Bridges
During the Allied advance from Normandy in August and September 1944, the so-called Bailey bridges played a crucial role. Because the retreating German troops blew up the bridges behind them at every water obstacle, the advancing Allies had to build emergency bridges every time. These metal bridges, assembled by the Engineers, made it possible to continue the advance and were named after the English engineer, Donald Bailey. Such a bridge consisted of separate parts that could be combined in different compositions. An average Bailey bridge of 25 metres could be assembled by 40 men in three hours, and there were different classes, the number of which indicated how many tonnes of weight could safely cross it.

Crossing
On 24 September 1944, the British 49th (West Riding) Division reached the Dessel-Turnhout-Schoten Canal at the St. Jozefsluis (now Sluis 1). The infantry of the Lincolnshire Regiment crossed the water in rubber dinghies in the pouring rain and conquered a bridgehead. The Engineers immediately start building the Bailey bridge, called Plum, a name given by an officer of the Division staff. The bridge was converted into a Class 40, the highest category that could also be crossed by tanks, and was released for all military traffic on 25 September. Three days later, a second Class 40 was opened, this time at Bridge 8, on the road from Oostmalle to Rijkevorsel. This was given the code name Apple.

The Polish arrive
Because the British attack was proceeding slowly, the 1st Polish Armoured Division of Major General Stanisław Maczek was directed from East Zeeuws-Vlaanderen via Antwerp to the front at Rijkevorsel. To ensure that everything ran smoothly, on 28 September bridges Plum and Apple were closed to all traffic, except that of the Polish. In this way, half of the Division was able to cross the canal in one day, ready for the upcoming attack on Merksplas. Later, on 1 October, a third large Bailey bridge was built over the canal at Beerse and named Lemon. Someone in the British staff was apparently crazy about fruit!

For those who are real enthusiasts, today at Mol you can still cross the last original Bailey bridge in the Waterstraat, in this case over the Kempens Kanaal.