The German Kradmantel, or motorcyclist's protective coat, was a distinctive and highly functional piece of Wehrmacht equipment that played a vital role during World War II. Introduced on November 12, 1934, as the Schutzmantel für Kraftradfahrer, it was specifically designed for motorcycle troops—known as Kradschützen or Kradmelder—including dispatch riders, reconnaissance units, and field police who operated high-mobility BMW R75 and Zündapp KS 750 sidecar motorcycles across Europe's varied terrains. Constructed primarily from rubberized grey-green fabric for waterproofing and wind resistance, the three-quarter-length, double-breasted coat featured a large cut to wear comfortably over standard field uniforms, equipment, and even steel helmets. Early versions had matching rubberized collars, while later M1940 models incorporated a contrasting dark green or field-grey wool collar for added warmth and style. It included pebbled buttons, an inner chest pocket, and versatile fastening options—such as buttoning the hem to form leg coverings or turning up the collar—that allowed troops to adapt it for riding in rain, mud, dust, or cold. Variants included tropical olive linen versions for the Afrika Korps. Popular among soldiers for its rugged durability, protective qualities, and somewhat stylish appearance that evoked a dashing image of mechanized warfare, the Kradmantel saw service from the Blitzkrieg campaigns in Poland and France through the harsh Eastern Front winters and North African deserts. Though production and material quality declined later in the war, originals and reproductions remain prized collector items today, symbolizing the German emphasis on mobile infantry tactics in the early years of the conflict.
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General der Panzertruppe Leo Geyr von Schweppenburg (1886-1974), born on 2 March 1886 in Potsdam into a Prussian military aristocratic family with a legacy of producing Field Marshals, was a highly regarded German officer who rose to the rank of General der Panzertruppe and became one of the Wehrmacht's foremost experts in armoured warfare. Joining the German Army in 1904, he served with distinction in World War I on multiple fronts as a Rittmeister, remained in the Reichswehr during the interwar period, advanced to Oberst in 1932 and Generalmajor in 1935, and served as military attaché to the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the Netherlands from 1933 to 1937 while based in London. Promoted to Generalleutnant, he assumed command of the 3. Panzer-Division in 1937, leading it effectively during the 1939 invasion of Poland as its most powerful armoured formation with 391 tanks, earning battlefield praise from Hitler for actions at Kulm. In February 1940 he took command of the XXIV. Armeekorps (motorisiert), directing it through the 1940 Battle of France before spearheading advances in Operation Barbarossa as part of Generaloberst Heinz Guderian's 2. Panzerarmee in Army Group Centre. On 9 July 1941, as General der Panzertruppe and Kommandierender General of the XXIV. Armeekorps (motorisiert), Geyr von Schweppenburg was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes for his masterful leadership during the initial phases of the invasion of the Soviet Union: he skillfully planned his Panzerkorps' crossing of the Bug river, then drove energetically through the challenging terrain of Polesia to Kobryn, directing an unstoppable five-day advance to Bereza Kartuska and Sluck that resulted in the capture or destruction of approximately 150 enemy tanks and a similar number of artillery pieces, while personally exemplifying devotion to duty in the foremost combat zones and contributing decisively to the broader objectives of the Panzergruppe. Later commands included the XXXX. Panzerkorps in the Caucasus, Panzergruppe West (formalised as 5. Panzerarmee) in France where he prepared armoured reserves and attempted counteractions during the 1944 Normandy invasion until wounded in an Allied air attack on his headquarters at La Caine, followed by service as Inspector General of Armoured Troops until 1945. Postwar, after American captivity, he contributed to historical studies and the formation of the Bundeswehr before his death on 27 January 1974 in Irschenhausen.
Source :
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30100753
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