WW1 Military Motors - 1916 set x 50 cards

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Another version of the ' Indian Powerplus ' Motorcycle Ambulance sidecar combination, as used by the U.S. Army's Medical Department.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Members of a 1917 American Medical Unit from the Nebraska National Guard with their ' Indian Powerplus ' Motorcycle Ambulance, which is equipped with double two-tier stretcher combination.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

In addition to being the main motorcycle of the American military during WW1, the ' Indian ' motorcycle was also used by America's allies, notably Britain, Italy and Russia.

In the next 3 photographs, we see examples of the ' Indian Powerplus ' V-twin 1000 cc motorcycle sidecar combination in use with the Italian Army.

The first photograph shows a motorcyclist from the elite Italian ' Bersaglieri ' regiment.

The ' Bersaglieri ' regiment was formed on 18th June 1836, and members wear their distinctive wide brimmed hats and also their helmets, decorated with black feathers from the plumage of the ' Caperaillie ' bird, a European Grouse.

Another very distinctive feature of the ' Bersagalieri ' regiment, is that in place of the traditional form of marching, the ' Bersaglieri ' always use a fast jog.

Also of note, is the rifle/carbine stowed in a case attached to the front of the motorcycle, the motorcyclist's buckled leather gaiters, and the small Italian flag attached to the front of the motorcycle.

LF

IWM this image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

In this alternative view of the same Italian ' Bersaglieri ' regiment motorcyclist atop an ' Indian Powerplus ' 1000 cc motorcycle sidecar combination, we have a much clearer view of the cased rifle/carbine attached to the front of the motorcycle.

Also of note is the Italian Army regimental insignia painted on the front of the sidecar, and method of carrying a spare tyre.

LF

IWM this image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

An Italian Army Officer riding in an ' Indian Powerplus ' 1000 cc V-twin motorcycle sidecar combination, behind the motorcycle is an Italian Army ' Fiat ' General Service Lorry.

Again, note the Italian Regiment's insignia painted on the front of the sidecar.

LF

IWM this image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

During WW1, the Russians were also supplied with ' Indian Powerplus ' motorcycles, and this photograph shows a Russian Army Despatch Rider on an ' Indian Powerplus ' 1000 cc V-twin motorcycle.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A Russian Army Officer riding in an ' Indian ' motorcycle sidecar combination.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Three photographs of a nicely restored 1916 ' Indian Powerplus ' 1000 cc V-twin motorcycle combination, this being an American market model fitted with the large horizontal tubular Acetylene Generator mounted on the handlebars.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

2

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

3

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Another example of the Russian military's use of the ' Indian ' motorcycle, with this photograph showing a Russian Army motorcyclist riding an ' Indian ' motorcycle, alongside a Russian Army Staff Car carrying a Russian Officer and his staff. The motorcar, which appears to be a German ' Mercedes ' motorcar, may have previously been sold in Russia, or could have been captured from the Germans.

Also of note, are the Russian leather uniforms, and the massive Spotlight fitted to the front of the Staff Car.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Troops from the British Dominions were also equipped with ' Indian ' motorcycles, notably Canada, and in this photograph we see Canadian troops with their ' Indian Powerplus ' 1000 cc V-twin motorcycles.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

As with their American Police counterparts across the border, the Canadian Police as well as the Canadian military, were also issued with ' Indian Powerplus ' 1000 cc V-Twin motorcycles, and in the attached 1918 photograph of Winnipeg's Police Force, we see police motorcyclists supplied with the ' Indian Powerplus ' motorcycle.

Also of interest, are the British ' Bobbie ' uniforms being worn by the Winnipeg Police Force.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

WW1 period Canadian ' Bobbies ' from the Winnipeg Police Force.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A nicely detailed photograph of an American Army's ' Indian Powerplus ' 1000 cc V-Twin motorcycle machine gun carrier.

The motorcycle's combination is mounted with a Browning Colt machine gun, and the combination is fitted with it's own two motorcycle type wheels, which enables it to be detached from the motorcycle and yet remain portable and mobile.

The machine gun's folding armoured shield, which can be raised or lowered, is shown in the defensive fully raised position.

Also, note the machine gunner's seat with the distinctive supporting seat back.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

In this photograph of an American Army's tented ' in the field ' motorcycle repair shop, we can see various ' Indian Powerplus ' motorcycle and motorcycle combinations being worked on, and in the bottom left of the photograph, we can see the same ' Indian Powerplus ' machine gun carrier as shown in the previous post, giving us a different view of the detachable combination's independent two wheels and the machine gunner's seat, and while the motorcycle machine gun carrier is being worked on, the Browning Colt machine gun has been removed from it's mount.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A Pre-WW1 U.S. Army's fully-manned ' Indian ' motorcycle machine gun carrier, with seating on the motorcycle for two men, plus a machine gunner seated in the attached combination mounted with a .30-06 calibre ' Model 1909 Benet-Mercie ' machine gun.

The gas operated air-cooled Model 1909 Benet-Mercie .30-06 machine gun used a 30 round strip-magazine, had a range of 4,200 yards with a firing-rate of 600 rounds per minute.

In this photograph, the machine gun's armoured shield has been lowered.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

The U.S. Army's .30-06 calibre Model 1909 ' Benet-Mercie ' 30 round strip-magazine machine gun, with it's Infantry 5-man Platoon.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

The interesting pack-horse's leather equipment used by the U.S. Infantry to transport their .30-06 calibre Model 1909 ' Benet-Mercie ' 30 round strip-magazine machine gun, it's ammunition and other supplies needed by the 5-man Machine Gun Platoon.

Of note, is what appears to be some sort of edged weapon in a sheath, attached to the bottom of the pack-saddle.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A U.S.Army's pack-mule transporting a .30-06 ' Model 1909 Benet-Mercie ' machine gun, and in this particular photograph, the object which in the previous post looked to be some sort of edged weapon in a sheath, now looks to be something different ?

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

The support pack-mule, with the machine gun's tripod and other equipment.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Members of the U.S. New Jersey State National Guard, Motorcycle Battery, riding an ' Indian Powerplus ' 1000 cc V-Twin motorcycle machine gun carrier armed with a Browning Colt .30-06 calibre machine gun.

As seen in post # 4996, the machine gun's tripod mount is stowed horizontally adjacent to the motorcycle, and the area at the front of the combination is for the storage of ammunition boxes.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

This coloured photo postcard gives an expanded view of U.S. New Jersey State National Guard, Motorcycle Battery's motorcycles as shown in the previous post, and on the left, we also see the ' Indian Powerplus ' support motorcycle which carried ammunition and other supplies for the .30-06 Browning Colt machine gun unit.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Another coloured photo postcard showing a 3-manned U.S. Army's ' Indian Powerplus ' motorcycle machine gun carrier armed with a Browning Colt .30-06 calibre machine gun.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

This photograph shows the American Army's variation of the ' Indian Powerplus ' motorcycle machine gun carrier with the side mounted machine gun combination, the ' Indian Powerplus ' motorcycle towing a 2-wheeled machine gun carriage mounted with a Browning Colt .30-06 machine gun.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.