CWgal,
Again, thanks for the additional information. I did get it to translate ( I should have looked a bit more) it was right there in front of me. Alas, I did not find more information about the 720th.
I did look around a bit and found another site that set me to a long listing of units and contacts. The 720th only directed me to another area that provided nothing: I could not even locate a web page as directed. I finally got lost through all the pages and closed the page. Frustration!
I'll try again tomorrow and let ya know what I find if anything.
Hoping your search has been successful,
geo
This is from the website that I found. It took me a while to figure out how I got there. I googled normandy 720th railway battallion. It was down a couple on the list and there was a notation of " translate this page" There were pictures of some of the railcars and stations on there too. Here is the basic scoop:The 720th Railway Operating Battalion of the Transportation Corps, is in the reserve organized in 1923 as the 507th Engineer Battalion (Railway), and then renamed 507th Engineer Battalion (Railway Operating), in June 1933, then 720th Engineer Battalion, in February 1941 and lastly as 720th Railway Operating Battalion, Transportation Corps in December. 1942. 1942.
En août 43- devient une unité d'active, avec activation au Camp Harahan, New Orleans, Louisiane; pour l'entraînement de base. In August 43-becomes an active unit, with activation at Camp Harahan, New Orleans, Louisiana; for the trainer.
Nov. Nov. 43 Camp Cushing, Ft. 43 Camp Cushing, Ft Sam Houston, Texas, pour l'entrainement dit technique. Sam Houston, Texas, said the drive technology.
Janvier 44 quitte le Texas; rejoint Boston, le 19 janv. January 44 leaves Texas; joined Boston, 19 Jan quitte boston pour l'outremer. Boston left for overseas.
29 janvier arrive à Liverpool Jan. 29 arrives in Liverpool
Février au Camp Seamills, prés de Bristol; déployé en détachements depuis l'Est, l'Ouest, le Sud pour les opérations de transfert; maintenance des machines et des voies; mise sur les rails des wagons dans les dépôts en Angleterre, Ecosse et pays de galles, assure le maintient du réseau de chemin de fer en vue du D-day pour ses tronçons de voies. In February at Camp Seamills, near Bristol; detachments deployed in from the East, West, South for transfer operations; maintenance of machines and pathways; placed on the rails of cars in deposits in England, Scotland and south wales, ensures maintaining the rail network for the D-day for the sections of track. Le HQ à Sudbury dans le Staffordshire. The Sudbury HQ in Staffordshire.
Avril toutes les unités et détachements réunis à Kirkham, Lancashire; pour des stages en démolition, machine gun & camouflage. April all units and detachments meeting in Kirkham, Lancashire; internships for demolition, machine gun and camouflage.
Se déploie en sous la forme de 23 détachements, avec des missions ferroviaires; travail sur des navires (transbordements). Se unfolds in the form of 23 detachments, with rail missions; work on vessels (transshipment). Hq à Newbury dans le Berkshire. Hq in Newbury in Berkshire.
12 juillet mise en alerte se prépare pour l'embarquement pour la France. July 12 formal warning is preparing to embark for France.
Le 15 juillet le Motor Convoy & la Compagnie "C" arrivent en France. On July 15, the Motor Convoy & Company "C" arrived in France.
Le 18, les Compagnies "A", "B", et le Medical Detachment arrivent à leurs tours. On 18, Companies A, B, and the Medical Detachment arrived in their laps.
Le 22 le HQ arrive. On 22 the HQ arrives. et s'installe à Cherbourg , And moved to Cherbourg
Le 22 les "A", "B", "C", partent pour Lison. The 22 "A", "B", "C", leave for Lison.
Le 23 la HQ Co. On 23 the HQ Co. Arrive à Lison. Arrive at Lison. Remise en état des voies et des aiguillages, postes d'aiguillage, etc.; missions de reconnaissance en direction de Le Mans. Rehabilitation of tracks and switches, switch positions, and so on.; Reconnaissance missions in the direction of Le Mans.
Le bataillon est assigné à la manutention des trains d'approvisionnements depuis le secteur de Cherbourg, qui assurent l'appui logistique du General Patton lors des opérations dans la poche de Falaise. The battalion is assigned to train the handling of supplies from the area of Cherbourg, which provide logistic support from the General Patton during operations in the Falaise pocket. Les 10 premiers sont pilotés par des soldats du 720th. The first 10 are controlled by soldiers of the 720th.
Citations Citations
Colonel N.J. Colonel NJ Wilson, 21st British Area, cite le Bataillon pour ses performances dans le travail bien fait et avec efficience à Lison & Caen. Wilson, 21st British Area, cites the Battalion for its performance in a job well done and efficiently in Lison & Caen.
GO 42, du 1/06/45 Headquarters, Normandy Base: Commendations for the Meritorious Performance of Duty by the 720th Railway Battalion. GO 42, 1/06/45 Headquarters, Normandy Base: Commendations for the Meritorious Performance of Duty by the 720th Railway Battalion.
GO 8, 22/07/44; Headquarters, Chanor Base Area; Commendation for the Superior Performance of Duty by the 720th Railway Operating Battalion. GO 8, 22/07/44; Headquarters, Chanor Base Area; Commendation for the Superior Performance of Duty by the 720th Railway Operating Battalion.
Capt. Capt. Harold L. Harold L. Barr, Co. Barr, Co. "A", en mission de reconnaissance avec le Tech. "A", reconnaissance mission with Tech. Clardy Jr., est blessé; reçoit la Purple Heart. Clardy Jr., was wounded; Receives Purple Heart. Puis la Bronze Star Medal, et la French Croix de Guerre avec étoile d'or. Then the Bronze Star Medal, the French Croix de Guerre with gold star.
Pfc. Pfc. Edward P. Edward P. Sargent décoré de la Soldier's Medal, pour héroïsme à Wom, Shropshire, Angleterre. Sargent decorated with the Soldier's Medal for heroism at Wom, Shropshire, England.
Le 720th est supporté par le Chicago & Northwestern Railroad en date du 26/08/43 The 720th is supported by the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad dated 26/08/43
For some reason when I copied it from the site it went back to french. I guess its a computer thing. but try googling it like I did.....