ASSAULT BRIDGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24106, 27 October 1941, Page 8

ASSAULT BRIDGE

CONSTRUCTION BY RECRUITS A SUCCESSFUL EXERCISE A practical exorcise on an ambitious scale has been successfully accomplished bv engineer recruits from the Avondale military camp in the construction of a viaduct type of assault bridge over a depression flanking Motion's Road, Western Springs. The bridge is composed of tubular steel supports and box girders, and it was stated on Saturday that this was the first time such a combination had been used in New Zealand. About 50 men belonging to Nos. 2 and 4 sections of the Engineers' Training Unit at the camp took part in the exercise, which was carried out under the supervision of Captain T. H. Busck and Lieutenant R. G. Howell. The work took approximately a day and a-half to complete, and although a considerably shorter time would be possible it was regarded as very satisfactory for recruits who have been in camp less than three months and who have never before attempted anything similar. Designed to carry a load of nine tons, the bridge was successfully tested for that weight on Saturday morning, when a heavy army truck and a large group of men were on it at the one time. The overall length is 150 ft. and the central span 67ft. it is covered with 10ft. decking. To suit the needs of war the bridge is of a. temporary nature and can be rapidly dismantled and the parts used elsewhere. The two sections will dismantle the bridge this week.