All the villages there had been evacuated and were ultimately destroyed by gunfire. I am now a Captain in the Civil Air Patrol of the United States Air Force Auxiliary. 138. moved from ANDENNE, BELGIUM to RAEREN, GERMANY. November 15, 1944: Co "C" relieved Co "B" of Post #1, 2, & 3 as of 1200 hours. November 24, 1944: Co "C" constructed a Class #40 Bailey Bridge over the timber trestle bridge at MULARTSHUTTE. March 10, 1945: Co "C" relieved of attachment to the 4th Cav. Sewer & water board, electric utility and the 249th Engineer Battalion (Prime Power) were completing pump house inspection. Co "A" started construction of 150' T/D Bailey Bridge across the SIEG RIVER at WISSEN, GERMANY. DERSCHLAG, GERMANY.10 January 5, 1945: Co "A" started construction of a continuous Bailey Bridge across the L'OURTHE RIVER in DURBEY, BELGIUM. Seeking records of 111th Engineers Combat Batta | History Hub Bravo Joe. February 5, 1945: The Battalion moved from BELGIUM to STOLEBERG, GERMANY. The windows blew out the way he told me. The unit was assigned to V Corps, First U.S. Army. Division. Click below to see how you can help us expand our mission. The Bn. April 8, 1945: Co "A" completed the Bailey Bridge in WISSEN, GERMANY at 2030 hours. He served hard duty in an anti-aircraft battery with the 6th Army in New Guinea and other parts of the 2023 Deep River Historical Society. I understand that this was done because placing a hospital near explosives was a violation of the Geneva Convention. April 7, 1945: Co "C" constructed a C1 #40 D/S Bailey Bridge at HANHOFF, GERMANY. May 26, 2010 at 2:13 pm. September 7, 1944: Co "C" Completed the timber trestle bridge at MARIEMBOURG. 126. November 21, 1944: The rains came! Part 2 of 2. July 6, 1944: Battalion placed in direct support of the 4th Inf. Bn. The 296th received campaign credit for Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe, Normandy, Northern France, and the Rhineland, Contains the following type(s) of material: unit histories, photographs, Wartime journey to Berlin : the 296th Engineer Combat Battalion, The ArchiveGrid website uses HTTP 3. June 21, 1944: Battalion moved to new bivouac in the vicinity of MONTEBURG. To some of these thousand men, it was going to be the beginning of a new, big adventure. Shortly after, the battalion participated in two maneuvers in Louisiana, known as the "Louisiana Maneuvers"; there the battalion and its soldiers learned valuable lessons for war. Gp. At a R.J. approximately 2 miles East of MILLEY, the head of the column was ambushed by enemy infantry and tanks. Bn. 115. VII CORPS from February 1, 1944 to April 2, 1945. December 3, 1944: Co "A" completed the Timber Trestle Bridge in VICHT, GERMANY. Bombers. It was Oran in North Africa. 131. The Battalion's mission of supporting the 78th Infantry Division was completed. 61. XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS from April 3, 1945 to April 17, 1945, PLACE.NUMBER OF P.W's . April 11, 1945: The Battalion moved from WISSEN to MORSBACH, GERMANY. Co "B" launched 7 landing Craft at OBERWINTER from 2200 to 2315 hours. Co "C" started preparing a site for construction of a Bailey Bridge to by-pass an existing bridge west of GEY. Bn. was relieved by 246 Engr. 45. Whitney were injured. Co "C" started construction of a Timber Trestle bridge under the Bailey Bridge at MULARTSHUTTE. Growing up in Baltimore, Harry Kone used to hang around the docks watching the cargo ships unload. When the war ended, I was in Austria and I was discharged in January, 1946. As he sat in solitary confinement waiting for interrogation, he was comforted by his faith. 43. I will be able to say, I know the man behind the book! I have been flying since 1963. It was an eerie setting with the city in flames all around him. The History of The 298th Engineer Combat Battalion in Europe Hits - 2,910. The Digby family were living in the relatively new castle at the time. 812th Engineer Company | Lineage and Honors | U.S. Army Center of The battalion was organized and under the command of only three captains. 299th Combat Engineer Battalion - Welcome All traffic was moving North to Battice. On March 20, 1944, I was lying in bed when there was a huge explosion and I was blown off my bed. Thank you. August 9, 1944: Co "B" Constructed 120' Class 40 Heavy Ponton Trestle bridge at St FRAIMBAULT across the MAYENNE River. The 237th Engineer Combat Battalion served with distinction under 1st Army during WWII. Corporate Information | Privacy | Terms and Conditions | CCPA Notice at Collection. Status coordinate No status yet. January 11, 1945: Co "B" repaired the timber trestle bridge in PETIT-HAN by replacing the flooring and decayed nailing strips. 74. Bn. Then it was dispatched to France for a time. of a sector of the front line, and went under control of the 3rd Armored Division. The mission of World War II combat engineers (known as "sappers" or "pioneers" in other armies) was three-fold: mobility operations; countermobility operations; and, when necessary, to fight as infantrymen. 