Images of War German Motorcycles at War 1939-1945

**As a disclosure, I eagerly took the opportunity to review this book on German Motorcycles, as I am currently working on Revell's 1:9 scale BMW R75 motorcycle with a sidecar. The book's title includes the words, Kradschützen Truppen which translates to "motorcycle-riding troops" in English.

Author: Ian Baxter

The author, Ian Baxter, is a prolific writer with over fifty books. A military historian specializing in German military history, he frequently lectures at schools, colleges, and universities across the UK and Ireland. He resides near Chelmsford, Essex.

Book Specifics:

With over 200 black-and-white images, German Motorcycles at War 1935-1945 is the latest offering from Pen and Sword, published in October 2024. This 128-page book measures 7.5 by 9.5 inches and includes an Introduction, four chapters, and three appendix sections.

Introduction:

In his introduction, the author provides a concise one-page summary of Germany's use of motorcycles, detailing the units that employed them, the motorcycle models, and their diminished role by 1943.

Chapter One: Origins of the Kradschützen Truppen

Over the next one and a half pages, the author provides an interesting read surrounding the formation of German motorcycle troops, tracing their evolution from providing security for dignitaries to serving as units for assault and reconnaissance. Additionally, the author offers a detailed overview of the two primary manufacturers of German motorcycles, BMW and Zündapp. Included are fifteen black-and-white images showcasing the motorcycles in various settings. Below are four excellent examples from this chapter.

Chapter Two: Blitzkrieg

Chapter Two begins with a three-page summary detailing the role of solo and sidecar motorcycles within Panzer units, emphasizing their integral contributions to the Blitzkrieg in Poland as couriers and tank hunters. The author also explains the role of the Kradschützen Truppen within the Panzer Divisions, highlighting how MG34 machine guns were mounted on BMW and Zündapp motorcycles to provide mobile firepower.

Enhancing the book's value, the author includes twenty-eight images that showcase the motorcycle's use, both as a solo vehicle and with a sidecar.

The image below could inspire a compelling vignette, especially if paired with a large-scale figure that highlights the pristine uniform of the Wehrmacht soldier as he enjoys cheese and a bottle of champagne while sitting on the sidecar.

Chapter Three: Eastern Front, 1941-43

In this chapter, the author explores the role of motorcycles on the Eastern Front from 1941 to 1943 within the Panzer divisions. In the concluding paragraphs, he details various motorcycle rifle battalions, including their designations and deployment locations. Additionally, this chapter features the highest number of images, totaling sixty-eight.

Chapter Four: Last Years: Relegation

Of particular interest, the author devotes two pages to detailing the decline of motorcycles from being a vital part of Panzer divisions to more supportive roles such as dispatch duties and light reconnaissance. He also highlights the increasing use of the Kettenkrad, valued for its reliability and suitability for the harsh winter roads on the Eastern Front.

Appendix I: Components of a Kradschutzen Battalion

Appendix II: Motorcycle Battalions, 1939-43

Appendix III: Motorcycle Company, Type b: late 1941 through mid-1942

These three appendices included by the author serve as a valuable resource for anyone seeking additional information about the motorcycles used by the Germans during the war years.

Conclusion:

The Image of War Series by Pen & Sword Books is familiar to this reviewer. With several books from this series on hand, the new addition will be a valuable reference. The black and white images in the book are clear, and includes some rare images I had never seen before. The author provides a detailed caption with most images, describing what the reader sees. Although some images are slightly grainy, the details remain discernible, making them valuable references for modelers conducting research or creating dioramas. 

The author successfully achieves the goal of presenting a detailed summary of German Motorcycles at War 1939-1945 through imagery.

This book will make an excellent addition to any modeler or military historian's library.

Highly Recommended for Beginner to Advanced builders.

Thanks goes out to Casemate Publishing for this review sample.

Reviewed by Phillip Cavender

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