Harley-Davidson During World War II

World War II broke out in Europe in 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. In March 1941, the US Congress passed the Lend-Lease Act, allowing American manufacturers to provide materiel and equipment to countries already in combat, such as the Soviet Union, England, Australia.

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941, the United States declared war on the Axis nations. 

The workhorse of the war was the WLA. The civilian WL model was on the market since 1937; adaptations were made for the military and ‘A’ for Army was added. Unique to the WLA were a blackout kit for the lights, oil bath air filtration, and bracket for a machine gun scabbard.

Of the many thousands who were entering the service in the U.S., some were already active riders from their civilian lives. Other servicepeople learned to ride in the Armed Forces. 

Harley-Davidson’s Service School, which had been training dealership mechanics, was rebranded as the Quartermaster School and transitioned to keeping military mechanics up to date on maintenance and repairs. Training was provided at military bases and the factory in Milwaukee.

During the war, the Motor Company’s The Enthusiast® magazine offered a connection between those in the service and at home.

Many active-duty riders were featured. Among them were Private Armando Magri. A racer and mechanic prior to the war, Magri organized the Fort Knox Endurance Run. The race starter was Lt. John Harley, son of Company founder William S. Harley. 

The Enthusiast® magazine also shared riding stories to help boost morale. Nelle Jo Gill, a rider from Columbus, Ohio, wrote about motorcycling to L.A. for a bowling tournament. She eventually enlisted and served a year in Europe as an aircraft mechanic and electrician.  

Hundreds of servicepeople wrote letters to The Enthusiast and friends. After multiple deployments, they were still reading the magazine and reporting back on the reliability of the WLA, sending well wishes to their motorcycle clubs, and dreaming of riding at home once again.

For motorcycle club riders at home, chapter updates in The Enthusiast® magazine served as a way to stay in touch with deployed riders. Many volunteered for Civilian Defense riding, lending their skills to dispatch, courier and escort duty. 

Harley-Davidson was also a three-time winner of the Army/Navy E Award given by the US Government for excellence in wartime production, minimal downtime and high labor and safety standards. Only 5% of the US companies that contributed to the war effort would earn the award.

When the war ended in 1945, servicemen and women returned home to families and friends. Like so many other activities, motorcycling entered a new boom period of club riding, races and meets. 

Some military motorcycles lived on as refurbished, inexpensive vehicles for sale. Dealers who had seen lean sales during the war recovered faster as a result. Shown here is a former military motorcycle being campaigned in the grueling Jack Pine Enduro.

When visiting the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, make sure to stop at the gallery dedicated to World War II.