High Tech German military

German bicycle troops take cover behind their armor during a Norwegian fire fight in World War II

 

Awesome picture. That's clearly the bicycle mounted Fusiler battalion in action. Elite German infantry division assault battalion on bicycles...

 

yeah but those germans getting around like that are practically saying strafe me not having any armor and being exposed

 

Mechanized Juggernaut or Military Anachronism?: Horses and the German Army of World War II (Contributions in Military Studies) (Hardcover)
by Williamson Murray (Foreword), R.L. DiNardo (Author)
Synopsis
One of the great misconceptions of the World War II is the notion that the German Army was the epitome of mechanical efficiency, combining lightning speed with awesome military power. The author argues that, although the elite Panzer divisions were indeed formidable units, about 75% of the German Army were infantry divisions who relied primarily on the horse for transport. So, the author asks, how modern was the Wehrmacht during World War II? Could it have achieved a higher level of modernity than it actually did? This book takes an unusual approach to the study of the much mythologized German Army. In dealing with horses specifically, the author shows how the German Army was in many ways a throwback to the 19th century. How extensive was this antiquated dependence on horses, and was this a conscious decision on the part of the leaders of the German war machine? Did it have an effect on the army's organization and battle strength? What problems did the Germans encounter due to their use of horses? This study answers these questions from a unique perspective and may be useful to military historians, courses in military studies and the collections in public and academic libraries.

 

Mechanized Juggernaut or Military Anachronism?: Horses and the German Army of World War II (Contributions in Military Studies) (Hardcover)
by Williamson Murray (Foreword), R.L. DiNardo (Author)
Synopsis
One of the great misconceptions of the World War II is the notion that the German Army was the epitome of mechanical efficiency, combining lightning speed with awesome military power. The author argues that, although the elite Panzer divisions were indeed formidable units, about 75% of the German Army were infantry divisions who relied primarily on the horse for transport. So, the author asks, how modern was the Wehrmacht during World War II? Could it have achieved a higher level of modernity than it actually did? This book takes an unusual approach to the study of the much mythologized German Army. In dealing with horses specifically, the author shows how the German Army was in many ways a throwback to the 19th century. How extensive was this antiquated dependence on horses, and was this a conscious decision on the part of the leaders of the German war machine? Did it have an effect on the army's organization and battle strength? What problems did the Germans encounter due to their use of horses? This study answers these questions from a unique perspective and may be useful to military historians, courses in military studies and the collections in public and academic libraries.

 

Sounds like somebody else has been asking the same question as you, JC!

 

LOL True. Heres a nice color photo BTW,

 

These carts where organic in every horse drawn Infantry unit as ammunition/weapons/equipment trailers and in some signal units from the horse drawn artillery. Not in moterised units. These are from a 14.komp. (Panzerjäger) part of every Inf./VGD Regiment (horse drawn)

 

Hey Doc! I tried to message you back about your PM. But it says that you aren't accepting Private Messages .

 

Original caption: A horse drawn soup kitchen fords a flooded area near the Eastern front, as its crew of two, members of the elite SS Troops according to the German caption, labor to bring food to their comrades.

 

German cavalry moves through a Russian village that has been set on fire. July, 1941

 

Here's a lengthy, pro-bicycle study of the use of bicycles in war. It includes sections on German and Japanese use of bicycle infantry in World War II, though it begins by advocating bicycles for use by US forces in the future.

I don't support or oppose the opinions expressed at the link. I just found it while googling for "Japanese bicycle infantry".

 

Bicycles and horses.

"An improvised cavalry brigade, the formation of which General Model had ordered when Operation SEYDLITZ was still in the planning stage, played a major role in this success. Its organization was unique in many ways. Since most of the terrain was very swampy or covered with extensive marshy forests, the brigade was to be organized in such a manner that it would be able to fight in any terrain and under any weather conditions. It was even to be mobile in mud.

The first organizational problem was the procurement of men and equipment. Obviously only officers and enlisted men with combat experience in the East could be selected for such a specialized unit. Moreover they had to be trained cavalrymen. None but tough, healthy, brave men who were in no way pampered and who felt a close kinship with nature could be used. Replacements from the western theater or the zone of the interior were therefore out of the question because the troops from the West were softened by the easy ways of occupation life, and the recruits from the training camps at home lacked combat experience. Even though the latter had received a certain amount of specialized training for the eastern front, these recently inducted soldiers were incapable of enduring the physical hardships which the Russian theater imposed on the individual. There was not a commander in the field who was not aware that the difference between war in the East and war in the West was the difference between day and night.

General Model therefore decided to pull out the reconnaissance battalion from each of the eight divisions under his command and place them at the disposal of the newly appointed brigade commander. This was a very favorable solution for the brigade but hard on the infantry divisions, for the reconnaissance battalions were valuable combat units and were greatly missed by their parent divisions.

a. Organization and equipment of the brigade

The organization and equipment of the brigade was as follows:

(1) A headquarters staff with one signal communication troop.

(2) Three cavalry regiments, each consisting of one or two mounted troops and three to four bicycle troops, with a total of five troops per regiment. Within a few hours all mounted troops of the regiments could be assembled and a complete cavalry regiment formed for an emergency. Each troop had twelve sections and each section was equipped with two light machine guns. Thus each troop had twenty-four light machine guns and two heavies. In addition, officers and enlisted men were equipped with submachine guns when possible.

(3) Each bicycle troop was issued two horse-drawn wagons, which carried ammunition, baggage, and ra­tions. Of course, these wagons were drawn by small native Panje horses because only they could master the terrain. The mounted troops had German military mounts. Mobility in mud was achieved because the Panje horses and wagons could pull through practically anywhere.

(4) In addition, the brigade included an engineer company, a medical company, and one motorized and one horse-drawn supply column.

(5) Tanks and antitank units were to assist the brigade whenever terrain conditions permitted. Each regiment had only six organic light infantry howitzers. Additional artillery support was also to be provided when necessary. The assistance of infantry and additional artillery units for flank protection was promised in case of a deep penetration or a break-through."