17 Feb 21

As part of my continued research into the capabilities and activities of the Mounted Squadrons of the Royal Engineers is that there was officially no Pontoon Bridging equipment allocated to any of the Cavalry Divisions.

The aim was that when a crossing or a ford was not available then the Division would cross by the following methods.

The Horses and riders would swim (the saddles and tack would be removed and moved over on boats or rafts)

Limbered wagons would move over on light rafts that each Cavalry Regiment could construct themselves.

Heavier wagons and Guns would be crossed using a Flying Bridge constructed by the RE Field Squadron. This was constructed using a raft made from 2 of the Squadrons Collapsible boats, anchored on a line mid stream and this would then swing from bank to bank ferrying the Division’s heavy transport.

However…….

As I keep delving into the War Diaries of the Squadrons I do keep coming across references to the Squadrons training on Bridges and trailling new bridging equipment. There is a possibility that the Collapsible boats may have been used to construct a light weight pontoon bridge. It’s something to keep looking into.