“Bicycling to victory! Soldiers were moved by trucks and trains to the front, transported on the backs of tanks and armoured vehicles into combat. But sometimes they also went by using the good old bicycle. Pedaling over the paved roads of Western Europe and East Asia, specialised bicycle-companies surprised through mobility and independence. Bikes were comparatively cheap to mass produce and did not need fuel nor fodder. So they proved a real alternative to those nations, that had to budget their oil resources.”
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Hosted by: Indy Neidell
Director: Astrid Deinhard
Producers: Astrid Deinhard and Spartacus Olsson
Executive Producers: Astrid Deinhard, Indy Neidell, Spartacus Olsson
Creative Producer: Marek Kamiński
Community Management: Ian Sowden
Written by: Indy Neidell
Research by: Indy Neidell
Map animations by: Daniel Weiss
Map research by: Sietse Kenter
Edited by: Lucas Aimo
Artwork and color grading by: Mikołaj Uchman
Sound design by: Marek Kamiński
Source literature list: http://bit.ly/WW2sources
Archive footage: Screenocean/Reuters – https://www.screenocean.com
Image sources:
Finnish wartime Photograph Archive
Library and Archives Canada
Imperial War Museum
NHK
Soundtracks from Epidemic Sound:
Question – Million Eyes
Disciples of Sun Tzu – Christian Andersen
Weapon of Choice – Fabien Tell
Trapped in a Maze – Philip Ayers
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Not Safe Yet – Gunnar Johnsen
Chasing Snakes – Martin Landstrom
A TimeGhost chronological documentary produced by OnLion Entertainment GmbH.
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When many people think about World War Two, they think about trucks, tanks, and aircraft. In reality, the conflict includes much more horses and bicycles. This is a fascinating and crucial aspect of The Second World War, and one that does not receive anywhere near enough attention. Thank you to everyone in the TimeGhost Army that allow us fully cover every aspect of this war.
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What is not widely known is the Japanese soldiers used explosive bicycles to stop the US soldiers in 1944-1945. They were called kamikazi-bikes.
You can, but I don't recommend it…oh, transport. Ok, yeah, it's pretty good for that.
Little known fact outside my country: in the Second Boer War (1899-1902) a young lawyer from Krugersdorp demonstrated for his very conservative government that he could beat a horse on his bicycle. This led to the government forming the TWK (Transvaal wheel-riders corps). The young lawyer was captain Danie Theron, a great-uncle of the well known Charlize Theron. Danie was killed during the war, but his unit built a well earned reputation as message bearers and scouts
The Danish movie 9. April is a bout a bicycle unit during the invasion in 1940. Here’s a link to a scene with English subtitles: https://youtu.be/kskVgU_GW2U
Very informative segment.
Thanks!
war is institionalised bike theft
"Looks like a job for, Bicycle Repairman….."
Fun fact: though towing heavy artillery pieces is right out, military bicycles have been used to tow light (<37mm) guns. For example, the Swiss Tankbüchse 41 light anti-tank cannon had a carriage designed for bicycle towing–almost like a machine gun tripod with folding wheels.
Bicycle, bicycle, bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle, bicycle, bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
Loved this video! I've researched military bicycles in ww1, ww2 and beyond and really, the only thing missing to add is that one can use bicycles for logistical purposes, to load them and then push them. Vietcong did that and in such conditions bicycles can carry loads even in jungle trails.
second thing is that military men esp the cavalry liked the bicycle for one thing; it saved the horses for messenger duty.
And finally, i learned the value of bicycle during my lifetime. there were times where i just moved abroad, didnt have a lot of money, and so had to walk all over the place. after i had bought a bicycle, the whole city (most of it anyways) was on my palm. I have 3-5 bicycles currently, and if i can choose, there will never be a day i will not have one, regardless of how well-off it is. it's simply a machine too useful and too cheap to not have somewhere in stock, it already not in active use.
Rough-terrain? Vietnam just said hold my beer.
There's a photo taking on D-Day that shows Canadian soldiers from The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders landing at Bernieres-sur-Mer with bicycles. I guess they were expected to pedal to their objectives by the end of the day.
https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/7/2019/05/a122765-v8-f94e6c3.jpg
Whether you think you can or can't, you're probably right.
1:00
Military advancement in the last 100 years.
Did you say Husqvarna? I sell their snowblowers at Lowe's! Thanks for the pronunciation!
Everyone knows that the combat bicycle was the most effective weapon ever deployed in the history of warfare.
When kids park their bicycles on my lawn I just release the hell hounds
So Mainwaring might have broken the Hague Convention in "The Armoured Might of Lance Corporal Jones" :O
Cheaper than a horse!
Props to Indy for wearing that tie
I like the tie. I'm retired U.S. Air Force and served as a Loadmaster on the venerable C-130 Hercules. I am also an avid cyclist and would take a bike in my cargo compartment so as to explore wherever we were when in crew rest. Life is good for the old retired Air Force guy.
With gas prices going up we may see more people riding bicycles. During WWII bicycles were used by a lot of people in the US. It was common for people to deliver telegrams by bicycle.
Tour de France 1940'😂