant

Haha I spent my entire afternoon today drawing a Panzer II and when I get to RU-vid, then there's a video of the tank! 😂 Seeing the footage now I think I got some features wrong, I have to fix it. But the one I'm drawing is the F. This one seems to be ausf. C?

1:39 "I don't know but farming in the 1930's must have been quite a dangerous job." had me LOLing. .

Rather rare? Shame, I was about to take a visit to the supermarket and buy one :(

Nice vid and thx, I always wanted to know if Panzer II was effective against Hotchkiss tanks

Could you talk about last instance of using Pz. I & II in WW2 [insert puppy eyes]?

1:34 As I know after the WW1 the Versailles treties did not allow Germany to design and make tanks or any arms (+ limited the number of the army and navy etc. - officially similar, just a few years delayed regulations was applied also on France who just ignored them). So the Germans simply called their tank designs "agricultural tractor" which looks better in statistics :-)

Serbia Stronk, We Has Panzer II in Muzeeum!!!

This is really great. Thanks. I've played a little bit of War Thunder, now I know that they are a sponsor I will certainly play more!

could you make a video talking about how a perfect tank made for every situation need to be?

Excellent. I play too much War Thunder myself. I'd sure dig having you in my squad. A pasty boy can dream.

I love war thunder too. Awesome video man!

"no rivets." Trying out an entirely new method of production let alone mass production.

Remember, early in the war, the main opponent of the tank was the anti-tank gun. Tank vs. tank combat did not become the norm until well into the Eastern Front and the Gazala battles in North Africa. --Bob Bailey in Maine, USA

Do you produce only Videos about Vehicles and Planes or also about Infantry and their weapons like the k98k. If you also do Videos about it can you make a Video about the assault rifle and why it wasent used before. For example the Vollmer M35 which was avalibale. Or battle rifles in various other countrys like Avtomat Federova, Shisei Type Hei, Breda M1935 PG, Tipo Terni, etc

It is pity that no one makes Pz II (F) replicas. You cannot realistically get an original vehicle. And much cheaper replica when done in small scale production could bring you even more fun. Moreover that 20 mm cannon in compressed-air version will be a perfect and deadly weapon in paintball against infantry and vehicles alike.

Very good thanks. Just to note that 6 Panzer Division used some 160 Panzer 35t for Operation Barbarossa. So I'm not sure why you have no 35ts listed in the table. I suspect that the 35t is included in the 38t total.

@Bernhard, on minute 10:53 the Panzer Orbat table shows the number of Panzer 35 (t) available in June 1941as 0, but it is my understanding that some were made available for the 6th Panzer Division.

The tank in that game looks incredibly realistic, almost thought I was looking at the real thing briefly.

Very good. Thanks for the information. I would like to know what the German view of the PZKFW II in the desert war. I've read a lot about that part of the war but nothing on the performance of the tank. Most of the early British tanks weren't exactly stunning. .. so perhaps it did well there.

6:39 The 20 and 30 kph footage was filmed in such a way that the Panzers look as if they are moving with at least twice the speed indicated.

Does the link work for existing players or just new.

I dont understand why the pz2's 20 mm wasnt issued eith high explosive ammunition? Youd think it would be standard for anti infantry purposes.

Hi Can you answer a question about the Maus tank because I don’t believe there were only two Maus tanks built. After investigating this, I can find six complete tanks. I found a picture of two completely built Maus tanks standing together and so this disputes the ‘google’ statement saying that one was completely build and one was partly built. Any thought on this please?

There is one here in France in Saumur's "musée des blindés"! Along side the only working Tiger II!

Actually a very effective tank in penetration in large numbers. The 2cm was effective against a many light armoured vehicles and early tanks with a good rate of fire. Undervalued

What was the penetration value for the French 25mm AT round, without tungsten? For what it's worth, Wiki indicates 40mm at 440 yards, but does not indicate if tungsten is used in the round. How does that compare to the 20mm KwK 30 and 20mm KwK 38?

When you call a reservoir a tractor lest everyone figures out it's a landship.

5:58 WWII tanks and other vehicles in terms of capability and reliability were long haul from our experience with modern cars or similar equipment - this statement is particularly relevant to transportation equipment designed and built by the Soviet Union :)

Where do you get/find your German primary sources?

