Folding Boat Equipment

Last updated
Folding Boat Equipment
The British Army in North-west Europe 1944-45 BU216.jpg
Folding Boat Equipment Mk III bridge in North-west Europe (1944-45)
Ancestor Pontoon bridge
CarriesPedestrians, Road vehicles
Span rangeShort
Material Timber, steel, canvas
Falsework requiredNone

The Folding Boat Equipment, abbreviated as FBE, is a light pontoon bridging equipment which was in use by the British and its colonial armies during the 20th century. [1] The equipment was introduced in 1928 and was the standard light bridge used for loads up to class 5, i.e. providing rafts or a bridge capable of transporting loads up to 5 tons of weight. The initial version was followed by a Mk II but without change of capacity. In 1938 the Mk III version of the bridge was introduced with significant changes and an increase of load capacity to 9 tons, i.e. load class 9. [2]

Contents

The Mk III version of the bridge was easy and quick to erect, which led in 1939 to its becoming the standard light bridging equipment, initially of the British armies, and the Allied armies during World War II. The Mk III equipment was capable of providing class 5 and 9 pontoon rafts, or a class 9 bridge. The equipment provided anchoring facilities and a full width trackway. It performed well even in fast currents and could be maintained and kept in use indefinitely. [3]

The FBE Mk III was used extensively during World War II by both British and American forces as the standard class 9 bridge. The FBE was widely used in both the European and South-East Asian theatres of war.

Configuration and deployment

A 25-pdr field gun and jeep being transported on a class 5 FBE Mk III decked raft ferry down the Kalapanzin River from Buthidaung, January 1945. The British Army in Burma 1945 SE2355.jpg
A 25-pdr field gun and jeep being transported on a class 5 FBE Mk III decked raft ferry down the Kalapanzin River from Buthidaung, January 1945.

The equipment provided the following capabilities: [4] [5]

Bridges are constructed by joining rafts together. The connectors have limited articulation, [6] which permits the FBE Mk II bridge to carry a load of class 5 while an FBE MK III bridge can carry a vehicle of load class 9 (approximately 10 tons). The trestles are set up at each end and fix the end of the bridge to the bank. Anchors are placed at different positions along the length to anchor the bridge from being swept away by a changed current.

Parts

Layout and parts of FBE Mk III FBE Mk III - parts and layout.png
Layout and parts of FBE Mk III

Folding Boat Equipment bridge consists of the following parts: [6]

Folding Boat

FBE boat in use as a ferry with outboard motor fitted on a fabricated frame. Men of the Dorset Regiment, 2nd Division, crossing the Irrawaddy river at Ngazun, Burma, 28 February 1945. SE3153.jpg
FBE boat in use as a ferry with outboard motor fitted on a fabricated frame.

Each folding boat was 21 feet 10 inches long and 6 feet 8 inches wide, collapsible and could be carried flat on four-wheeled trailers or in bridging lorries. Three flat boats fitted on a trailer. Sixteen soldiers were required for manual carriage and launching a single boat. Each boat had a load capacity of 870 pounds and could accommodate 16 fully armed soldiers besides the boat commander and a crew of four. [5] [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military engineering vehicle</span> Battlefield support vehicle

A military engineering vehicle is a vehicle built for construction work or for the transportation of combat engineers on the battlefield. These vehicles may be modified civilian equipment or purpose-built military vehicles. The first appearance of such vehicles coincided with the appearance of the first tanks, these vehicles were modified Mark V tanks for bridging and mine clearance. Modern military engineering vehicles are expected to fulfill numerous roles such as; bulldozer, crane, grader, excavator, dump truck, breaching vehicle, bridging vehicle, military ferry, amphibious crossing vehicle, and combat engineer section carrier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pontoon bridge</span> Type of floating bridge

A pontoon bridge, also known as a floating bridge, uses floats or shallow-draft boats to support a continuous deck for pedestrian and vehicle travel. The buoyancy of the supports limits the maximum load that they can carry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Landing craft</span> Seagoing watercraft

Landing craft are small and medium seagoing watercraft, such as boats and barges, used to convey a landing force from the sea to the shore during an amphibious assault. The term excludes landing ships, which are larger. Production of landing craft peaked during World War II, with a significant number of different designs produced in large quantities by the United Kingdom and United States.

Landing craft tank Amphibious assault craft for landing tanks on beachheads

The Landing Craft, Tank (LCT) was an amphibious assault craft for landing tanks on beachheads. They were initially developed by the Royal Navy and later by the United States Navy during World War II in a series of versions. Initially known as the "tank landing craft" (TLC) by the British, they later adopted the U.S. nomenclature "landing craft, tank" (LCT). The United States continued to build LCTs post-war, and used them under different designations in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Landing Ship, Tank Amphibious assault ship of World War II

A Landing Ship, Tank (LST) is a ship first developed during World War II (1939–1945) to support amphibious operations by carrying tanks, vehicles, cargo, and landing troops directly onto a low-slope beach with no docks or piers. The shallow draft and bow doors and ramps enabled amphibious assaults on almost any beach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ordnance QF 6-pounder</span> British anti-tank gun

The Ordnance quick-firing 6-pounder 7 cwt, or just 6-pounder, was a British 57 mm gun, serving during the Second World War as a primary anti-tank gun of both the British and United States Army. It was also used as the main armament for a number of armoured fighting vehicles.

