The First Yank and Harley to Enter Germany

[panhead_jim]

We've all seen this photo before, but like any great photo, there is a great story behind it. This particular story comes from the pages of the February 1944 edition of "The Enthusiast". It's a full length article and well worth the read.



The First Yank and Harley to Enter Germany

[Blupacer]

We've all seen this photo before, but like any great photo, there is a great story behind it. This particular story comes from the pages of the February 1944 edition of "The Enthusiast". It's a full length article and well worth the read.



The First Yank and Harley to Enter Germany

I have a copy of MOTORCYCLING and BICYCING published February 22 1919. The same picture was sent to Gus Castle of Atlanta Ga. by Sgt. James Reese Brewer of Motorcycle Company 305 , Motor Dispatch Service , A.E.F. , France.
Brewer said picture was taken Nov 12 1918 by a German photographer. A M.D.S. rider saw the picture at the shop later and bought copys His letter did not name the rider.

Steve

[Chris Haynes]

The rider was Roy Holtz from Chippea Falls, WI. A dispatch rider for the US Army. The irony of this photo is that Roy was accidentally behind German lines before the armistice was in effect.

[Jerry Wieland]

Chris is right. He was actually heading from behind German back to the Allied front. The equipment and people in the background were the remains of the German Army and refugees fleeing the advancing Allied forces.

Chippewa Falls is about 30 miles east of me and some of the old car club members who were around in the 60's and earlier knew of Roy but sadly that was before my time. He apparently did not even realize he had been photographed until years later.

Jerry