It was codenamed Operation Overlord. The 6 June 1944 held a momentous operation whereby allied forces launched a combined naval, air and land assault on Nazi-occupied France. The amphibious landings on five key beaches in Normandy marked the start of a long campaign in North-West Europe, which ultimately convinced the German high command that defeat was inevitable. Today, the 6th of June 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of the operation which honours the brave personnel who risked their lives for freedom and peace.
It would seem fitting then, to look back at some of the motorcycles ridden by service personnel following the assault on the Normandy Beaches. The motorcycle played an important role in the war, where they were often seen as a simple means to grant infantryman mobility in a small and easily transported package.
Motorcycles were also used as a tool to facilitate communication. Radio transmission at that time was hit and miss, particularly with troops on the front line, and as such dispatch riders used two-wheels to deliver urgent orders and messages between headquarters and military units.
In other cases, sidecar-equipped motorcycles were used to transport cargo, infantry or injured soldiers, and were commonly used to escort convoys and assist with scouting operations.
This is a selection of a few of the motorcycles that were deployed into action in WW2, with photos taken at the Overlord Show in Hampshire and at the Goodwood Revival in Sussex.
BSA W-M20
The W-M20 was part of Birmingham Smalls Arms’ contribution to Britain’s war effort. It was the creation of Val Page and intended as a heavy-framed sidecar rig; with that in mind the engine had tons of low-end torque. The W-M20 was powered by a 496cc air-cooled, side-valve single producing 13hp at 4200 rpm.
Initially the British Army were reticent to use the M20 for war duties, claiming that it was heavy, slow and had poor ground clearance. However, the bikes were tough, reliable and simple to maintain, and for this reason the orders soon arrived from the War Office.
The bulk of BSA W-M20 motorcycles were used by the British Army, but the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force also commissioned the dependable machines from BSA, which saw action in almost every theatre of the conflict.
Royal Enfield Flying Flea
The Royal Enfield WD/RE – affectionately referred to as the “Flying Flea”, was a British motorcycle developed by Royal Enfield for the British War Office. The Government had requested a simple, lightweight motorcycle that could be dropped by parachute alongside airborne troops.
The Flying Flea was basic, but ticked many boxes. It weighed only 56kg which allowed the average squaddie to lift it over their shoulder and negotiate obstacles, rivers and pretty much anything that got in the way. The little frame housed a 126cc air-cooled two stroke single, making it capable of around 45mph – not quite a Black Shadow, but the powerplant provided a power to weight ratio more than enough for the demanding terrain it would be up against. The low compression piston also meant that it could run on the cruddiest of war fuel – another handy feature for front line duties.
The next hurdle was to work out how to safely drop the Enfield without it ending up in a crumpled mess in the landing zone, alongside one unhappy soldier. A tubular crate was designed to provide a framework that cradled the motorcycle and protect it on impact (as shown in the video above by our friends at the Classic Motorcycle Channel).
Only a small number of Fleas were actually dropped into the battle zone by parachute. Instead, the Army opted to load and strap the bikes into troop carrying gliders, four at a time. Not quite as cool as the original plan, but maybe more practical none-the-less. The bikes also went waterborne and many were involved in beach landings in 1943 and 1944 and used for communication between the beaches and the nearest front line forces.
Harley Davidson WLA
In the period leading up to the war, the American Government asked motorcycle manufacturers to come up with a military prototype that would be robust and powerful enough to endure the conditions and terrain associated with the movement of troops and equipment.
Harley-Davidson presented an adapted version of the civilian WL – the WLA. The 45 cubic-inch side-valve engine, somewhat outdated for its time, was ideal for duties as it was seen to be tough, robust and reliable, and ultimately won Harley-Davidson the Government contract.
A total of around 70,000 units were produced through the war years to serve the American and Allied troops. Harley also sent many WLAs worldwide including Europe; the bikes were often used by troops to travel to and liberate towns occupied by German control and ultimately earned the WLA the well-deserved label – The Liberator.
Norton 16H and Big 4
The Norton 16H had been the backbone of the company since it was first catalogued in 1921. The trusted bike had been a popular every-day mode of transport for the best part of a decade, before a military prepared 16H was built for the terrain of war, with suitable modifications for off-road work.
The military office put the WD16H through its paces and eventually gave Norton the thumbs up; almost 5000 WD machines were rolled off the factory line at Bracebridge Street in Birmingham prior to the outbreak of war in 1939. The bikes were robust, reliable, easy to maintain, and soon earned a reputation for being “unstoppable”.
The next step up for Norton was the Big 4 – a 633cc side-valve brute. These bikes were robust and ideal for sidecar work, and were used to carry men and equipment over rough terrain, including ammunition to the front-line troops. They were also deployed on reconnaissance missions to build up much required intelligence.
The Welbike
The Welbike was a single-seat folding motorcycle produced at the direction of Station IX, the “Inter Services Research Bureau” based at Welwyn, UK, for use by the Special Operations Executive. It has the distinction of being the smallest motorcycle ever used by the British Armed Forces.
The little bike was powered by a little engine – a Villiers 98cc two-stroke. It was designed to fit into a CLE Canister, the standard parachute airdrop container measuring 130 cm long, 38 cm high, and 30cm wide. Once deployed, the Welbike was quick to assemble, making it an ideal companion for those taking the leap of faith from military planes into the thick of the battle. They were also used in the Normandy landings as they were relatively easy to land and drag up the beach.
Matchless G3/L
The Matchless G3 was a relatively lightweight and sporty 348cc model that featured an overhead-valve setup. This was quite unusual in comparison to other machines on offer which generally featured the more trusted and reliable side-valve configuration.
The G3/L was the military spec model, which featured weight savings, a quick-release rear wheel for rapid puncture fixes, and lower gearing to help with offroad conditions including shale and rutted mud.
The first 6000 or so machines featured girder forks as pictured, before the Collier Brothers introduced Teledraulic forks to provide extra travel.
In total, over 80,000 Matchless motorcycles were produced for the military during WWII.
There were many other makes and models of motorcycle that contributed towards the Second World War. The bikes did not only carry soldiers, communications and equipment around the battle fields, but also helped to transform post-war motorcycle culture. A huge number of motorcycles that were used in the war returned home, and were later transformed into civilian, day-to-day modes of transport. Who knows, without the courageous servicemen and women that rode these bikes in World War 2, the motorcycle may have become a thing of the past. And that, and for their service, we thank them.
an article by The Girder Club
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