Pz.II C (DAK)

Pz.II C (DAK)

Pz.II C (DAK)

Germany

I Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
1.3	1.3	1.3

Class:

PREMIUM

Light tank

Purchase:250

Description

The Pz.Kpfw.II Ausf. C (DAK) (Panzer II DAK) is a premium rank I German light tank with a battle rating of 1.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.41.27. A premium version of the Panzer II C, it costs 250 Golden Eagles. In the October 2017 German Unity Day event, the Pz.Kpfw.II Ausf. C (DAK) could be earned for free.

The Pz.Kpfw.II Ausf. C (DAK) is equivalent to the Pz.II C, making it a quick and nimble vehicle that does not have an enormous punch to follow up. The 20 mm gun does not have a huge penetration rating, however, the armour piercing types are capable of taking care of most of its reserve vehicle opponents.

This is a very quick little tank when fully developed. However, even completely undeveloped, it has a decent turn of speed. It has a high rate of fire which makes it very forgiving as far as aiming and hitting is concerned, and even allows a (relatively) accurate fire on the move capability, assuming the ground is not too rough.

On the rough ground the Pz II pitches like a lifeboat in a storm, making firing on the move impossible. However, this is where you are able to hide in the furrows between rises, allowing you to sneak up on the enemy and attack from surprise. Its rate of fire is a problem, however, as reloading its magazine can take a rather long time when in combat, and if you change ammunition during a fight, the magazine will be changed out immediately after the next shot is fired, not when the magazine is emptied.

General info

Survivability and armour

The Pz.II C has (on the surface) decent frontal armour, with 35 mm for the front plate with a section of heavily sloped 30 mm armour on the glacis, then a sloped lower glacis that has 35 mm as well. The side, rear, and hull roof armour are a paltry 15 mm, including the turret sides. The front turret face is 30 mm that do not overlap with the 30 mm thick gun mantlet well so it will be rare, if not impossible, for a chance at relying on a 60 mm overlapping area to deflect rounds.

Generally speaking, the Pz.II C does not have enough armour to defend itself unless fighting from an extreme range (which most early-ranked tanks can't reasonably do well), facing SPAA vehicles that are only using high-explosive shells or facing against some early-ranked French tanks.

Put shortly - do everything to ensure that the Pz.II C does not get hit, because even one well placed shot in the crew compartment will likely knock the Pz.II C out.

Armour type:

• Rolled homogeneous armour

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	35 mm (11°) Front plate 30 mm (73°) Front glacis 35 mm (36°) Bottom glacis	15 mm	15 mm	15 mm
Turret	30 mm Turret front 30 mm Gun Mantlet	15 mm	15 mm	10 mm
Armour	Sides	Roof
Cupola	15 mm	10 mm

Notes:

• Suspension wheels are 10 mm thick while tracks are 15 mm thick.

Mobility

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	48	9	9.1	217	267	23.85	29.34
Realistic	43	8		124	140	13.63	15.38

Mobility-wise, the Pz.II C is actually better than most of its peers, but the BT series tanks and M3 Stuarts will still outpace it quite easily. Regardless, the Pz.II C can get around the battlefield quite respectably, and the vehicle's power-to-weight ratio makes it easy to go up steep inclines than larger, heavier vehicles. However, the Pz.II C is not going to outrun a pursuing enemy team, so locating good cover is immensely useful for its survival.

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	49	10	9.1	217	267	23.85	29.34
Realistic	44	9		124	140	13.63	15.38

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: KwK 30 (20 mm)

The main armament of the Pz.II C is the 20 mm KwK 30 automatic cannon.

With the ability to access APCR capable of penetrating 64 mm at point blank range, combined with its magazine-loaded rapid fire, the 20 mm can puncture through most enemy armour at this battle rating range like it is fabric.

The biggest problem with the 20 mm autocannon is the 10 round magazines combined with a 7.4 stock reload time, meaning that the tank may successfully take out two or three enemy tanks with controlled bursts, but is likely to be taken out during the reload. Another problem to consider is in the powerful APCR ammunition, in that its impressive penetration statistics can make the gun reach out to about 200-300 meters, but the penetrative power drops off rapidly after that due to velocity drop, even more so than the standard PzGr. round.

