Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf F

The Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf F was the last standard version of the Panzer II light tank. It had been intended that the Ausf F would replace the Ausf C on the production lines in the summer of 1940, but the design of the new model was delayed, and production did not begin until March 1941, by which point the Panzer II was already beginning to disappear from the Panzer units.

The Ausf F saw changes made to the front of the hull and of the superstructure. On the hull the rounded front was replaced by a single 35mm plate attached to the flat armour plate originally added to older tanks after the Polish campaign (the newer tanks can be distinguished from modified older models by the lack of a shadow at the front.

Panzer II Ausf F

By June 1942 it was clear that the light tank was becoming obsolete, and so it was decided to mount the 7.5cm Pak40 gun on 50% of the remaining production, to produce the Marder II self propelled anti-tank gun (also known as the 7.5cm Pak40/2 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II (Sf)). In July the ratio was increased to 100%, but production of the standard Panzer II continued until December 1942, overlapping with production of the Marder II, of which 576 were built from scratch between June 1942 and June 1943.

By the time the Ausf F entered service the Panzer II had been withdrawn as a battle tank, but it was still in use as a reconnaissance vehicle, equipping a platoon at Regiment, Detachment and Company level; it was withdrawn from the companies 1942, and from regiments in 1943.

Panzer II ausf F in US Hands

Panzer II ausf F from the right

German Light Panzers, 1932-1942, Bryan Perrett. This is a well balanced book that combines a technical discussion of the various types of light tanks, a look at the Panzer divisions and their equipment and the battlefield tactics and experience of the German light tank forces. [see more]

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