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PMP
From ARRSEpedia
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Soviet Engineer Equipment.
The PMP was a major breakthrough in floating bridge design. The pontoons are carried folded on a 6x6 truck and launched into the water by backing up to the edge of the water and letting them slide into the water. They then unfold much like the 'Ribbon Bridge' and are connected together to form the bridge.
A nominal set consists of 19 vehicles - 2 ends, 16 middles and one extra (allegedly for the drivers sarnies and a few nuts and bolts).
The PMP was introduced into service in 1962, and the Egyptian forces used PMP bridges successfully during the crossing of the Suez Canal in Yom Kippur War of October 1973.
The design has subsequently been 'stolen' by many other nations who knew a good thing when they saw it. Including the US Army, who did in fairness make some cosmetic changes to avoid charges of using Commie equipment with the Standard Ribbon Bridge in 1972 & the Improved Ribbon Bridge in 2001.
Connoisseurs of slapstick still remember the footage of the US Army having a Cake and Arse Party erecting one in the former Yugoslavia.
Recognition tip - People's Mother's Pride (as the bridge sections look a bit like loaves of bread on the back of the wagon)
