saint venant 1940-------farm boulet

**Baconwallah** · 21-03-2014, 23:19

That's exactly it, Jim. And preferably uncensored.

John

teecee1941 · 23-03-2014, 01:29

Thanks Jim,

I think that is a great suggestion and I will be forwarding it to the MP in the next day or so. It is exactly what we are looking for, a straight answer. And like John says, uncensored. As soon as I get an answer I will let everyone know.

I think the latest reply from the MP is encouraging but there's a long way to go and once again it's all down to the hard-headedness of the MoD as to what sort of response I get.

Once again, it's fingers crossed. Is it ever anything else!

Tony

teecee1941 · 13-05-2014, 01:26

Hello again, everyone,

Sorry I have not been in touch for a while but I have been waiting to hear from my MP. His contact was not forthcoming so I went to see him at his monthly surgery last Saturday.

I am sad to say that there has been no progress at all and although my hopes were dashed, I realised that there is very little to be gained by getting involved in any sort of shouting match with him. The minute I tell him to stick his help, that is one more door firmly closed. I am convinced that in order to get the case considered by the MoD, I have to stick with it, no matter how long it takes.

He promised me that he was going to see the Minister today(12 May) to put the case forward 'in London' rather than remotely and it seemed as though he was intent on making some sort of impact, especially after I told him that I was receiving the same answers over and over again from the MoD. I said that I was not pleased that in about thirteen months, absolutely no progress had been made. He seemed to take note of my comments and said ''Right, let's see what we can do'' (I've heard that one before!)

For my parting shot, I asked him at what point should I abandon my optimism. He told me not to give up and he would do all he could.

Whether or not he was glad to see the back of me, I don't know but although there was no movement at all since I last met him, I was not as downhearted as perhaps I should have been. My plan now is this;- I will wait two or three weeks then write to him and ask only one question, what happened when he went to see the Minister (P Hammond). I intend to chip away until he is sick of me and hopefully we will eventually get a result.

Like I said earlier, the only way is to stick with the MP even if it takes a hell of a lot longer. It seems that the evidence or at least the documents which will do us any good are in the custody of the MoD and it is likely that the route is via the MP.

I will be in touch as soon as I can,

Thank you all,

Tony

PS I sent a reply to a message from AP1 but it seems that the system was not working properly and he may not have got my message. This is just to say that I have not ignored you Al.

**dcdl12976** · 13-05-2014, 19:03

Shame this Tony but keep at it mate

**ap1** · 24-05-2014, 23:42

Interesting sequence of pictures on the RWF Museum Facebook page….reposted onto the RWF Forum Facebook page…the final one below:

screenshot134.jpg

**ivor43** · 25-05-2014, 10:21

morning all.
Thanks Al, an interesting find.
I wonder, we have info that there was a ''temporary'' bridge over the canal, could this be it. allowing for poor translation. This would appear to be the access bridge to the Island where the Lock Keepers house was located.The vehicle is traveling from the island.
However, if my memory is correct, this type of bridge would have been moveable. to allow for clearance of barges as the lock filled. Some of these where in 2 halves. I wonder if the crane in the background may have been for lifting it.
It also appears that there are 2, either, steel girders or timber baulks along the length of the bridge which would restrict the width of the roadway. If i had been a tank commander i think i would have been very, very suspicious of this bridge.
Now, a bit of possible speculation. It would appear that the Lock Gate at this end is still intact. looking under the bridge you can see, what i believe to be the gate. again looking between the bits of the destroyed bridge, i believe the white areas to be water, if the lock gate had gone i do not believe it would have been this noticable.
OK. this little bridge may have got them onto the island, but what was between the island and the North Bank ???.

ivor

**ap1** · 26-05-2014, 09:22

An aid:

screenshot137.jpg

**dcdl12976** · 26-05-2014, 10:32

Very useful map Al

teecee1941 · 28-05-2014, 00:21

Hello again, everyone,

Many thanks to Al, Dave and Ivor for the picture, map and comments. Sadly, Ivor's fine description of the workings of the bridge is a bit above my head, as always!

I heard from my MP recently but, for reasons of confidentiality, I am unable to say exactly what I have been told. This does not mean there has been any development, quite simply, there hasn't. All I can say is that I believe there has been an extra ounce of pressure put on the MoD and have been told that the MP will chase up the MoD for an answer before too long. I will wait two weeks, then get back in touch to ask for an update. I am determined to at least try and keep up the pressure.

Sorry to be reporting this 'non event' but I hope to back in touch in a couple of weeks. Thank you all once again for your interest.

Tony

**ivor43** · 28-05-2014, 12:10

Hi All.
well now this is becoming rather interesting.
We have seen this map before early in this thread.It shows the Main Road crossing the canal, what it doe's not show is the fact that the river still flows to the North of the canal where,apparently is a Weir. The Keepers House is on an Island.
The Photo is somewhat confusing.
We have had evidence from a couple of sources that the bridge at St Venant was Mined but Not Blown. But quite obviously the bridge in the picture has been destroyed. So what bridge is being referred to as not being blown.
After further studying the bridge shown in the photo it reminded me of pictures of temporary bridges i had seen when was looking at the subject before.While,sadly, i can not, at the moment, find my earlier source the pic linked below is very similar.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-German-...item4ab514339b

This is a German bridge.
Now, we know that the Germans had bridging equipment in the area for a day or so, as it was captured by the advancing RWF.
Looking at the photo it would appear that a fairly heavy, from the wheel tracks, vehicle had got to the edge of the canal. It may be a possibility that if as i suspect this was a German bridge then they would also have placed a bridge over the river to the North of the Island. Is this the temporary bridge mentioned in the records, which was not blown.

ivor