234 Engineer Combat Battalion (USA) - Back to Normandy (This interview made possible with the support of COL ROBERT W. RUST, USMCR (ret.) Yours will be another great story for people to see. BOIS DE LUMIGNY, FRANCE4 October 10, 1944: Co "A" occupied newly established blocks No's #6 - #7 - #8 - #9, as of 1300 hours. Late in life she married Averill Harriman. I can tell you a lot about the 294th Combat Engineers and the incident which took place on March 20, 1944. While there, there was a German air raid and two planes were shot down. It was completed on V.E. My guess is he was in another unit prior to his service in the 257th. 103. 96. One of the first waves at Omaha Beach. WISSEN, GERMANY.12 30. Chow detail going to Post #1 was ambushed by a 6 man patrol; the enemy patrol withdrew after a short fire fight. Bn. The main thrust of the effort was to use assault boats to get troops from 5th Infantry Division across and later to construct a more stable pontoon bridge. In 1994, the battalion was reactivated and designated as the 249th Engineer Battalion (Prime Power), stationed at Fort Belvoir, VA. 1. Thomas W. Silva, Lt. Ray L. Whiteturkey and 42 men from H&S Co. and Co. "C". Prisoner of war enclosures of barbed wire were also constructed. April 9, 1945: Co "C" converted the railroad bridge in WISSEN to take vehicular traffic. EmailPhone, Research A World War II Veteran (WWII WW2). It was the highest bridge constructed by the first army Engineer Combat Battalion in the E.T.O. October 23, 1944: Co "A" relieved from attachment to 297 Engr. July 17, 1944: Battalion moved to new bivouac at TRIBEHOU. It receives no town or state funding. [8] By 5 September 2005, the 17th Street Canal breach was closed. Eight assault teams of the 299th Combat Engineer Battalion landed on OMAHA beach (Easy Red, Fox Green, Fox Red) with the mission of clearing eight 50-yard gaps in the underwater obstacles. Co "B" sent a five (5) man patrol to investigate enemy positions during the afternoon. He will never forget the words of General Eisenhower. June 23, 1944: Battalion given the Infantry mission of clearing the North East corner of the Cotentin penisula [sic] of scattered enemy troops - liberated the French towns of QUETTEHOU and St VAAST LA HOUGE. Co "B" attached to the 297th Engr. moved to BIRKESDORF, GERMANY. One of the daughters, Pamela Digby later married Randolph Churchill, Winston's son. Ancestry.com and our loyal RootsWeb community. November 29th: Our National Day of Giving. The other officers that were supplied to the unit were second lieutenants from the 1943 class of West Point. It was later learned that the town had never been secured by the 4th Armored Division. He has over 5000 books in his WWII repetoire and may have further info on the 294th. 86. March 30, 1945: The Battalion moved to HERBORN, GERMANY. Co "B" was given the mission of cleaning the streets and Co "C" was given the mission of removing the railroad and building the road. October 11, 1944: A 6 man German patrol was found between Post #1 and #3 - two of the enemy were killed and four escaped. Captured several prisoners. Kamikazes had broken through the air cover and were headed for the convoy. I'm sure he would be glad to share his experiences with you. This tradgedy took place in the grounds that housed the 228th American Hospital in Sherborne, Dorset, UK. The Battalions mission was general engineer work in the VII Corps sector in the area around STOLBURG, KORNELIMUNSTER, BREINIG. In October 1943, the battalion left Boston for England and spent months in England training. 294th Engineer Company | CurrentOps.com Available for both RF and RM licensing. 73. However, when we sailed out of Antwerp,Belgium in January, 1946, our troubles were far from over. From there, we boarded a ship and headed out in convoy to Glasgow, Scotland in January, 1944. November 16, 1944: The 4th Inf. moved to vicinity of VILLEDIEU-LES-POLES. He bunked with regular B-17 crew members, but Bill Livingstone was a gunnery instructor who was there to keep skills sharp. Duties in France included repairing roads, removing mines, disposing of a bomb, and removing, repairing, and constructing bridges. moved again to the vicinity of MILLEY arriving at 2330 hours. Bn. http://www.hq.usace.army.mil/history/contact_us.htm. This is a free service. 105. After a nerve-wracking mission to bomb Tokyo and a typhoon, B.E. 2. The battalion served at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, England, France, Belgium, and Germany Contains the following type (s) of material: memoir, unit histories Available on site only 114. Bn. Additionally, the commander serves as the Commandant of the U.S. Army Prime Power School, the institution responsible for the development of Army and Navy power generation specialists. 4th Engineer Battalion 4th Medical Battalion 4th Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment 4th Military Police Platoon 4th Infantry Division Band Headquarters, Special Troops, 4th Infantry. 133. His unit was suddenly pulled and sent to take Patton's place in the line after the general was summoned to the Bulge. Your Name (required) Phone Number (required) . Alongside those are the plaques with the names of the Sherborne men who were killed in World War II. October 18, 1944: At 0900 hours an enemy force approached Post #5 - the enemy withdrew after exchanging a few shots. Considerable confusion resulted. Bn. Engineers Unit Rosters and Unit Photographs - WorldWarTwoVeterans.com We are always glad to assist! I know Colin will be tickled pink to read this. 1st insignia of 90th Light Div. April 15, 1945: The Battalion moved to WIPPERFURTH, GERMANY. I get so tired of hearing some complain day in and day out about how it's too hot or too cold, or how they had to drive 15 miles to pick up a wife's prescription, or You get the drift. Russel, T/5 Stiedel and Pfc. We did all of our training with mines and bridges on the property formerly owned by Sir Walter Raleigh, and now owned by the Digby family. 44th Engineer Combat Battalion | American Battle Monuments Commission 129. 98. Transcribed by Bob Kipke (Feb-Mar 2013) Attempts have been made to maintain the original formatting, within my limited HTML capabilities, and the differences between a 1940s typewriter and a modern computer keyboard. It receives no town or state funding. Part 2 of 2. relieved Company "A" as of 1800 hours. Bill Elias' WWII Story: 258th Engineer Combat Battalion An uneventful Christmas Eve for the 298th Engr. After a close call with a booby trap, he was injured when a tank shell landed right under his jeep. The battalion's motto is "Build, Support, Sustain!". 40. Infantry Regiment 28th Quartermaster Battalion 28th Troop Carrier Squadron 290th Infantry Regiment 291st Infantry Regiment 294th Engineer Combat Battalion 29th Bomb Group 29th Field Artillery Battalion 29th Infantry Division 29th . Bill Adair may have been the luckiest man in the Bataan Death march. 125. March 6, 1945: The Co "C" C.P. January 22, 1945: Co "C" (with the 4th Cav.) The 294th built the second bridge across the Rhine River, and Carroll recalled that as the American army moved into Germany, all the cities they came across were piles of rubble. The other officers that were supplied to the unit were second lieutenants from the 1943 class of West Point. One engine was shot out. He relates what he found out while hiding beneath Japanese planes. After Pearl Harbor, he was drafted and became a citizen in the Army before he shipped out to Europe. Bn. CARANTILLY, FRANCE.24 March 24, 1945: The Battalion was relieved of the ferrying operations on the RHINE RIVER and moved to KONIGSWINTER, GERMANY. Thank you very much for your service to our country and sharing your experiences with us. You are a great artist. In February 1955, it was activated and assigned to USAREUR and an Engineer Battalion (Combat Heavy). September 16, 1944: Co "C" was served doughnuts and coffee by VII Corps Red Cross girls - believed to be the first Red Cross girls to serve troops on GERMAN soil in World War II. October 25, 1944: Co "C" completed culvert in vicinity of BRAND. On his first raid in North Africa, reconnaissance platoon leader John Souther captured a hundred Germans with no losses to his own unit. The Bn. Later, they were divorced and she had a series of lovers and, at one time, became America's ambassador to France. I am writing my memoirs and I already have over 200 pages. Learn when and where a WWII veteran was wounded or killed in action (we can often show you exactly how a veteran was wounded or killed in action). 62. I remember walking in snow up to my crotch in Belgium. At 2300 hours U.P. Division launched an attack through our positions in the direction of HURTGEN and GEY; Co "B" made a limited attack in front of Post #2 & #3 for the purpose of deceiving the enemy. In October 1943, the battalion left Boston for England and spent months in England training. Ed Harrell describes in detail the sinking of the USS Indianapolis from Japanese torpedoes, which left nearly 900 Sailors and Marines in shark-infested Pacific waters. On 19 March 1945, the unit was assigned to the engineer task force charged with crossing the Rhine at Oppenheim. April 5, 1945: The Battalion moved back to KROPPACH north of ALTENKIRCHEN. This was a Pile Bent Bridge with 3-story trestle bents on the piles, 55 feet high. Witness to War is a non-profit dedicated to preserving the oral histories of combat veterans through digital video interviews. September 8, 1944: Co "A" dismantled the Inf. 85. November 19, 1944: Co "B" converted Bailey Bridge from 80' D/S to 110' T/S, in the vicinity of WALHEIM, GERMANY. They welded up the old tub and then put us on board again and we made our way down to New York. One day I woke up in my foxhole covered with frost and I realized that I had lost most of my hearing. 135. This was the beginning of a painful journey to healing. Stanley Stopa enlisted at the age of 19 years in the U.S. Army. Co "B" operated LCVP ferry service, Co "C" operated Heavy Ponton Rafts. March 16, 1945: Co "C" moved to OBERWINTER at 1700 hours and started construction of Heavy Ponton Rafts. It was many years after the war that a local reporter, using the Freedom of Information Act, wrote the true story. As an aside, many of you, I am sure, have heard about the Slapton Sands incident. John Souther was on reconnaissance patrol when he nosed his halftrack up over the edge of the gully in the Tunisian desert. The division was inactivated at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia on 27 November 1945. gave him permission to go see him. 4TH INFANTRY DIVISION Temperatures were minus 20 degrees. Holtum. It wasnt all work as they had opportunities to play ball and see shows by Bob Hope and company. Also, I have been practicing law for 55 years and I hope to write a book about some of my cases which read like Hollywood fiction. A brisk fire fight ensued until daylight. For Air Corps flight crews we can determine the exact flights that your individual Air Corps veteran took part in. The 296th built a 180-foot bridge across the Ilm River. They are a component of the United States Army Corps of Engineers . The 249th deployed teams to the Gulf Region under Joint Task Force Katrina, working with contractors, and local and state entities to assess, they helped install and maintain emergency generators at critical facilities. April 2, 1945: The Battalion was attached to the XVIII Airborne Corps as of 0800 hours. April 13, 1945: The Battalion moved to DERSCHLAG, GERMANY. Henk Duinhoven was lucky to be in the countryside, where gardens had been harvested. Co "C" still defending road blocks with 297th Engr. MARIEMBOURG, BELGIUM11 The battalion was used in an effort to block the German advance by deploying landmines, obstacles and establishing roadblocks. From then on it was the road to Berlin. Many times there is a daily record of events which shows daily combat details within the company, troop or battery to which the individual WWII veteran was assigned. moved to a new bivouac in BELLEAU WOODS in the vicinity of CHATEAU-THIERRY. After Pearl Harbor, leaves were cancelled, but that policy eased and Newton Riess and a few buddies headed to New York City for a little fun. proceded [sic] on to the vicinity of MAYENNE arriving late in the afternoon. Newspaper Items- 298th Engineer Combat Battalion, WWII - RootsWeb All Rights Reserved. Bn. CHAOTEAU ENGLE BERMONT, BELGIUM..31 attached to 3rd Armored Division in preparation for St LO breakthrough. His very first mission turned out to be a memorable one. Any contribution above basic membership is tax deductible, and is most appreciated. March 7, 1945: The Battalion C.P. 1893-1973 Photographs, United States Army Engineer Combat Battalion, 296th, United States Army Engineer Combat Battalion, 296th Archives. RootsWeb is funded and supported by We traveled by train down to Sherborne in Dorset. 107. After a successful landing there, where he picked up some shrapnel, Tunisia was next. October 6, 1944: 47th Enfantry [sic] Regt. In May 1945, when the war ended in Europe, the battalion was moved to Plattling, Germany where they built a camp for displaced refugees. 1st Engineer Combat Battalion, 1st Infantry Division: 603rd Tank Company: 1st Engineer Regiment, 1st Division: 603rd Tank . 238th Engineer Combat Battalion - Facebook Along with thousands of others, he was forced to surrender and was facing the prospect of joining what would become known as the Bataan Death March. In March of 1943, a group of 13 Deep River Boys left together and formed a Combat Engineers Unit which kept them together throughout the war. March 18 - 24, 1945: Companies "B" and "C" operated Heavy Ponton Rafts and LCVP ferries across the RHEIN RIVER in the VII Corps Sector. Battalion moved to new bivouac in vicinity of CARENTAN. Co "B" constructed reinforced Heavy Ponton Bridge 465 ft. in length across the SEINE RIVER at MELUN in 9 hours and 30 minutes. Frank learned English and worked in the restaurant with his father. The North portion of the position was reached but the foxholes were found empty. November 25, 1944: Co "B" was attached to 294th Engr. Bn. The 236th was created during World War II, an offspring of the 44th Engineer Combat Regiment at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. Celebrating our WWII Vets-Stanely Stopa & the 296th Combat Engineer The battalion was organized and under the command of only three captains. Bob Darino Germany weather house cherry farm pie Berlin Telefunken Eisenhower concentration camp Governor's Island souvenir P-38 Zeiss Ikon subway. WW2 Army Unit Records Research | WW2 Research Division whose mission was to seize and hold the west bank of the ROER RIVER south of DUREN. On order, deploy worldwide to provide prime electrical power and electrical systems expertise in support of military operations and the National Response Framework.[1].