Sorry haven't been around this week, but have been down and out with a bad cold. Just starting to feel better this morning... Now I just have to play catch-up once more.

Various photographs include 1st, 5th, 7th Marines and the 101st Airborne

Never forget the brave men and women who came to liberate France

I will never forget

God bless america !!!

Vee

One of the branches of all three services during WWII, often seen on newsreels but seldom talked about in the war histories, is the Chaplains branch. Covering all the denominations and often very close to the action.

Chaplain James Good Brown served with the 381st Bombardment Group (H) of the Eighth US Airforce at Ridgewell Aerodrome in England, Station 167. 1943-1945.

Chaplains were forbidden to go into combat or carry a gun by International Rules of War, but after much persuasion and some local flying for familiarisation he achieved his aim "to fly with his boys" on a combat mission. On March 2nd 1944 he flew in a B17 Flying Fortress on a mission to Frankfurt, Germany, take off 08:30am. Returned 4:30 pm. Maybe the only Chaplain to fly a combat mission? A true "Sky Pilot"!

One other indication of his commitment is as follows. He was invited to preach in a London church one Sunday. There being no trains from Great Yeldham (the nearest town to Ridgewell) to London on a Sunday during the war, he cycled the 60 miles to London leaving at 12:00noon after his Ridgewell service and arriving at the London church at 6:00pm for the 6:30pm service. He then cycled back to a now very foggy Ridgewell after the service, arriving soaked from the condensation of the fog and to the suprise of the MPs on the base gate!

NOTE:

The above is taken from - THE MIGHTY MEN OF THE 381st: HEROS ALL. Written by James Good Brown. Second edition published in 1986 and quoted with permission. (a great read!)

I was wondering who of you took some now and then pictures in your area. I have some from the area around Noorbeek. You can see them on our website.

http://www.12-09-1944.nl/nowandthen.php'>http://www.12-09-1944.nl/nowandthen.php

http://www.12-09-1944.nl/

I also have some more pictures from the villages around Noorbeek. You can find them on my Facebook page. You have to add me as a friend to watch them.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1583985930272.79971.1554461894&type=3

Happy New Year to all of you,

Frank

My grandpa was with the 1010th treadway bridge company which as i understand is part of the 243rd combat engineer battalion. I have some limited info on his unit but was wondering if anyone has any sources they could share? Also just any info on treadway companies would be cool as well.I think they were a part of the 89th infantry.

Thank you

Chaase