Tactics and Technique of River Crossings (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1918 Excerpt: ...of measures for destroying completed hostile ponton bridges. Heavily loaded boats, rafts, and trees floated down stream may become exceedingly dangerous to a ponton bridge--which is, after all, a very frail structure, especially if they strike it at night. But such objects must be launched in a mass against the bridge. They can be secured before they can do any damage, only when an extensive and well-prepared river guard service is established, which, in time of peace, frequently breaks down and in time of war, will, therefore, in all likelihood, also be neglected at first. To be sure, such an expedient will be used only in the case of very wide and swift streams, but it is in their case particularly that great damage may be done thereby.1 1 That the bridges over the Danube were destroyed by floating objects during the battle of Aspern, is well known (Fig. 30). On May 19 and 20,1809, Napoleon threw four bridges over the arms of the Danube south of Vienna, with the intention of using them for moving his army against the Austrians posted on the left bank of the Danube. From the morning of the 20th on, the Austrians launched mills and rafts against these bridges from Jedlersdorf, which so damaged bridge n, on the evening of the 20th, that it could not be Fig. 30. Fortresses located on the stream are particularly suitable points from which to set such floating objects adrift. Any detachment that has not as yet been driven away by the enemy, can do this, however, but care should be taken to have the requisite boats, etc., in readiness in time. Floating mines are difficult to construct and the known types are not very reliable. Their construction is the business of the pioneers. H. DEFENSE OF A RIVER LINE WITH SMALL DETACHMENTS POSTED ON THE BANK. General. The pr...