G.I. Joe US Army Motor MP Harley Davidson Action Figure and Vehicle 2000 NRFB

During the years of World War II, the United States Armed Forces became what Winston Churchill called "a prodigy of organization." The Army formed the backbone of all military forces, accounting for nearly 8,300,000 out of 12,350,000 active soldiers by the end of the war. Two major developments proved to be vital to the Army's success: the extensive use of motor transport by its infantry divisions, and the establishment of a permanent corps of Military Police, which was developed from the infantry in 1941.

The "Blitzkrieg" (lightning war) style of warfare adopted by the Germans shocked the world, and its motorcycle rifle regiments were known to be the fastest of all German units. American strategists were well aware of this, and shortly after the Pearl Harbor attack, the Harley-Davidson® Motor Company designated its entire output for Allied use. By the end of the war, nearly 90,000 WLA army-version motorcycles were built and shipped. Each was outfitted with well-protected air filters that allowed the bikes to cross shallow waters, a two-way radio rack, and machine gun fixtures. However, most MP's altered their motorcycles in the field by removing parts such as the windshield and leg shields or even by adding parts not supplied by Harley-Davidson. For this reason, it was rare to find any two WLA Harley-Davidson's® in the MP corps that looked alike.

By far the biggest champions of the Harley® WLA motorcycles were the corps of Military Police, who used the motorcycles extensively on every front and battlefield of the war, in Europe, Africa and the Pacific Islands. MP's were among the first troops to land, quickly establishing control points and directing the movement of supplies and soldiers, often while under heavy enemy fire. Other duties included the preservation of order, the enforcement of military laws, traffic control, the evacuation of refugees, watching over prisoners of war (both at home and abroad), the investigation of crimes, and the protection of fellow soldiers as well as fighting alongside them on the front lines. To do their job effectively, they needed a fast, reliable vehicle-and the WLA bikes filled that need with flying colors. It was by no mistake that the bike was given the nickname "Liberator": both the WLA and the MP's who used them were essential to Allied victory in World War II. The success of the Allied Invasions would not have been possible were it not for the achievements of the corps of Military Police, which by war's end would become the largest police force in modern times, with over 200,000 enlisted men having served. And, the success of the MP's would not have been possible without the strength, reliability and effectiveness of the Harley-Davidson® WLA upon which U.S. MP's rode on one of the most important freedom runs of all time.

G.I. Joe US Army Motor MP - Hasbro #81477 - Equipment List: Jacket, MP helmet, scarf, removable armband, 45 cal. pistol, web belt, boots, pants, whistle, dog tags, motorcycle with gearshift, springer seat, kickstand, saddlebags, leg guards, windshield, display base. - Ages 5+ - Hasbro 2000

The box has some wear on the edges of the carboard and some scuffs on the cardboard as well.