The Second World War that was fought on a global scale in the middle of the Allies and the Axis powers lasted six full years. The United States entered the war in 1941 after the surprise strike of the Japanese fleet on Pearl Harbor. During the war years, the American Armed military made overall use of the bicycle for a variety of duties that included patrolling, communications, dispatch rider duties, and reconnaissance duties. The mainstay of the Us Army motorcycles was the Harley Davidson.
The Harley Davidson made its appearance nearly one hundred years back. A wooden shack at Milwaukee, Wis was its place of birth. When the bike rolled out limited did the men who were present, expect this bike to be the cornerstone of the American military in the years to come. But, that's exactly what happened. But of procedure there were other machines like the Indian who also played a part in the enduring role of military transportation. The Harley scored because of its excellent timing and start up capability, as well its ruggedness.
MISSIONS TRIPS TO AFRICA
In fact seeing the versatility of the engine the Army had started using motorcycles from 1913 itself. The predominant pursuance of Poncho Villa in 1916 by normal John Pershing was on motorcycles with Harley Davidson getting pride of place. At the start of hostilities During world war Ii Harley Davidson was already catering to the needs of the Army with a military- capable bicycle called the Wla which was derived from its model 45" Wl Line.
America's entry into the Second World War and the need to combat normal Rommel in the deserts of North Africa necessitated the need for a engine which could negotiate the dunes and sandy tracts. Harley Davidson answered the call of the American Army and went about manufacturing a bicycle that could operate in the African deserts. In addition other fellowships also complied with this request and Indian built the 841. Indian produced nearly 1,000 models of 841 motorcycles for the United States Army. The German bicycle Bmw R 71 was the inspiration behind the 841. Harley Davidson also copied the German design for their bicycle Xa. Harley Davidson Xa was 100% copy of the German Bmw R 71 with a few minor changes. But the Indian was not a copy of the German Bmw. It had some critical differences in design. Indians 841 tubular frame, plunger rear suspension, and shaft drive were selfsame to that of the Bmw. However the similarity ended there and the 841 with a 90-degree longitudinal-crankshaft V-twin engine and girder fork gave it a separate look.
However the trials and tests took time and in the meantime Rommel had been decisively defeated in North Africa. At this time, the bicycle was gently supplanted by the Jeep.
The United States Army However did not use the bicycle for a definite military role. This was done by the German Army with telling effect. The German Army also adapted the bicycle with a side car and mounted a engine gun on it. They used these machines for tactical assault. Though the Us Army did not use the bicycle for this role the other roles of the bicycle made the engine critical for the Army.
A critical use of the bicycle During the war was by the military police. Patrolling and policing was an leading duty. The Harley Davidson was the mainstay of the mobile force of the Us Army. Nearly 90,000 military motorcycles were built by Harley Davidson During the War. In addition 30000 bikes were sent to Russia under lend lease During World War Ii. These figures show the resilience of the motorbike and its overall use by the army. Harley Davidson had an midpoint price of $ 380 at that time. The bicycle had a top speed of 65 Mph and weighed 540 lbs. Harley-Davidson received two Army-Navy awards for excellence in production, in 1943 and again 1945.
In addition During the war The Army used the motorcycles for private missions of reconnaissance and carrying dispatches to the front lines. The Army also has used motorcycles to move small amounts of medical supplies to the front lines to the soldiers fighting in Europe, when heavier vehicles were not ready to do the job. A major role During the war was with the United States military Police. The use of the bicycle was much greater by the Us Army in the western theater of the war ,while its use against the Japanese in the eastern theatre was limited.This was because the operations were on islands and vast ocean tracts. Thus the war brought out the versatility of the bicycle and its overall use by the Us Army
The bike And Its Use By The Us Army - World War Ii MISSIONS TRIPS TO AFRICA
No comments:
Post a Comment