The Valentine Bridgelayer is based on the Valentine Infantry Tank MK II. This turretless armored bridgelayer is fitted with a scissors bridge. It could span a 10 meter gap with its bridge which holds up to 30 tons. 192 Bridgelayers were produced, 25 sent to Russia. They saw action in North-West Europe, Italy, Burma and Manchuria.
Valentine Bridgelayer based on the Infantry Tank MK II Valentine
This Valentine Bridgelayer was a British modification of the Valentine Mk II infantry tank, designed to provide crucial battlefield mobility by enabling the crossing of obstacles such as rivers, trenches, and other impassable terrain. Introduced in 1943, the Valentine Bridgelayer played a significant role in engineering support during World War II, particularly during amphibious landings and large-scale ground assaults.
The vehicle retained the base Valentine’s chassis and armor, which ranged from 40 mm to 60 mm in thickness, providing adequate protection against small arms fire and light anti-tank weapons. Powered by a 138-horsepower Nuffield Liberty engine, the Valentine Bridgelayer had a top speed of about 24 km/h (15 mph), making it relatively slow but highly effective in its specialized role.
The key feature of the Valentine Bridgelayer was the hydraulically operated bridge mounted on the tank’s rear. The bridge, typically made of steel, could be deployed across gaps up to 12 meters (40 feet) wide, allowing infantry and other vehicles to cross. The vehicle also carried a crew of three (commander, driver, and operator), with additional crew members operating the bridge if necessary.
The Valentine Bridgelayer was used in various theaters, including the Normandy landings and operations in Italy and Northwest Europe, where it provided essential mobility and support to Allied forces.
