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Most of the Harley-Davidsons employed in World War II were legendary WLA models, assigned to reconnaissance and courier duty. While German machines were still often equipped with sidecars for gunners and deployed in battle, the Allies no longer sent unarmored cycles into combat as had occasionally happened in World War I. Harleys were so ubiquitous as scout vehicles at the head of military convoys that they were often the first vehicles into towns and villages liberated across Europe by the Allies and came to be known as "Liberators." <ref>Panhead, Jim, “Top 5 Harley-Davidson Prototypes of WWII,” ''Ride Apart'', 2016</ref>
==The Decline of the Motorcycle in the Military==
After the end of World War II many servicemen with fond memories of their wartime Harley machines sought out the motorcycles in stateside showrooms. Often times one of the first things these returning veterans did was to customize their ride by chopping off front fenders and crash bars and clunky seats. Thus was born the iconic Harley-Davidson "chopper."
By the time of the Vietnam War technology had rendered much of the motorcycle's duty in communications and reconnaissance work obsolete. But in the post-Cold War era the motorcycle, with its speed, agility and versatility still has a role to play in the military. Today's machines are often crafted from composite plastics and outfitted with engines that can run on almost any type of fuel, making the motorcycles ideal Special Forces weapons in rugged terrain and isolated actions. And, if the post-apocalyptic world of the Road Warrior movies becomes a reality, the motorcycle will always be with us in war.
==References==
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[[Category:Wikis]]
[[Category:United States History]][[Category:20th Century History]] [[Category:History of Science and Technology]] [[Category:Military History]][[Category:20th Century World War Two History]][[Category:World War One History of Science and Technology]]
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*[[Gilded Age/Progressive Era History Top Ten Booklist]]
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