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Article: War bikes: motorcycles have played an enduring role in American military operations since the Army enlisted its first two-wheeled cycle before World War I.
- Article from:
- Soldiers Magazine
- Article date:
- August 1, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Soldiers Magazine. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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ONE hundred years ago four men watched as their dream, the Harley-Davidson motorcycle, rolled out of a little wooden shack in Milwaukee, Wis. Thanks to good timing and the lugged capability of such two-wheeled machines, Harley --along with motorcycles from such other companies as Indian in America, BMW in Germany and Triumph in Great Britain--have played an enduring role in military transportation.
The Army began using motorcycles as early as 1913, and in 1916 the Harley-Davidson Motor-cycle Company's product became the vehicle of choice for GEN John J. Pershing's pursuit of Pancho Villa, By 1917 roughly one-third of all Harley-Davidson motorcycles produced were ...