Overview

Motorcycles started to enter military service in the early years of World War I, replacing the ubiquitous mounted despatch rider and providing a means of mechanizing machine-gun and stretcher units. The conflict brought an enormous upsurge in the use of motorcycles in Europe and America. The machines continued to play an import role in military strategic thinking during the inter-war years, with the motorcycle-mounted Kradschutzen troops forming a significant element of the German Blitzkrieg lightning assault tactic. But the appearance of the Jeep in 1941 highlighted the motorcycle's shortcomings and, by the end of World War II, motorcycles were really only being used in Military Police and convoy escort duties. The decline continued during the post-war years, with some slight resurgence of motorcycle use towards the end of the 20th century, with desert warfare favouring off-road machines and ATVs. The specialized nature of the modern military motorcycle is underlined by the appearance of the first diesel-powered motorcycle in 2001. This comprehensive new book covers this history in lively detail, the author highlighting the varied roles military motorcycles have played, as well as how the vehicles have evolved over time. A substantial A-Z directory next focusses on 200 of the most important motorcycles, showing the incredible diversity of the types. Detailed specification boxes are included for every motorcycle described. These include country of origin, date, crew, weight, dimensions, powerplant and performance. This expertly written book, with its wealth of rare and previously unseen photographs, provides enthusiasts and historians with key information about these diverse and multi-tasking vehicles.

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9780754819608

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