MILITARY BICYCLES IN WORLD WAR ONE During the Boer War the practical value of the cyclist corps did not rise to expectation, and Sir Redvers Buller raised all the hornets of the Cycle Press about his ears by saying so, politely, but very frankly. In the Great War, however, the value of the cyclist…

The Eastern Front of World War II was a brutal place.

Nothing on reverse except the photographer's details: Atelier Feist, Aachen. A Landsturmmann Radfahrer circa 1914. Initially bicycle troops were used as 'fast' moving advance units, however, when the static trench war began, they were relegated to a dispatch rider role. This fellow wears a Schirmmütze (visored cap), an interesting convertible cape / overcoat (Umhang), Stiefelhose - loose fitting trousers, puttees and lace-up boots. On his belt he has the standard number of ammunition pouches. His bicycle (Fahrrad) has been left in it's civilian livery rather than painted Feldgrau as was often the case.

This Memorial Day, we look back at how bikes helped move troops quickly and efficiently in the Great War.

1916 New Hudson Military Model No 101

Philip Moreau's lovely original 1916 MkIV BSA Army Cycle supplied to the Belgian Army. Zonnebeke Museum.