BRIDGE COMPANY RASC Bridge Companies carried bridging and water assault equipment for engineers or infantry to use. Pontoons and folding boats needed special vehicles but increasingly bridging equipment was carried in 3ton GS lorries. RASC BRIDGE COMPANY HQ of a Bridge Company. War Establishment III/225/1 Heavy Bridging Equipment Platoon. War Establishment III/226/1 Assault Equipment Platoon. War Establishment III/227/1 FBE Platoon. War Establishment III/228/1 Raft Equipment Platoon Type B. War Establishment III/229/2 Pontoon Equipment Platoon. War Establishment III/230/1 Bailey Bridge Platoon. War Establishment III/231/1 Bailey Bridge Platoon. War Establishment III/231/2 Bridge Co Workshop Platoon. War Establishment III/232/1 Company Headquarters This was a standard company headquarters organisation. There was no fixed composition for a bridging company. It could contain any number of the platoons and section listed below according to need and to the size of the corps which it served. However a typical organisation was Headquarters 3 X Bailey Bridge Platoon Heavy Bailey Bridge Section 2 X Pontoon Platoon Assault Equipment platoon 2 X Folding Boat Equipment Platoon Suppport Raft Section Class 50/60 Platoon RE Platoon Workshop Platoon Headquarters Personnel Major 2 X Captain Subaltern Company Serjeant Major company quartermaster serjeant serjeant serjeant clerk, technical MT administrative corporal batman 3 X batman driver butchery dutyman corporal clerk 3 X clerk 4 X driver of vehicle corporal, lmg detachment lance corporal, lmg detachment 4 X private, lmg detachment lance corporal motorcyclist 3 X motorcyclist officers mess orderly orderly corporal regimental policeman regimental policeman 2 X sanitary dutyman storeman water dutyman Plus attached 2 X Cook ACC This organisation assumes a total of eight platoons. For every two extra platoons one extra Captain, one extra batman driver will be added. Two officers and four men will be trained in bomb reconnaissance duties. One NCO and two men will be trained in anti gas duties. One additional man will be trained in water duties. Two men will be trained in boot repair. The War Establishment does not give the usual organisation table but does assign the vehicle roles. Motorcycle 1 Subaltern Motorcycle 2 serjeant Motorcycle 3 lance corporal motorcyclist Motorcycle 4 motorcyclist Motorcycle 5 motorcyclist Motorcycle 6 motorcyclist Car 4 seater 4 X 2 Major, Captain, batman driver 15cwt truck GS 3 corporal, lmg number, driver IC Carries a Bren gun on a Motley mount at the rear plus a PIAT 15cwt truck GS 4 lance corporal, lmg number, driver IC Carries a Bren gun on a Motley mount at the rear plus a PIAT 3ton lorry 4 X 2 GS 1 4 X cook, batman driver Carries cooking sets and rations Tows water trailer 3ton lorry 4 X 2 GS 2 batman driver Carries baggage 3ton lorry 4 X 2 GS 3 driver IC Carries anti gas reserves 3ton lorry 4 X 2 GS 4 driver IC Carries and distributes petrol. Note: The water trailer may be replaced by a 15cwt water truck and an additional driver IC. Other personnel are distributed amongst the headquarters transport. For every two extra platoons one car 2 seater 4 X 2 (or jeep) will be added Car 2seater 4 X 2 Captain, batman driver RE Platoon for a Bridge Company RASC Captain Subaltern serjeant fitter, IC and pumps serjeant 2 X blacksmith 3 X carpenter and joiner clerk 4 X engine hands equipment repairer (for kapok equipment) driver mechanic RASC transport corporal RASC 4 X driver of vehicles RASC 2 X batman driver RASC cook ACC 2 X Motorcycle 1 X Car 2 seater 4 X 2 3 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS for RE personnel and stores 1 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS Carrying pile driver 1 X 3ton 6 X 4 Coles Crane NOTE: In addition for every pontoon platoon on the company there will be one 3ton 6 X 4 Coles Crane and one driver IC. These lorries may be detached for use with the pontoon platoons. Workshop Platoon RASC This could vary slightly according to the number of platoons assigned to the company. Below is the basic establishment. Headquarters This remained constant Captain Mechanist Serjeant Major corporal clerk, technical MT clerk technical MT administrative corporal driver of vehicle batman driver motorcyclist 2 X cook ACC Motorcycle 1 Mechanist serjeant major Motorcycle 2 motorcyclist Truck 15cwt GS Captain, administrative corporal, 2 X clerk, batman driver Tows a trailer,15cwt, workshop servicing. 