I am revising the OB's for a Battle of the Bulge game.
There were several German bridging columns , as indicated in Jung's key book on the 1944/45 campaign.
They were coded J and B, sometimes motorised , sometimes not. I don't know if they ever erected any bridges, because the offensive was unsuccessful, but what were the TO&E of these units? And were they intended to erect the bridges themselves, or give that task to engineer battalions?
Thank in advance,
Andrew
Bridge Columns in the Bulge campaign
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Re: Bridge Columns in the Bulge campaign
Andrew, the Bridging Column was usually part of a Division's Pionier Bataillon. The "B" in June 1944 had a total of 125 men so was able to at east start making a bridge without outside help. I've attached a link to the KStN for it so you can see for yourself.
http://www.wwiidaybyday.com/kstn/kstn7331jun44.htm
http://www.wwiidaybyday.com/kstn/kstn7331jun44.htm
Alan
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Re: Bridge Columns in the Bulge campaign
The bridge column did not itself assemble the bridge, but was merely a maintenance, transportation, and advisory unit. Combat engineers from divisions or GHQ Troops, or attached construction troops — or even normal infantry — actually assembled these combat bridges.