Where was the 8 Bailey bridges in the Orne river area

[kristensen]

Dear Sirs.

I have read in After The Battle #1, that there was a total of 8 Bailey bridges build in the Orne river area. One of them was "London II" 300 yards south of the Orne bridge. Probably where the memorial for the first Bailey in France is now.

The other Baileys was called London 1, Tay 1 and 2, York 1 and 2 and Tower 1 and 2.

Can anyone say where in the area they were?

Best regards

kristensen

[Taz]

Not really much help but here is a little info for you

First Bailey Bridge

Along the path to the B?nouville Chateau is a marker for where the first Bailey Bridge of WWII was built. It is several hundred yards south of Pegasus Bridge, where the land is more open and the banks are fairly low. The bridge was built on June 8th, 1944, just two days after the invasion. It would have allowed for reinforcements and supplies to more easily cross the canal and river into the 6th Airborne's positions. The marker on the west bank of the canal is shown below. The inscription reads, JUNE 8 1944 HERE WAS BUILT THE FIRST BAILEY PONTOON BRIDGE IN FRANCE.

http://www.nwha.org/news_3Q2002/news_page6.html

Regards Eddie.

[Taz]

According to this, 30 Bailey bridges were built in the Caen Canal. Rivers Orne and Dives area during the Battle of Normandy.

<a href="http://www.normandy1944.com/include/pegasus_bailey.swf" target="_blank">http://www.normandy1944.com/include/pegasus_bailey.swf</a>

Operation Goodwood

Soon after D-Day, two pairs of Bailey Bridges had been constructed over the Caen Canal and River Orne to ensure that the flow of supplies to the 6th Airborne Division would continue should either the B?nouville or Ranville bridges be destroyed. This number was insufficient for the needs of Operation Goodwood and so a further two bridges were built, but even so it remained a heavily congested route and the effectiveness of Goodwood suffered as a result. Once they were across the river, many of the tanks were concealed from aerial observation by being parked beneath the wings of the 6th Airborne Division's gliders, which were still sitting on the Landing Zones.

Eddie.

Edited December 9, 2007 by Taz