Kradmelder (Regimentsstab, Artillerie-Regiment 110)

Source: Flickr

     Somewhere on the Eastern Front, a kradmelder (dispatch rider) for the regimental headquarters (Regimentsstab) of Artillerie-Regiment 110 prepares to get under way. Of all the belligerents during World War Two, the German military was the largest user of both motorcycles as well as dispatch riders. These men played a critical role in delivering urgent orders and messages between headquarters and units out in the field. Often, this was because wire communications between units and their headquarters was either not yet in place, the distance too far to establish such communication, time was not available to set up wire lines, or the wire lines run had been broken, sabotaged, or in some way destroyed thus severing such communication channels. Typically, dispatches were sent back and forth by foot when moving messages between züge (platoons) and kompanie (companies) but when communicating to bataillone (battalions) and higher units, the kradmelder was utilized. Obviously, the job of a kradmelder, or any dispatch rider regardless of nation, was a dangerous one as they often operated alone. Even moving behind friendly lines, front depending, was no guarantee of safety. Each kradmelder was trained to maintain his motorcycle and spare parts were often carried so that any common mechanical failure could be corrected in the field.

     The Germans issued the kradmelder, and other users of motorcycles, a unique piece of protective clothing which was called the Schutzmantel für Kraft Radfaher which translates as Protective Coat for Motorcyclists. The double-breasted coat was rubberized so that it was waterproof and it also fit loosely. The coat also featured a wool faced collar, split tail, and four large pockets (two on the front, one on each side) with button-closure flaps. Each tail could be gathered around the rider's leg and buttoned into place. This made for a more snug fit and thus made the coat less awkward to wear when sitting on the motorcycle and also lessened the chances the coat material might catch on objects, to include the motorcycle's own rear tire. The coat was standard for both enlisted men as well as officers who operated motorcycles. The rider in the photograph has wrapped the coats' tails around his legs and the bottom of one of the front pockets can just be seen beneath his arm. The clear shield he is using to protect his face is not often seen in photographs with the usual protective equipment being a pair of goggles and conditions depending, a scarf or piece of cloth to cover the mouth and nose. In cold weather, some kradmelder used their gas masks, without the filter, to protect their face from the frigid temperatures. Other equipment visible includes the cylindrical gasmaskenbüche (gas mask case) and the square, rubberized pouch for the gaskap (gas cape). Strapped to his back is a Mauser 7.92mm k98 bolt-action rifle.

     The motorcycle he is riding is a DKW (DampfKraftWagen) NZ 350. By the time this photograph was taken, DKW was building the NZ 350 exclusively for the Wehrmacht. The motorcycle was powered by a 1-cylinder, 2-stroke, air-cooled 346cc engine which developed approximately 12hp. This was paired with a 4-speed transmission. Top speed of the NZ 350 was 65mph. Fuel capacity came from a 3.6 gallon fuel tank with the engine consuming, under normal operating conditions, almost one gallon of gasoline every 62 miles. Of interest, however, is that the license plate affixed to the top of the front fender is not military but a civilian plate. This is because all Wehrmacht military plates started with WH (Wehrmacht Heer for the Army), WL (Wehrmacht Luftwaffe for the Air Force), WM (Wehrmacht Kriegsmarine for the Navy), or SS for Waffen-SS license plates. The “M” on the plate is the Roman numeral that corresponded to a German city or district in which the motorcycle had been registered. The circular red object is the registration proof of issue by the local police. The upper portion read “Der Polizeiprälident” (Chief of Police) and below it would be the city name. It was not uncommon that civilian owned motorcycles were impressed into German military service given that demand for them was high.

     Finally, when this photograph was taken, the regimental headquarters staff for Artillerie-Regiment 110 had been attached to the I. Armeekorps (1st. Army Corps), 18. Armee (18th. Army) which was a part of Heeresgruppe Nord (Army Group North) during the invasion of Russia that commenced on June 22, 1941 with the launch of Unternehmen Barbarossa or Operation Barbarossa. By October 1941, it was subordinated to L. Armeekorps on several occasions. By the close of 1944, the unit was the 17. Armee and by the spring of 1945, it was under 1. Panzerarmee, LIX. Armeekorps in Silesia. As for the remainder of the unit, I.Abteilung (which encompassed three batteries) was assigned to Artillerie-Regiment 74 in 1939 and III.Abteilung (also three batteries) joined Artillerie-Regiment 74 on July 29, 1940. Artillerie-Regiment 110 was designated a heavy artillery regiment which meant it was equipped with 150mm or 170mm caliber guns.