Bicycle Military Infantry: Highly Mobile Battle on Wheels

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

The bicycle military infantry has historically established itself as a combat-ready, highly mobile unit. The advantages of cycling formations have been appreciated by the largest armies in the world. Pedal war horses demonstrated military successes along with motors. What did the bicycle units do in the war and how they fit into the age of tanks and aviation - in our material.

1. What is good about a bicycle in war

Military experience in the use of bicycles has demonstrated many of the advantages of this invention. Bicycle units moved much faster than infantrymen, and virtually silently. The cyclists were transporting serious loads, being completely independent of the fuel supply. Repairing bicycles in the field took no more than half an hour, without requiring special skills.

Bicycle devices have been successfully used in airborne and rear operations. After landing, the paratroopers assembled the bike in a matter of seconds and moved into position without unnecessary sound. The most high-end bike was priced well below the price of a simple motorcycle, with little difference in average travel speeds on bad roads. The patrols and experienced scooters could accelerate up to 20 kilometers per hour, overcoming up to 80 km per day.

Cycling units of individual armies were armed with small arms, mortars, machine guns, grenades. All this was attached with special brackets to bicycle frames, the ammunition was transported on massive trunks. Cycle units fought at the level of regular infantry, maneuvering the main forces and unexpectedly appearing from different directions. Cyclists were especially appreciated in pursuit operations, during a mobile defense, and in delivering a surprise strike. However, the effectiveness of these units was primarily influenced by the sports training of personnel.

2. The first scooter troops and the bicycle boom

The first reliable mentions of the use of bicycles for military purposes date back to the period of the Franco-Prussian War (1870). Then the messenger of the French troops managed to get on a bicycle to besieged Paris and convey an important report to his own. Having appreciated the advantages and possibilities of cycling maneuvers, the Europeans replenished their armies with the so-called scooter formations.

By the end of the 19th century, the number of military cyclists in France alone reached 3 thousand. The best of them, after difficult physical tests, entered the service at the General Staff. French officer Henri Gerard even designed a folding bicycle that military cyclists carried behind their backs like a backpack, while leaving their hands free for shooting.

The rise of military bicycle production started in the First World War. Scooter military units have become full-fledged army units of all warring parties. The Russians formed 25 bicycle companies, the Turks and the Germans had about 120 thousand bicycle soldiers each, and about 100 thousand in Britain. The number of the Velovoys of Belgium and France reached 150 thousand fighters. Britain, Austria, Italy, Russia and Germany have set up their own production of folding samples. When the hostilities entered the "trench" phase, the cyclists were involved in communications and intelligence operations, carried out supplies, and evacuated the wounded.

3. Russian combat bike

The Russian Empire did not remain aloof from innovations either. Prince Potemkin even wrote a detailed work about bicycles in military affairs. The trial operation of cycling for the needs of the Russian army began in 1888. The creation of independent cycling units in the Russian army took place in 1897.

In 1913, the army general staff initiated a centralized supply of bicycles to military units. At that time, three largest bicycle factories, the Moscow “Duks” Yu. A. Meller & Co., Riga "Russia" A. Leitner and "Matador" in Revel, the first two of which received a proposal for a military state order. Testing of bicycles used by foreign armies was urgently organized. There was an unsuccessful attempt to acquire a license for the production of Peugeot cycling devices in order to modernize them in Russia. As a result, they decided to be content with their own inventions.

Initially, it was planned to produce traditional bicycles, slightly adapted to difficult operating conditions, because there were no special requirements for mobile devices. However, a few months later, the first technical specification was approved - a folding mechanism. The most successful military model of those times includes A. Bazilevsky's apparatus, which had a simple design, while being distinguished by its high reliability and folding speed. In 1916, the production of modernized military bicycles "Duks Combat" was started. By the end of 1917, more than 3,500 of these were transferred to the Russian army.

4. Operations on bicycles

Military history has recorded a number of successful operations with the participation of scooter units. About 50 thousand Japanese cyclists took part in the occupation of China due to the shortage of motorized transport. A 20,000-strong samurai landing on bicycles managed to approach the rear of the Singapore garrison from the jungle side, thereby helping to capture the city. Then about 80 thousand soldiers were taken prisoner. And the mobility of the cyclists played a significant role.

Bicycles have also distinguished themselves in Polish military history. Cyclists took part in the decisive battles of the Polish-Bolshevik War of 1920, passing orders as couriers. Effective military significance was demonstrated in 1939 by the cyclists of the 25th Greater Poland Uhlan regiment in the famous battle at Krasnobrud. When the main army suffered heavy losses, cyclists entered the battle, defending strategically important positions and driving back the enemy.