Engineer Light Ponton Company
An Engineer Light Ponton Company was a combat engineer company of the United States Army that served with U.S. Army ground forces during World War II. It was primarily a highly mobile pontoon bridge construction unit, though it also provided both M2 assault boats and a selection of infantry support bridging, ferries, and rafts. Mission The combat engineer unit was organized and trained to transport and maintain its stream-crossing equipage, to construct floating bridges and rafts with this equipage, to guard and maintain completed bridges, to regulate traffic thereon, and to dismantle bridges and rafts. They are responsible for construction of floating bridges and rafts assisted by general engineer troops. Light ponton companies may be attached to divisions engaged in stream-crossing operations in accordance with the tactical situation. Capabilities Company capabilities included, but were not limited to: Bridge construction (mobile, floating, fixed) Conducting river crossings by ponton/raft, motor-powered assault boats Demolition Placing/de-arming munitions, including mines Port & harbor maintenance and rehabilitation, including beachheads Vehicle maintenance Fighting as infantry when needed Organization The light ponton company consisted of a headquarters platoon, two bridge platoons, and a light equipage platoon. Its equipment included: Two units of pneumatic bridge equipment (M3) Two units of footbridge (M1938) equipment Four ferry set, No. 1, Infantry Support Twelve raft, set No. 1, Infantry Support Seventy assault boats (M2) Headquarters Platoon This platoon consisted of company headquarters and a service and repair section. Company headquarters-officer personnel consisted of the company commander and an administrative officer. Enlisted personnel handle routine administration, mess, and supply functions for the company. Service and repair section.-This section was commanded by a lieutenant. Personnel includes enlisted specialists for maintenance and repair of motor vehicles and heavy mechanical equipment, and operators of mechanized equipment and vehicles. Bridge Platoon The bridge platoon consisted of platoon headquarters and a ponton section. Platoon headquarters-The platoon headquarters supervised and controlled activities of the ponton section, and was responsible for installation, maintenance, and operation of its field telephone equipment. The ponton section transports one unit of bridge equipage. Light Equipage Platoon This platoon consisted of platoon headquarters, an assault boat section, a raft section, and a footbridge section. The platoon headquarters was responsible for the care and safe transportation of the equipage assigned to the platoon. The assault boat section cared for and transported M2 assault boats. The raft section cared for and transported the infantry support rafts and ferry sets. The footbridge section was responsible for maintaining and transporting footbridge units. Equipment The company was equipped with basic engineer tool sets, including a motorized air compressor, a truck-mounted crane, and tractor-mounted angledozers. They also supported stream-crossing equipment stocked in engineer depots. This included: M3 pneumatic bridge equipage, two units; or two units of M1938 10-ton ponton bridge equipage. Footbridge, M1938, one unit. Infantry support raft, twelve units. Assault boats M2, seventy. Infantry support ferry, four sets. Signal equipment includes radios and telephones. Preparation and responsibilities Transportation The light ponton company had sufficient organic transportation for simultaneous movement of