20 mm KwK30						Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	180 (10)	280	-10°/+20°	±180°	Vertical	13.33	18.45	22.40	24.77	26.35	7.80	6.90	6.36	6.00
Realistic						8.33	9.80	11.90	13.16	14.00

Ammunition

• Default: API-T · HEFI-T - 50% of this belt are useless against tanks or planes. However against other SPAA this belt can reliably take out crew, armament, ammo and engine. Having one belt in reserve does not hurt.
• PzGr: API-T - Intermediate usage until the better PzGr 40 can be used. Decent enough versus light tanks and other vehicles from the rear. Due the lack of HE filler underwhelming damage, yet still better than the PzGr 40.
• PzGr 40: HVAP-T - Best penetrating shell of this vehicle. However, the damage effects are very poor. In close combat snipe for modules and crewmember for increased survival rate. Nothing is more annoying than emptying a clip and then to getting destroying in the middle of the reload because the enemy gunner survived. Against angled armoured it is not very effective like any other APCR shell, this is offset by the very high base penetration though.

Penetration statistics
Belts	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
	10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
Default	36	34	26	19	14	10
PzGr	36	34	26	19	14	10
PzGr 40	64	63	26	8	3	1

Belt details
Belts	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile Mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
PzGr	API-T	780	0.147	N/A	N/A	N/A	47°	60°	65°
PzGr 40	HVAP-T	1,050	0.1	N/A	N/A	N/A	66°	70°	72°

Ammo racks

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	Visual discrepancy
15	8 (+7)	1 (+14)	Yes

Machine guns

Main article: MG 34 (7.92 mm)

Mounted opposite to the 20 mm autocannon is the MG 34, which is loaded with a 50 round belt with an AP-I/AP-I/AP-T ammo pattern. With 13 mm of maximum penetration at point blank range, this gun's 800 RPM rate of fire will make short work of unarmoured vehicles like truck-based SPAA, as well as exposed enemy crewmen.

7.92 mm MG34
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Coaxial	1,800 (150)	900	N/A	N/A

Usage in battles

The main key to success with this vehicle is to drive aggressively, trying to get shots at relatively close range (100m-300m or even less). Aiming for the enemy's weak spots, it is often possible to set your opponent on fire, allowing the Pz II to take on vehicles beyond its battle rating.

Where possible, try to use the terrain to remain hull down. Even the smallest undulations are quite often enough to mask your hull, allowing you to take quick shots with minimal risk. However closing the distance quickly with your opponent is really the only way to reliably destroy the enemy, as your armour is not enough to bounce a shot in a close-quarters fight.

Alternatively, the Pz.II C can be played as a support vehicle, a second line tank, to say the least, to assist more armoured allies when pushing the cap. Use short bursts (2-4 rounds ideally) to disable enemy vehicles by targeting weak points like their transmission or turret crew, then use the remaining ammo to take out the rest of the enemy crew, or let friendly tankers take them out for assists. The Pz.II C lacks the mobility to disengage and run from tanks like the M3 Stuarts or BT series tanks, but if their transmission, driver, or tracks are taken out, they will be temporarily immobilized and the Pz.II C player has bought themselves time to scurry back to friendly lines, where more powerful guns and numbers can be brought to counter the enemy.

Also, as a light tank with decent speed and low profile, the Pz.II C can act as a spotter (unfortunately without the use of the scout mechanics) to locate enemy tanks for allies to prioritize and hit with guns, artillery, or airstrikes.

Pz.II C driving through frozen pass

The biggest threat to the Pz.II C on the battlefield are tanks that have very good armour and firepower at the expense of their mobility. The Valentine, FCM.36, and Matilda are examples of tanks that will easily deflect even 20 mm PzGr 40 shots, either due to their impressive frontal hull and turret armour, or just because they are so slow that the Pz.II C will engage them at ranges that render the shell penetration power ineffective. If one of these tanks are spotted trundling along in the distance, do not bother taking the shot because the 20 mm are unlikely able to do even cosmetic damages, while at the same time drawing their attention and revealing the Pz.II C's position due to the shell tracers.

Generally speaking, if the target is about the size of a coin when looking at it on max zoom in the gunner's sight, it is too far for effective fire and should not be engaged.

A more advanced method of playing this is to use it like an autoloading gun from higher BRs - fire only one or two shots per click at a given time. This helps avoid spraying uselessly at bigger, more stubborn targets.

