Panzer II during Training before French Campaign

This Panzerkampfwagen II is an Ausf.A, B or C photographed during training. It carries a small rhomboid plate behind the “Nebelkerzenabwerfvorrichtung” (smoke candle deployment rack with a solid-colored (probably yellow) “306” as a tactical number. Further on, there is a bit of the balkenkreuz national insignia on the rear face of the superstructure in white outline form. Another rhomboid plate, as well as another balkenkreuz can be seen on the superstructure sides, behind the stowage. Another point to note is not only the angles of the spring bundles for the suspension system, but the fact that some have a different number of spring plates within a bundle. The snow and the style of markings indicate that this photo may have been taken in the winter of 1939-40, during the so-called “Sitzkrieg” in the West prior to the French Campaign. The lack of the tail-lamp from the Notek black-out driving system also makes this more likely. The color scheme should be the two-tone type consisting of dunkelgrau Nr.46 base with dunkelbraun Nr.45 overspray.

Source :
Book "Panzer Vor: German Armor At War 1939-45" by Frank V. De Sisto