bicycles ... War! cyclists The first company was formed within the 12 battalion sharpshooters and used in the maneuvers of 1899 with good results already in 1905, cyclists are finding a company in each regiment. In 1907 he was made a battalion of four companies cyclists while in 1910 it was finally determined that the 12 regiments of riflemen were to include four battalions, one of which cyclists. Until then, we were used Bicycle commercial adapted for military use with various tricks but could not satisfy, so it came to issuing a contract for the provision of bicycles specifically military.
The participation of eleven factories was reduced to four, after an initial examination. Finally, after a lengthy evaluation, it is winning the Bianchi model called the 1912.
In the first world war the battalions were segregated from other cyclists to stay in charge commands to take advantage of the mobility were generally groups of three battalions.
About half of 1917 was established a company with six heavy machine guns per battalion, on bikes have been specially modified in 1914 to transport the Fiat '14, was added in 1918 a section of machine guns for company.
By the end of the war (1919) and the consequent reduction in the workforce, the battalions were reduced to two cyclists and then be dissolved in 1920. In 1923 there was the reorganization of the army with the creation of twelve regiments of sharpshooters, six cyclists, in 1924 The other six regiments were reorganized as cyclists.
Setting was to create rapid departments to move quickly where there was need, in support of other units, this is because, unlike other bands, the shooters did not have heavy weapons will result in quadrupeds.
The maid was moving at the speed allowed by its half with only the equipment and personnel, reached the point, left the bike and operated. All the remaining material, including tents and services, followed by truck.
For their performances, the sharpshooters were the troops of the aggregate ria infantryman with the 11th rapid divisions, the 6th and the 3rd regiment for the first, second and the third with some departments already self supporting. The transition to the bike and then haulage was natural and progressive.
As we said Bianchi the company won the contract army by bike model 1912, then advanced and similar to the modern mountain bike. Key features: foldable frame weighing 14 kg . with special attacks and shoulder straps for carrying, small wheels for better handling and solid tires puncture, two shock absorbers on the front and a rear fork to compensate for the rigidity of solid tires, front brake rod internal the frame (not to be impeded by any loads); chain drive fixed gear.
With the reorganization of the army were ordered to the new '23 bikes to the Whites who produced the 1924 model followed by the final model 1925, practice in a model 1912 with some modifications such as the hub of the rear fork replaced by a sheet of steel and the "change" consists of two gears several places on both sides of the wheel. It was later also released the model 1934 means wings, the two transmission gears on the same side of the wheel and a different design of the pedals.
The two models were in use until the RSI then be permanently replaced after the war by bike and by trucks.
From: www.regioesercito.it
