Below are some photos Chris Bussells (31st HHC) provided of a Bailey bridge project built by the 31st Engineer Battalion over the Song Be River and completed in 1970. Chris worked on the design part of this project as a draftsman.
The original concrete bridge piers had been partially destroyed, and he needed to design formwork and reinforcing for the reconstructed piers. These photos were taken by Chris at the request of the operations officer, who wanted the photos for the unit historian. He had to turn over the negatives, but kept a set of prints for himself.
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Great pictures. It is nice to see we did something besides killing and getting killed.
Thank you Rob., and Chris for the photos. Maybe someone will get up with us with some info.. We flew everyday, but I do not remember ever seeing these. Great photos. Frank.
I see an OH-58 in one photo. This must be 1970 or later. I’m sure I flew my Loach under it
)
Walker, if you were near one of these bridges, I’m willing to bet that you probably did…
Please don’t tell the CO!
Great photos of the Song Be River bridge project, which was built by C Company, 31st Engineer BN. Note that the Bailey bridge replaced a pontoon bridge, which can be seen in the aerial photo.
This wasn’t the Song Be bridge just out of Phouc Vinh was it ?
Well, I have prints of 2-36 exposure rolls of plusX. shot at the bridge site- these were just a small sample. If anyone is interested I can scan the whole batch.
Chris, your photos are much appreciated, and seem to have sparked some interest.
If you want to scan more of the better photos you have, I would like to add more to this post…
Chris, I had pulled security on the song be bridge in 1968 during tet. The photos of the bridge shows where I pulled my security on the banks of the old structure. I heard the song sitting on the dock of the bay by Otis Redding while at that AO. I also became friends with the 90mmRR, humping that beast also brings back fond memories. Thanks for the photos and WELCOME HOME Roland Hayes 3/187-101 div. 67-68