Two engineer photos, (one more will arrive soon), from my German friend, Karl. These photos were supplied by his friend, Stewart McCartney.
Stewart's web-site:
http://www.forgottenhistory.co.uk
These are a bridge in Heidelberg from the 555th Engineers, Co B.
For my new friend James, here is a contact for the 555th. Hope this is still current!
555th Engineers
Mr. Tom Moore
148 East Stevenson Drive
Glendale Heights, IL 60139
(312) 690-3083
http://www.lewis.army.mil/555/History/UnitHistory.htm
HISTORY OF THE "TRIPLE NICKEL"
Triple Nickel Unit Crest
The 555th EN BDE was first constituted 1 February 1943 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1103d Engineer Combat Group and activated 25 February 1943 at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. Sailing for England from Camp Kilmer, New Jersey in January 1944, the 1103d was assigned to the First Army in preparation for the Normandy invasion.
During the invasion of Normandy, the unit was assigned to the Third Army and crossed the English Channel during the period June 20-22, 1944. The 1103d earned its first 5 battle stars landing, clearing and maintaining supply routes at Omaha and Utah beaches.
Transferred to General George S. Patton's First Army in August 1944, the 1103d's mission included rear area support and security of captured bridges on the Loire River. As operations continued eastward, the 1103d Engineers provided bridging for assault river crossings and breached the massive, cubicled Metz forts, enabling the allies to reduce severe enemy resistance there. In February 1945, the 1103d supported the Ninth Army in the Ruhr cleanup on the northern sector, and proceeded to the Rhineland with XVIII Airborne Corps for the remainder of the war.
The 1103d Engineer Combat Group was inactivated 8 May 1946.
The 555th has a distinguished history. Formed in 1943, it won five battle stars in World War II, in actions that included clearing and maintaining supply routes at Normandy and protecting bridges for Gen. George Patton's 3rd Army.