vehicle usage in bridge coys

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally posted by Marc - Belgium
What kind of vehicles would the 2 Canadian bridge coys have used as basic means of transportation ? My grandfather told me he used to drive a deuce and a half. I was always under the impression that this was the standard U.S. light truck ? He also told me it was RHD, so I guess it can't be the deuce he was driving ? Does anyone have info about C company (or platoon) in 86 Bridge coy. ? I can't find anything in their war diary about this.

Hi Marc;

No. 86 Bridge Company, R.C.A.S.C. basic establishment was 750 all ranks, with a vehicle strength of 450 vehicles. The basic organization was:

- a Company Headquarters
- a Workshop Platoon
- a Royal Canadian Engineers Detachment (later Platoon)
- 10x Task Platoons, broken down into: 3x Bailey Bridge Platoons, 2x Bailey Pontoon Platoons, 2x Folding Boat Equipment Platoons, 1x Close Support Raft Platoon, 1x Assault Platoon and 1x Heavy Bailey Bridge Platoon.

In the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps, the 'Platoons' used 'Alpha' designations, example: "A" Platoon, "B" Platoon, etc.

Basic vehicles used:

- Lorry, 3, 6 or 10 Ton, GS (General Service)
- Lorry, 4 Ton, 6-WH, FBE (Folding Boat Equipment)
- Lorry, 4 Ton, 6-WH, GS
- Lorry, 4 Ton, 6-WH, Pontoon

the majority of the 'basic transport used' was Diamond-T's.

Your Grandfather may be referring to the Lorry, 6 Ton, General Service (Mack), which looks similar to the American 'deuce-and-a-half'.

Anyways, hope this helps.

Cheers