Panzer I and II - Germany: Illustrated History Books & Guides

Light Panzers

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The light Panzers of the first German tank divisions were intended only as training or temporary machines until better-armed PzKpfw III and IV became available. Despite their limits, they played an important part in German victories between 1939 and 1942.

This book describes the development and organization of the PzKpfw I (1934) and PzKpfw II (1936). It also explains how the German annexation of the Sudetenland in 1938 and later of Czechoslovakia provided two Czech light tanks, adopted as the PzKpfw 35(t) and 38(t). These vehicles served widely in Poland, France, and during the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941.

From late 1941, most were removed from front-line duty, but their chassis continued in use for self-propelled guns and tank destroyers until the end of the war.

Written by German armour specialist Thomas Anderson, this study draws on archives, combat reports, and rare photographs. Richly illustrated, it examines the role of light Panzers in the early campaigns of World War II.

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Hitler's Light Tanks : Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives (Images of War)

Hitler's Wehrmacht led the way in armoured warfare as the successful blitzkriegs in Poland and North West Europe in 1940 so convincingly proved. The contribution of light tanks such as Panzers I, II and 35(t) was critical.
As the war spread to the Balkans, north Africa and the invasion of Russia, German engineers worked tirelessly modifying existing light tanks and developing new models. The growing Soviet armoured threat, in particular, spawned tank destroyers such as the Marder III Panzerjäger, SdKfz 138/1 and 139.

Anti-aircraft variants included the Flakpanzer 38(t) and the SdKfz 140/1 was a reconnaissance tank armed with a 20mm turret-mounted gun, developed from the SdKfz 22 armoured car, whereas the Aufklarungerspanzer 38(t) carried a 7.5cm gun in the support reconnaissance role.
In the final stages of the war light tanks were phased out and the Marder and 38 (t) were up-gunned; the Wespe was adapted from the Panzer II chassis.

This superbly illustrated book gives a comprehensive overview of the multitude of vehicles and variants that came into service. With the text and captions providing technical data, the images show this formidable array of fighting vehicles in action across the theatres of war.

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Panzer I and II : Spearhead of the Blitzkrieg 1939-1945 (Tank Craft)

The Panzer I and II played a significant part in the blitzkrieg campaigns that brought Germany such extraordinary success in the early years of the Second World War, and this highly illustrated volume in the TankCraft series is the ideal introduction to them.

The Treaty of Versailles forbade Germany to manufacture tanks so the Panzer I had to be developed in strict secrecy, but by the time of the invasion of Poland the Wehrmacht had over 1400 of these light tanks. The Panzer II was an interim design, bridging the gap between the Panzer I and subsequent, far more viable armoured fighting vehicles like the Panzer III and IV.

As well as tracing the history of the Panzer I and II, Robert Jackson's book is an excellent source of reference for the modeller, providing details of available kits, together with artworks showing the colour schemes applied to these tanks.
Each section of the book is supported by a wealth of wartime photographs as well as diagrams showing the technical changes that were made to these tanks in the course of their careers.

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Panzer I and II: The Birth of Hitler's Panzerwaffe - Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives

While the Panzer I and II are not as famous as the German tanks produced later in the Second World War, they played a vital role in Hitler's early blitzkrieg campaigns and in the Nazi rearmament programme pursued, at first in secret, by the Nazi regime during the 1930s.
Anthony Tucker-Jones's photographic history of their design, development and wartime service is an ideal introduction to them. Both panzers saw combat during the invasions of Poland and France, the Low Countries and Scandinavia during 1939-40.

Although by the time the Wehrmacht invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, the Panzer I had been virtually phased out of service, in the form of self-propelled guns they continued to see combat well into 1943.
The Panzer II was also phased out with the panzer regiments in late 1943, yet it remained in action on secondary fronts and, as the self-propelled Marder II anti-tank gun and Wespe artillery variant, it saw active service with the panzer and panzer grenadier divisions until the end of the war.

The Panzer I and II were the precursors of the formidable range of medium and heavy tanks that followed-the Panzer III and IV and the Panther and Tiger-and this book is a fascinating record of them.

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Panzer II & Luchs - The World War II German Basic Light Tank

This illustrated book provides a comprehensive overview of the Panzer II and its successor, the Luchs (Lynx), two light tanks used by Germany during World War II. Originally designed in the mid-1930s as interim solutions until larger tanks like the Panzer III and IV were ready, the Panzer II played a key role in early German campaigns, particularly in Poland, France, and North Africa.
Equipped with a 2 cm KwK 30 autocannon and 7.92 mm machine gun, the Panzer II offered mobility and versatility but lacked sufficient armor or firepower against heavier Allied tanks. Despite its limitations, it remained in service through 1943, gradually shifting to reconnaissance roles.

