"South Vietnamese Troops Almost Fought on Battle Bicycles" Topic

"In early 1965, villagers across South Vietnam might have watched a curious military formation race through their hamlets. No, not heavily-armed troops shielded inside armored vehicles, but rural militiamen on bicycles.

For nearly a year, authorities in Saigon and their American advisers considered adding bicycles to various rural units. Cheap and easy enough for provincial soldiers to fix on their own, the bike potentially offered a good alternative to larger, gas-guzzling vehicles.

In many areas, "the principal means of movement … is by foot on paths and by boat on the numerous waterways," U.S. Army evaluators explained in an August 1965 final report. "Faster reaction time … permits more timely support of' hamlets under attack and under some conditions lessens the opportunity for the V.C. to establish ambushes."…."
Main page

link

Amicalement
Armand

The Swiss army was the last(modern) army to use bicycles. In fact,they retired them in the early 1980's.

From what I have seen in photo and articles at the time. South Vietnam troops used bicycles during the early 1960s. The used them a lot to patrol where there were not any improved roads but paths and dirt tracks. Once the USA equipment shipments increased, the frequency of use declined.

I saw Finnish troops riding bicycles in 1988. I haven't noticed any in subsequent visits.

As a frequent bicycle commuter, I often contemplate weapons that I could put on the bike for self-defense, but anything that will take out a car will have too much recoil for riding stability and/or will put me in the explosion's danger space.

Thanks!.

Amicalement
Armand

@Oberlindes: microwave/EMP generator. No boom.

Well in some cases it would be better than walking. But like with any mounted troops, you have to know when to dismount.

I'm sure I recall photos of Swiss troops, may be, in the 90's equipped with mountain bikes.

And I definitely remember at least a couple of TV pieces on the British armies experiments with pack horses in the late 80's / early 90's.