Landing Craft Utility Type of boat designed for transporting amphibious forces and cargo to shore

A Landing Craft Utility (LCU) is a type of boat used by amphibious forces to transport equipment and troops to the shore. They are capable of transporting tracked or wheeled vehicles and troops from amphibious assault ships to beachheads or piers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers</span> Series of armored military engineering vehicles

Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers (AVRE), also known as Assault Vehicle Royal Engineers, is the title given to a series of armoured military engineering vehicles operated by the Royal Engineers (RE) for the purpose of protecting engineers during frontline battlefield operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mabey Logistic Support Bridge</span>

The Mabey Logistic Support Bridge is a portable pre-fabricated truss bridge, designed for use by military engineering units to upgrade routes for heavier traffic, replace civilian bridges damaged by enemy action or floods etc., replace assault and general support bridges and to provide a long span floating bridge capability. The bridge is a variant of the Mabey Compact 200 bridge, with alterations made to suit the military user as well as a ramp system to provide ground clearance to civilian and military vehicles.

USS <i>LST-16</i>

USS LST-16 was a LST-1-class tank landing ship built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Like most ships in her class, she was not named and was known only by her designation. She was staffed by a U.S. Coast Guard crew throughout her service career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amphibious warfare ship</span> Ship used in amphibious warfare

An amphibious warfare ship is an amphibious vehicle warship employed to land and support ground forces, such as marines, on enemy territory during an amphibious assault.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Float (nautical)</span> Flotation device

Floats are airtight hollow structures, similar to pressure vessels, designed to provide buoyancy in water. Their principal applications are in watercraft hulls, aircraft floats, floating piers, pontoon rhinos, pontoon bridges, and marine engineering applications such as salvage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PMP Floating Bridge</span> Soviet model of mobile pontoon bridge

The PMP Floating Bridge is a type of mobile pontoon bridge designed by the Soviet Union after World War II. The bridge's design enables for a quick assembly of its parts. It has a carrying capacity of 60 tons. The bridge was originally mounted on a KrAZ-214, but later transferred to a KrAZ-255. During the process of its deployment, a truck carrying the bridge is backed alongside the edge of a body of water. The bridge is then rolled off where it unfolds automatically. The bridge spans 382 metres, load capacity 20 tons, or 227 m, load capacity 60 tons, with 32 river pontoons, 12 bridging boats and four shore pontoons.

HMS Misoa was a Maracaibo-class LST Mk.I tank landing ship of the British Royal Navy during World War II. A converted Lake Maracaibo oil tanker, she took part in the invasions of North Africa, Sicily, and Normandy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Engineers bridging and trackway equipment</span>

This is a list of bridging and trackway equipment used by the Royal Engineers of the British Army. For more equipment in use with the Royal Engineers, see Modern equipment of the British Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">549th Engineer Light Pontoon Company</span> Military unit

The 549th Engineers Light Pontoon Company was a combat engineer company of the United States Army during World War II. Operationally attached to the 1150th Engineer Combat Group, it served under XXI Corps of the Seventh Army in action in France and Germany in 1944 and 1945.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Engineer Light Ponton Company</span>

An Engineer Light Ponton Company was a combat engineer company of the United States Army that served with U.S. Army ground forces during World War II. It was primarily a highly mobile pontoon bridge construction unit, though it also provided both M2 assault boats and a selection of infantry support bridging, ferries, and rafts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British logistics in the Western Allied invasion of Germany</span>

British logistics supported the operations of Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery's Anglo-Canadian 21st Army Group in the Western Allied invasion of Germany from 8 January 1945 until the end of the Second World War in Europe on 8 May 1945. To conserve scarce manpower, the British and Canadian forces employed mechanisation and materiel for maximum effect in combat operations. This involved prodigious use of ammunition, fuel, and equipment, which in turn demanded a first-class military logistics system. By this time, the British Army was highly experienced, professional, and proficient.

References

  1. "UK Military Bridging – Floating Equipment". Think Defence. 11 December 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  2. British War Production 1939-1945 – A Record. London: The Times Publishing Company Limited. 1945. pp.  74–75. Retrieved 2 March 2018.{{cite book}}: Check |archive-url= value (help)
  3. A Military Encyclopedia – Based upon the Operations in the Italian Campaign (1943 - 1945). Italy: HQ 15 Army Group. 1 March 1945. p.  306 . Retrieved 1 March 2018.{{cite book}}: Check |archive-url= value (help)
  4. E-in-C's ( India) Pamphlet No 10 (1943) Notes on the Organization of that Part of the Corps of Indian Engineers under the E.in.C. G.H.Q. India. 1943. pp.  37–38. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  5. 1 2 Donald Portway (1940). Military Science Today. London: Oxford University Press. pp.  87–88. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 Technical Manual 30-410 : Handbook on the British Army with Supplements on the Royal Air Force and Civilian Defense Organizations 1942. War Department, United States of America. 30 September 1942. pp. 56–57. Retrieved 3 March 2018.