Armoured bulldozer, Juno Beach

[Noel Burgess]

Just found this picture from a modelling forum here I think this trailer may be carrying somerfield track on the bottom and another type of temporary surface above it [cant remember the name for the wood strips wired together]. Later in the thread we are told the vehicle is - 50 Mech Equipt Sect - 3 men - 1 D10 + Trailer Jahn(?)
What do you think guys? Noel

[sapper740]

Originally Posted by Noel Burgess I think this trailer may be carrying somerfield track on the bottom and another type of temporary surface above it [cant remember the name for the wood strips wired together

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What do you think guys? Noel

Noel, I'm pretty sure the large load are Chespale fascines and Hessian mats, which were both used on Churchill AVREs and Bobbins during D Day. The loads carried by the Funnies would have to be replenished after being dropped, or, just as likely those mats and fascines came in handy anywhere there was loose sand or soil to be negotiated. The small rolls in the forefront of the picture are rolls of snow fence, something any good Canadian would be familiar with. Snow fence are Cedar slats wired together in rolls which would be temporarily installed upwind of a road, path or structure so as to get the snow to swirl and drift in the lee of the fence well away from other structures. It's also a light and handy way for infantry to cross soft or muddy ground. Derek.

[Noel Burgess]

Thats it of course "Chestnut Paling" - split chestnut sapplings orginally, apparently as the war porogressed there was a shortage of chestnut saplings as with everything else.
I'm sure I have seen a picture of this [with the wire (snow fence)] used as a road surface over the sand - showing a light utility leaving the beaches on D+?.
On the "other" forum the picture is higher resolution and I'm sure that the "hessian" is interleaved with wire mesh.
The uses for this load are probably many - throw it in a hole, make a trak for wheeled vehicles, as Sapper says "reload" an AVRE or light a fire for a brew up

Noel

[sapper740]

I don't know the exact designation of the smaller rolls which I previously called Snow fence...there probably is a military term for it. Here are two pics from the desert showing a similar type of mat rolled up on the fenders of vehicles, ready for use. One difference is that the slats appear to be inside a double layer of canvas? which would probably provide better traction in sand.

[Noel Burgess]

Another post by me following from Wim's post of this site which shows amphibious tests etc in 1943. On the 3rd page, second down on left hand column is a clip showing (~I think) Chespale Trackway and on the same page, third down left and right are two clips showing the manufacture of "Hessian Wire Mat"
There's also some clips showing RE & RAF plant (scrapers/Graders Etc.) practising entry & exit from landing craft.