Budapest: WWII German motorcycle recovered from Danube riverbed

A World War II-era military motorcycle, identified as a DKW NZ 350-1, has been recovered from the muddy bed of the Danube river near Batthyány Square in Budapest. The vehicle emerged due to historically low water levels in the river.

Experts from the Hungarian Ministry of Defence’s Institute and Museum of Military History determined that the motorcycle belonged to the armoured engineer battalion of the German Feldherrnhalle (FHH) Panzer Division. The identification was made possible by specific markings found on the motorcycle’s storage box.

Historians believe the vehicle likely served with the battalion headquarters, as it lacked specific company markings. The motorcycle was found in a remarkably well-preserved state, protected by a layer of mud mixed with fuel and oil, which prevented typical aquatic degradation.