M42 Truppenfahrrad

Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-009-0870-04A, Russland-Nord, Vormarsch durch Lettland

The M42 Truppenfahrrad was a

military bicycle A military bicycle is a bicycle specially adapted to the needs of armed forces. In use since the early 20th century in many armies throughout the world, bicycles allow for silent movement and increased mobility on the battlefield. Additional adva ...

issued to the Heer and

Waffen SS The (, "Armed SS") was the combat branch of the Nazi Party's ''Schutzstaffel'' (SS) organisation. Its formations included men from Nazi Germany, along with volunteers and conscripts from both occupied and unoccupied lands. The grew from th ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. Special equipment for military use was: the steering bar, the saddle, the toolbox (which could be fitted with two grenades) and the porter at the back. On the steering bar were holders mounted for holding a variety of items, such as a half-shelter tent, clothing, and

panzerfaust The ''Panzerfaust'' (, "armour fist" or "tank fist", plural: ''Panzerfäuste'') was a development family of single-shot man-portable anti-tank systems developed by Nazi Germany during World War II. The weapons were the first single-use light an ...

s. The mid-section could be fitted to hold machineguns. The headlamp was made to work with dynamo and/or battery. Numerous units of the

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

ground forces were equipped with bicycles. In addition to aiding troops in their movement, they were also used to deliver mail and maintain connections between a

general A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of highest military ranks, high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry. In some usages the term "general officer" refers t ...

and his troops, and for other purposes. World War II vehicles of Germany Bicycle models Military vehicles introduced from 1940 to 1944 Military bicycles {{Germany-WWII-stub