3ton 4 X 2 GS 2 X cook, driver IC Carries cooking equipment and baggage. Tows a water trailer Section mechanist staff serjeant blacksmith carpenter and joiner coppersmith or sheet metal worker coachtrimmer storeman, technical MT turner 2 X driver IC 2 electrician painter and decorator 6 X fitter MV 2 X motor mechanic 15cwt truck GS driver IC For maintenance duties 3ton 6 X 4 Breakdown driven by artificer personnel 3ton 4 X 4 or 6 X 4 Workshop driven by artificer personnel 3ton 4 X 4 Stores driven by artificer personnel 3ton 4 X 2 GS driver IC Section mechanist staff serjeant blacksmith carpenter and joiner coppersmith or sheet metal worker coachtrimmer storeman, technical MT turner 2 X driver IC 2 X electrician painter and decorator 5 X fitter MV motor mechanic 15cwt truck GS Driven by artificer personnel For maintenance duties 3ton 6 X 4 Breakdown fitter, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 or 6 X 4 Workshop driven by artificer personnel 3ton 4 X 4 Stores driven by artificer personnel 3ton 4 X 2 GS driver IC If more platoons are assigned to the company then the number of certain tradesmen is increased Serial 2 add: three fitters, motor mechanic, electrician Serial 3 add: six fitters, two motor mechanics, two electricians Serial 4 add: nine fitters, three motor mechanics, three electricians Bailey Bridge Platoon Headquarters Subaltern serjeant administrative corporal who also drove a relief vehicle 3 X driver batman driver motorcyclist 3 X lmg detachment 14 relief drivers water dutyman Plus attached 2 X cook ACC storeman, technical RE 2 X pioneer RE Note: Relief vehicles represent 10% of the task vehicles in the platoon. They are to replace task vehicles undergoing service and maintenance and are not to be regarded as spare vehicles or replacement vehicles. Motorcycle 1 serjeant Motorcycle 2 motorcyclist Car 2 seater 4 X 2 Subaltern, batman driver 15cwt GS 2 lance corporal, lmg gunner, driver IC Carries Bren gun and PIAT 3ton 4 X 2 GS administrative corporal, clerk, 3ton 4 X 4 GS 4 2 X cook, water dutyman, driver IC Tows water trailer driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 driver IC Relief vehicle 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 driver IC Relief vehicle 3ton 4 X 4 GS 3 driver IC Relief vehicle 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 4 driver IC Carries a panel load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 5 driver IC Carries a panel load Section 1 Motorcycle corporal 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 1 driver IC Carries a panel load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 2 driver IC Carries a panel load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 3 driver IC Carries a decking load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 4 driver IC Carries a decking load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 5 driver IC Carries a ramp load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 6 driver IC Carries an accessory load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 7 driver IC Carries grillage and Sommerfield track Section 2 Motorcycle corporal 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 1 driver IC Carries a panel load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 2 driver IC Carries a panel load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 3 driver IC Carries a decking load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 4 driver IC Carries a decking load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 5 driver IC Carries a ramp load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 6 driver IC Carries an accessory load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 7 driver IC Carries grillage and Sommerfield track Section 3 Motorcycle corporal 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 1 driver IC Carries a panel load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 2 driver IC Carries a panel load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 3 driver IC Carries a decking load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 4 driver IC Carries a decking load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 5 driver IC Carries a ramp load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 6 driver IC Carries an accessory load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 7 driver IC Carries grillage and Sommerfield track Section 4 Motorcycle corporal 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 1 driver IC Carries a panel load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 2 driver IC Carries a panel load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 3 driver IC Carries a decking load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 4 driver IC Carries a decking load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 5 driver IC Carries a ramp load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 6 driver IC Carries an accessory load 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 7 driver IC Carries grillage and Sommerfield track A Bailey Bridge Platoon could carry sufficient material for a 150 foot Class 40 bridge. A section carried the equipment for one 40 foot Class 40 bridge. No1 and No2 sections, or No3 and No4 sections, could be combined to carry the equipment to build an 80 foot Class 40 bridge. Heavy Bridging Equipment Platoon ‘This platoon forms part of a bridge company RASC. It provides transport for the carriage of bridging equipment to supplement that carried by RASC platoons for Bailey bridge and pontoon equipment, in order to enable Class 70 bridges to be built instead of Class 40 bridges. The heavy Bailey increment carries the additional equipment necessary, so that when combined with that carried by a Bailey pontoon, one 110 foot Class 70 Bailey bridge may be built. The heavy pontoon increment carries the additional equipment so that, when combined with that carried by a Bailey platoon, a pontoon platoon and a heavy Bailey increment, 276 foot of Class 70 Bailey pontoon bridge may be built with 30% floating spares.’ According to anticipated need up to five heavy Bailey increments may be included in the platoon Platoon Headquarters Personnel establishment was non standard since relief drivers were dispersed to the sections so that they could operate independently. Subaltern serjeant lance serjeant 6 X driver private plus attached storeman, technical, RE 2 X pioneer RE 2 X cooks ACC Motorcycle serjeant Motorcycle lance serjeant Car 2 seater 4 X 2 Subaltern, batman driver 15cwt GS driver IC 3ton 4 X 2 GS 2 X pioneer RE, 2 X cook, driver IC 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 1 driver IC This is a relief vehicle 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 2 driver IC This is a relief vehicle 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 1 driver IC This is a relief vehicle 3 ton 4 X 4 Pontoon 2 driver IC This is a relief vehicle Heavy Bailey Bridge Increment corporal in charge of section lance corporal driver 3 X driver 2 X relief driver Motorcycle corporal 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 1 driver IC 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 2 driver IC 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 3 driver IC 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 4 driver IC Each lorry carried an identical load of 6 X Bailey panel 8 X transom and clamp 6 X bracing frames Heavy Pontoon Increment No1 section corporal in charge of section lance corporal driver 6 X driver 4 X relief driver Motorcycle corporal 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 1 driver IC Carries Panels 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 2 driver IC Carries panels 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 3 driver IC Carries panels 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 4 driver IC Carries panels 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 1 driver IC Carries Class 70 landing bays 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 2 driver IC Carries Class 70 landing bays No2 section corporal in charge of section lance corporal driver 4 X driver 3 X relief driver Motorcycle corporal 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 1 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 2 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 3 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 4 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 5 driver IC Carries two Bailey pontoon centre sections 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 6 driver IC Carries two Bailey pontoon centre sections No3 section corporal in charge of section lance corporal driver 4 X driver 3 X relief driver Motorcycle corporal 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 1 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 2 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 3 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 4 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 5 driver IC Carries two Bailey pontoon centre sections 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 6 driver IC Carries two Bailey pontoon centre sections Pontoon Platoon Headquarters Subaltern serjeant administrative corporal who also drove a relief vehicle 2 X drivers of vehicles batman driver motorcyclist 3 X lmg detachment 13 X relief drivers water dutyman Plus attached 2 X cook ACC storeman, technical RE 2 X pioneer RE Note: Relief vehicles represent 10% of the task vehicles in the platoon. They are to replace task vehicles undergoing service and maintenance and are not to be regarded as spare vehicles or replacement vehicles. Motorcycle 1 serjeant Motorcycle 2 motorcyclist Car 2 seater 4 X 2 Subaltern, batman driver 15cwt GS lance corporal, lmg gunner, driver IC Carries Bren gun and PIAT, 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 X cook, water dutyman, driver IC Tows water trailer 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 1 administrative corporal Relief vehicle 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 2 driver IC Relief vehicle Section 1 Motorcycle corporal 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 1 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons plus one bay of superstructure 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 