Im olaying HOI and have been using a panzer 2 right up to the late 40s lol. Incredible tank. A division full of these things has won 98% of all battles its been involved in. Wanted to see if it really was as much of a beast as it is in HOI4

You should make the Wehr-farming your next t-shirt xD

Yeah, Gehölz is still a fairly common term for small groves or woods in Germany, so it probably meant how capable the vehicle is of pushing through a group of such trees.

I don't know about farming in the 1930's, but large scale farm machinery in the early 1900's with treads contributed to the design concept of the tank.

I always had a soft spot for the panzer II. I always imagined it conducting reconnaissance, pulling off lightning attacks on soft skinned vehicles, then melting away like a wraith.

Best tank of that very early group; The panzer I Ausf. F. If only they had retrofitted it with 20mm auto-cannon to make it even better.

people: remember only panther, tigers, king tigers.* Panzer II: *sad noise intensifies*

I play Bolt Action and have been experimenting with a list consisting only of Panzer IIs specifically the Luchs variant Realism be damned, the autocannons are fantastic at causing a mess of the enemy

I would love to use a Panzer II to remove trees and shrubberies from my garden.

I’m not too sure about German army officer titles, but I do recall hearing something like ‘truppenfuhrer’, which I know directly translates to ‘troop leader’. I would guess that for obvious reasons using the ‘fuhrer’ bit after any sort of title went severely out of fashion following the Second World War. Now, I have no research to back any sort of info up - but do you know if the Bundeswehr used titles such as the one mentioned above? In German the title would, logically, be normal.

Wait a minute.... MHV did you just use yourself as a reference at 13:05? If so: Awesome.

So, in a way, Panzer I and II were also training tanks... for german industry.

I think the constant re-working of the Panzer II merits mention and may account for their rarity. Many were converted to Wespe (SPG) and Marder (AT), etc. type vehicles.

did they use panzers in the invasion of the Netherlands or did they know immediately that metal doesn't float? would love a video on the invasion of the Netherlands from the German perspective!

For those War Thunder players in love with the rare-as-hen's-teeth PanzerGranate 40 ammunition please note that this designation denotes a type of tungsten core round and is not solely for the 2.0cm gun. There was a PzGr.40 round in both 7.5cm and 8.8cm and probably others I am unaware of.

There was nothing wrong with the panzer 2 except the main gun needed to be a 75mm to reduce anti-tank gun positions. It would have worked better with the old obsolete short barreled version to fit with the machinery better. If they had developed a recoiless 76mm even better just wouldn't work so well on the panzer 2. The main reason for the panzer 2 was correct thinking until the enemy had so many t34 tanks which meant it needed a long barrel.

It surprises me on the casualness of all those conifer trees getting knocked down by the Panzers. I thought Germans had a reverence for trees and would take evasive measures to minimize the destruction of the trees.

"The speed of a panzer is a weapon all its own" - Guderian To hear reports of how French forces would panic at the mere sight (or report of sight) of a panzer battalion anywhere but directly in front of their prepared positions, one would think these tanks could have been effective completely unarmed. The tank is a terror weapon, if you know how to sell it as such. Most German tanks in 1940 were still Pz.I and Pz.II. Building them was useful for industry prep and tactical exercises. Having them available, however underarmed/armored, was critical for psychological warfare. The Pz.II was a perfect tank for classical cavalry purposes - surprise, raiding, and sowing panic among collapsing lines. To me, it is THE cavalry tank of WWII. The British Cruisers and Soviet BTs could have matched their effectiveness, had they been used better. But the only light tank to come close to the Pz.II in actual effectiveness is the Type 95 Ha-Go, a relatively weak tank. But its usage in Malaya to consistently out-flank the British demonstrated its potential as a cavalry tank much as the Germans did in France in 1940 and Cyrenaica in 1941. These were tanks that required audacity from their commanders, but they demonstrated they were up to the task. It's not all about penetration and armor. Just be where you need to be, when you need to be, and be capable of instilling surprise and panic with your presence. The Pz.II was plenty up to that task.

A "stopgap" vehicle helps conquer France and is used heavily in the USSR invasion. I think I've figured out why German engineering is so widely admired.

The german "clump of small trees" or what English speakers might call a "thicket" limits is nice to know. The invasion of France was done through heavy woods. Knowing what size brush you could drive through was useful making trails in trackless woods..

nice

Yes