Harley Davidson in World War Two

Harley-Davidson Motor Company in World War Two
Milwaukee, WI
1903-Present

This page updated 7-8-2019.

Harley-Davidson won the Army-Navy "E" Award four times during World War Two.
The first time was May 12, 1943.

Harley-Davidson motorcycles were first used by the U.S. Army when it ordered twelve motorcycles with sidecars with mounted machine guns on them for the General Pershing's 1916 Mexican Excursion. During World War, One Harley-Davidson supplied 20,000 motorcycles. Supposedly, the first American soldier to enter Germany after the signing of the Armistice was riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

This original 1917 Harley-Davidson served with American military forces in Europe during the First World War. It is on display at the National WWI Museum and Memorial at Kansas City, MO. Author's photo added 10-22-2018.

Author's photo added 10-22-2018.

Harley-Davidson World War Two Production Statistics: A minimum of 62,558 motorcycles of seven different models as documented below. Another estimated 12,000 were also purchased by Canada.

Harley-Davidson World War Two Motorcycles Accepted by Detroit Ordnance, US Army The information below comes from "Summary Report of Acceptances, Tank-Automotive Material, 1940-1945" Published by Army Services Forces, Office, Chief of Ordnance-Detroit, Production Division, Requirements and Progress Branch January 21, 1946.
Type	1940	1941	1942	1943	1944	1945	Total
42 WLA 45 Cu. In.	656	4,731	17,380	23,438	8,560	5,721	60,486
U Model 74 Cu. In. (Navy use?)					100		100
WLS 45 Cu. In.					50		50
U Model 74 Cu. In. w/Sidecar (Navy use?)					50		50
45 Cu. In. Shaft Drive (Model XA)			1,000				1,000
Motorcycle, Chain Drive, w/Sidecar (Unknown H-D Model)	844		8				852
Motor Tricycles (Unknown H-D Model)		17	3				20
Total	1,500	4,748	18,391	23,438	8,760	5,721	62,558

Author's Note and Disclaimer: The Detroit Office of Ordnance of the U.S. Army was the primary purchasing entity for vehicles for the U.S. Army during WWII. It also purchased vehicles for the USMC, US Navy, and Lend-Lease. However, there were other organizations that also purchased vehicles including the Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army Air Force, U.S. Army Signal Corps, Navy Bureau of Ordnance, Navy Bureau of Aeronautics, and foreign countries making direct purchases.

The U.S. Navy used a 74 Cu. In. motorcycle during WWII. One source quoting Harley-Davidson production figures indicates that the Navy bought (580) 74 Cu. In. U models during 1944. The source also indicates that in 1944 HD produced 11,531 WLAs, 2,771 more than what was purchased by Detroit Ordnance that year. Other sources indicate Harley-Davidson built over 80,000 or 90,0000 motorcycles. We do know that the US Army accepted 62,558 Harley-Davidson motorcycles during World War Two.

The Canadians purchased the WLC model from 1941 to 1944. Numbers for this are incomplete, but it appears that a minimum of 12,000 of those were produced.

Of the 34,000 motorcycles that went to the Soviet Union under Lend-Lease, 26,000 were Harley-Davidson 42WLAs.

The Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, WI:

The Harley-Davidson Museum in downtown Milwaukee, WI opened on July 12, 2018. It is home for more than 450 historic motorcycles in a 130,000 square-foot building. Author's photo added 7-8-2019.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the museum has a dedicated room for three World War Two era motorcycles and information relating to the company's war effort. I spent most of my visit in late May 2019 in this area. Author's photo added 7-8-2019.

Author's photo added 7-8-2019.

There were three XS prototypes built with an opposing cylinder engine. This is the sole survivor of the three prototypes. Harley-Davidson and the Museum has done a great job finding this one-of-kind motorcycle for display. Author's photo added 7-8-2019.

Author's photo added 7-8-2019.

On display is one of 50 Model U's with sidecar built for the US Navy Shore Patrol. Author's photo added 7-8-2019.

Author's photo added 7-8-2019.

In the center of the World War Two history room is a WLA. Author's photo added 7-8-2019.

Author's photo added 7-8-2019.

There were several items in a display case on Harley-Davidson's winning of the Army-Navy "E" Award. All of the employees at the companies that won the award were invited to the presentation of the award. This was mandated by the military, as they considered the employees building the products to be key to making production schedules. Author's photo added 7-8-2019.

This is the first time I have found an "E" badge with the recipient's name associated with it. Again, this was to give the workers pride in their work, and incentive to keep production rates high. Author's photo added 7-8-2019.

Author's photo added 7-8-2019.

On display were many of the spare parts that were provided for maintaining the Harley-Davidson motorcycles during World War Two. Author's photo added 7-8-2019.

This is a photo of a double knuckle head engine for that was designed for a Canadian tank in 1943. It is unknown what tank it was for. All of the tanks the Canadians built during World War Two were of American or British design, and used existing automotive or aircraft engines. This particular Harley-Davidson design was never used in production of a tank. Author's photo added 7-8-2019.

Out in the main display area was this rare 1942 XA opposed engine motorcycle. It is one of 1,000 built. Author's photo added 7-8-2019.

Author's photo added 7-8-2019.

The museum has a wall displaying many of the engines the company has produced during it's existence. Author's photo added 7-8-2019.

Author's photo added 7-8-2019.

This is a replica of the 10 foot by 15 foot building, known as the "shed," where Harley-Davidson began in 1905. In 1906 the company moved across the street on what is now Highland Blvd. in Milwaukee, which is the current location of the Harley-Davidson Headquarters. Author's photo added 7-8-2019.

The UA: The UA motorcycle below is on display at the Wright Museum of World War Two in Wolfeboro, NH. According to the placard at the Museum, the item was built in 1940 for the U.S. Army. The table above shows no U models accepted by Detroit Army Ordnance in 1940, indicating a lack of complete data on all of the Harley-Davidson motorcycles that were built in WWII.

Author's photo.

The WLA:

This very well restored 1944 42WLA was on display at the 2018 MVPA convention in Louisville, KY. It is Serial Number 53146. It is the most complete restoration the author has found. Author's photo.

On display are all of a World War Two's MP gear, tools, weapons, and rations. Author's photo.

Author's photo.

This WLA is part of the collection of the National Armor and Cavalry Museum at Fort Benning, GA. It was photographed in the Museum's maintenance shop awaiting restoration. This particular motorcycle is of interest, as it is Serial Number 69317 built on June 11, 1945. It was one of the last ones built before the end of the war. Author's photo added 10-7-2018.

Author's photo added 10-7-2018.

The unit has 109 miles on it. Author's photo added 10-7-2018.

This 1941 42WLA Serial Number 68180 was also on display at the Louisville MVPA convention. Author's photo.

Author's photo.

This 1942 WLA with a Goulding LS-29 sidecar is on display at the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning, GA. Author's photo added 10-2-2018.

Author's photo added 10-2-2018.

This WLA with sidecar is on display at the Indiana Military Museum in Vincennes, IN. Author's photo added 2-7-2019.

The sidecar appears to be of similar manufacture as the Goulding LS-29 shown above at the National Infantry Museum. However, this sidecar has been reinforced with an internal structure for what seems to be the ability to operate a light machine gun by the person in the sidecar. Author's photo added 2-7-2019.

Author's photo added 2-7-2019.

This 42WLA was one of 26,000 that went to Soviet Union under Lend-Lease. In 1996 it was found in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Today it is on display at the MP Museum at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Author's photo.

Author's photo.

The photos below are of three 42WLAs at the 2018 WWII Weekend at Reading, PA.

Author's photo.