page_title: Folding Boat Equipment
section_title: Parts
hierarchical_section_title: Folding Boat Equipment / Parts
caption_attribution_description: English: Layout and parts of Folding Boat Equipment, a light pontoon bridge of British origin widely used by the Allied Armies in World War II.
context_page_description: The Folding Boat Equipment, abbreviated as FBE, is a light pontoon bridging equipment which was in use in the British and its colonial armies during the 20th century. The equipment was introduced in 1928 and was the standard light bridge used for loads up to class 5, i.e. providing rafts or a bridge capable of transporting loads up to 5 tons of weight. The initial version was followed by a Mk II but without change of capacity. In 1938 the Mk III version of the bridge was introduced with significant changes and an increase of load capacity to 9 tons, i.e. load class 9.
  The Mk III version of the bridge was easy and quick to erect, which led in 1939 to its becoming the standard light bridging equipment, initially of the British armies, and the Allied armies during World War II. The Mk III equipment was capable of providing class 5 and 9 pontoon rafts, or a class 9 bridge. The equipment provided anchoring facilities and a full width trackway. It performed well even in fast currents and could be maintained and kept in use indefinitely.
  The FBE Mk III was used extensively during World War II by both British and American forces as the standard class 9 bridge.
context_section_description: Folding Boat Equipment bridge consists of the following parts:
  Folding boats. These could be used singly as an assault boat in combination of two to four boats to form a raft or ferry, or connected together with a deck trackway to form a bridge.
  Superstructure. For both rafts and bridge.
  Trestles. Used to anchor each end of the bridge.
  Anchors and anchor stores.
  Rafting gear and folding dinghies for assault boats.
caption: Layout and parts of FBE Mk III
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