The story of the Bailey bridge

This paper tells the story of the World War II design and development of the famous Bailey bridge at the Experimental Bridging Establishment, Christchurch. Details of the design and test loading of the bridge at the establishment in 1940-1941 are included, together with details of the specification of components, its manufacture and its extensive wartime production. The evolution of the design for use as a floating bridge, a suspension bridge and other variants is dealt with. Typical examples of its wartime and post-war use by units of the Corps of Royal Engineers are also included. The paper ends with a brief tribute to Sir Donald Bailey.