Received this from Denis Toomey
Marion :: hullo ... I have been researching my own father's war service and
came across your site ... My dad served in the third division and was a
photographer for the third signal corps.
Some of the bridge photos on your site, in fact, may have been taken by him.
I have a collection of over 700 photos he took from southern france to
salzburg austria ...
In the collection are several pictures of bridges over the rhine ... At
worms and bobbenheim ... Including the alexander patch bridge ....
A couple photos show some of the engineers working on the bridge ... I am
curious as to where you acquired the rhine bridge photos and on in
particular of patch and devers in the snow ??
Hello Denis:
What a nice surprise getting your email. 700 photos huh? Oh my God, what a gold mine. That is a real treasure that you have there!
I don't have any stories or personal accounts from the 3rd Inf Div yet, so this is just great for me to be in contact with you. Would you be willing to send more info my way so we could begin a page for your father?
The photos of the bridges come from several sources including members of the
540th, various sons of engineers, internet sources, US Army & Engineer books from my collection, etc.
The photo of Gen's Dever and Patch in the snow was acquired from Riviera To the Rhine - European Theatre - US Army in WWII series. It's on page 504.
Let me know if you need anymore specifics and if I have the info, I will be more than happy to send it your way. I can also send copies of the photos if so desired.
I would love to see some of your extensive collection. Sounds wonderful. I look forward to hearing from you again. Please stay in touch.
Warm regards, Marion J Chard
Denis sent me the following photos from the crossings at Worms and Bobbenheim...
Another photo of Worms Bridge
These are the kinds of photos I was referring to earlier on this site when I said I thought they were "amazing". Really, once you get past the harem-scarem scenes of combat, it's photos like this that boggle the mind and make you not only realize but appreciate all that the engineers did. Crossing those rivers were no small potatoes.
Marilyn
I know. I marvel at these too. And so should everyone else. What everyone has to remember that if it weren't for the engineers, then the infantry and armored didn't make it to the other side. Engineers were indispensable units to the everyday running of the war effort.
My daddy and his buddies ruled!
Cool pics. I've been looking for similiar shots of bridges in the Po Valley.
I thought I posted this comment but I guess not. Did anyone notice the female Nurse in the photo of the Bridge at Worms? Wonder what she was.
