Editing Bridge crew

{{group
|image=Slaves by Artur Felipe Mósca.jpg
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
The '''bridge crews''', crewed by men known as the '''bridgemen''', were originally an expendable workforce used for hard labor and cannon fodder. They later become an infantry battalion, but retain the name "bridge crews" as their official unit name.

Under [[Highprince]] [[Torol Sadeas]], the bridge crews carry large, heavy bridges in order to allow his soldiers to cross the chasms of the [[Shattered Plains]].{{book ref|sa1|6}} The bridgemen consist mainly of slaves, deserters, thieves, foreigners, and some men who joined because they had nowhere else to go.{{book ref|sa1|30}} The bridgemen were treated as expendable and incurred heavy casualties with every bridge run.

The bridge crews are later transferred to the control of [[Highprince]] [[Dalinar Kholin]], where they become a battalion of soldiers in Kholin's army. In this capacity, they are commanded by Captain [[Kaladin Stormblessed]], with [[Bridge Four]] as its premier unit and headquarters.

== Under Highprince Sadeas ==
{{image|Sadeas bridges.jpg|side=right|width=300px}}
=== Origins ===
The unique geography of the Shattered Plains required the armies to cross many chasms to reach the battlefields. Highprince [[Torol Sadeas]] employed a large number of bridgemen to transport his army's temporary bridges. The bridgemen were also used as cannon fodder for the [[Parshendi]] bowmen.{{book ref|sa1|32}}

The bridgemen were split into 40 bridge crews, each carrying one bridge.{{book ref|sa2|2}} Each bridge crew was comprised of approximately 35-40 men.{{book ref|sa1|6}} The most notable crew was [[Bridge Four]]: initially known for being the worst crew with the highest casualty rate,{{book ref|sa1|9}} they are later noted for their excellence and innovation to bridge warfare while under the command of Kaladin.{{book ref|sa1|64}}

=== Organization ===
[[Gaz]] was the bridge sergeant, reporting directly to Brightlord [[Lamaril]].{{book ref|sa1|17}} After Lamaril is executed, Brightlord [[Matal]] takes nominal command of the unit, although his wife Brightness [[Hashal]] is the one who is actually commanding the unit.{{book ref|sa1|43}} Within each bridge crew, the men appointed their own bridge leader, but they lacked an overall command structure or allegiance to anything except their own self-preservation.

=== Functions ===
{{for|War_of_Reckoning#The_Use_of_Bridges_Between_Plateaus|bridge crews' tactical use}}
During hunts for gemhearts, bridgemen will carry the bridge and place it to the next plateau. While the army is crossing the bridge, they have time to rest, but they will need to run and get ahead of the army once everyone passed. During such runs, positions in the front is preferred because of fresh air and better sight. Bridgemen will take turns for positions in a fair manner. However, if the next plateau is occupied by Parshendi forces, bridge crews will face heavy fire and almost always suffer heavy casualties because they act as easy targets to attract fire away from the main forces. Positions at the rear, which are better shielded against arrows, are preferred in this case, although the survival rate is very poor for every position.{{book ref|sa1|17}} People who refuse to follow the rules will be forced to run in the front; the position at the center is referred to as the "deathpoint" due to its high mortality rate. New recruits are often stationed at the deathpoint since they are considered expendable.{{book ref|sa1|17}}{{book ref|sa1|6}} Bridgeleaders have some power over the position arrangements and typically take the best positions for themselves.{{book ref|sa1|9}}{{book ref|twok|17}}

In normal times, the bridge crews act as man power and do various unwanted duties in the war camp. Among them is the chasm duty, which requires people to scavenge for weapons, armor or spheres from the chasms.{{book ref|twok|27}}

== Under Highprince Kholin ==
After [[Kaladin]] saves Highprince [[Dalinar Kholin]]'s life, Highprince Kholin repays him by securing the release of the entire bridge crew unit from Highprince Sadeas. He does this by giving his [[Shardblade]], [[Oathbringer_(Shardblade)|Oathbringer]], to Highprince Sadeas in exchange for the bridge crews' freedom.{{book ref|sa1|69}}

Following this, Highprince Kholin offers money and freedom to every member of the bridge crews, along with the opportunity to join Kholin's army as soldiers.{{book ref|sa1|73}} Very few bridgemen take Kholin's offer to leave, and Kholin is left with a full thousand-man battalion.{{book ref|sa2|2}} 

After the bridge crews are freed by Kholin, they all immediately recognize Kaladin as their leader.{{book ref|sa1|73}} Highprince Kholin formalizes this by appointing Kaladin as their commander with the rank of captain.

