The Royal Engineers Journal VOL. LVIII DECEMBER, 1944 ----I "I CONTENTS The Conception and Birth of Some of the R.E. War Babies, 1914-18. Brig.-Gen. Sir James E. Edmonds 2.23 Alexandria Emergency Water Supply . Brig. G. Streeten 230 Engineering in Antiquity . Col. J. V. Davidson-Houston 234 The Conception of the Bailey Bridge . Lt.-Col. S. A. Stewart 237 War Office Selection Boards (O.C.T.U.) .Col. F. 1.de la P. Garforth 244 "What Book ?" . Col. J. C. T. Willis 254 An Old Plymouth Letter-Book . Maj.-Gen. A. G. B. Buchanan 256 An Unorthodox Method of Launching an Improvised Bridge Maj. J. R. Grimsdell 1265 Musings on Roads (Part II).. Col. E. St. G. Kirke 268 The Teaching of Engineering . .Col. Donald Portway 274 Memoirs. Books. Magazines. Correspondence. 277 11 1 Published Quarterly by THE INSTITUTION OF ROYAL ENGINEERS CHATHAM, KENT Telephone: Chatham 2669 AGENTS and PRINTERS: W. & J. MACKAY & CO., LTD., CHATHAM. LONDON AGENTS: HUGH REES, LTD., 47, PALL MALL, S.W.I. /^ --- ---- i INSTITUTION OF RE OFFICE COPY DO NOT REMOVE - -- -- - ---- NOFRANGO PROCESS (Patented) Is very briefly a cement sand rendering on a fabric. It is useful for the cheap and quick construction of boundary walls, swimming pools, drinking troughs, sheds, permanent camouflage, and where other materials are not easily available can be used for general purpose building. NOFRANGO bungalows or houses are com- pletely waterproof, do not absorb moisture, are clean, sanitary, comfortable. For instructions and the fabric, apply. THE CEMENTATION CO. LTD. BENTLEY WORKS DONCASTER Telephone : Doncaster Telegrams : Cementation 54177-8-9. Doncaster. a L a I I P7. 7K ' L77 & c-. '^y^ `^ A o"«^ 'I ADVERTISEMENTS i oL o0 (3,, ~: 0 - ~ 0 > Z ; ~- ·- X.~C 0 cl c · CtCtto Zwoo.J-- 'U d 7 ·: B ' o THE VITAULI COMPAY L7D I L' 01,¥ Brook House, 113 Park Lane, London, W.1. ii ADVERTISEMENTS 1 1 TM --- .1-- rn LI NDSAY l_-,, -1.x ' BOLT .Z' m-i 7 AiW_ lp:,- ---- PATENT W7W ADAPTERS RIGID FIXING-WITHOUT DRILLING-USING PLAIN BOLTS The study of our catalogue will repay you. Please apply for copies, and also ask to receive information of new developments. LINDAPTERS FROM STOCK GIRDER CLAMPS IN 3 DAYS B<? 225 293 Type A Type B on phlainbolt on coach screw 645 The Girder Clamp shown above comprises a spacer.plate with 4 bolts, each with 2 Lindapters. Suit- able for all sizes including the heaviest beams. A rigid connection 292 is made at any angle, and without 308 Hooked over drilling the girders. Flexible stem Typ C type D THE LINDAPTER IS INDISPENSABLE Lindapter Bolt Adapters increase the usefulness of the ordinary bolt to such an extent that once their worth is realised they become accepted as the best solution of nearly every fixing problem. For fixing cables, pipes, runways, ducts, brackets, hangers, partitions, and accessories in endless variety, the usefulness of the Lindapter becomes abundantly evident on investigation. AS USED BY THE ROYAL ENGINEERS HENRY LINDSAY, LIMITED. MEMBERS OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS PROTECTED THE KING'S ROLL ESTABLISHMENT Telegrams: 47, QUEEN'S ROAD, Telephone: LINDSAY, PHONE, BRADFORD 5657 BRADFORD BRADFORD. (2 Lines) OUR WIDE EXPERIENCE OF FIXING METHODS IS AVAILABLE. ADVERTISEMENTS iii ADVERTISEMENTS iii on active service- As the Pioneers and Manufacturers of Non-Skid Chains since 1902, it was inevitable that the National Emergency would place exceptional demands on the capacity of the Parsons Chain Company. Many thousand tons of Parsons Non-Skid Chains have been supplied to the Fighting Services and for A.R.P. work . thousands of tons have yet to be delivered as an essential contribution to the National Effort. Parsons manufacturing programme runs round the clock for seven days a week, and no effort is being spared to supply chains to give safe, sure grip on snow, mud, ice, sand and grass. Parsons Tyre Chains PARSONS CHAIN CO., LTD., WORCESTER ROAD, STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ROYAL ENGINEERS JOURNAL. All contributions for The R.E. Journal from Officers on full pay should be forwarded to the Editor, as laid down in K.R. 547 (c) 1940, in duplicate if possible, together with a statement from the authority (if any) under whom the writer is serving, that such authority has no objection to publication. The Editor will then apply to the War Office for permission to publish. Articles written by officers serving in India must be submitted for permission to publish to the Commander-in- Chief in India before despatch to the Editor. Very few contributions concerning recent events have been received from officers on the Active list during the last eighteen months, but those received have proved most valu- able. Such articles enable other officers of less experience to visualize the conditions under which field engineering is