Summary: As the German armies retreat through Normandy, they leave behind them blown-bridges and small rear-guard parties; this making river-crossings time-consuming and tedious operations.
Description: Here, sappers serving with a 51st (Highland) Division unit, the 276th Field Company RE, prepare a Class 9 bridge for construction across the La Vie river at Grandchamp for 153rd Brigade during the division's advance towards Lisieux; near the old blown-up bridge, sappers have completed a Class 5 bridge for light vehicles. Work continues on erecting a Class 9 bridge without floating sections, a state of affairs which necessitates engineers wading through the river in order to erect piers for the structure.
Production Details: Directorate of Public Relations, War Office (Production sponsor)
Army Film and Photographic Unit (Production company)
Smales, Edgar Hiram1920-08-071984-09-19 (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Army, Corps 1 (regiment/service)
British Army, Royal Engineers (regiment/service)
British Army, Div 51 (regiment/service)
Keywords: engineering, military, British: Class 5 bridge (object name)
engineering, military, British: Class 9 bridge (object name)
engineering, military, British: Class 9 bridge (without floating sections) (object name)
operations, British military - routine: river crossing (object name)
Normandy, France (geography)