=== Organization ===
Captain Kaladin re-organizes the bridge crews into twenty platoons of fifty men each, with each platoon named from Bridge One to Bridge Twenty, in memory of their previous life.{{book ref|sa2|2}} 

Bridge Four, Kaladin's original bridge crew, becomes their premier unit as well as headquarters platoon. Initially, forty members (two from each Bridge) are chosen to be trained directly by members of Bridge Four. These forty members are then seeded back to their original Bridges, promoted, and help train the remainder of their Bridges, with assistance from Bridge Four.

=== Innovations ===
Under Captain Kaladin's command, the bridge crews have implemented a number of innovations to warfare.

Due to Kaladin's background in medicine, he has trained some members of the bridge crews in battlefield medicine, leading to the first deployment of combat medics on the battlefield. 

Kaladin also creates a modernized command structure for the bridge crews. A typical Alethi army is organized around a very small number of lighteyed officers with a moderate amount of "citizen officers," the Alethi term for a non-commissioned officer.{{book ref|sa1|46}} Since the bridge crews have no lighteyes, and also because Kaladin believes this command structure to be lacking, he creates the position of lieutenant between himself and the sergeants who lead platoons. Additionally, he is considering expanding the size of his non-commissioned officer corps by adding the additional rank of "master sergeant."{{book ref|sa2|2}}

== Bridges ==
; Bridge One: Gets assigned two more men when [[Lopen]] joins [[Bridge Four]]{{book ref|sa1|32}}
; Bridge Two: Lost eleven members in one run{{book ref|sa1|21}} ?{{book ref|sa1|38}} They become guards for [[House Kholin]]{{book ref|sa2|56}}
; Bridge Three: Their leader [[Bussik]] asks [[Gaz]] to let them skip stone-gathering and then scowls at [[Kaladin]]{{book ref|sa3|21}}. Gets assigned four more men when [[Lopen]] joins [[Bridge Four]]{{book ref|sa1|32}}
; [[Bridge Four]]
; Bridge Six: Gets assigned five more men when [[Lopen]] joins [[Bridge Four]]{{book ref|sa1|32}} [[Matal]] offers Four to cross on Six while Four want to defect{{book ref|sa1|67}}
; Bridge Seven: Watched Bridge Four and nineteen other crews leave one day after escaping just barely{{book ref|sa1|17}} Gets assigned four more men when [[Lopen]] joins [[Bridge Four]]{{book ref|sa1|32}} They arrive unscathed one run thanks to Kaladin{{book ref|sa1|62}}
; Bridge Eight: Kaladin visits them during a run{{book ref|sa1|53}}
; Bridge Eleven: Guard [[Elhokar]] when he asks Kaladin to join his return to [[Kholinar]]{{book ref|sa3|37}}
; Bridge Thirteen: [[Dalinar]]'s guards during wedding{{book ref|sa3|4}} and [[Rial]] is introduced{{book ref|sa3|16}}, they hesitate letting [[Shallan]] be alone with [[Elhokar]] but are dismissed{{book ref|sa3|51}} They all become [[Teft]]'s squires{{book ref|sa3|122}}
; Bridge Fourteen: Gets assigned six more men when [[Lopen]] joins [[Bridge Four]]{{book ref|sa1|32}}
; Bridge Seventeen: [[Pitt]] apologises to Kaladin for his treatment of Bridge Four during the runs{{book ref|sa2|31}} They improve with training{{book ref|sa2|46}} They become guards{{book ref|sa2|56}} Four took their bridge at one point{{book ref|sa2|87}}
; Bridge Eighteen: They arrive unscathed one run thanks to Kaladin{{book ref|sa1|62}} [[Vet (bridgeman)|Vet]] isn't a good commander though many of the bridgemen only stayed after being freed because they didn't want to make choices.{{book ref|sa2|46}}
; Bridge Nineteen: They recover and become a unit{{book ref|sa2|46}}
; Bridge Twenty: Is targeted by the [[Parshendi]] brutally{{book ref|sa1|53}} sergeant [[Creer]] brings a message to [[Navani]] about [[Fen]], his twin brother doesn't wear glasses{{book ref|sa3|109}}

== Notes ==
<references />
{{partial}}
{{Stormlight}}
[[category: Kholin army]]
[[category: Sadeas army]]