Holdfasts

[Chris Johnson]

I'm researching the employment of Holdfasts on Canadian and British ARVs during the Second World War. I know that a number of these anchors could be employed at once, spiked into the ground, and that they were usually laid out in the direction of the pull; either in line, in an arrow, or in a "V" pattern.

What I'm wondering though is how they were connected. Were they linked directly together by shackles or were they connected with lengths of chain, or by some other fashion?

If anyone has a manual that explains their employment, or has expereince with them, I'd appreciate hearing from you.

Cheers,

Chris

[Richard Farrant]

Chris,

One end is a yoke shape with a large nut and bolt fitted the opposite end fits between the yoke with the bolt. I do have a wartime rcovery booklet somewhere, from the British War Office. Will try and find it for a picture.

[Chris Johnson]

Thanks for the offer, but before you go to any extra effort, I know what they looked like. It's how they were employed which is what I'm after. If that wartime recovery booklet has a diagram of how they were laid out and connected, that would be exactly what I'm looking for.

Cheers,

Chris

[Noel Burgess]

Try the following two links
1. http://www.aecmilitant.co.uk/downloads.html
A good way down the page (if all the other goodies have not distracted you) you will find a downloadable copy of "REME Guide to recovery" This may well answer your questions
2.http://www.raeme.net/toc.php?cat=rec&item=1#article This reproduces 10 pages from "British Machine Tool Engineering, Jan-Feb-Mar 1944" -114 pages were devoted to the then new Corps of REME - But since finding this site I have never been able to find any of the other 104 pages.

Theres enough in those two to make any fan of Reccy Mechs wet his (or her) pants

Cheers
Noel

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by Chris Johnson
Thanks for the offer, but before you go to any extra effort, I know what they looked like. It's how they were employed which is what I'm after. If that wartime recovery booklet has a diagram of how they were laid out and connected, that would be exactly what I'm looking for.

Cheers,

Chris

[Richard Farrant]

Chris,

In the process of posting the picture, I lost my message, so here goes. This is showing two simple examples of using holdfasts or earth anchors, they are shown in the pic as xxxxx. You can then go on to the more complicated layouts known as Compound-Direct and Compound-Indirect. The number of holdfasts required is worked out when you calculate the load, using weight of casualty, whether wheels or tracks are locked, ground type and conditions, gradient, etc.

[Chris Johnson]

Richard and Noel,

Thank you both very much. This is exactly the information I was looking for.

As always, the depth and breadth of knowledge of the contributors to this Board is second to none.

Cheers,

Chris

[Phil Waterman]

Originally posted by Noel Burgess
Try the following two links ......

Theres enough in those two to make any fan of Reccy Mechs wet his (or her) pants

Cheers
Noel

Great find Noel