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WORLD WAR TWO BAILEY BRIDGE TRAFFIC CONTROL LAMP:
World War Two in general, and specifically the
preparation for the Normandy Invasion, resulted in the
invention and development of a number of unique and
fascinating “gadgets” to surmount the obstacles and
solve the problems encountered by the combat soldier.
Due to the important part they played in the conduct of
the war, or the association with specific events, some
of these pieces of equipment gained notoriety and have
become as famous and well known to historians as the
battles in which they were used and the soldiers and
units that employed them. The Bangalore Torpedo,
“Rupert” – the puppets parachuted into Normandy, and the
toy crickets used for identification by the airborne
troops are all well known to students of the Second
World War, and on a larger scale the Bailey Bridge
system certainly earned its place in this hall of fame
of innovative equipment. This portable bridging system
carried countless allied troops across rivers, streams
and obstacles on their way into Germany and there are
likely few soldiers who served in France who did not at
one time or another cross a span of a Bailey Bridge.
This small lamp was part of the Bailey Bridge equipment
set, used to illuminate the bridge and serve as a
traffic control device. This particular lamp has an
amber glass lens; however I understand that they were
also provided with a red lens. Both colors of lens,
angled and shielded so as to conceal the beam of light,
were probably used together in sets to establish
directions of travel on one way bridges to control the
flow of traffic. Each lamp was battery powered and
equipped with an independent switch on the top of the
lamp. Measuring 4” high, 4” deep and 2.75” wide, the
lamp is fitted with a collapsible bail-type handle on
the top and a spring clip on the back for carrying or
mounting on the bridge structure. The lamp is in
overall very good condition with the majority of the OD
green paint intact, all the fittings present, the bulb
present inside the lamp, the lens intact and unbroken, a
functioning switch and the top cover present with both
screws.
Not particularly common or well known, it took me some
time to positively identify this lamp and it will make
for an interesting addition to your World War Two
collection and a unique conversation piece in your
display. $65
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