Originally identified as the '2cm MG Panzerwagen', the PzKpfw II light tank was designed to supplement the PzKpfw I by providing an automatic weapon capable of firing both a high explosive round and an armor piercing round. The design period was very short: the initial order for a tank design in the 10-ton class was issued by the Waffenamt in July 1934, and the first complete soft steel prototype was put through its paces in October 1935. Unfortunately, many of the teething problems had not been worked out when rapid expansion of the panzerwaffe and international politics forced the decision to order a comparatively large number of PzKpfw IIs. First issued to Panzer units in the spring of 1936, the PzKpfw II was armed with a 2cm KwK L/55 gun and was crewed by three men.

Pictured here is a German Sd. Kfz. 121 PzKpfw II Ausf. C light tank that was attached to Panzer Regiment 8, 15.Panzer Division, then serving with the Afrika Korps in Libya during 1941. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 2-/2-inches
Width: 1-1/4-inches

Release Date:July 2011

Historical Account: "Panzers Rollen in Afrika Vor" - The 15.Panzer Division was raised from the 33.Infanterie Division in 1936. It mobilized in 1939, but did not take part in the invasion of Poland. In 1940, it participated in the invasions of Belgium and France. It was then reorganized as the 15.Panzer Division in August 1940 at Darmstadt and Landau by incorporating the 8.Panzer Regiment from the 10.Panzer Division and giving up its 110.Infanterie Regiment to the 112.Infanterie Division.

In April 1941, the division began transport to Libya, joining General Erwin Rommel's Deutsches Afrika Korps (DAK) with the 21.Panzer Division and the 90.Leicht Division. By June 15th, the division was deployed in reserve to the south of Bardia, and fought in the successful defense during Operation Battleaxe at Halfaya Pass.

On November 18th, British forces began Operation Crusader with the objective of relieving the besieged forces at Tobruk. The 15th was situated to the east of Tobruk, and by November 20th they joined the 21.Panzer Division to battle the armored forces of the British XXX Corps.

With the XXX Corps situated on the approaches to Tobruk, Erwin Rommel sent his panzer divisions on a rapid advance to the east, threatening the British rear. However the British continued to advance on Tobruk and by November 27th they had linked up with the fortress. The Axis forces were forced to withdraw.

By December 31st, 1941, Rommel's forces halted at the line at El Agheila for refitting his depleted forces. By January 21st he was ready to advance again, and the DAK and Italian forces began another march to the east.