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981st Engineer Maintenance Company - PJW - 03-22-2009
Hi Jeeper704
Yes, he could have been assigned to them here is why. The 112th began loading on ships June 1st (Was he already aboard a ship when reassigned?) Before D-Day the commanding officer of 112th Battalion, Lt Col John O'Neill had left the Battalion temporarily to command a special army/navy team formed with the task of clearing anti-landing craft obstacles on Omaha Beach in advance of the invading troops. The team led by Lt Col O'Neill suffered heavy casualties in carrying out its mission.
( This team more than likely included troopers from the 112th ECB and would have needed replacements for the landings. This unit had it's own special mission after the landings. They and the 254th ECB were trained extenively in beach landing operations)
His executive officer Major William A Richards assumed command of 112th Battalion for the D-Day landings. Assault units of the battalion landed on Omaha Beach. The assault forces organised briefly on the beaches and courageously went over the top in the face of a seemingly hopeless situation through the minefields and obstacles. Major Richards was among 37 men of the 112th Battalion who were killed or missing. A further 45 members of the battalion were wounded, 34 of them seriously. Despite these casualties and the extremely fierce enemy opposition, 112th Battalion succeeded in their D-Day mission and their heroism was recognised by the award of a Presidential Unit Citation and a number of individual decorations for gallantry. Hope this helps. I have a couple of questions 1. what unit did he train with in the states and did he ship to England with them? 2. What duties was he assigned when he was with the 981st EMC?
Best regards PJW 981st Engineer Maintenance Company - Jeeper704 - 03-24-2009 Hi, thanks for the information, I really appreciate it. To answer your questions:
Well, he speaks of the 185th Engineer Combat Battalion. This unit is also marked on his field manuals and such. Since this unit was in 5th Army which served in the MTO, I don't believe he went overseas with it. My guess is that he went as reinforcement to England, to be put in one of the Engineer outfits destined for Operation Overlord (112th?).
He speaks of his unit being attached to 29th Division, so I guess it rules out the Special Engineer Brigade (?).
I think he had light duties there as he was recovering from combat injuries. He got shot up pretty bad in arm, leg, and back while in France. This explains him being transferred to the 26th Division as a BAR-gunner.
Here is a quote from his letters to me:
Erwin 981st Engineer Maintenance Company - rennog - 07-11-2009 Hi all,
Sorry Erwin that it took so long for the Photos ,I shot some in Rambrouch, in Kaundorf I couldn't find the monument because of roadworks 2 roads were barred for traffic. Close too the monument in Rambrouch (50meters) is a cemetery where a British Halifax crew is buried I added some photos of their grave'stoo.
Martin 981st Engineer Maintenance Company - Jeeper704 - 07-25-2009 No problem, Martin, thank you for these great photos. When I was there, several years ago, the monument to the 8th USAAF guy wasn't there.
Erwin 981st Engineer Maintenance Company - Walt's Daughter - 06-13-2014 Received this email and wanted to share with you.
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