Table 2 -
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 (Model UA) |
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.
|
Table 3 - Direct Purchase of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles
by other Countries during World War Two |
|
Model |
Quantity |
Country |
Comments |
|
WLC |
18,020 |
Canada |
Both the United Kingdom and
Australia used a number of WLCs. These most likely
came out of the 18,200 that Canada purchased. |
|
UA |
100 |
Australia |
|
|
WS |
50 |
Australia |
|
|
WL |
2,350 |
South Africa |
|
|
UA |
1,800 |
South Africa |
|
| |
22,320 |
|
|
|
Table 4 -
Disposition of Harley-Davidson
WLA Motorcycles in World War Two |
|
Country |
Lend-Lease |
Direct Purchase |
| U.S. Military
|
|
23,000 |
| U.S.S.R. |
27,100 |
|
| Australia |
4,200 |
|
| Republic of
China |
1,000 |
|
| Free French |
589 |
|
|
Brazil |
430 |
|
| Totals |
33,319 |
23,000 |
|
Grand Total = 56,319 |
Table 5 - Harley-Davidson Motor
Company's Major World War Two Contracts
The information below
comes from the "Alphabetical Listing of Major War Supply
Contracts, June 1940 through September 1945." This was
published by the Civilian Production Administration, Industrial
Statistics Division. This does not include contracts less
than $50,000. Table added 8-21-2022 |
|
Product - Customer |
Contract Amount |
Contract Awarded
Date |
Completion
Date |
| Motorcycles -
Foreign |
$148,000 |
8-1940 |
12-1941 |
| Motorcycles -
Foreign |
$152,000 |
9-1940 |
12-1941 |
| Motorcycles -
Army |
$243,000 |
9-1940 |
1-1941 |
| Motorcycles -
Foreign |
$75,000 |
10-1940 |
11-1940 |
| Motor Cycles
- Army |
$61,000 |
10-1940 |
1-1941 |
| Motorcycles -
Army |
$661,000 |
12-1940 |
7-1941 |
| Motorcycles -
Foreign |
$556,000 |
12-1940 |
6-1941 |
| Motorcycles
Sidecars - Foreign |
$259,000 |
2-1941 |
8-1941 |
| Motorcycles -
Army |
$863,000 |
3-1941 |
5-1942 |
| Motorcycles -
Navy |
$55,000 |
5-1941 |
7-1941 |
| Motorcycles -
Foreign |
$1,855,000 |
5-1941 |
5-1942 |
| Motorcycles -
Army |
$1,725,000 |
6-1941 |
4-1942 |
| Motorcycles -
Army |
$236,000 |
10-1941 |
12-1941 |
| Motorcycles -
Army |
$156,000 |
12-1941 |
1-4192 |
| Motorcycles -
Army |
$212,000 |
12-1941 |
1-1942 |
| Motorcycles -
Army |
$18,474,000 |
1-1942 |
6-1943 |
| Motorcycle
Parts - Army |
$161,000 |
1-1942 |
5-1942 |
| Motorcycles
Parts - Foreign |
$209,000 |
1-1942 |
8-1942 |
| Motorcycles -
Foreign |
$198,000 |
1-1942 |
1-1942 |
| Motorcycles -
Navy |
$1,043,000 |
2-1942 |
10-1942 |
| Motorcycle
Parts - Army |
$627,000 |
8-1942 |
11-1942 |
| Motorcycle
Parts - Army |
$1,385,000 |
11-1942 |
3-1943 |
| Motorcycles -
Army |
$6,015,000 |
12-1942 |
4-1944 |
| Tools - Army |
$156,000 |
1-1943 |
9-1943 |
| Motorcycle
Parts - Army |
$316,000 |
2-1943 |
11-1943 |
| Motorcycle
Parts - Army |
$1,563,000 |
2-1943 |
8-1943 |
| Vehicle Parts
- Army |
$209,000 |
2-1943 |
4-1943 |
| Motorcycle
Parts - Army |
$178,000 |
2-1943 |
4-1943 |
| Motorcycle
Parts - Army |
$1,471,000 |
2-1943 |
10-1944 |
| Motorcycle
Parts - Army |
$801,000 |
6-1943 |
2-1944 |
| Motorcycles -
Army |
$3,000,000 |
9-1943 |
12-1944 |
| Motorcycle
Parts - Army |
$276,000 |
12-1943 |
2-1945 |
| Motorcycles -
Army |
$91,000 |
4-1944 |
4-1944 |
| Motorcycle
Parts - Army |
$2,854,000 |
4-1944 |
9-1945 |
| Motorcycles -
Navy |
$76,000 |
5-1944 |
10-1944 |
|
Motorcycles - Army |
$5,686,000 |
7-1944 |
4-1946 |
| Spark Plugs
18mm - Army |
$147,000 |
8-1944 |
7-1945 |
| Remfg
Motorcycle Engs - Army |
$154,000 |
5-1945 |
1-1946 |
| Elec Power
Plants - Army |
$3,218,000 |
5-1945 |
8-1946 |
| Total |
$55,565,000 |
|
|
The last $55,565,000
contract for Electrical Power Plants was for the Army Air Force,
which must have had a requirement for small electrical generators
powered by the two cylinder Harley-Davidson motorcycle engine.
