I would be very appreciative of any information regarding the use of motorcycle reconaissance forces, both in their scouting role and in combat. For instance, when there was a mix of motorcyles and half-tracks did they both perform the same scouting role, was one generally sent ahead of the other, did the kradschutzen always dismount for combat, etc.
Many thanks in advance.
Tactics of the Kradschutzen
Moderator: John W. Howard
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Kradschutzen
The kradschutzen served both as motorized infantry and as recon troops.
In the early part of the war, when light trucks to carry the motorized infantry were in short supply, it was not unusual to find a motorcycle company in every motorized infantry battalion. Because they could travel cross country with greater ease than their motorized brethren in trucks, the motorcycle troops often accompanied the panzers. They were also used to race ahead and capture key crossroads and bridges. While they might sometimes just roar through a village on their way to an objective, if they were close to their objective or thought the village might be occupied, they would dismount at a distance and approach on foot.
As more trucks became available, the motorcycle companies were pulled out of the motorized battalions and formed into motorcycle battalions.
Motorcycle troops, whether in recon units or motorized units, should be thought of as infantry. As halftracks became available, many motorcycle units were reequipped with them. Other motorcycles continued to be used for messengers, etc.
In the early part of the war, when light trucks to carry the motorized infantry were in short supply, it was not unusual to find a motorcycle company in every motorized infantry battalion. Because they could travel cross country with greater ease than their motorized brethren in trucks, the motorcycle troops often accompanied the panzers. They were also used to race ahead and capture key crossroads and bridges. While they might sometimes just roar through a village on their way to an objective, if they were close to their objective or thought the village might be occupied, they would dismount at a distance and approach on foot.
As more trucks became available, the motorcycle companies were pulled out of the motorized battalions and formed into motorcycle battalions.
Motorcycle troops, whether in recon units or motorized units, should be thought of as infantry. As halftracks became available, many motorcycle units were reequipped with them. Other motorcycles continued to be used for messengers, etc.
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Those mc battalions where also used for swift recon ahead of a panzer-battalion...like the todays search and destroy missions...only the cyclists hurried back and send a detachement of tanks to deal with the spotted enemy formation,
"Perish any man who suspects that these men either did or suffered anything unseemly."[