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Schwimmpanzer II
Germany · Tank
| Also known as | Amphibious PzKpfw II Ausf A7, Panzer II Schwimmkörper |
|---|---|
| Country | Germany |
| Built | 1940– |
| Type | Tank |
| Status | Production |
| Use | Military |
| Propulsion | |
| Land drive | Tracked |
| In water | Propeller |
| Hull | Pontoon |
| Dimensions & performance | |
| Speed on water | 10 km/h |
Specifications need checking. Some figures here were taken from the archive and have not been confirmed against a source.
The Schwimmpanzer II was an amphibious conversion of the Panzer II light tank, prepared in 1940 for Operation Sea Lion (Seelöwe), the planned invasion of England.
Design
Flotation bodies were fitted to the sides and front of the tank and every opening was sealed. The hull was divided into three chambers with walls made of inflated celluloid bags. A marine propeller, driven from the engine through an extension, universal joint and shaft, gave about 10 km/h in water. Alkett of Berlin, Bachmann of Ribnitz and Sachsenberg of Roßlau were asked to design the equipment. It had to cope with seas in a wind of force 3-4. A rubber tyre sealed the gap between turret and hull. Afloat, the tank sat in the water up to about the top of the track covers, and the turret guns could still be fired.
Service
About 50 Panzer IIs were converted in summer and autumn 1940, with Armoured Battalion A of the 2nd Panzer Regiment at Putlos involved; 52 kits were delivered. The vehicles were later used by the 18th Panzer Regiment in the central sector in Russia in 1941.
3 Photographs
5 photographs in the archive folder. Click any image to view it full size.
4 Related vehicles
Compare the Schwimmpanzer II with another vehicle.
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