Originally posted by Bob Rea
The African American 25th Inf. tested the bicycle on a march from Missoula Montana to St. Louis in 1897. There is a PBS video "The Bicycle Corps" and a book or two on the subject.
Bob Rea
I've seen that documentary, and it caused me pain just to see where they had ridden. Imagine, riding in wool uniforms, often across country, and, if I recall correctly, with full length infantry rifles.
Originally posted by Couvi
Pat,
The Japanese used enormous numbers of bicycles in the invasion of Singapore. The can go places, especially in rough jungle terrain, that horses and mules can't.
The German Army used large numbers of bicycle mounted troops to accompany Panzer units, since both had a speed of about 12 MPH.
One of the Black infantry units was tested as bicycle troops in the late 19th Century. They were used as riot troops in Cuba after the Span-Am War.
Couvi
"Cavalier san Cheval"
Indeed, the speed of the Japanese advance in Souteast Asia is at least partially attributable to bicycle use. It worked very well for them.
German infantry reconnaissance units, which were also horse mounted, came to rely on the bicycle more as the war closed, and the horse less. This is not to say they quit relying on the horse, they did not. However, the bicycle became increasingly useful as Germany retreated into Germany itself, as the road system was so much better, and they were familiar with all the roads, that they had to rely on the cross country ability of the horse less. And, of course, a bicycle does not have to be fed.
Motorcycle use also increased for the same purposes, although the motorcycle had the disadvantage of requiring gasoline.
It's an odd thought to think of the Japanese juggernaut of 1942 relying on bikes, or the German blitzkreig bike and horse mounted, but they were.
On bikes, I've seen some photos of Swiss troops using them, heavily laden with all the gear that armies hand out, and assault rifles, and it makes it clear to me that, given a choice between a bicycle or a horse, in the ear in which both were used, I'd go with a horse. Being a bicycle trooper looks miserable.
Pat
