MECHANIZED CAVALRY VEHICLES
1943 H-D WLA Harley-Davidson
The machine's story started in 1938, when the War Department officials asked American motorcycle manufacturers to design a 500cc motorcycle that could ford streams, not overheat at idle or during slow running, and sustain 65 mph. The Army approved purchase orders for both the Harley and the Indian. In Practice, though, the Harley as the preferred machine, and more than 90,000 were produced before war's end.
Though eventually overshadowed by the multi-use Jeep, military motorcycles found a niche in reconnaissance, traffic control and dispatch duties throughout WW II.
The picture to the left is Joe Wessel of B Troop.
The picture below is a 107th Trooper sitting on his Harley
107th Trooper on his HD