2 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons plus one bay of superstructure 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 3 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons plus one bay of superstructure 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 4 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons plus one bay of superstructure 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 5 driver IC Carries two Bailey pontoon centre sections plus connecting posts and junction chesses 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 6 driver IC Carries two Bailey pontoon centre sections plus connecting posts and junction chesses 3ton 4 X 4 driver IC Carries propulsion and fire fighting units Tows a Motor Boat MkI* on a 2ton 4 wheeled trailer The motorboat is used for positioning lengths of pontoon bridge. Section 2 Motorcycle corporal 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 1 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons plus one bay of superstructure 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 2 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons plus one bay of superstructure 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 3 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons plus one bay of superstructure 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 4 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons plus one bay of superstructure 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 5 driver IC Carries two Bailey pontoon centre sections plus connecting posts and junction chesses 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 6 driver IC Carries two Bailey pontoon centre sections plus connecting posts and junction chesses Section 3 Motorcycle corporal 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 1 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons plus one bay of superstructure 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 2 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons plus one bay of superstructure 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 3 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons plus one bay of superstructure 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 4 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons plus one bay of superstructure 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 5 driver IC Carries two Bailey pontoon centre sections plus connecting posts and junction chesses 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 6 driver IC Carries two Bailey pontoon centre sections plus connecting posts and junction chesses Section 4 Motorcycle corporal 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 1 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons plus one bay of superstructure 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 2 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons plus one bay of superstructure 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 3 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons plus one bay of superstructure 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 4 driver IC Carries two MkV* or MkVI pontoons plus one bay of superstructure 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 5 driver IC Carries two Bailey pontoon centre sections plus connecting posts and junction chesses 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 6 driver IC Carries two Bailey pontoon centre sections plus connecting posts and junction chesses 3ton 4 X 4 GS driver IC Carries landing bay equipment The Pontoon Platoon usually had one Royal Engineer Crane Detail attached. This was to assist with unloading. Assault Equipment Platoon Headquarters Subaltern serjeant administrative corporal who also drove a relief vehicle 2 X driver of vehicles batman driver motorcyclist 3 X lmg detachment 9 X relief drivers water dutyman Plus attached 2 X cook ACC storeman, technical RE 2 X pioneer RE Note: Relief vehicles represent 10% of the task vehicles in the platoon. They are to replace task vehicles undergoing service and maintenance and are not to be regarded as spare vehicles or replacement vehicles. Motorcycle 1 Serjeant Motorcycle 2 Motorcyclist Car 2 seater 4 X 2 Subaltern, batman driver 15cwt GS 2 lance corporal, lmg gunner, driver IC Carries Bren gun and PIAT 3ton 4 X 2 GS 2 X cook, water dutyman, driver IC Tows water trailer 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 driver IC Administrative corporal 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 driver IC Relief vehicle Three sections could be used to carry any combination of the following loads - Twelve Mk3 assault boats - Nine Mk3 assault boats plus raft superstructure - One complete anti tank gun assault raft Mk2 - 20 bays of kapok foot bridge. Sufficient for a 150 foot footbridge. Section 1 Motorcycle corporal 