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37-607: The Gotland Brigade was raised as an infantry brigade during the years 1949–1951 under the name, Gotland Brigade (IB 18). This was organized through the Defence Act of 1948, where Gotland Infantry Regiment (I 18) was converted into a brigade. In 1963, when the reorganization into the Pansarbrigad 63 ("Armoured Brigade 63) was commenced within the Swedish Army, it was decided that Göta Life Guards ' (P 1) detachment,

74-641: A model-type of the Armoured Brigade 63 ( Pansarbrigad 63 , PB 63). The brigade also received its new designation, PB 18. In 1982, the brigade together with the other units on Gotland was amalgamated into the Gotland Military Command (MKG). In 1994, the brigade was separated along with the regiment from the command and became a cadre -organized war unit in the Middle Military District (Milo M) from 1 July, under

111-466: A similar organization to other infantry regiments. The National Conscription's company area division remained until 1900 as the registration authority. In 1892, the agreement that Gotland's troops may not be called for military service outside the island was repealed. At the same time the name Gotland National Conscription was dropped. In 1901, the army order on the mainland and Gotland became similar. This admitted, among other things, that conscripts from

148-535: A variety of cycle models, Moss and his troops, accompanied by an assistant surgeon, carried out extensive bicycle journeys covering between 800 and 1,900 miles (1287 to 3058 km). In 1896, Moss' Buffalo Soldiers stationed in Montana rode bicycles across roadless landscapes for hundreds of miles at high speed. The "wheelmen" traveled the 1,900 Miles to St. Louis Missouri in 40 days with an average speed of over 6 mph. A proposed ride from Missoula to San Francisco

185-574: The Bersaglieri (light infantry units) until the end of the war. German Army Jäger (light infantry) battalions each had a bicycle company ( Radfahr-Kompanie ) at the outbreak of the war, and additional units were raised during the war, bringing the total to 80 companies. A number of these were formed into eight Radfahr-Bataillonen (bicycle battalions). The British Army had cyclist companies in its divisions, and later two whole divisions became cyclists: 1st and 2nd Cyclist Divisions . Prior to

222-664: The Continuation War and Lapland War . Bicycles were used as a means of transportation in Jaeger Battalions, divisional Light Detachments and regimental organic Jaeger Companies. Bicycle units spearheaded the advances of 1941 against the Soviet Union. Especially successful was the 1st Jaeger Brigade which was reinforced with a tank battalion and an anti-tank battalion, providing rapid movement through limited road network. During winter time these units, like

259-794: The Göta Armoured Life Guards' Company in Gotland (P 1 G), would be amalgamated with the Gotland Infantry Regiment (I 18). Through the amalgamation, Gotland Regiment (P 18) was formed and the Gotland Brigade was converted from an infantry brigade into an armoured brigade. The brigade became a model-type of the Armoured Brigade Gotland ( Pansarbrigad Gotland , PB Gotland) in 1966, while the other active Swedish armoured brigades became

296-494: The Göta Armoured Life Guards' Company in Gotland (P 1 G). Before the end of the war, this detachment was able to organize three companies ( Stridsvagn m/42 and Stridsvagn m/37 and Pansarbil m/41 ). Through the 1949 war organization, I 18, supported by P 1 G, became responsible for an armored reinforced bicycle brigade of five battalions. The seven armored companies received via Stridsvagn m/41 , Stridsvagn m/40, Infanterikanonvagn 102 finally Stridsvagn 74 . On 1 April 1963,

333-654: The Siberian Railway before and during the Russo-Japanese War of 1905.(see illustration opposite). Late in the 19th century the United States Army tested the bicycle's suitability for cross-country troop transport. The most extensive experimentation on bicycle units was carried out by 1st Lieutenant James A. Moss, of the 25th United States Infantry (Colored) (an African American infantry regiment with European American officers). Using

370-589: The Swedish Army operated six bicycle infantry regiments. They were equipped with domestically produced Swedish military bicycles . Most common was the m/42 , an upright, one-speed roadster produced by several large Swedish bicycle manufacturers. These regiments were decommissioned between 1948 and 1952, and the bicycles remained for general use in the Army, or were transferred to the Home Guard . Beginning in

407-594: The " Ho Chi Minh trail ", avoiding the repeated attacks of United States and Allied bombing raids. When heavily loaded with supplies such as sacks of rice, these bicycles were seldom rideable, but were pushed by a tender walking alongside. With especially bulky cargo, tenders sometimes attached bamboo poles to the bike for tiller-like steering (this method can still be seen practiced in China today). Vietnamese "cargo bikes" were rebuilt in jungle workshops with reinforced frames to carry heavy loads over all terrain. The use of

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444-474: The 1970s, the Army began to sell these as military surplus. They became very popular as cheap and low-maintenance transportation, especially among students. Responding to its popularity and limited supply, an unrelated company, Kronan , began to produce a modernized version of the m/42 in 1997. Although much used in World War I, bicycles were largely superseded by motorized transport in more modern armies. In

