Churchill Bridgelayers
A Churchill bridgelayer of 51st Royal Tank Regiment in action during a demonstration in the Mezzano area, 30 March 1945.The British already had experience of bridge-laying tanks with the Valentine and Covenanter and began work on a Churchill-based bridge-layer in 1942. The bridge ("Tank, 30ft, No.2 ") which could support a weight of 60 tons was carried on top of the tank. When the obstacle was reached an arm (driven by hydraulics in the tank) pivoted at the front of the tank and placed the bridge in position.
Churchill AVRE with Small Box Girder Bridge
Other bridges could be deployed by the Churchill:
"Skid Bailey" was a bridge formed from Bailey Bridge parts on skids that was moved into position by two Churchill AVREs – one pulling and one pushing. "Mobile Bailey Bridge" was a complete bridge on unpowered track units; it was pushed into position by two AVREs.
Similarly a bridge could be rested on an AVRE with its turret removed while a second AVRE pushed.
A Churchill bridgelayer of 51st Royal Tank Regiment in action during a demonstration in the Mezzano area, 30 March 1945.The British already had experience of bridge-laying tanks with the Valentine and Covenanter and began work on a Churchill-based bridge-layer in 1942. The bridge ("Tank, 30ft, No.2 ") which could support a weight of 60 tons was carried on top of the tank. When the obstacle was reached an arm (driven by hydraulics in the tank) pivoted at the front of the tank and placed the bridge in position.
Churchill AVRE with Small Box Girder Bridge
Other bridges could be deployed by the Churchill:
"Skid Bailey" was a bridge formed from Bailey Bridge parts on skids that was moved into position by two Churchill AVREs – one pulling and one pushing. "Mobile Bailey Bridge" was a complete bridge on unpowered track units; it was pushed into position by two AVREs.
Similarly a bridge could be rested on an AVRE with its turret removed while a second AVRE pushed.