Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf A

Developed by Henschel, Krupp, and MAN as the Industrial Tractor 100 (LaS100) the Panzer II was another training vehicle that was also pushed into service to fill the gap until the Panzer III and IV vehicles were ready. During the invasion of Poland and France the Panzer II (along with the Panzer I) made up the bulk of the Panzer forces deployed by the German Army. The hull consisted of welded steel instead of bolts or rivets, the turret was of the two man design and set slightly off center to the left of the vehicle. The main armament was a 20mm automatic cannon with a 7.92mm machine gun, both housed in the turret.

As the vehicle became obsolete the chasses was remanufactured as the base for a number of support vehicles such as anti-tank guns and self-propelled artillery. The Panzer II Ausf A was issued in 1935 which was followed by the Ausf B that upped engine power and frontal armor thickness. The Ausf C increased the amour again in 1937 which also included changes to the design of the bogie wheels. The Ausf D & E were issued in 1938 with torsion-bar suspension that increased the road speed to 34mph.