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 1 driver IC Carries Kapok equipment 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 2 driver IC Carries Kapok equipment 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 3 driver IC Carries Kapok equipment 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 4 driver IC Carries Kapok equipment 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 5 driver IC Carries flotation sets 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 6 driver IC Carries flotation sets Section 2 Motorcycle corporal 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 1 driver IC Carries assault boats 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 2 driver IC Carries assault boats 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 3 driver IC Carries assault boats 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 4 driver IC Carries assault boats 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 5 driver IC Carries assault boats 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 6 driver IC Carries assault boats Section 3 This section used 3 ton 4 X 4 GS lorries and FBE trailers. Each lorry and trailer set carried a complete Class 5 FBE MkII raft and four MkI reconnaissance boats (rubber dinghies). Motorcycle corporal 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 1 driver IC Carries a Class 5 FBE MkII raft plus four reconnaissance boats Tows a FBE trailer with three Folding Boats 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 2 driver IC Carries a Class 5 FBE MkII raft plus four reconnaissance boats Tows a FBE trailer with three Folding Boats 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 3 driver IC Carries a Class 5 FBE MkII raft plus four reconnaissance boats Tows a FBE trailer with three Folding Boats 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 4 driver IC Carries a Class 5 FBE MkII raft plus four reconnaissance boats Tows a FBE trailer with three Folding Boats 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 5 driver IC Carries a Class 5 FBE MkII raft plus four reconnaissance boats Tows a FBE trailer with three Folding Boats Section 4 This section was added later and may have replaced the assault boat section. It carried storm boats with outboard motors. Each lorry carried three boats. Motorcycle corporal 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 1 driver IC Carries three storm boats with outboard motors 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 2 driver IC Carries three storm boats with outboard motors 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 3 driver IC Carries three storm boats with outboard motors 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 4 driver IC Carries three storm boats with outboard motors 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 5 driver IC Carries three storm boats with outboard motors 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 6 driver IC Carries three storm boats with outboard motors Section 5 - used 3 ton 4 X 4 GS lorries and FBE trailers. Each lorry and trailer set carried a complete Class 5 FBE MkII raft and four MkI reconnaissance boats (rubber dinghies). Motorcycle corporal 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 1 driver IC Carries a Class 5 FBE MkII raft plus four reconnaissance boats Tows a FBE trailer with three Folding Boats 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 2 driver IC Carries a Class 5 FBE MkII raft plus four reconnaissance boats Tows a FBE trailer with three Folding Boats 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 3 driver IC Carries a Class 5 FBE MkII raft plus four reconnaissance boats Tows a FBE trailer with three Folding Boats 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 4 driver IC Carries a Class 5 FBE MkII raft plus four reconnaissance boats Tows a FBE trailer with three Folding Boats 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 5 driver IC Carries a Class 5 FBE MkII raft plus four reconnaissance boats Tows a FBE trailer with three Folding Boats 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 6 driver IC Carries a Class 5 FBE MkII raft plus four reconnaissance boats Tows a FBE trailer with three Folding Boats Folding Boat Equipment Platoon Headquarters Subaltern serjeant administrative corporal who also drove a relief vehicle 4 X driver of vehicle batman driver motorcyclist 3 X lmg detachment 13 relief drivers water dutyman Plus attached 2 X cook ACC storeman, technical RE 2 X pioneer RE Note: Relief vehicles represent 10% of the task vehicles in the platoon. They are to replace task vehicles undergoing service and maintenance and are not to be regarded as spare vehicles or replacement vehicles. Motorcycle 1 serjeant Motorcycle 2 motorcyclist Car 2 seater 4 X 2 Subaltern, batman driver 15cwt GS lance corporal, lmg gunner, driver IC Carries Bren gun and PIAT 3ton 4 X 2 GS 2 X cook, water dutyman, driver IC Tows water trailer 15cwt GS driver IC Relief vehicle 3ton 6 X 4 FBE MkIII 1 administrative corporal Relief vehicle 3ton 6 X 4 FBE MKIII 2 driver IC Relief vehicle Section 1 Motorcycle corporal 15 cwt GS driver IC Carries landing stage central panel 15 cwt GS driver IC Carries auxiliary rafting 3ton 4 X 4 GS driver IC Carries 8 rolls of Sommerfield track 3 ton 6 X 4 FBE MkIII lorry 1 driver IC Carries two Folding Boats MkIII and road bearers for a Class 9 raft 3 ton 6 X 4 FBE MkIII lorry 2 driver IC Carries two Folding Boats MkIII and road bearers for a Class 9 raft 3 ton 6 X 4 FBE MkIII lorry 3 driver IC Carries two Folding Boats MkIII and road bearers for a Class 9 raft 3 ton 6 X 4 FBE MkIII lorry 4 driver IC Carries two Folding Boats MkIII and road bearers for a Class 9 raft Section 2 Motorcycle corporal 15 cwt GS driver IC Carries landing stage central panel 15 cwt GS driver IC Carries auxiliary rafting 3 ton 6 X 4 FBE MkIII lorry 1 driver IC Carries two Folding Boats MkIII and road bearers for a Class 9 raft 3 ton 6 X 4 FBE MkIII lorry 2 driver IC Carries two Folding Boats MkIII and road bearers for a Class 9 raft 3 ton 6 X 4 FBE MkIII lorry 3 driver IC Carries two Folding Boats MkIII and road bearers for a Class 9 raft 3 ton 6 X 4 FBE MkIII lorry 4 driver IC Carries two Folding Boats MkIII and road bearers for a Class 9 raft Section 3 Motorcycle corporal 15 cwt GS driver IC Carries landing stage central panel 15 cwt GS driver IC Carries auxiliary rafting 3ton 4 X 4 GS driver IC Carries 8 rolls of Sommerfield track 3 ton 6 X 4 FBE MkIII lorry 1 driver IC Carries two Folding Boats MkIII and road bearers for a Class 9 raft 3 ton 6 X 4 FBE MkIII lorry 2 driver IC Carries two Folding Boats MkIII and road bearers for a Class 9 raft 3 ton 6 X 4 FBE MkIII lorry 3 driver IC Carries two Folding Boats MkIII and road bearers for a Class 9 raft 3 ton 6 X 4 FBE MkIII lorry 4 driver IC Carries two Folding Boats MkIII and road bearers for a Class 9 raft Section 4 Motorcycle corporal 15 cwt GS driver IC Carries landing stage central panel 15 cwt GS driver IC Carries auxiliary rafting 3 ton 6 X 4 FBE MkIII lorry 1 driver IC Carries two Folding Boats MkIII and road bearers for a Class 9 raft 3 ton 6 X 4 FBE MkIII lorry 2 driver IC Carries two Folding Boats MkIII and road bearers for a Class 9 raft 3 ton 6 X 4 FBE MkIII lorry 3 driver IC Carries two Folding Boats MkIII and road bearers for a Class 9 raft 3 ton 6 X 4 FBE MkIII lorry 4 driver IC Carries two Folding Boats MkIII and road bearers for a Class 9 raft Later the two 15cwts were replaced by a 3ton 4 X 4 GS Raft Equipment Type B Platoon Headquarters Subaltern serjeant administrative corporal who also drove a relief vehicle 4 X driver of vehicle batman driver motorcyclist 3 X lmg detachment 12 X relief drivers water dutyman Plus attached 2 X cook ACC storeman, technical RE 2 X pioneer RE Note: Relief vehicles represent 10% of the task vehicles in the platoon. They are to replace task vehicles undergoing service and maintenance and are not to be regarded as spare vehicles or replacement vehicles. Motorcycle 1 serjeant Motorcycle 2 motorcyclist Car 2 seater 4 X 2 Subaltern, batman driver 15cwt GS lance corporal, lmg gunner, driver IC Carries Bren gun and PIAT 3ton 4 X 2 GS 2 X cook, water dutyman, driver IC Tows water trailer 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 administrative corporal Relief vehicle 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 driver IC Relief vehicle 3ton 4 X 4 GS 3 driver IC Relief vehicle Section 1 Motorcycle corporal 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure 3ton 4 X 4 GS 3 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure 3ton 4 X 4 GS 4 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure Section 2 Motorcycle corporal 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure 3ton 4 X 4 GS 3 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure 3ton 4 X 4 GS 4 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure Section 3 Motorcycle corporal 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure 3ton 4 X 4 GS 3 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure 3ton 4 X 4 GS 4 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure Section 4 Motorcycle corporal 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure 3ton 4 X 4 GS 3 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure 3ton 4 X 4 GS 4 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure Section 5 Motorcycle corporal 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure 3ton 4 X 4 GS 3 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure 3ton 4 X 4 GS 4 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure Section 6 Motorcycle Corporal 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure 3ton 4 X 4 GS 3 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure 3ton 4 X 4 GS 4 driver IC Carries a close support raft superstructure Class 50/60 Raft Platoon An establishment for a Class 50 /60 Raft Platoon was issued but on the only occasion the rafts were used in NW Europe, the Rhine Crossing, they were towed by Royal Artillery tractors from an AA Regiment. Headquarters Motorcycle 1 serjeant Motorcycle 2 motorcyclist Motorcycle 3 motorcyclist Motorcycle 4 motorcyclist Motorcycle 5 motorcyclist Car 2 seater 4 X 2 Subaltern, batman driver 15cwt GS lance corporal, lmg gunner, driver IC Carries Bren gun and PIAT 3ton 4 X 2 GS 2 X cook, water dutyman, driver IC Tows water trailer The organisation of the Class 50/60 Platoon differed to that of other bridging platoons since it was intended that it should provide equipment for four rafts which would operate at separate locations. Each section had a relief vehicle instead of these being held at platoon headquarters. There were additional motorcycles at platoon headquarters to enable one to be sent to each section to call them forward and guide them to the chosen site. Section 1 Motorcycle corporal 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 1 driver IC Carries components for ramps Tows a trailer carrying a Class 50/60 pontoon 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 2 driver IC Carries components for ramps Tows a trailer carrying a Class 50/60 pontoon 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 3 driver IC Carries components for ramps Tows a trailer carrying a Class 50/60 pontoon 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 4 driver IC Carries components for ramps Tows a trailer carrying a Class 50/60 pontoon 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 5 driver IC Carries components for ramps Tows a trailer carrying a Class 50/60 pontoon 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 6 driver IC Relief vehicle Section 2 Motorcycle corporal 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 1 driver IC Carries components for ramps Tows a trailer carrying a Class 50/60 pontoon 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 2 driver IC Carries components for ramps Tows a trailer carrying a Class 50/60 pontoon 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 3 driver IC Carries components for ramps Tows a trailer carrying a Class 50/60 pontoon 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 4 driver IC Carries components for ramps Tows a trailer carrying a Class 50/60 pontoon 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 5 driver IC Carries components for ramps Tows a trailer carrying a Class 50/60 pontoon 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 6 driver IC Relief vehicle Section 3 Motorcycle corporal 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 1 driver IC Carries components for ramps Tows a trailer carrying a Class 50/60 pontoon 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 2 driver IC Carries components for ramps Tows a trailer carrying a Class 50/60 pontoon 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 3 driver IC Carries components for ramps Tows a trailer carrying a Class 50/60 pontoon 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 4 driver IC Carries components for ramps Tows a trailer carrying a Class 50/60 pontoon 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 5 driver IC Carries components for ramps Tows a trailer carrying a Class 50/60 pontoon 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 6 driver IC Relief vehicle Section 4 Motorcycle corporal 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 1 driver IC Carries components for ramps Tows a trailer carrying a Class 50/60 pontoon 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 2 driver IC Carries components for ramps Tows a trailer carrying a Class 50/60 pontoon 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 3 driver IC Carries components for ramps Tows a trailer carrying a Class 50/60 pontoon 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 4 driver IC Carries components for ramps Tows a trailer carrying a Class 50/60 pontoon 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 5 driver IC Carries components for ramps Tows a trailer carrying a Class 50/60 pontoon 6ton 4 X 4 Tractor 6 driver IC Relief vehicle Close Support Raft Section Motorcycle corporal 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 1 driver IC Carries two MkV pontoons plus road bearers and decking 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 2 driver IC Carries two MkV pontoons plus road bearers and decking 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 3 driver IC Carries two MkV pontoons plus road bearers and decking 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 4 driver IC Carries two MkV pontoons plus road bearers and decking 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 5 driver IC Carries two MkV pontoons plus road bearers and decking 3 ton 6 X 4 Pontoon Lorry 6 driver IC Carries two MkV pontoons plus road bearers and decking