Pages of the book "Panzer II & Luchs - The World War II German Basic Light Tank"

The book also explores the Luchs, a significantly improved version featuring better armor, mobility, and a more advanced suspension. With its enhanced capabilities, the Luchs excelled in reconnaissance missions but saw limited production.
Detailed illustrations and photographs accompany technical descriptions, offering readers insight into the design, evolution, and operational history of these vehicles. This book is ideal for enthusiasts of military history and armored warfare, providing a clear and engaging presentation of Germany's light tanks during WWII.

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German Panzer I : A Visual History of the German Army's WWII Early Light Tank

Clandestinely developed during the post WWI-era during which Germany was forbidden from developing, producing or owning armored combat vehicles, the Panzer I served as a proof of concept.
Manufacturers and engineers became acquainted with the creation of modern fully tracked combat vehicles and soldiers were familiarized with the driving, maintenance, logistics entailed by fielding an armored force.
Once war began, not only did these experience prove invaluable, the tanks themselves, armed only with twin machine guns, nevertheless proved formidable weapons against ill-prepared enemies.

Spread through 168 hardbound pages, over 200 photos document all variations of this, the cornerstone upon which Germany's famed panzer force was built.

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German Panzer II : A Visual History of the German Army's WWII Light Tank

The Panzer II was Germany's first cannon-armed tank in the post World War I era. Designed and initially produced under the code name of 100-horsepower Farm Tractor, owing to the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles, the Panzer II remained in production, and in the field, well after it had been surpassed by better engineered, more heavily armed and armored vehicles, and indeed played a key part in the early victories achieved by the Blitzkrieg.

This book features nearly 200 scarce wartime photos, illuminated by detailed captions. Coverage includes the Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. A; Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. B; Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. c and A-C early; Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. c, A, B, C modified Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. D; Pz.Kpfw. II (F) Ausf. A & B; Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. F; Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. G; Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. J and the Pz.Kpfw. II "Lynx."
All of the photos have been carefully selected to showcase the many details of the variants. Many "Panzer rarities" will be found within the 168-pages of this hardbound volume.

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Panzer II vs 7TP : Poland 1939 (Osprey)

Hitler's lightning invasion of Poland in 1939 marked the beginning of World War II in Europe. This was the period when armoured warfare inscribed itself into global consciousness as the Poles desperately sought to stave off the Blitzkrieg.
At the heart of the fighting on the ground, large numbers of Nazi Germany's PzKpfw II battled against Poland's better-armed but much less numerous 7TP tank. The two types both possessed unique strengths and weaknesses - unlike the 7TP the PzKpfw II was always equipped with radio, which proved critical for command and control purposes in the heat of combat. But the German tank was blighted by thin armour, which could not withstand Polish gunfire at combat ranges.
This fully illustrated, detailed work evaluates the qualities and idiosyncrasies of each tank, giving a stark and arresting crewman's-eye-view of the brutal armoured combat at the height of the invasion of Poland.

Contents: Introduction - Chronology - Design and Development - Technical Specifications - The Combatants - The Strategic Situation - Combat - Statistics and Analysis - Aftermath - Bibliography - Index.

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Panzers I and II and Their Variants - From Reichswehr to Wehrmacht (Spielberger)

This book in the Spielberger series described the technical and tactical development of these light tanks - from the Reichswehr years to the World War II campaigns in Poland, France and Russia.

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German Light Panzers 1932-1945 (Osprey)

The light tanks of the Panzerwaffe make a fascinating subject for technical and historical study. Operation Barbarossa was the light tanks' swan song: thoroughly experienced and at the peak of self-confidence, the Panzergruppen brought Moscow to almost within Hitler's grasp. However, the effectiveness and popularity of the light panzers was only proven because Hitler's Panzerwaffe (despite their technical excellence) was poorly equipped. The critically short supply of the Panzerkampfwagen III and IV placed an ever-increasing onus on the light tanks that filled out the Panzerwaffe's ranks during the glory years.

In this book, Bryan Perrett examines the evolution of the PzKpfw I and II.

Contents: Design and Development - The Tanks - Organisation - Tactics - Active Service - Specifications.

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Panzer I und II - und ihre Abarten (Spielberger)

This illustrated book presents the development and use of the light Panzer I and II, which were widely employed at the start of the Second World War despite their weak armour and weapons. As production of the stronger Panzer III and IV was insufficient, the army relied on these models, originally designed for training.

Walter Spielberger gives a clear overview of their origins, all variants and technical features. The book covers engine, armament, equipment and other key details, showing the role of these vehicles in the early war years.

Pages of the book "Panzer I und II - und ihre Abarten"

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