481-573: The Finnish road network. The hastily assembled German Volksgrenadier divisions each had a battalion of bicycle infantry, to provide a mobile reserve. Allied use of the bicycle in World War II was limited, but included supplying folding bicycles to paratroopers and to messengers behind friendly lines. The term "bomber bikes" came into use during this period, as US forces dropped bicycles out of planes to reach troops behind enemy lines. By 1939,

518-512: The Gotland National Conscription was transformed into an infantry regiment and an artillery corps (I 27 and A 4 ). A colonel was made regimental commander who also acted as the commander of Gotland's troops. The lieutenant colonel of the regiment came actually to serve as regimental commander until 1937. As of 1 January 1887 the regiment's name was Royal Gotland Infantry Regiment with the designation I 27. The regiment got

555-582: The Gotland Regiment and Gotland Brigade (MekB 18) 1994–2000. It was also used by the Gotland Regiment (P 18) 1977–1994 and 2000–2004. Blazon : "Azure, a ram passant argent, armed or, banner gules with crosstaff, edging and five flaps or. The shield surmounted two arms in fess, embowed and vambraced, the hands holding swords in saltire, or". Commanding officers: Gotland Infantry Regiment The Gotland Infantry Regiment ( Swedish : Gotlands infanteriregemente ), designations I 27 and I 18 ,

592-470: The Japanese troops were able to move faster than the withdrawing Allied Forces, often successfully cutting off their retreat. The speed of Japanese advance, usually along plantation roads, native paths and over improvised bridges, also caught Allied Forces defending the main roads and river crossings by surprise, by attacking them from the rear. However, there were one or two cases of Australian troops turning

629-466: The Japanese war machine, needing neither trucks nor ships to transport them, nor precious petroleum . Although the Japanese were under orders not to embark for Malaya with bicycles, for fear of slowing up amphibious landings , they knew from intelligence that bicycles were plentiful in Malaya and moved to systematically confiscate bicycles from civilians and retailers as soon as they landed. Using bicycles,

666-461: The backs of their riders, from an early date. By 1900 each French line infantry and chasseur battalion had a cyclist detachment, intended for skirmishing, scouting and dispatch carrying. In the years prior to World War I the availability of an extensive network of paved or gravel roads in western Europe made military cyclists appear a feasible alternative to horse-mounted troops; on the grounds of economy, simplicity of training, relative silence when on

703-682: The cycle as an infantry transport tool continued into the 21st century with the Swiss Army's Bicycle Regiment, which maintained drills for infantry movement and attack until 2001, when the decision was made to phase the unit out. Although the impact of bicycles is limited in modern warfare, the Finnish Defence Forces still trains all conscripts to use bicycles and skis. American Paratroopers have jumped folding mountain bikes in several Airborne operations The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam made use of bicycle mobility during

740-654: The detachment was amalgamated with Gotland Infantry Regiment (I 18) and formed the Gotland Regiment (P 18) and was simultaneously transferred to the Swedish Armoured Troops . The coat of the arms of the Gotland Infantry Regiment. It was used by Gotland Group ( Gotlandsgruppen ) since 2000. Blazon : "Azure, the provincial badge of Gotland, a ram passant argent, armed or, banner gules, crosstaff, edging and five flaps or. The shield surmounted two swords in saltire or". Commanding officers active at

777-512: The end of the regiment. The regiment was downgraded to a corps which took over Västmanland Regiment designation I 18. The officers corps was reduced by 2/3. The mainland contingent of conscripts was also reduced substantially. In 1936, the Royal Swedish Gotland Infantry Corps was upgraded to a regiment with the name Royal Gotland Infantry Regiment, I 18. During World War II , armored units were added through

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814-462: The late 19th century led to the investigation of possible military uses for bicycles. To some extent, bicyclists took over the functions of dragoons , especially as messengers and scouts, substituting for horses in warfare . Bicycle units or detachments were in existence by the end of the 19th century in most armies. The United Kingdom employed bicycle troops in militia or territorial units , rather than in regular units . Essentially this reflected

851-521: The late 19th century, when the " safety bicycle " became popular in Europe, the United States, and Australia. Historically, bicycles lessened the need for horses, fuel and vehicle maintenance. Though their use has waned over the years in many armies, they continue to be used in unconventional armies such as militias . The development of pneumatic tires coupled with shorter, sturdier frames during

888-496: The machine itself. In its 1937 invasion of China , Japan employed some 50,000 bicycle troops. Early in World War II their southern campaign through Malaya en route to capturing Singapore in 1941 was largely dependent on bicycle-riding soldiers. In both efforts bicycles allowed quiet and flexible transport of thousands of troops who were then able to surprise and confuse the defenders. Bicycles also made few demands on

925-584: The mainland were transferred for training at I 27. There, at the same time, bicycle infantry training began. In 1915, the regiment got Visborg Kungsladugård's land as training area and all the buildings as storehouses. The bicycle infantry was developed during the World War I and the 1920s so far that I 18 (which the regiment was designated from 1928) circa 1930 became the Sweden's first bicycle regiment with motorized trains . The Defence Act of 1925 meant