carried out under existing war conditions, and give a clear picture of the numerous and unforeseen difficulties which arise on service through human failings, accident, enemy action, or under-estimating. It is realised that officers, when in the field or out training, cannot submit articles typed in duplicate as in peace time. The editing of an article received in the form of notes, and the re- production of rough drawings for the normal magazine form, can be done at the Secretary's office. Payment will be made for all articles accepted. Articles from those with experience on the following subjects would be very welcome:- Road Work. Bridging. Reconnaissance problems, including the use of air photography. Mining. Airfield Construction. Use of Mechanical Equipment. Works Problems, overseas and at home. Organization of work with native labour overseas. Demolitions. Airborne R.E. work. Engineer organization, including works in formations and units. Engineer Stores. Water Supply, Geology and Geophysics. Even though it prove impossible to pass all articles through the Censor's office for immediate publication, they will have great value after the war. Articles are none the less valuable because they raise matters which are controversial. The R.E. Journal is in no sense a text-book. THE ROYAL ENGINEERS JOURNAL VOL. LVIII CONTENTS DECEMBER, 1944 PAGE 1. THE CONCEPTION AND BIRTH OF SOME OF THE R.E. WAR BABIES, 1914-I8. (With Photograph.) By Brig.-General Sir James E. Edmonds, C.B., C.M.G., D.Litt., p.s.c.t .. .. .. .. 223 2. ALEXANDRIA EMERGENCY WATER SUPPLY. (With Folding Plates.) By Brigadier G. Streeten, C.B.E., M.C .. .. .. .. .. 230 3. ENGINEERING IN ANTIQUITY, THE ATHOS CANAL AND BRIDGING THE HELLESPONT. (With Map.) By Colonel J. V. Davidson-Houston, M.B.E. 234 4. THE CONCEPTION OF THE BAILEY BRIDGE. (With Photographs.) By Lieut.- Colonel S. A. Stewart, R.E . .. .. 237 5. WAR OFFICE SELECTION BOARDS (O.C.T.U.) By Colonel F. I. DE LA P. GARFORTH.. .. .. .. 244 6. " WHAT BOOK ? " By Colonel J. C. T. Willis, O.B.E .. .. .. 254 7. AN OLD PLYMOUTH LETTER-BOOK. By Major-General A. G. B. Buchanan, M.Inst.C.E. 256 8. AN UNORTHODOX METHOD OF LAUNCHING AN IMPROVISED BRIDGE. (With Photographs and Folding Plates.) By Major J. R. Grimsdell, R.E. 265 9. MUSINGS ON ROADS. (Part II). By Colonel E. St. G. Kirke, D.S.O... 268 Io. THE TEACHING OF ENGINEERING. By Colonel Donald Portway, T.D. .. 274 II. MEMOIRS . .. .. .. .. .277 Colonel Sir Henry George Lyons, F.R.S. (With Photograph) .. .. .. .. J.E.E. Colonel H. V. Kent, C.B. (With Photograph) .. W.B.B. Lieut.-Colonel Arthur W. G. Dobbie, R.E .. B.G.B. Colonel R. Oakes, C.B., C.B.E., M.I.Mech.E. .. A.E.D. I2. BOOK REVIEWS. .. .. ... .283 The Story of West Point 1802-1943 .. .. J.E.E. Makers of Modem Strategy . .. .. T.F. " Armistice and Germany's Food-Supply 19i8-9 ". T.F. A Geology for Engineers.. .. .. .. .. N.E.O. Pushkin . .. .. ..... F.E.G.S. The War in Outline ... .. A.S.H. Military Operations in the Netherlands 1940 . T.F. Thoughts on War .. .. .. .. .. J.E.E. Bombardier .. .. .. .J.H. 13. MAGAZINE REVIEWS .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 90 GeographicalJournal . .. .. E.M.J. Empire Survey Review .. .. .. .. E.M.J. The EngineeringJournal . .H.M.F. Journal of the United Service Institution of India . F.C.M. The Indian Forester .. .. F.C.M. An Cosant6ir .. ..... D.ff-M. The MAilitary Engineer ..... .. A.S.H. The Infantry Journal ..... .. A.S.H. Revue Militaire Suisse ..... .. W.H.K. Journal of the Buenos Aires Association of the Institution of Civil Engineers . .. .. .. W.M. 14. CORRESPONDENCE .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 30 The Protection and Demolition of Oil Installations. Colonel C. Preedy. Geology v. " Dowsing." Colonel A. H. Bell. THE COUNCIL OF THE INSTITUTION OF ROYAL ENGINEERS (Incorporoted by Royal Charter, 27th February, 1923) Patron-HIS MAJESTY THE KING President Maj.-Gen. G. H. Addison, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., M.A., M.I.Mech.E., Col. Commandant, R.E .... ... ... ... .. ... .. ... 1941 Vice-Presidents Maj.-Gen. A. G. B. Buchanan, M.lnst.C.E...... ... ...... 1942 Maj.-Gen. C. J. S. King, C.B., C.B.E., M.lnst.C.E ... ... ...... 1943 Elected Lleut.-Gen. Sir Llonel'V. Bond, K.B.E., C.B., P-s.C.t. Col. Commandant. R.E ...... ... 1942 Col. H. W. Tomlinson ...... o.. 1942 Col. E. E. B. Mackintosh, D.S.O. ... ... .oo 1942 Lieut.-Col. F. L. Stroud ............ .. o 1942 Col. B. C. T. Freeland ......... 1943 ..... o Brig. G. E. H. Sim, D.S.O., M.C., p.s.c.t 1943 . .. Brig. J. R. T. Aldous, M.C., p.s.c.t ... ... o... 1943 Lleut.-Col. A. M. Anstruther ......... ..o... 1944 Brig. H. H. Bateman, D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C ... .. 1944 Col. J. V. Denning, M.C. ......... o... 1944 . .. Col. J. L. Lishman, D.S.O., T.D.