The Panzer II D was designed as a fast panzer to equip the light divisions. The concept was for the panzer to be rushed to the battle on the back of a lorry and then offloaded to join the attack. Combat in Poland quickly revealed the flaw in this cunning plan, as many bridges couldn't accommodate the weight of both lorry and tank, so much time was wasted offloading the panzer before crossing the bridge. Added to this was the high centre of gravity that resulted in some lorries spilling their loads. The concept was subsequently abandoned. Only forty-three Panzer II Ds were issued before the decision was made to complete all future chassis as Flammpanzers. During 1940, the surviving PzII Ds used in Poland were withdrawn from units, again for conversion to flame-thrower tanks. The Polish PzII Ds were all from the first production series, referred to as D1. The second production batch of D chassis vehicles (D2) were converted to Marder II as modelled in the last armour issue of this magazine. The D2 chassis can be spotted as the sprocket and rear idlers had a reduced quantity of strengthening ribs. Of interest, the PzII Ausf.E version was similar to the Ausf.D, but was fitted with a lubricated track and sprocket with rollers - reminiscent of contemporary German halftracks. Again only a small quantity was produced.
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