This contract may well have been cancelled in August 1945 with the
end of the war. This particular contract amounted to 5.7% of
the company's total contracts during the war.
|
Table 5 - Harley-Davidson Motor
Company's Word War Two Product Breakdown |
|
Product |
Amount |
Percentage |
|
Motorcycles - Army |
$37,423,000 |
67.3% |
|
Motorcycle Parts - Army |
$10,142,000 |
18.2% |
|
Motorcycles - Foreign |
$3,243,000 |
5.8% |
|
Elec Power Plants - Army |
$3,218,000 |
5.7% |
|
Motorcycles - Navy |
$1,174,000 |
2.1% |
|
Motorcycles Parts - Foreign |
$209,000 |
0.3% |
| Tools - Army |
$156,000 |
0.2% |
|
Total |
$55,565,000 |
99.6% |
Table 5 shows that
two-thirds of Harley-Davidson's major contracts were for Army
motorcycles, while another 18% of the contracts were for spare parts
for these same motorcycles. 85.5% of the company's total
contracts were for these two categories.
The Harley-Davidson
Museum in Milwaukee, WI:
The Harley-Davidson Museum in downtown
Milwaukee, WI opened on July 12, 2008. 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.
Three XS prototypes were built with opposing cylinder engines.
This is the sole survivor of the three prototypes.
Harley-Davidson and the Museum have done a great job finding this
one-of-a-kind motorcycle for display. Author's photo added
7-8-2019.
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.
Author's photo added 7-8-2019.
Author's photo added 7-8-2019.
This WLA is in the center of the World War Two
history room. Author's photo added 7-8-2019.
Author's photo added 7-8-2019.
Author's photo added 7-8-2019.
There were several items in a display
case featuring 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.
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
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.
This rare 1942 XA opposed engine
motorcycle was out in the main display area. It is one of 1,000
built. Author's photo added 7-8-2019.
Author's photo added 7-8-2019.
Author's photo added 7-8-2019.
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 its existence.
Author's photo added 7-8-2019.
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. This location remains the current location of
the Harley-Davidson Headquarters. Author's photo added
7-8-2019.
The Barber Vintage Motorsports
Museum, Birmingham, AL: The following series of
motorcycles are on display at this very unique and outstanding
museum. It contains the largest collection of World War Two
motorcycles that I have found to date. The World War Two
collection includes motorcycles not only from Harley-Davidson, but
Indian, along with those from the United Kingdom and Germany.
This is a 1940 Harley-Davidson UA.
852 UAs with sidecars were accepted as shown in Table 2. The
UA was geared lower for a sidecar and had a low compression 74 cu.
in. engine. Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
This 1943 WLC is one of 18,020 built for
the Canadians. Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
This Model XA is one of 1,000 accepted
by Army Ordnance in 1942. Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
This motorcycle was based on the German
BMWs that had opposed cylinders and a driveshaft rather than a chain
to drive the rear wheel. Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
This 1944 WLA is on display with a
sidecar. Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
This 1944 Model U is one of 366 built in
1944 for the U.S. Navy. Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Also on display at the Barber Vintage
Motorsports Museum is this cut-away of a Harley-Davidson World War
Two 45 Cu. In. engine. Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
The cut-away of the distributor shows
the points and condenser. Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Wright Museum of
World War Two in Wolfeboro, NH:
The Museum has another one of 852 Model
UAs built with low compression 74 Cu. In. engines.
Author's photo.
Author's photo.
Author's photo.
The Victory Museum or National
Military History Center in Auburn, IN: At one time this
museum contained a varied and significant number of World War
Two military vehicles. However, in 2021 there were no military
vehicles left after it went out of business. Below are two
Harley-Davidson motorcycles I photographed in 2013.
This Model UA was being auctioned off
when I photographed it in November 2013. It was in auction lot
130 and sold for $38,000. All of the other many vehicles and
weapons in the museum were gradually auctioned off until none were
left. In one auction in 2012 80 vehicles were put up for
auction. Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
This very nice 1943 Model WLC was on
display at the museum. Author's photo added 8-30-2022.
The WLA:
