The Royal J: Ngineers Journal
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---------·II------- The Royal J: ngineers Journal VOL. LXIII S4EPTRMfl1~1 lgb~'U CONTENTS i "Go To It" (continued) . Major J. S. R. Shave 209 The Maiden Voyage of the "Yam Seng ' (continued) Major J. W. kaard 'i3 t : . Construction of Jettles n Thrac . Brigadier . G.ffrd i· Hif ''* :'· i:·· f ''· · · P retrsed Concret Sleepers Mnufacture ' · ' '' "`'' '· 'by the long Line Process . ' .* 'R . Ent ,!i The Demolitfn of the Brliin Flak Tower Malr.R. WObbird .27 "::1 · TiheHistoryof WartirmHeFieFld Cmpany of the , n · · : Q.V.Q^ Mavdras ppers and:: <Minerrs. .- i'M P.HM. Be*t "` ' Remping" . -,. 'a.' ..'H.j.'ng . H; · Na,J,a :, l l' I ' r .\· i ' Book Reviews, TechnIal l. orrtpondene . ',;.: '. .' . ''': i": · · I/ 'i,-' ,: ' i:':: . -I --II- a a ... PubiedOrtrly byj .: ... : : 7..;· ' 5 THE INSTITUTION OF ROYAL ENGINEER I.1·: · ;·:·:· CHATHAM, KENT r;l·"':f '"' iif:': „- ----- 'i|hnwi tihqthlm 7f ' * .. ' C, 41-L- J w:r :I·:,,-;aii`·?: 5. i -·t"l... INSTITUTION OF RE OFFICE COPY "' h " DO NOT REMOVE ..I I M " ' C E M E N TAT I O N: for sealing water leakages, arresting settlemnt of structures, remedying deterioration of concrete or masonry works. G U N ITE: for reconditiningdefectiew ccrte stw tures, encasing structuralsteelwork, lining tunnels, water reservoirs and other works, FOUNDATIONS: underpinning of damaged propertp presents little difficulty if FR A NCOIS BORED PILES are used. NTATION R.E. Kitchener Scholarships Fund This fund exists for the purpose of assisting with the education of the children of officers'or other ranks of the Corps of Royal Engineers who have been killed or died on service. Demands have recently increased and donations are urgently needed to provide the necessary funds required for these scholarships, and will be gratefully acknowledged by:- The Secretary The Institution of Royal Engineers Chatham, Kent ADVERTISEMENTS i W. & J. MACKAYAND Co. LTD. FAIR ROW, CHATHAM Book, Magazine, Catalogue and Colour PRINTERS AND BINDERS PROCESS ENGRAVERS Te le p one I CliatLam 2243-224 THE METHOD-AND THE MEANS I N compiling the Cementone No. 2 booklet we have not only included various speci- fications and methods already published by us, but details, with sketches, of all types of structural waterproofing problems. This booklet illustrating the method and the i 3lt Rl means of waterproofing with Cementone No. 2 Waterproofing Powder, will, we feel sure, be a most useful addition to your i technical library. A copy will be forwarded on request. JOSEPH FREEMAN SONS & CO. LTD. CEMENTONE WORKS WANDSWORTH, LONDON, S.W.18 - Telephone : Battersea 2432 (5 lines) ii ADVERTISEMENTS ii ADVERTISEMENTS n m Z 0 0 X . U 0o 'MLLJ V U C) _i tD I . U [-° 0> LU ZLU 4 CLt THE VICTAULIC COMPANY LTD. Brook House, 113 Park Lane, London, W.1. ADVERTISEMENTS iii iv ADVERTISEMENTS iv ADVERTISEMENTS The Burberry Lounge Suit induces a welcome sense of relaxation, con- veying comfort to mind as well as body. The suit pleases in its perfection of fitting and texture of cloth as well as general colouring and design. In addition,one knows that as time passes, one's appreciation will be increased by the way it retains its original character. BCEM VC BUR BERRYSK3\t K HAYMARKET, LONDON S.W.I Telephone WHitehall 3343 BURBERRYS LTD. THE ROYAL ENGINEERS JOURNAL Authors alone are responsible for the statements made and the opinions expressed in their papers. VOL. LXIII CONTENTS SEPTEMBER, 1949 PAGE 1. " Go To IT " (continued). BY MAJOR J. S. R. SHAVE, M.C., R.E. (With Photographs and Sketches) . 209 2. THE MAIDEN VOYAGE OF THE " YAM SENG " (continued). BY MAJOR J. W. BOSSARD, M.B.E., R.E. (With Photographs) . 235 3. CONSTRUCTION OF JETTIES IN THRACE. By BRIGADIER G. B. GIFFORD HULL, C.B.E. 249 4. PRESTRESSED CONCRETE SLEEPERS MANUFACTURED BY THE LONG LINE PROCESS. BY COLONEL R. B. EMERSON, C.I.E., O.B.E. (With Sketch) . 256 5. THE DEMOLITION OF THE BERLIN FLAK TOWER. BY MAJOR R. W. OBBARD, R.E. (With Photographs and Sketches) . 257 6. THE HISTORY OF A WARTIME FIELD COMPANY OF THE Q.V.O. MADRAS SAPPERS AND MINERS. BY MAJOR P. M. BENNETT, R.E. (With Sketch) 273 7. " REMPANG." BY MAJOR J. H. GILLINGTON, O.B.E., M.C., R.E. (With Photographs) . 291 8. BOOK REVIEWS . 301 SAPPERS AT WAR . M.C.A.H. THE WAR IN MALAYA . M.C.A.H. AFTER MY OWN FASHION . D.C.S.D. THE FREEDOM OF NECESSITY . R.E.B. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BRIDGES E.E.P. REPORT ON PRESTRESSED CONCRETE . H.C.G.C.-T. CODE OF PRACTICE FOR SIMPLY SUPPORTED STEEL BRIDGES E.E.P. ELECTRICAL SERVICING OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE . D.A. THE MODERN DIESEL . R.F.E. SLAVONIC ENCYCLOPAEDIA . C.C.P. 9. TECHNICAL NOTES . 310 TIMBER PILE RENEWALS AT THE PORT OF MELBOURNE LIGHT GAUGE SECTIONS FOR ECONOMY IN STRUCTURAL STEELS 10. CORRESPONDENCE . 311 ROYAL CANADIAN ENGINEER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP TRUST THE COUNCIL OF THE INSTITUTION OF ROYAL ENGINEERS (Incorporated by Royal Charter, 27th February, 1923) Patron-HIS MAJESTY THE KING President Major-General Sir Eustace F. Tickell, K.B.E., C.B., M.C. ... ... ... ... 1943 Vice-Presidents Major-General H. B. W. Hughes, C.B., D.S.O., O.B.E ... ... ... ... 1948 Major-General A. D. Campbell, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. ... ... .. 1948 Elected Major-General R. Llewellyn Brown, C.B.E. 1947 Lieut.-Colonel T. Burrowes, O.B.E . .. 1947 Major-General Sir Horace E. Roome, K.C.I.EE., C.B., C.B,E., M.C., Colonel-Commandant, R.I.E. (Retd.) 1947 Major L. MacL. Young, M.B.E., M.C ... 1947 Brigadier E. F. E. Armstrong, C.B.E ... ... ... o.. 1948 Brigadier A. G. Bonn, C.B.E., M.C. 1948 Colonel H. E. Pike, C.B.E., D.S.O . .. 1948 Lieut.-Colonel W. B. Sykes ... 1948 Major-General C. A. West, C.B., D.S.O., M.C 1948 Colonel F. C. W. Fosbery ... 1948 Colonel R. P. G. Anderson ... 1949 ...... ... Lieut.-Colonel H. P. Drayson ... 1949 Brigadier L. F. Heard, C.B.E....... 1949 Colonel R. K. Millar, D.S.O..... 1949 Brigadier J. S. W. Stone, C.B.E., M.C. 1949 Ex-Officio Brigadier C. de L. Gaussen, M.C. ... ... ... ... D/E.-in-C., W.O. Colonel L. O. Clark, O.B.E.... ... ... ... A.A.G., R.E. Brigadier B. C. Davey, C.B.E ..... ... ... ... Comd., S.M.E. Brigadier R. Gardiner, C.B.E ..... ... ... ... D.Tn. Brigadier L. D. Grand, C.I.E., C.B.E ... ...... ... D.F.W . Brigadier J; C. T. Willis, O.B.E. ... ... ... Dir, of Mil. Survey Colonel H. P. Cavendish, D.S.O., O.B.E. ... Comd., Chatham Wing, S.M.E. Colonel C. E. A. Browning, M.C. ... ... Comd., Ripon Wing, S.M.E. Corresponding Members Major-General K. Ray, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., Union Defence Force, South Africa ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... IstJanuary, 1949 Lieut.-Colonel A. R. Currie, D.S.O., D.F.W., New Zealand Military Forces... ... ... ... ... ... Ist January, 1949 Colonel H.W. Love, O.B.E., Chief Engineer, Canadian Army .... Ist February, 1949 Brigadier J. Mann, D.S.O., E.-in-C., Australian Military Forces ... Ist March, 1949 Secretary and Editor R.E. Journal Brigadier C. C. Phipps, C.B.E., M.C. ... ... ... ... ... 13th January, 1945 Bankers Lloyds Bank, Ltd., Cox's and King's Branch, 6 Pall Mall, S.W.I. 3,350. 1.9.49. Go to it, 7, Major-General RN Gale CB DSO OBE MC GOC " GO TO IT" THE STORY OF THE 3rd PARACHUTE SQUADRON, R.E. (continued) By MAJOR J. S. R. SHAVE, M.C., R.E. CHAPTER 4 WAR OF ATTRITION (See folding map at end for place names and glossary of terms) The critical battle of the Breville gap marked the close of the first phase of our adventures in Normandy. The battle was over by the time I rejoined the squadron with my section. We had supposed that at this point we should be withdrawn in order to prepare for further airborne operations, but apparently the general situation did not allow it. We therefore entered upon a phase of static defence which laid a great strain on all ranks. From 14th June until 17th August, the division played a holding r1le on the left flank of the allied forces. Although one of the most important tasks in the beachhead, it was rather frustrating, and did not give us the scope for individuality which we had during the first days and for which we had trained so hard. For the airborne engineers the ensuing days were eventful and the tasks quite varied, but the P.B.I. had little to relieve the mental stress and physical discomfort. Theirs was a round of seemingly endless days and nights of peering through the leafy hedges, constantly prepared against attack. Although the weather, in general, remained so dry that forward units were extremely short of water; we had spells of torrential rain which made an infantryman's life absolute hell. It is no easy thing to maintain the initiative in static warfare, but an aggressive policy was carried out during the whole of this period. Large raids were suicidal, but minor raids were successfully carried out and also vigorous patrolling and counter-sniping. ECARDE Our first action upon reaching our new location, was to dig in as deeply as we could and, as far as was possible, to make our holes waterproof and give them sufficient overhead cover to stop shrapnel and bomb splinters. Although our home was now at Ecarde, the centre of our activities con- tinued to be the Le Mesnil area.