Over 220 photos show the various R12 and R75 types in various combat roles on all war fronts.

The story of the military motorcycle, from the early years of the 20th century to the present day, with an illustrated A-Z of over 160 vehicles from around the world, with 550 photographs.

"The story of the 100-year development of the military motorcycle, from the early years of the 20th century to the present day."--Back cover.

During the early years of World War I, motorcycles started to enter military service, replacing the mounted despatch rider and providing a means of mechanizing machine-gun and stretcher units. This fully illustrated book covers the lively history of the military motorcycle,highlighting the varied role motorcycles have played, as well as how the vehicles have evolved over time. It provides a country-by-country overview of military motorcycles in France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Great Britain, the USA, the USSR and Japan. An expertly written volume, it provides enthusiasts with key information about the history of these diverse multi-tasking vehicles.

This is a reprint of The Complete Book of Police and Military Motorcycles originally published in 2001. From Pittsburgh's adoption of motorcycles for police use in 1909 to General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing's motorized pursuit of Pancho Villa into Mexican territory in 1916 to the deployment of motorcycles in both world wars, this book tells the fascinating tale of these magnificent machines from their 20th century beginnings to their current use by police departments and militaries throughout the world.Joseph Berk explores the history of their manufacture by Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, BMW, and others, from marketing strategy to product evolution. In addition, he gives the reader an exclusive inside look at how specific police departments from Atlanta to Los Angeles determine which make and model to adopt, complete with critiques of the "Big Three" police models used in the United States from officerswho have put them to the test. Berk's detailed look at the intensive 10-day training program LAPD motor officers undergo is a testament to the carefully honed, specialized skills motor officers bring to their work, and lively discussions with individual officers about how they put their machines to work on the streets on a day-to-day basis offer a unique personalized perspective. Completing the picture, Berk examines the use of motorcycles in combat, detailing the specific makes and models used by Special Forces and other military units from World War I through the turn of the century and beyond.

The story of an iconic model in the long history of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, the WLA, which was used by Allied forces during WWII, is told for the first time. Developed for the US Army's mechanized cavalry, it became the leading US military motorcycle of the war. It served the US armed services as a messenger and military police vehicle. The Red Army's motorcycle battalions, reconnaissance units of its tank armies, also used them as their primary vehicle. The armies of the Soviet Union, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, China, and Brazil also made use of the model and its variants. It is known today as the "Liberator"; discover the history and stories of individuals who rode this icon to war and why the model is now a favorite among civilian collectors.