THE LONDON BRIDGE I
The history of Bénouville during the Battle of Normandy did not end with the events surrounding the capture of the Pegasus Bridge. Other lesser-known bridges, such as London Bridge I, the first Bailey bridge, were used by many vehicles particularly, armoured vehicles.
The 8th and 9th of June 1944, the London Bridge I was the first Bailey bridge built in France. It was located 500 metres south of Pegasus Bridge, liberated on the night of the 6th June.
In total, 21 have been built from Ouistreham to Caen. They have proved useful for the passage of armoured vehicles, particularly, during Operation Goodwood.
“Without the Bailey Bridge, we should not have won the war. It was the best thing in that line that we ever had.”
Field Maréchal Bernard L. Montgomery.
A British Crusader III tank along the track bordering the canal from Caen to the sea at Bénouville. The tank has lost its tracks and a light intervention team is repairing it with spare parts. © LIFE Magazine, photo: George Rodger
July 18, 1944: during Operation Goodwood, a column of Cromwell and Firefly tanks (7th Armoured Division) left the Bénouville sector after crossing the Bailey Bridge called "London Bridge 1" © LIFE Magazine, photo: George Rodger
Engineer Donald Coleman Bailey (1901-1985) presenting a model of his bridge © IWM, D 23 537