Christchurch Cycling Craze #5 - Cycling Corps World War I

Again, the title is a bit misleading since there is no direct Christchurch connection in this post, but in a follow-up to Jayne's post on the NZ Cycling Corps of World War I over at Our Great Southern Land here are a few more pictures of the bicycle's role in World War I.

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Photo Henry Armytage Sanders. Alexander Turnbull Library

Another view of Premier Willian Massey and John Ward reviewing the New Zealand Cyclist Battalion as they march past in dismounted fashion on 3 July 1918. The ground looks dry but somewhat bumpy underfoot. Perhaps that's why they do not "march" or ride by cycling in review.

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Photo Henry Armytage Sanders. Alexander Turnbull Library

As the war drew to a close and the Germans ran out of rubber for their bicycle tyres, they resorted to spring-loaded wheels to soften the ride around the front line. Above, soldiers inspect a captured example of a springed wheel cycle on 14 September 1918. Note that before retreating the Germans have "spiked" their vehicle by removing the seat, exposing the unwary Allied soldier who would seek to mount the cycle to severe rectal injury. Those dastardly Hun!

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Photo Henry Armytage Sanders. Alexander Turnbull Library

And should you get tired of the cycling life in wartime, you could always hitch a ride on something a bit more substantial such as "Jumping Jennie", a tank, pictured here in a trench at Gommecourt Wood, France, on 10 August 1918.