Herrenrad Victoria with spring wheels

 

The Bicycle in the Picture

The picture is of a bicycle - Herrenrad Victoria with spring wheels, used by Germany Army in WW1. To be more precise this is actually 1905 – Herrenrad Victoria – Model 12, having frame measuring 24”, wheels measuring 28”, running on beaded edge tire and had a Lohmann saddle.

Why springs were used?

There are different claims in regard to the way the wheels were designed, some says it was designed in this way to make it a multi-terrine bike, it can be used in any terrine, without the hustle of maintaining the tiers.

The other theory says springs were used as there was a shortage of rubber.

Bicycles in Military Roles

The history of bicycles and military can be traced back to 1870 when bicycles were used in the Franco – Prussian war. Later bicycles were used in the year 1894 and 1908 as well in different military campaigns.  

During WW-1, Germans put every available bicycle in the country in military use i.e. to mobilize its large troops. Germans even used the civilian bicycles which were not even accessorized with military fittings like throe British counterparts.

Though bicycles were used in numerous military campaigns across the globe, one which is of great importance and significance for Indians is Japanese forces attacking British forces at Singapore – also known as Gibraltar of East.   

Gibraltar of East in February 1942:

Singapore as known as Gibraltar of East, even though it was one of the major bases for British forces, British officials posted very few English men due to suspected at attach of japan. The majority of forces posted there was comprised of troops form it’s enslaved countries like India – (40-45 Thousand troops), Australia and African countries.

Bicycles turned the tide:

In February 1942, the Imperial Army of Japan engaged British forces in conflict from the seaside and launched a full-blown attack on British forces form the rear side, which had a thick dense forest.

Due to the denseness of forest, it was almost immotorable by large, medium, or even small-sized modes of land transportation, and this made British authorities think that Japs will never attach form this side. But Japs, took the British forces by surprise when came gushing out of jungle mounted on their bicycles. By the time British forces realized the gravity of the situation and can deploy countermeasures, it was too late. Japs had captured a considerable amount of ground, which eventually lead to the Fall of Singapore. 

Fall of Singapore:

This military campaign has other names in history as well like “battle of Singapore”, “Fall of Singapore”. The battle was fought between 8 to 15 of February’1942, The campaign, including the final battle, was a decisive Japanese victory, resulting in the Japanese capture of Singapore and the largest British surrender in history. 

About 80,000 British, Indian and Australian troops in Singapore became prisoners of war, joining 50,000 taken by the Japanese in the earlier Malayan Campaign. Famously, about 40,000 mostly Indian soldiers would join the Indian National Army and fight alongside the Japanese. 

British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, called it the "worst disaster" in British military history.

How it ended: