294th engineer combat battalion wwii
I do not know how current the info is, but it's worth trying first: Unfortunately I do not have anymore info at the present time. 4. Growing up in Baltimore, Harry Kone used to hang around the docks watching the cargo ships unload. Stan found a glider made in Deep River and removed the ID plate from a glider made by Pratt Read & Co. One of the most difficult experiences was the cold that winter says, Stanley. All Listings. It was the highest bridge constructed by the first army Engineer Combat Battalion in the E.T.O. Division sector; one Battalion of the 60th Inf. Next, they removed minefields, anti-personnel and anti-tank mines. July 17, 1944: Battalion moved to new bivouac at TRIBEHOU. QUETTEHOU, FRANCE.16 130. The truck accidentally back up over some mines and about 90 mines exploded. Now that's what I call getting the REAL SCOOP! 137. moved from BRAUNFELS to WETZLAR on April 29, 1945. alerted to move; received movement orders at 1600 hours to move at 1630 hours to bivouac in vicinity of BRECEY. The Battalion was the first American Unit to arrive in Berlin on July 3, 1945. 25. Bn. July 22, 1944: Bn. September 8, 1944: Co "A" dismantled the Inf. 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). Exactly where the veteran was stationed and locations he visited during WWII. XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS from April 3, 1945 to April 17, 1945, PLACE.NUMBER OF P.W's October 4, 1944: At 0810 hours an enemy force of approximately one Platoon approached Post #1; a brisk fire fight ensued and the enemy force withdrew leaving 5 dead krauts. Heat, insects, and mud were constant companions during basic training. Co "C" withdrew from position #11 and filled foxholes and emplacements of the position. Get up!" 27. Division whose mission was to seize and hold the west bank of the ROER RIVER south of DUREN. 10. Many years after the war, I found out that the 294th went up to Wales and from there sailed to Normandy in the Susan B. Anthony to Utah Beach on June 7, 1944. Ancestry.com and our loyal RootsWeb community. Bn. 128. KaRonda Fleming, Public Affairs Office, TF SAFE improves electrical safety in Iraq by Joan Kibler, Training prepares 249th for six-month Iraq duty by Julie LeDoux, Fort Belvoir Eagle, Soldiers Power Up Peace in Iraq, Afghanistan by SSG Michael Carden. No one from shore was ever allowed on ships from one particular country. VIC. The training was in preparation for the anticipated crossing of the RHINE RIVER. A defense was set up by Co's B, A, & C: the Bn. The Bridge site was heavy mined; T/5 George Oatinbaker was killed by a mine which exploded when his bulldozer passed over it. Learn more. September 26, 1944: Co "C" attached to 297th Engr. The battalion's motto is "Build, Support, Sustain!". It was completed on V.E. Regiments vs Divisions regiment English ( wikipedia regiment) Noun ( en noun ) (military) A unit of armed troops under the command of an officer, and consisting of several smaller units; now specifically, usually composed of two or more battalions. In October through November 1944, the soldiers were specially trained on using the Bailey bridge in Trier, France. That took place in Devon when the soldiers and sailors were practicing landings in an area which had been picked because the topography was similar to Normandy. RootsWeb is funded and supported by 117. All men returned safely. Bn. moved to WISSEN. Yours will be another great story for people to see. Russel, T/5 Stiedel and Pfc. It was disgusting down below in the Queen Mary so Newton Riess went up on deck to escape the smell. Now you have information on the tragic accident from someone who was there. moved to ANDENNE, BELGIUM and trained in River crossing operations on the MEUSE RIVER. Through the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the 249th soldiers provide contracting officer technical representation on projects throughout the world.[9][10]. Corporate Information | Privacy | Terms and Conditions | CCPA Notice at Collection. Bn. 245th Engineer Combat Battalion, U.S. Third Army, Camp Gordon Georgia 551 heavy engineer pontoon battalion photos. - Present Carthage Armory Carthage, Missouri, United States The Battalion was assigned to the FIRST UNITED STATES ARMY and attached to the U.S. VII ARMY CORPS. moved to the vicinity of ZWEIFALL, relieved the 294th Engr. This was not surprising since we were constantly working with explosives. 31. 32. The Japanese had made their move. 61. Bn. November 29, 1944: Co "C" completed the timber trestle bridge at ROTT. I have also visited with Jean Treasure in her home. 294th Engineer Combat Battalion - 1944. March 18 - 24, 1945: Companies "B" and "C" operated Heavy Ponton Rafts and LCVP ferries across the RHEIN RIVER in the VII Corps Sector. All Rights Reserved. Exactly when your WWII veteran joined and left specific units of assignment. Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters had dropped over 200 sand bags, with approximately 125 sandbags breaking the surface of the water. September 22, 1944: Co "C" started constructing a Class #40 Timber Trestle bridge under the Bailey Bridge in VICHT. 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 . When the pumps began operation, a 40-foot-wide opening was made in the sheet piling to allow water to flow out of the canal. 28. 96. August 30, 1944: Bn. Chow detail going to Post #1 was ambushed by a 6 man patrol; the enemy patrol withdrew after a short fire fight. There we prepared the maps for the invasion and also the maps for the other countries on the continent. 94. In May 1945, when the war ended in Europe, the battalion was moved to Plattling, Germany where they built a camp for displaced refugees. 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 24. His training continued on board ship in the Pacific. It was completed on V.E. June 25, 1944: Battalion moved to new bivouac in vicinity of VALOGNES. [8] By 5 September 2005, the 17th Street Canal breach was closed. 294th Engineer Combat Battalion US Army in Memoriam (pamphlet), 1989 June 6 Scope and Contents From the Series: The Dickinson R. Debevoise World War II series documents his service as a sergeant in the 2nd Platoon of company A of the 294th Combat Engineer Battalion. 48. Bn. He relates what he found out while hiding beneath Japanese planes. Division now driving in the direction of PERIERS - St LO Highway. 44. as of 1300 hours. November 21, 1944: The rains came! At the new bivouac area orders were waiting for the Bn. Holtum, Netherlands. He was awarded the Silver Star for this action. What do they do at Parris Island? It was a fierce week long battle for the city of Heilbronn. The 296th Engineer Combat Battalion was attached to 1101st and 1120th Engineer Combat Group, the 3rd Army, 1st Army, V Corps, and VII Corps during World War II. Bn. November 10, 1944: The Battalion was relieved of attachment to the 3rd Armored Division and attached to the 4th Infantry Division. moved to the vicinity of PHILIPVILLE - an Advance C.P. Part 1 of 2. From then on it was the road to Berlin. A typo is noted by the use of [sic] other errors are probably my own. 59. April 3, 1945: Liaison was established with the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 78th Infantry Division. Corporate Information | Privacy | Terms and Conditions | CCPA Notice at Collection, Activation of the 298th Engineer Combat Battalion March 18, 1943 and Reorganization November 3, 1944, After/After Action Reports 26 July - 1 Dec 1944, Journal of 1128th Engr Gp Sep 44 thru Aug 45, Excerpts from the U.S. Army in World War II Series, More Excerpts from the U.S. Army in World War II Series, The documents below were kindly shared by Marc Shafer (whose father was a 298th member). 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. 111. This was a Pile Bent Bridge with 3-story trestle bents on the piles, 55 feet high. It was Oran in North Africa. VII CORPS from February 1, 1944 to April 2, 1945. Shipped out to England to prepare for the Normandy invasion, the eighteen year old got "scared as Hell" when he was briefed on the German defenses. The Allies had arrived in Holland. Robert James was in the shower aboard ship when the alarm went off. Understand what your WWII veteran experienced while assigned to specific infantry units, ships or squadrons. (C) Bn. His unit joined the forces ordered into the Battle of the Bulge, where he had to get some help when he was frozen in a foxhole. 91. September 12, 1944: Bn. Bn. Ironically, the wounded were taken to the 228th Station Hospital in Sherborne. July 18, 1944: Bn. Bn. Personnel losses were as follows: Capt. December 2, 1944: The Battalion moved from FRIESENRATH, GERMANY to VICHT, GERMANY. 70. You may want to try and contact this gentleman. #2 arrive in bivouac area. October 10, 1944: Co "A" occupied newly established blocks No's #6 - #7 - #8 - #9, as of 1300 hours. (Coast Guard Photo 2343), 1st Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment, Headquarters, Special Troops, 1st Infantry Division, 4th Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment, Headquarters, Special Troops, 4th Infantry Division, 456th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion, 80th Airborne Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, 782d Airborne Ordnance Maintenance Company, Military Police Platoon, 82d AirborneDivision, 90th Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment, Headquarters, Special Troops, 90th Infantry Division, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion, 81st Airborne Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, 101st Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment, Military Police Platoon, 101st Airborne Division, 4th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized, Photographic Interpreter Team No.10 (Provisional), Prisoner of War Interrogation Team No.11 (Provisional), Hqs, 17th Field Artillery Observation Battalion, 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized, Photographic Interpreter Team No.32 (Provisional), 38th Engineer General Service Regiment (less Band), 102d Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized, 110th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion, 116th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion, Troop B, 125th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized, 197th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, Company A, 203d Quartermaster Gas Supply Battalion, 205th Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment (Provisional), 207th Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment (Provisional), 320th Antiaircraft Artillery Balloon Barrage Battalion, 397th Antiaircraft Artillery AutomaticWeapons Battalion(Provisional), Military Intelligence Interpreter Team No.407 (Provisional), 413th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion, Military Intelligence Interpreter Team No.416 (Provisional), Military Intelligence Interpreter Team No.419 (Provisional), 428th Military Police Escort Guard Company, 447th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, 457th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, 467th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, 474th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, Company A and B, 507th Military Police Battalion, Company C, 509th Military Police Battalion, 535th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, 603d Quartermaster Graves Registration Company, 606th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company, Battery B, 980th Field Artillery Battalion, 3466th Ordnance Medium Automotive Maintenance Company, 3497th Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company, 3565th Ordnance Medium Automotive Maintenance Company. as of 0700 hours. As he sat in solitary confinement waiting for interrogation, he was comforted by his faith. 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 vehicles were withdrawn to an assembly area at MILLEY. 9TH INFANTRY DIVISION After a successful landing there, where he picked up some shrapnel, Tunisia was next. Bill Elias' WWII Story: 258th Engineer Combat Battalion. The timber trestle bridge at ROTT was closed to traffic. The 249th Engineer Battalion also supports other missions: The 249th Engineer Combat Battalion was constituted on 5 May 1943 at Camp Bowie, Texas. 294th Engineer Combat Battalion, VII Corps, 1st Army, Bill Adair - Army, Don Scott - Army Air Corps, Bill Garrison - Army Air Corps, Bill Livingstone - Army Air Corps, Clyde Burnette - Army Air Corps, Bill Toombs - Army Air Corps, B.E. The kamikaze had destroyed the starboard gun mounts and there were many dead and wounded. was set up in the village of ANTHEE. of a sector of the front line in the Hurtgen Forest. Gp. We slowly made out way West with the two Cutters alongside and landed in Argentia in Newfoundland. column. 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. They were sent to Fort Devens, then assigned to the 296th Combat Engineer Battalion, and shipped to Camp Shelby, Mississippi for basic training over a period of seven months. Advertisement. Group. Bn. I will be able to say, I know the man behind the book! To some of these thousand men, it was going to be the beginning of a new, big adventure. Division in its drive to the North. The battalion was organized and under the command of only three captains. Co "B" launched 7 landing Craft at OBERWINTER from 2200 to 2315 hours. Frances R. Fulton, Lt. Ray L. Whiteturkey, the Bn. 114. May 26, 2010 at 2:13 pm. This Veterans Day we give THANKS to all who have served our country and continue to recognize those 416 men and women who served Deep River during World War II. Kamikazes had broken through the air cover and were headed for the convoy. Please tell Michael Brodhead that I sent you. The Battalion advance C.P. September 2, 1944: Bn. 21. Waiting for the main part of his unit to catch up, he told soldiers he thought were sleeping to "Get up! moved to vicinity of VILLEDIEU-LES-POLES. 46. understand the battlefield experiences and sacrifices of your WWII veteran and their military unit. 58. Group. in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.). Ancestry.com and our loyal RootsWeb community. ", Robert G. Sherrard Jr. collection 1930-1931, 1943-1957, 1967, circa 1986- 2003, Leonard R. Boyd collection, 1916-1946 (bulk 1918-1929), 1262nd Engineer Combat Battalion collection, 1944-1946, undated, World War, 1939-1945 -- Engineering and construction, World War, 1939-1945 -- Prisoners and prisons, American, World War, 1939-1945 -- Regimental histories, Robinson, Edward G.,. 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. The Battalion detrucked and marched into position, arriving at 2300 hours. Bill Adair was suffering from the effects of a concussion when the battle for the Philippines came to an end for him. Then he got acquainted with giant mosquitoes. In Germany, Carroll's unit liberated a forced labor camp, and he remembered that the prisoners were horribly emaciated. moved from PLOMION to the vicinity of MARIEMBOURG, BELGIUM. October 17, 1944: At 1130 hours a patrol of Co "A" moving from Post #8 to Post #1 encountered heavy small arms fire - three men failed to return. was relieved by 246 Engr. Duties in France included repairing roads, removing mines, disposing of a bomb, and removing, repairing, and constructing bridges. relieved Company "A" as of 1800 hours. If you have additional information on the 294th I would like to share it with my father-in-law. Sewer & water board, electric utility and the 249th Engineer Battalion (Prime Power) were completing pump house inspection. 41. On the grounds of the Digby estate was the 228th Station Hospital, which consisted of a bunch of Quonset huts. My guess is he was in another unit prior to his service in the 257th. Support bridge which was across the MEUSE RIVER North of DINANT. The 296th built a 180-foot bridge across the Ilm River. October 31, to November 7, 1944: Bn. At 2300 hours U.P. moved again to the vicinity of MILLEY arriving at 2330 hours. Frank learned English and worked in the restaurant with his father. Division. The battalion was used in an effort to block the German advance by deploying landmines, obstacles and establishing roadblocks. Power Surge, 249th Engineer Battalion Responds to Electrocutions in Iraq by LTC Paul B. Olsen, P.E. December 4, 1944: Co "A" relieved Co "B" of attachment to the 294th Engr. While stationed in Eupen, the Battle of the Bulge began, on December 17th. 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. They left Berlin in the fall for Le Harve, France to come home. On his first raid in North Africa, reconnaissance platoon leader John Souther captured a hundred Germans with no losses to his own unit. moved to the vicinity of COUPTRAIN and was given the mission of supporting the 9th Inf. DERSCHLAG, GERMANY.10 As he drove frantically to his hangar on Ford Island, he saw the USS Arizona hit. 1 talking about this. June 12, 1944: Our first mission on the continent - Lt Lawson with a D7 bulldozer assisted the 1110th Engr. November 28, 1944: Co "A" started construction of a Timber Trestle bridge under the Bailey Bridge in VICHT. God has been good to me and I thank Him every day for sparing me into old age. They welded up the old tub and then put us on board again and we made our way down to New York. 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. Bill Nolan from Portland knew his way around and brought Stan to his brother. Formatting (inconsistent in original) such as capitalization, underlining, punctuation, use of quotes, etc. Day May 8, 1945. Frank Capuozzi was born in Naples. Part 1 of 2. 97. Once they got there, a fierce ten day battle ensued due to the last major German offensive, Operation Nordwind. December 26 - 27, 1944: A large amount of artillery and mortar fire constituted the enemys [sic] activity during this period. proceded [sic] on to the vicinity of MAYENNE arriving late in the afternoon. Division. Co "C" swept the road from ROTGEN to ROTT for mines. THE HISTORY OF THE 298TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION IN EUROPE JUNE 9, 1944 - MAY 8, 1945 C O N T I N U E D THE BATTALION SUPPORTED THE FOLLOWING DIVISIONS AT VARIOUS TIMES: 4TH INFANTRY DIVISION 9TH INFANTRY DIVISION 75TH INFANTRY DIVISION 3RD ARMORED DIVISION 5TH ARMORED DIVISION THE BATTALION WAS ATTACHED TO THE FOLLOWING UNITS AT VARIOUS TIMES: 93. I like how you also gave us further background with the "asides", such as the history of the Digby family. I am writing my memoirs and I already have over 200 pages. I have been flying since 1963. It receives no town or state funding. 6. A brisk fire fight ensued until daylight. 112. Many of the vehicles were damaged and one man was killed while driving the Battalion Commander from the defense position to the FWD. Vaughan and the destroyer O'Brien suffered a second kamikaze attack which killed all three of his hometown pals who served with him on board. Maneuvers in England completed all the training the young men would get. January 21, 1945: Battalion C.P. Stan left by bus from East Hampton, CT with 13 other boys from Deep River and entered active service in the Army on March 8, 1943, in Hartford, CT. July 28, 1944: Bn. 138. 75. 136. (C) Group. 121. 60. His father worked as a chef in America and as soon as he became a citizen in 1939, he sent for the rest of the family. Day May 8, 1945. The 236th was created during World War II, an offspring of the 44th Engineer Combat Regiment at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. June 10, 1944: The Battalion Executive Officer and U.P. January 22, 1945: Co "C" (with the 4th Cav.) The 296th Combat Battalion held reunions every 2 years in Mass, Rhode Island, and CT. The battalion was organized and under the command of only three captains. B-24 flight engineer Bill Toombs was over Germany when bad went to worse. Reconnaissance was made of the MEUSE RIVER in the vicinity of DINANT and HASTIERE in preparation for the crossing of the 9th Inf. We have six children, thirteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. I know Colin will be tickled pink to read this. July 5, 1944: Co. "B" repaired damaged bridge at BAUPTE under artillery fire. 1 talking about this. Battalion noun Any large body of troops. CARANTILLY, FRANCE.24 The unit-built bridges in Trois Fonts by B Company and C Company. Our military records specialists are on site at archival research facilities nationwide and can access a wide variety of WWII military service records of your veteran. 39. continues to support the 9th Inf. April 2, 1945: The Battalion was attached to the XVIII Airborne Corps as of 0800 hours. moved to a new bivouac in the woods South of EUPEN. September 18, 1944: The Battalion moved to a new bivouac at ROTGEN, GERMANY. Dear Ms. Bradley, Thank you for posting your request on History Hub! He has over 5000 books in his WWII repetoire and may have further info on the 294th. Thats where Stan picked up a large German Flag. Four German fighters pounced on the B-24 and it was engulfed in flame and going down. Often the names of ships or number of the landing crafts a veteran traveled on- or went into combat aboard are included in the reports. The winter of 1943 was brutal. went in direct support of the 5th Armd. 76. 127. On 24 December 1944, Brigadier General Harlan Harkness, the assistant division commander, ordered the battalion to advance and secure the towns of Arsdorf and Bigonville to the north of the 26th Infantry Division, near the area of operations of the 4th Armored Division, in order to relieve the occupied towns so the division could advance and attack the enemy line. November 15, 1944: Co "C" relieved Co "B" of Post #1, 2, & 3 as of 1200 hours. The exact battles your WWII veteran took part in. Then an 88 round went right through the number four wing tank. They weren't sleeping. Forward Observer Rufus Dalton went into the demolished city looking for a rifle company he was instructed to find. Often the military records will show the duties a WWII veteran held during the war. 82. On 16 July 1965, the 299th Engineer Battalion was alerted for movement overseas to the Republic of Vietnam. It was the highest bridge constructed by the first army Engineer Combat Battalion in the E.T.O. We are always glad to assist! moved to the vicinity of PLOMION. Co "A" constructed an Infantry Support Bridge across the SIEG RIVER at HUNDHAUSEN, GERMANY. October 20, 1944: Co "A" was attached to 297th Engr. March 6, 1945: The Co "C" C.P. August 12, 1944: Co "A" replaced flooring on Bailey Bridge at St. BEAUDELLA. 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. http://www.hq.usace.army.mil/history/contact_us.htm. January 31, to February 4, 1945: Rest, recreation, and some training constituted the activities of the Battalion for this period. The 296th landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy 20 days after D-Day. Keywords : . Stanley Stopa enlisted at the age of 19 years in the U.S. Army. Bombers. THE BATTALION WAS ATTACHED TO THE FOLLOWING UNITS AT VARIOUS TIMES: After this bridge site was secure, the 249th was detached from the 1137th Engineer Group and was given the mission to secure and maintain the bridges on the Rhine River. That is a very good idea to write your memiors, and I do want to read them and will be in line myself, behind Marion of course. I have been wearing hearing aids since 1946 and I am now profoundly deaf. October 2, 1944: At 0800 hours 40 rounds of artillery fell on and around Post #4; shortly thereafter an estimated company of enemy Infantry attacked the position, surrounding it and cutting off communications. I went to visit him and he was cursing a blue streak in German. A round from a German 88 immediately tore through the engine compartment, but left him unhurt. moved to the vicinity of DIZY-LE-GROS North of REIMS. 86. In the interim my dear, I would be happy to provide you with your own page, as I have done for so many of my other vet friends on the main site. One of the daughters, Pamela Digby later married Randolph Churchill, Winston's son. Please consider making a donation to DRHS. Bob Darino Germany weather house cherry farm pie Berlin Telefunken Eisenhower concentration camp Governor's Island souvenir P-38 Zeiss Ikon subway. 17 DEC 1943. Division at approximately 1100 hours. CHAOTEAU ENGLE BERMONT, BELGIUM..31 However, I strongly suggest that you contact the Army Corps of Engineers to see if they have a file on his unit. They traveled from Liverpool to Berlin, a total of 1800 miles in 623 days. Near the end of the war, the food supply in Holland had been disrupted and there was widespread hunger. Must have brought back some intriguing memories going back to the Isles. Bn. Naturally, we were warned by security to keep quiet or we would end up being taken to Leavenworth Penitentiary in Kansas. What a great way to start my Sunday; hearing from someone who was there in the flesh. October 16, 1944: At 1705 hours the chow detail enroute to Post #1 was ambushed by 8 Germans - a small fire fight took place and the Germans withdrew.