SS-Kradschutzen Platoon w/Kurt 'Panzer' Meyer

The Schutzstaffel or SS are the military embodiment of the Nazi political party. Their motorcycle troops move swiftly and decisively against the enemies of Germany.

The Kradschützen form the building blocks of an effective strike force. Swift application of power is enabled by the BMW motorcycle, which allows the SS troops to exploit gaps in the enemy’s line or rapidly reinforce the riflemen during an enemy counterattack.

Kurt "Schnell" Meyer

Kurt Meyer was born in 1910 into a lower class family. He worked a number of jobs, including mining, factory work, and other such jobs before joining the police in 1929. Meyer joined the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler in 1934, becoming a platoon and later company commander of the 14. SS-Panzerabwehrkompanie (14th SS Anti-tank Company).

Meyer led his company with distinction through the Polish campaign in 1939, earning an Iron Cross, Second Class. But Meyer was not satisfied with the static nature of anti-tank combat. He requested to be transferred to a more active unit and his wish was granted when he was assigned to command the 15. SS-Kradschützensturm (15th SS Motorcycle Rifle Company). He led the reconnaissance unit during the battle for France where he earned an Iron Cross, First Class.

Following the successful campaign in France, Meyer was promoted to command the Leibstandarte reconnaissance battalion. He followed the rest of the regiment to the Balkans where they spearheaded the attack into Greece.

During the fighting in the mountains of Greece, Meyer’s attack stalled in front of the Greek 20th Infantry Division’s formidable network of machine-gun nests and obstacles. Pinned down by intense machine-gun fire, Meyer tried in vain to get his men to get up and charge the enemy nest. Finally, he grabbed a live grenade and threw it at the feet of his grenadiers.

Meyer recalled that it was as if they had been bitten by a tarantula and the men’s paralysis was broken. They instantly got up and ran toward the machine-gun, knocking it out and capturing over 600 prisoners, all for the cost of seven men killed and 18 wounded.

Together with the rest of the troops of Leibstandarte, Meyer’s battalion pressed on to cut off the retreating Greek Eprius Army at Lake Kastoria. Meyer’s battalion rushed around the flank of the Greeks and cut off their retreat from the south, and capturing thousands more prisoners, directly contributing to the surrender of the Greek Army to the Germans. For this action, Meyer was awarded the Knight’s Cross, Germany’s highest honor.

Meyer went on to lead his battalion into Russia in June 1941, rising to the rank of SS-Standartenführer (colonel) in command of the 25. SS-Panzergrenadierregiment of the 12. “Hitlerjugend” SS-Panzerdivision. Meyer then fought against the Allies in Normandy during 1944 until he was captured by partisans trying to escape the Falaise Pocket. After the war he was tried as a war criminal, serving nine years in prison before being released to live the rest of his days in Germany and passing away in 1961.

Characteristics

SS-Sturmbannführer (Major) Kurt Meyer is a Warrior team rated as Fearless Veteran. He is a Motorcycle SMG team and uses the Motorcycle Reconnaissance special rules found on pages 10-11 of Burning Empires.

Meyer leads his battalion from the front and replaces the Company Command team in an SS-Kradschützensturm (see page 52 of Burning Empires) or an SS-Infanteriekompanie (see page 57 of Burning Empires) for +20 points.

Special Rules

Schnell!: Meyer pressed his men hard and pushed his way onto the objective, earning him the nickname “Schnell” (or fast).

Meyer and any platoon he joins may make a Stormtrooper move on a roll of 2+. No choice but forward!: Meyer made judicious use of a live grenade to get his men motivated to assault a Greek machinegun nest.

Any time Meyer gives a re-roll to an SS-Kradschützen Platoon, SSKradschützen Machine-gun Platoon, SS Infanterie Plat