My father received a field commission in early Jan 1945 that resulted in his posting to the 266thEngineer Combat Battalion (which I understand was part of the 66thInfantry Division). Previously he served with the 344th Engineer Regiment from May 1943.
A tranche of records for the 266th Engineers is held at the Eisenhower Archives in Kansas. As no history has been compiled to date, I was kindly provided with summary information as to the contents of these records. Recently I discovered that this information appears to conflict with the movements of the 66th Infantry Division. The 66th Infantry were heavily involved in the St Lazaire and Lorient sectors in western France until German surrender in May 1945 whereas information I was provided re the 266th Engineers includes operating boats over the Elbe River in April 1945 to allow American and Soviet commanders to meet at Torgau, Germany (south of Berlin). The distance between the two areas is over 600 miles which does not make sense to me.
I would be grateful for any assistance to help me determine where my father served during his time with the 266th Engineers from Jan 1945 through to deployment to the staging area in southern France.
I would sincerely appreciate any help and am hoping that someone on the forum could assist me in finding more detailed information regarding my grandfathers whereabouts in 1944/1945.
His name was Sargeant Joe Belche and he was in the 309th Engineer Corps Battalion. Unit “C”.
I’m specifically trying to find where he was posted in England after his troop ship arrived in Scotland on 1st October 1944.
Where was he sent? And for how long before being posted to France to join the battles.
I would really appreciate any information...we have a very interesting family puzzle that we are trying to solve.
My father, Capt. Andrew J. Somiak, was company commander of A Company in the 245th engineers. I have been digging through pictures and documents that I would like to share with others doing research.
I would also like to hear from anyone else who is doing research on the 245th. I have attached a photo below of Lt. Lane, Lt. Findley, Capt.. Somiak, and Lt. Webster taken 18 May 1945 in Austria. As I find more pictures from this unit I will share them. I am new to this so any help would be appreciated.
