Viewed as a near failure in the eyes of the War Office in 1936, this model was ultimately to evolve into perhaps the most illustrious and longest serving model in the history of British military motorcycling, not to mention becoming the most numerous type produced for the War Office itself.
The vast majority of BSA M20 models delivered were employed by the War Department (Army), although smaller quantities were also used by both the Admiralty (Navy) and the Air Ministry (RAF). The RAF was issued with quantities of Swallow sidecar combinations, and many of of the smaller M20 model contracts throughout the Second World War specified sidecar-lugs for the frame, generally removed from all the larger contracts, which were specifically solo only.
Although intended as a general-purpose motorcycle for convoy escort and long-distance communications duties, due to the sheer number supplied the model was employed ultimately in every theatre of war and for every imaginable purpose, whether suitable or not. It is perhaps for this reason that the model is the one best remembered by and familiar to most ex-servicemen.
Desert colours: khaki brown was used on most North African theatre machines
Italian models used in WWII
Motocarro portamitraglia Guzzi "TriAlce" 500cc
Motocarrozzetta Gilera "Marte" 500cc
Motocarrozzetta Guzzi "Alce"
Motocicletta Benelli 37 250cc
Motocicletta Benelli 40 500cc
Motocicletta Bianchi 500M
Motocicletta Frera 250cc
Motocicletta Gilera "Saturno" 500cc
Motocicletta Gilera LTE 500
Motocicletta Guzzi "Alce" 500cc
Motocicletta Sertum 250cc
Motocicletta Sertum 500cc
Volugrafo Paratrooper
One of the countless Frera motorcycles equipped with mitragliatrice supplied to the Royal Italian Army.
Frera was the largest supplier of motorcycles in the First World War.
Una delle innumerevoli motociclette Frera dotata di mitragliatrice di cui il Regio Esercito Italiano disponeva. Infatti, la Frera e stata il maggiore fornitore di motociclette del REI nella Prima Guerra Mondiale.
Manufactured: 1932-1939
Production: 4810 Units
Engine: Single cylinder horizontal OHV, unit construction, bore and stroke 88 x 82 mm, 498.4cc
Transmission: Three-speed gearbox, multi-disc clutch, primary and final drive by chain.
Tyres: front and rear 3.50 x 19
Length: 1520 mm
The GT17 was the first military motorcycle built at Mandello del Lario. It was produced in single seat and two seater versions, the latter having the fuel tank situated further forwards and higher to allow the rider saddle to be moved forwards allowing room for the pillion and a better centre of gravity.
Used by Italian companies during the Spanish Civil War, some of these machines were equipped with a Breda machine gun operated by the rider of the solo machines. It was also employed by the Milizia della Strada (military traffic police) and saw service in Africa during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War (1935-1936).
Specifications:
Ignition: Magneti Marelli type MCR 4-G with automatic advance
Bevel Gear ratios 3.46: 1 (13-45).
Dry Weight 150 kg
Bersaglieri italiano
Solo motorcycles:
Peugeot P107 and P122
Terrot HSTA and HAD
Gnôme & Rhône Major and Supermajor
Cross-country solo motorcycles:
Terrot RATT and RDTT
Gnôme & Rhône and Motobécane D5A
Simca-Sevitame B
Peugeot TT112
Side-car combinations:
Terrot RDA
Monet-Goyon L5A1
René Gillet K1 and G1
René Gillet Type L1
Gnôme & Rhône XA
Gnôme & Rhône AX2
Terrot VATT
The French army also employed a number of imported motorcycles:
Royal Enfield 350
Ariel 350
Velocette 350
Triumph 500
Indian 340B sidecar
Gillet-Herstal 373
Produced 1938 to 1945
1st serial number: 160001
Colour: army green (with various shades depending on the regiments) or gendarmerie blue
This vehicle was strictly reserved for the military authorities. The motorcycle uses the stamped metal frame inspired by the other models of the range (fork with Neiman rings). The sidecar wheel was driven except on the first models.
The engine is a side-valve 800 cc flat twin fitted with a four-speed gear box. Power is transmitted to the rear wheel by drive shaft and conical torque, and the sidecar wheel is directly driven by the final drive unit. One engages the gear by the means of a pedal coupled with a hand lever, and the rotating throttle handle is coupled to a hand throttle for off-road use. The dog clutch is operated by a pedal.
A five-speed gearbox version with reverse gear was also available.
Marcel Violet and Achille Vincent designed an amphibious motorcycle for the French Military.
In 1938 tests were carried out in Normandy where the motorcycle crossed muddy potholes as deep as 40 cm, navigated without difficulty a course which included craters and ditches designed for testing tanks and other tracked vehicles, and towed a disabled automobile.
The Simca factory in Nanterre was commissioned to build 3,000 motorcycles.
The Sevitame had a 314cc two-stroke engine (62 x 52 mm), and was an inverted in-line twin (with the crankshaft above the cylinders in similar fashion to the Tiger Moth), cooled by eight litres of oil, and with 4 speed transmission via clutch to a cardan shaft driving crown and pinion gears. The assembly could be dismantled in a few minutes by withdrawing only four bolts. The engine could be used as an outboard engine by attaching a propeller to the PTO.
Arguably the best motorcycle in use during the Second World War, this powerful machine sported a four-speed gearbox driven by a horizontally opposed twin 'boxer' engine. It was designed as a sidecar machine and quickly became the German army's preferred choice.
Armament typically consisted of an MG 34 machine gun affixed to the sidecar, but it was often seen with other weaponry.
It had remarkable performance cross-country and on unmade (and often ruined) roads, as it could climb a slope of 45 degrees and could cross streams up to 44cm (17in) deep - though there are plenty of photos of them in merde a lot deeper than that.
The remarkably sophisticated war machine was fitted with hydraulic brakes on the rear and sidecar wheel, and the sidecar wheel was driven. In addition to the four forward speeds, the gearbox had a reverse gear. The differential to the sidecar drive could be locked for heavy going, or left in free-wheel.
The Germany army used the bike on all fronts, from North Africa to Northern Italy, Eastern Europe to Sebastopol and the frozen wastes to Russia and Finland, where it was employed by both sides during the Lapland conflict.
Specification:
Power: 26 HP
Capacity: 750 c.c.
Engine: Twin cylinder boxer
Transmission: Cardan, 4 speed gearbox with reverse.
The Zundapp K800 was announced in 1933, as were the factory's other K-series motorcycles which ranged in engine sizes from 200cc to 800cc. The K800 displays innovative features including a unit construction horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engine with shaft drive.
Many of these Zundapp motorcycles saw service during World War II, often as sidecar combinations, and were the only four cylinder machines to be employed by the German military.
