Churchill Avre log carpet

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Another reference found on http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2011/07/on-soft-ground/ (no picture):

AVRE with log carpet device; not used as much, consisting of 100 6inch diameter logs bound together with wire, the mat was unfurled by firing an explosive bolt which released the coiled mat

[Johnny gers]

Thank you Hanno for the help.No one can find a picture of it. Not on military modelling can find a picture.

Johnny

[Tim Bell]

Have you tried the Tank Museum at Bovington?

They probably have a manual for it - and ought to have some photos.

Tim

[Johnny gers]

Hi Tim and thank you. Funny enough I have done just that. Tried Bovington tank museum. This is what they said.

Johnny

Thank you. I am aware of the drawings in Futters book but we are not aware of any images of a vehicle with it actually fitted.

Best regards
Stuart Wheeler

Johnny

[eddy8men]

I haven't heard of a log carpet laying avre either , thanks for bringing it to my attention.
if I were looking for any info on an avre I would try the royal engineers museum at chatham in kent.

good luck with your search

rick

[Noel Burgess]

It seems that there were two different log carpet devices fitted to the AVRE at different times: the drawing posted by Hanno(from G Futters Book) is of a later development or proposal from later in the NW Europe campaign, the one used on D Day (in very small numbers) is very poorly documented but appears to have had the logs fitted lower down on the bow of the tank.
Cracking Hitlers Atlantic Wall is an excellent book but it is a shame that there is not more detail on the different AVRE attachments.
Noel

[servicepub (RIP)]

Here are two photos from my files showing a log carpet layer developed for Dieppe by a Canadian Engineer, Maj B Sucharov MBE. The photos were taken in May 1942, on the Isle of Wight.



Sucharov was awarded the MBE for his work. The citation reads:

SUCHAROV, Bert, Major - Member, Order of the British Empire - Engineers (1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Engineers) - awarded as per Canada Gazette dated 1 January 1943 and CARO/2983 dated 4 January 1943; confirmed in CARO/3580 dated 2 September 1943.

The initiative, drive and zeal of this officer have been outstanding since he landed in England in February 1940. He displayed great leadership and tireless energy in the engineer preparations for the Dieppe operations and experimented with new design of high explosives for offensive demolitions. He personally designed and produced the official attachments which enabled the tanks to overcome the shingle beaches and surmount the sea wall at Dieppe and during operations displayed the highest qualities of courage and resolution under heavy fire.

Of interest is that Sucharov was not just a back-room boffin but actually accompanied his invention into battle.