WW 2 Bridging?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
In the movies, one of the best sections of the film A BRIDGE TOO FAR was when they were building that Bailey under command of whatsisname. Classic filmwork.

Bailey bridge sections, somewhere in Holland. Not used since A Bridge Too Far?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Marked both "ENGLAND" and "1944" - this is the real stuff, not the US copy.

Pics courtesy of Radar.

[Ed Storey]

Here is a photograph of a FBE Pontoon model from WWII. These models were very realistic and were made of wood, canvas, and various different metals. Each pice of the bridge was represented in model form and these models were used for instruction on how to build the bridge prior to actually going out and doing it with the real item. I believe each type of bridge used by the Engineers comes with a training model.

[sapper740]

Ah yes, bridging....a subject dear to any Engineer. Thought I'd share a few pics I have of various bridging efforts from WW II. This pic is one of my favourites as it combines a Bailey bridge, a pontoon bridge, and several CMPs and MVs in one pic. I surmise the Bailey on the piers of the upper bridge is unfinished. I only know the picture was taken in Italy. Any ideas where and when?

[sapper740]

Here's a great shot taken August 12th, 1944 of the 20th Field Co., Royal Canadian Engineers hard at work building Monty's bridge at Caen. It's interesting to see the box frames used as the piers on which the Bailey is built. This very long span was built in only 8 days.

[sapper740]

A pic of American Engineers building a pontoon bridge at an unknown location. The picture has the feeling of a training exercise to me. Judging by the hurry shown by the near Engineers, I'd say the WC at the far end is bringing chow!

[Kent Aist]

"Ah yes, bridging....a subject dear to any Engineer. Thought I'd share a few pics I have of various bridging efforts from WW II. This pic is one of my favourites as it combines a Bailey bridge, a pontoon bridge, and several CMPs and MVs in one pic. I surmise the Bailey on the piers of the upper bridge is unfinished."

If you look at the shadow of the Bailey bridge you will see it has no decking yet.

Kent

[sapper740]

Originally posted by Kent Aist
If you look at the shadow of the Bailey bridge you will see it has no decking yet.

You're very astute, I missed that. I guess I was too busy trying to I.D. all the vehicles

[Les Freathy]

After months of digging deep in the archive i have at last found a book i thought i had lent to some one and lost it for good. the book is Bridging Nomandy to Berlin produced after the war by the Royal Engineers and contains loads of good photos of bridging the next step is to locate the map book that goes with it. Over the next few weeks i will scan andpost some the better photos from the book
cheers
Les

[sapper740]

Originally posted by Les Freathy
After months of digging deep in the archive i have at last found a book i thought i had lent to some one and lost it for good. the book is Bridging Nomandy to Berlin produced after the war by the Royal Engineers and contains loads of good photos of bridging the next step is to locate the map book that goes with it. Over the next few weeks i will scan andpost some the better photos from the book
cheers
Les

Les, that is a book I would very much like having a copy of. Could you post the complete title, author(s), and ISBN? Thanks! Derek.

[Ed Storey]

Bridging - Normandy to Berlin is one of the many 21st Army Group publications that were produced immediately after the end of hostilities in NW Europe. The foreword to this well illustrated book was written by MGen I.O. Inglis who was CE 21 Army Group. The book is 'coffee table' sized and covers all of the major bridging operations of 21 Army Group in NW Europe. As you can appreciate, there is no ISBN.

[Les Freathy]

Derek

As Ed explained the book was a private venture by the Royal Engineers and as far as i know its never been on public sale. copies are around so prehaps a company into book search may be able to help, if one comes up grab it as its mega rare god knows how much it would cost
cheers
Les

[Radek]

He this one is use as walker and bicycle bridge near my home.
Yeas I use them for any pictures.

[martylee]

Does anyone have a picture of a ww2 us infanterybridge?I'm about to buy one!

Marty

[sapper740]

Originally posted by martylee
Does anyone have a picture of a ww2 us infanterybridge?I'm about to buy one!

Marty

Marty, are you referring to a Bailey, Floating pontoon, or Treadway bridge? More info please.

[martylee]

Originally posted by sapper740
Marty, are you referring to a Bailey, Floating pontoon, or Treadway bridge? More info please.

I do believe the one I'm thinking of is the floating pontoon bridge.

Marty

[sapper740]

Originally posted by martylee
I do believe the one I'm thinking of is the floating pontoon bridge.

Marty

Is it just a treadway on the pontoons, like so:

[sapper740]

Originally posted by sapper740
Is it just a treadway on the pontoons, like so:

and are the pontoons boats as in my previous picture or are they inflatable like so: