A Sappers Memorial at Pegasus Bridge in need of restoration

When doing a bit of research of previous threads about Normandy on the forum I spotted a reference to the following and decided to check it out. It is in a bad state of repair and is barely legible. Anyone any ideas on who to approach with a view to bit of a restoration job?



The inscription reads:

June 8 1944
Canal De Caen
Here was built the first Bailey Pontoon Bridge in France
By 71 Field Company Royal Engineers





The view back to the Bridge

 

Looks like you really got about a bit on that tour. I like the 2nd shot.

Does anyone have any original or aerial pictures of the bridge?

 

I can't find a picture of the Caen Canal Bailey bridge, but here is one being built across the neighbouring Orne River in July 1944.

 

What about the local council?

 

Royal Engineers Assocation or the Sappers Museum maybe ?

I've e-mailed both with some photos.

 

I think they key is to find out who put it there mate.

 

I think they key is to find out who put it there mate.

I think that's right. I've e-mailed the two mentioned above as that's as good a place as any to begin with. It does look as if the memorial has been rebuilt from an earlier design. I've been taking a look through google but I have found almost nothing about it. I did find this link and i'm hoping I can get in touch with the author of the following as he may well be able to help...

BBC - WW2 People's War - Bridges built by 71st Field Company Royal Engineers.

 

I have an aerial picture of the bridge beside Pegasus Bridge ready to send, but need reminding how to do it - please.

Jim

 

I have an aerial picture of the bridge beside Pegasus Bridge ready to send, but need reminding how to do it - please.

Jim

Here you go Jim

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/network-information/12816-how-insert-pictures-videos-into-your-posts.html

 

Jonathan,

Just a thought but you could try contacting the Royal British legion in the area as they have an interest in the Bridges History.

Royal British Legion – Normandy Calvados and District Branch

The Branch is located in Ranville, a village well known for the famous Pegasus Bridge, where the first gliders landed at 00:15hrs in the morning of 6th June 1944. Major Jack Watson, one of the men who liberated Ranville at 02:30hrs on that day, is one of the vice-presidents of the Branch.

From the Branch’s office window at rue des Airbornes, the sight of the Ranville British War Graves Cemetery, is a permanent reminder of those who gave their lives and what the British Legion is all about.

Good luck.

Regards
Tom

 

Thanks for the link Tom. I've written to them as well now. It will be interesting to see what response I receive in reply.

 

Hope this is worth it.

Jim

 

Thanks Jim,

Anyone care to orientate the map. I can see two rivers/canals and a few bridges. Is Pegasus Bridge the top left one?

Cheers
Andy

 

Oops Sorry! The lower bridge is Pegasus and the upper is the Bailey. The lower village is Le Port and you can see the outline of the River Orne where it used to flow, hence Le Port. The upper village is Benouville; north is at the bottom. Hope this helps.

Jim

 

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=48554&d=1301906407

 

Cheers Owen/Jim I thought something didn't look right. I've rotated the google pic. I notice you can still see where the track was etc.

Must go back 4 years now-I'm looking too much at all this stuff.

 

Just to update that over the summer months I have fired off repeated emails to to the RBL and both the RE Museum and Association without reply. Would it be a worthwhile idea to see the IWM or the NIWM might be able to help?

I know it's not the greatest memorial but it does seem sad that the commemoration of a little bit of British engineering excellence is just gently fading away.

 

That wording needs a bit extra... 71 Field Co was in charge of proceedings.

But 17th Fld Co and 246 Fld Co also made great efforts to get the bridge across and it was a Tidal one that can rise and fall with the tides.
Here is the actual record... All rafting and bridging were the responsibility of Major D A Willison RE.OC 17th Field Co Re. Who had under control 71 Fld Co RE. 15th Field park RE and 106 Bridging co RASC. 263 fld co RE came under control after their work in creating landing strips.

246 Field Co RE (Mine) built a 40 ton raft during the night. 17th Fld Co constructed a six pier raft.... due to shelling, nine pontoons were holed by shrapnel.The second landing bay was built by 71 Fld Co but they missed the tide and had to wait several hours....Source? (RE Records)

No2 platoon took on the job under shell fire and completed it RE Records....