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WWII motorcycle and soldiers emerge from river muck in Hungary
Popular Science ^ | Aug 13, 2026 | Andrew Paul

Posted on 08/13/2026 12:13:46 PM PDT by woodbutcher1963

History continues to resurface as unprecedented heatwaves and droughts in Europe push the Danube River to its lowest levels on record. In addition to the dozens of World War II Nazi naval vessels near the Serbian town of Prahavo, archaeologists in Hungary have located an extremely rare Wehrmacht military motorcycle, along with the bodies of its two potential crewmembers. Due to the area’s unique conditions, both the vehicle and the soldiers’ remains are remarkably well-preserved even after over 80 years underwater.

The vehicle and possible remains were found in an exposed section of the Danube riverbed near the Hungarian Parliament building in Budapest. A combination of mud mixed with gas and oil ensured the finds didn’t succumb to deteriorating conditions usually experienced in aquatic environments. Because it is still nearly intact, experts quickly identified the vehicle as a DKW NZ 350-1 motorcycle, often known as the “Kräder” (which means wheels)). The Nazis built around 12,000 of these combat units towards the end of WWII, each featuring a single-cylinder, two-stroke engine providing 11.5 horsepower with a top speed of about 56 mph.

(Excerpt) Read more at popsci.com ...


TOPICS: History; Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: danube; hungary

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1 posted on 08/13/2026 12:13:46 PM PDT by woodbutcher1963
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To: woodbutcher1963

A field-day for metal detector enthusiasts.

(If you find Nazi gold - don’t tell anyone!)


2 posted on 08/13/2026 12:18:49 PM PDT by Empire_of_Liberty
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To: woodbutcher1963

“Ran When Parked”


3 posted on 08/13/2026 12:20:30 PM PDT by KingLudd
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To: Empire_of_Liberty

Based on the picture the motorcycle seems to be incredibly well preserved. Even the seat seems to be intact.
Stuck in the mud for 80 years.

NAZIs


4 posted on 08/13/2026 12:20:41 PM PDT by woodbutcher1963
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To: KingLudd

I would wager that when they clean that thing up it will run.
Those Germans knew how to build things back then.


5 posted on 08/13/2026 12:23:20 PM PDT by woodbutcher1963
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To: woodbutcher1963

Isn’t that the one that Steve McQueen rode into the barbed wire fence in “The Great Escape”?


6 posted on 08/13/2026 12:31:06 PM PDT by China Clipper ( Animals? I love animals. See? There's one there, right next to the potatoes!)
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To: woodbutcher1963

I looked at the picture, based on what you said. Future archeologists (of whatever species) will find motorcycles and dinosaurs. I can only imagine their descriptions.


7 posted on 08/13/2026 12:37:09 PM PDT by Empire_of_Liberty
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To: China Clipper

he rode a 1962 Triumph TR6 Trophy ...


8 posted on 08/13/2026 12:37:35 PM PDT by bankwalker (Feminists, like all Marxists, are ungrateful parasites.)
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To: China Clipper
Steve rode a Triumph TR6 over the fence. Audiences wouldn't have paid much attention, and the director/producer certainly didn't. Weird considering that BMW bikes were plentiful for the shoot. They were probably too heavy and slow for the stunt.

Bikes Made Weird.

9 posted on 08/13/2026 12:37:46 PM PDT by Sirius Lee ("Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.)
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To: woodbutcher1963

Amazing....


10 posted on 08/13/2026 12:39:52 PM PDT by Thank You Rush
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To: woodbutcher1963; SunkenCiv

That’ll buff right out PING!......


11 posted on 08/13/2026 12:44:12 PM PDT by Red Badger (Iryna Zarutska, May 22, 2002 Kyiv, Ukraine – August 22, 2025 Charlotte, North Carolina Say her name)
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12 posted on 08/13/2026 12:47:08 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (TDS -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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To: woodbutcher1963
UnearthedDKW_NZ_350-1

"I'm sorry - $750 is the best I can do."

13 posted on 08/13/2026 12:48:15 PM PDT by MikelTackNailer (Liberty, like health, appears most precious when lost. - Norm Macdonald)
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To: woodbutcher1963

> Those Germans knew how to build things back then. <

They sure did. But fortunately for us, they didn’t have the oil to run everything that they built.


14 posted on 08/13/2026 12:50:03 PM PDT by Leaning Right
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To: woodbutcher1963

Maybe Derek from Vice Grip Garage can get it running again.


15 posted on 08/13/2026 12:52:09 PM PDT by posterchild
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To: Red Badger

Rhapsody from Hunger(y)
Spike Jones and His City Slickers
https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/677600/all


16 posted on 08/13/2026 12:52:32 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (TDS -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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To: Leaning Right

I recall my HS history teacher telling us how the Germans would taxi their new jet aircraft to the runway using horses in order to conserve fuel.


17 posted on 08/13/2026 12:55:07 PM PDT by 21twelve (Ever Vigilant - Never Fearful)
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To: bankwalker; Sirius Lee

“However, the actual stunt of the motorcycle hitting the fence was performed by McQueen’s friend and stuntman, Bud Ekins, not McQueen himself.” (search results)


18 posted on 08/13/2026 12:56:16 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (TDS -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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I’m grateful he didn’t live to meet the cancel culture.

Hungarian Goulash No. 5
Allan Sherman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nds16kijS9w


19 posted on 08/13/2026 12:57:57 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (TDS -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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To: MikelTackNailer
Rick Harrison from “Pawn Stars” has already made an offer for the motorcycle.


20 posted on 08/13/2026 12:58:54 PM PDT by Leaning Right
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