What is Bailey bridge?
[[File:Sherman tank with RP-3 rockets Germany 06-04-1945 IWM BU 3158.jpg|thumb|Part of the 1st [[Coldstream Guards]] crosses a Bailey bridge over the [[Dortmund-Ems Canal]]. The bridge has been built with two layers of side-panels and is supported by [[Pontoon bridge|pontoons]] (April 1945)]] A '''Bailey bridge''' is a factory made [[truss]] [[bridge]]. It was made in small sections that could be easily moved and put together on site. It was developed by the British during [[World War II]] for military use. A Bailey bridge did not need special tools or heavy equipment to put into place. The wood and [[steel]] bridge parts were small and light enough to be carried in [[truck]]s and lifted into place by hand. The bridges were strong enough to carry [[tank]]s. Bailey bridges continue to be used in building projects and to provide [[wikt:temporary|temporary]] crossings for people and [[vehicles]]. It was designed by a British engineer, Donald Bailey. The [[British army]] tested different bridge designs in 1941–1942, including a [[suspension bridge]] and a stepped [[arch bridge]]. The flat truss bridge was the most successful. An early test model of the Bailey flat truss bridge is still in place over Mother Siller's Channel in Dorset.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hengistbury-head.co.uk/stanpit.htm |title=Stanpit Marsh and Nature Reserve |publisher=Hengistbury Head |access-date=2011-09-11 |archive-date=2016-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325122537/http://hengistbury-head.co.uk/hengistbury-head-stanpit.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Bailey bridge was first used by the army in [[Tobruk]] in 1942. The [[US Army]] built many of the bridges for use after the [[D-Day]] landings in France. ==Parts of the bridge== [[File:Bailey bridge element, Ranville 01 09.jpg|thumb|right|A Bailey bridge section at the „Memorial Pegasus“ museum in Ranville; Calvados, France. The transoms, side–panels and stringers that make up the bridge can be seen.]] The basic Bailey bridge is made up of three main parts, th