ϟϟ-Grenadiers during the Battle of France

Tip of the Spear: BMW R75 of Germania

Waffen-SS im Westen

The BMW R75 was the powerful and highly reliable motorcycle, which equipped the Aufklärungsabteilung (lit. reconnaissance detachment). The Aufklärungsabteilung was a heavily armed unit that advanced well to the fore of the main body and was capable of fighting for tactical intelligence if necessary. The addition of the sidecar meant that three men could be transported on each machine, which gave the unit the advantage of mobility with added firepower. Images: Kradschützen of the SS-Standarte Germania in an effort to keep up the pressure on enemy forces falling back. After the British counterattack at Arras, the SS-Verfügungs-Division, along with the Infanterie-Regiment Leibstandarte SS, were moved to hold the perimeter around Dunkirk and reduce the size of the pocket containing the encircled British Expeditionary Force and French forces. Right image: volunteers of the Waffen-SS walking the roads of Northern France while sweat trickling down their dusty faces. Originally published in the wartime photograthic journal Waffen-SS im Westen - Ein Bericht in Bildern in the spring of 1941. Both images taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Friedrich Zschäckel. Commons: Bundesarchiv.