For sale is a rare WW2 German Bicycle Infantry Units Leather Y-straps Das Truppenfahrrad Dated 1928. This set of y straps is marked “M.D.I 1/58 Liefeser-nr. 1928” and then hand written is “justram Sobbon”. The y straps on all of the metal buckles/ hooks are stamped with a buckle stamp. From research We’ve only come across one other examples of these!

History:

Contrary to popular belief the German Army was not fully motorised at the outbreak of war . The Treaty of Versailles had severely limited the Army's resources , especially within motorisation . A large part of the Infantry were required to move on foot and therefore it seemed logical to utilise non - motorised forms of transport such as horses and bicycles . These forms of transport continued throughout the war and towards the end the reduced manufacture of motorised vehicles and lack of fuel resources forced OKW(Oberkommando der Wermacht- The HighCommand of the Armed Forces ) to utilise more non motorised forms of transport . In 1943 the production of bicycles was estimated at 1.2 million . Although the exact number is not known , the largest part of this production was initiated by military demands . All units of Infantry and even motorised divisions included bicycles in their standard equipment . The reorganisation of the army in the mid 1930's stated that the first battalion each infantry regiment should be equipped with bicycles and throughout the war , in the majority of infantry regiments , this was the case . Each regiment had a reconnaissance section , which were either on horseback or bicycles ( Regiment Radfahrer / Reiterzug ) or sometimes a combination of the two . The HQ staff of infantry regiments were issued five bicycles , as were pioneer battalions . Later in the war all units had bicycles issued , especially sections whose role was as despatch riders . The cavalry , at the start of the war , had fifteen regiments . Each of these regiments included a small section of motorised vehicles and a battalion of bicycles . In 1941 the attack in the east against the Soviet Republic showed the unsuitability of combining horse mounted troops and bicycle units . During the muddy period in autumn of that year the horses retained good mobility whilst the bicycle became a burden . Within the cavalry the bicycle battalion was eventually phased out by 1943 , however the cavalry itself became practically non - existent having been reduced to three regiments by this time . In 1945 , during the closing days of the war , the allied offensive on Berlin and other major cities had placed a stranglehold on equipment and supplies , which forced the defenders to utilise any form of transport available to them . Bicycles were used in great numbers by the infantry . Volksturm(civilian volunteers ) and theHj to manoeuvre through the streets in a vain attempt to stay the onslaught .

This will be sent via Royal Mail special delivery and dispatched within two working days.

Box 2