Ranville in Calvados, Normandy, France — Western Europe
The Bailey Bridge
Photographed By Don Morfe, June 27, 2008
1. The Bailey Bridge Marker
Bailey Bridges were made up of elements which could be easily and rapidly assembled by a team of engineers. Forty Sappers could construct this bridge within two to three hours.
Thirty Bailey Bridges were built across the Caen Canal, River Orne and River Dives during the Battle of Normandy. The 6th Airborne Division also used them during the breakout in August 1944. These bridges replaced those destroyed and were used in conjunction with local bridges, most of these being unable to support the weight of heavy military vehicles.
On 7th/8th June 1944 the first Bailey Bridge, built in Normandy, was installed across the Caen Canal near the Chateau de Benouville. The bridge was identical to this one. It allowed vehicles up to 30 tons to cross, Pegasus Bridge not having been designed for such heavy traffic.
The British Engineer, Donald Bailey designed and perfected this revolutionary type of Bridge which contributed, in no small measure, to the Allied victory.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II.
Location. 49° 14.564′ N, 0° 16.271′ W. Marker is in Ranville, Normandie (Normandy), in Calvados. Memorial is on Avenue of Major Howard. This marker is on the grounds of the Pegasus Bridge Memorial Museum.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 18 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Horsa Glider (within shouting distance of this marker); Lance Corporal Brian J. Mullen (Sapper), R.E. (within shouting distance of this marker); Pegasus Bridge Site (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Major R. J. Howard (about 210 meters away); First House Liberated in France (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Fourth Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (approx. 17.3 kilometers away); In Memory of All Canadian Gunners (approx. 17.3 kilometers away); Message to the French Resistance (approx. 17.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ranville.
Photographed By Don Morfe, June 27, 2008
2. The Bailey Bridge
Photographed By Don Morfe, June 27, 2008
3. Old Pegasus Bridge
Photographed By Don Morfe, June 27, 2008
4. Pegasus Bridge Memorial Museum
Photographed By Don Morfe, June 27, 2008
5. Pegasus Bridge image at the Museum entrance.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2018. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 493 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 2, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
