There is a hinged access hatch on the glacis of the Pz ll. Was this used just as access to the transmission, or as entry for the driver? It looks awkwardly placed for an entry hatch - the driver would have to crawl in, turn over, then squirm into his seat.

Certainly awkward, but not impossible or even particularly inconvenient for a lean twenty-something driver.

The hatch pretty much opens directly over the area of the driver's lap and knees. The tranny is off the side, so there's room. I imagine getting out would be like crawling under a desk. Getting in would require some contortions, but still nothing too bad (unless you're an old man of substance and girth!).

I don't think Goering ever crawled into the driver's seat of a Panzer II, but Panzermann Meier (grosse M, kleiner Eier) wouldn't have had any problems.

I believe the driver would be climbing over one of the axles. As Mike said, not impossible. However, I believe it was used as an access hatch for maintenance, rather than a crew entry point. If there was some obstruction block the normal hatch, sure the driver could use it.

I think that there are a few pics showing crew climbing in or out through that hatch - it was placed there and made large enough to serve as the Driver's escape hatch (as an alternative to climbing up through that turret or going back and out through that hatch to the rear of the radio-op area beneath the turret).

Herr Goering was, of course, "not selected" for service in any tank, let alone a small one! (Actually, that guy wouldn't fit into hardly any airplane seat, either!) But in general panzer crew were smaller guys and this was the hatch made available... and, in emergency, one will go out whatever hole or tunnel is available, however tortuous it may be!

It's an interesting question... Consider the Pz III - early ausf had those two very small escape hatches in the hull-sides - or it was in and out through the turret hatches for everyone. When they did away with those hull hatches, it was turret or else! You can bet that there was plenty along your egress route to crack your noggin on as you left the driver's seat!

Or look at the T-34... radio op and driver either entered and left through the turret top-hatch(es, depending on the mark) or, in duress, in and out through that driver's front hatch. Pics I've seen of that movement "aren't pretty", specially if one was wearing any bulky winter clothing!

Bob