Modules

Tier	Mobility		Protection	Firepower
I	Tracks		Parts	Horizontal Drive
II	Suspension	Brake System	FPE	Adjustment of Fire	PzGr
III	Filters		Crew Replenishment	Elevation Mechanism
IV	Transmission	Engine		Artillery Support	PzGr 40
This is a premium vehicle: all modifications are unlocked on purchase

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Decent frontal armour: when angled it can be immune to common opponents like BT-5, BT-7, M3A1 and A13.
• Overall superior firepower: autocannon shoots in quick succession, resulting in denser fire. With the PzGr 40 belt it can penetrate any tank, including the B1 when aiming correctly.
• Fast top speed and good agility makes it a great flanker, can easily out-maneuver slower tanks like T-26 or H.35.
• Curved turret armor of 30mm plus -10 degrees gun depression allows it to hull-down on hills easily
• Small width means it can manoeuvre through or hide in narrow passages in urban maps, allowing it to ambush or flank unexpectedly.
• Low Profile makes it easy to hide behind bushes or covers.
• In simulator mode, friendly fire is less likely due to the very obvious shape and profile not shared by much of anything else

Cons:

• Only performs well at close quarter combat. Autocannon lacks ranged shootouts, as both the AP and HVAP penetration drop below 30mm at 500m. This makes it struggle to penetrate the M3 / M5 Stuart and B1
• Magazine-loaded armament means there are lengthy and vulnerable downtime for 6-second reloads
• Survivability is still inadequate: unsloped armor plus closely-packed crew of 3 means it is very vulnerable to T-26, BT-5 or M8 Scott which all have explosive AP.
• Although top speed is good, it is still slower than other light tanks like the infamous BT-5, M8 Greyhound and M3 / M5.
• Poor damage of 20mm shells means that new players cannot effectively destroy spacious tanks like LVT(A)
• Low penetration when not using HVAP-T rounds. When stock it is useless against a B1 or M3 / M5 (frontally)

History

Development

In 1934, the development of the new German tanks, which would be the Panzer III and Panzer IV, was falling behind schedule despite an urgent need for tanks. As a stopgap solution until the designs was finalized, the Germany Army submitted a request for a new tank, giving the responsibility of designing to Krupp, MAN, Henschel, and Daimler-Benz.

The product was a design that is based off the German Panzer I light tank, but was larger with the addition of an extra bogie wheel and had a 20 mm autocannon as its main armament. The finished tank was designated the Panzer II and production was to start in 1935 but did not start delivering tanks until 18 months later. At this time, it was in a low rate production status by 1936 in the Panzer II Ausf. C variant. In the 1940s, the Panzer II was upgraded to the Panzer II Ausf. F, which entered into production in 1941 with increased armour and a torsion bar suspension system. A total of 524 Ausf. F were produced between March 1941 to December 1942.

The Panzer II Ausf. F had a 35 mm front armour and 20 mm side armour compared to the 14 mm all-around armour on the Ausf. C. The 20 mm autocannon on the turret was the same, based off the 20 mm FlaK 30 then in use with a firing rate of 600 rpm from a 10-round magazine. The tank also came with a coaxial machine gun as well. The turret was hand cranked by the commander, who doubled as the gunner of the tanks. The crew of the Panzer II consist of three people, the driver, commander, and loader who doubled as a radio operator. The Panzer II Ausf. C could reach a speed of 33 mph with its torion-bar suspension

Combat usage

The Panzer II would serve in the initial stages of World War II in the Battle of Poland, France, and Operation Barbarossa as Germany's most numerous tank (By May 1940, there were about a thousand Panzer Is and IIs, but only 381 Panzer III and 290 Panzer IVs). The Panzer II also saw service in the German Afrika Korps (Deutsches Afrikakorps, DAK) during the Northern Africa campaign. By 1941, it was clear that the Panzer II was starting to become obsolete, and with the increasing quantity of Panzer IIIs and IVs, the Panzer II was relegated to reconnaissance duties when going against the Allies.

Despite the up-armouring in the different Panzer II variants, the Panzer II could still be penetrated by the most towed anti-tank weapon in service at the time, leaving the crew at risk to enemy fire. By 1942, it was largely removed from front lines and production ceased by 1943. The turrets of these obsolete tanks were used as gun turrets on defensive bunkers on the Atlantic Wall, and the chassis stayed in use for other purposes, such as a self-propelled gun and tank destroyer in the Wespe and Marder II respectively.

In-game description

Some of the Pz.Kpfw II's were sent to Africa, where they were used by the German Afrika Korps (DAK). In Africa they were given secondary tasks such as guard duty and scouting. The tank is shown with desert camouflage and the famous symbol of the African Corps, the palm tree.

Media

Panzer II DAK's roof, showing the Afrika Korps symbol.

Sights

• RideR2's Realistic gunsight (TZF4a, TZF 5a/b/d/e/f/f2, TZF 9b/b1/c/d, TZF 12/a) for Pzkpfw II, Pzkpfw III, Pzkpfw IV, Pzkpfw V, Pzkpfw VI

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the vehicles;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

• [Vehicle Profile] PzKpfw II Ausf C/F and DAK