962-684: The most famous unit was the Theron se Verkenningskorps (Theron Reconnaissance Corps) or TVK, a Boer unit led by the scout Daniel Theron , whom British commander Lord Roberts described as "the hardest thorn in the flesh of the British advance." Roberts placed a reward of £1,000 on Theron's head—dead or alive—and dispatched 4,000 soldiers to find and eliminate the TVK. During World War I cycle-mounted infantry, scouts, messengers and ambulance carriers were extensively used by all combatants. Italy used bicycles with

999-617: The move and ease of logistical support. The Dutch and Belgian armies, with extensive flat terrain within their national boundaries, maintained battalion or company sized units of cyclists. The Italian Bersaglieri expanded their established role as fast-moving light infantry through the extensive use of bicycles from the 1890s onwards. Even the Swiss Army found bicycles to be a useful means of mobility in rough terrain where horse cavalry could not be used. The Imperial Russian Gendarmerie used bicycles with outrigger wheels, to mount patrols along

1036-451: The name, Gotland Regiment (P 18). The Gotland Brigade did not control any units during peacetime. All units assigned to it in war were trained and maintained by the Gotland Regiment and Gotland Artillery Regiment in Visby. The Gotland Brigade shared heraldry and traditions with Gotland Regiment . In 1994–2000, the brigade managed the traditions of the regiment. The coat of the arms of

1073-507: The new name Gotland Regiment and Gotland Brigade (MekB 18). In the same year the brigade was supplied with Pansarbandvagn 302 and Stridsvagn 104 from Kristianstad Brigade ( Kristianstadsbrigaden , PB 26), which was disbanded as a result of the Defence Act of 1992. The Gotland Regiment and Gotland Brigade (MekB 18) were disbanded as a result of the disarmament policies set forward in the Defence Act of 2000 and on 1 July 2000 it adopted

1110-463: The past few decades, however, they have taken on a new life as a "weapon of the people" in guerrilla conflicts and unconventional warfare , where the cycle's ability to carry large, about 400 lb (180 kg), loads of supplies at the speed of a pedestrian make it useful for lightly equipped forces. For many years the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army used bicycles to ferry supplies down

1147-404: The popularity of cycling amongst the civilian population and the perceived value of bicycles in providing increased mobility for home defence units. In 1887 the first of a series of cyclist maneuvers involving British volunteer units was held. In France, several experimental units were created, starting in 1886. They developed folding bicycles , that could be collapsed and carried slung across

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1184-550: The regiment the years 1884–1963. During the years 1884–1927 and 1937–1963, the commanding officer was referred to as regementschef ("regimental commander"). During the years 1928–1937 the commanding officer was referred to as kårchef ("corps commander"). 57°36′48″N 18°16′57″E  /  57.61333°N 18.28250°E  / 57.61333; 18.28250 Bicycle infantry Bicycle infantry are infantry soldiers who maneuver on (or, more often, between) battlefields using military bicycles . The term dates from

1221-647: The rest of the infantry, switched to skis. Within 1942–1944 bicycles were also added to regimental equipment pools. During the Summer 1944 battles against the Soviet Union, bicycles provided quick mobility for reserves and counter-attacks. In Autumn 1944 bicycle troops of the Jaeger Brigade spearheaded the Finnish advance through Lapland against the Germans; tanks had to be left behind due to the German destruction of

1258-517: The start of trench warfare the level terrain in Belgium was well used by military cyclists. Each of the four Belgian carabinier battalions included a company of cyclists, equipped with a brand of folding bicycle named the Belgica . A regimental cyclist school gave training in map reading, reconnaissance, reporting and the carrying of verbal messages. Attention was paid to the maintenance and repair of

1295-617: The tables on the Japanese by isolating cycle troops from their accompanying motorized forces after blowing up bridges over rivers. During the Invasion of Poland of 1939, most Polish infantry divisions included a company of bicycle-riding scouts. The equipment of each bicycle company included 196 bicycles, one motorcycle with sidecar, and nine horse-drawn supply carts, plus three to six anti-tank rifles and standard infantry equipment such as machine guns, rifles, pistols, and hand grenades. The Finnish Army utilized bicycles extensively during

1332-399: Was a Swedish Army infantry regiment that traced its origins back to the 19th century. It was reorganized into an armoured regiment in 1963. The regiment's soldiers were originally recruited on the island of Gotland , and it was later garrisoned there. The regiment has its origins in the unit Gotland National Conscription which was created in 1811. By a parliamentary decision in 1866

1369-506: Was not approved and the experiments terminated. The first known use of the bicycle in combat occurred during the 1895 Jameson Raid , in which cyclists carried messages. In the Second Boer War military cyclists were used primarily as scouts and messengers. One unit patrolled railroad lines on specially constructed tandem bicycles that were fixed to the rails . Several raids were conducted by cycle-mounted infantry on both sides;

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