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Bicycle infantry are infantry soldiers who maneuver on (or, more often, between) battlefields using military bicycles. The term dates from the late 19th century, when the "safety bicycle" became popular in Europe, the United States, and Australia. Historically, bicycles lessened the need for horses, fuel and vehicle maintenance.
Separate units of bicycle infantry existed in armies of many nations until the end of 20th century; it was not until 2003 that the Swiss Army reformed its last three Bicycle Infantry Regiments. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, there was a resurgence in the testing of all terrain and folding bikes for use by infantry in battle and patrolling ...
In June 1942, 4th Infantry Division was reorganised as a Mixed Division [g] when 21st Tank Brigade was assigned. [23] On 5 June 1942, 11th Infantry Brigade left the division and came under command of First Army, before joining the 78th "Battleaxe" Infantry Division on 22 June. [27]
The headstones at Vandières of R.S. Caldwell (aged 24), J.H. Wain (age 27) and A. Norris, members of the Army Cyclist Corps, died June 1918. In accordance with the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907 (7 Edw. 7, c.9) which brought the Territorial Force into being, the TF was intended to be a home defence force for service during wartime and members could not be compelled to serve outside ...
The Japanese also used bicycle infantry and light tanks, which allowed swift movement of their forces overland through terrain covered with thick tropical rainforest, criss-crossed by native paths. Although the Japanese had not brought bicycles with them (to speed the disembarkation process), they knew from their intelligence that suitable ...
Following World War II, in 1947, the decision was made to decommission the bicycle infantry regiments. They were gradually removed from the Army between 1948 and 1952. Following this decision, the role of the bicycle shifted away from a combat one to a more utilitarian one, with special bicycle transport groups being formed.
The most famous Swiss bicycle infantryman is Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer, who commanded a bicycle infantry battalion until 1994 and still uses his army bicycle. [1] In 2012, the Department of Defence, Civil Defence, and Sport purchased 4100 of the new, lighter MO-12 or Fahrrad 12 , which are also available for private purchase.
The Northern Cyclist Battalion was a bicycle infantry battalion of the Territorial Force, part of the British Army. Formed in 1908, it served in the United Kingdom throughout the First World War and in 1920 it was converted as part of the Royal Garrison Artillery.