Tuesday 13 July 2010

In defence of the peddling panzers

A further disparaging reference is to the 14 cyclist squadrons of the Cavalry Corps nicknamed “the peddling panzers”. Cyclist troops were used in many armies. In Ireland, they were an imaginative response to the requirement for reconnaissance and mobility in the face of grave shortages of vehicles and petrol. Stationed in sensitive areas, the squadrons could reach any point within a 10 miles radius in an hour – not a bad speed in a combat zone. – Yours, etc,

DONAL O’CARROLL

Colonel

(Retd)