Feb 2014
Hello Marion, saw your information regarding combat engineers. I was with the 78th Infantry Division, Ammunition and Pioneer platoon. We preformed small enineering jobs on the front lines and furnished ammo ( small arms, mortar shells, shape charges to blow open pill boxes etc. You can get killed in this line of work. I came close being hurt on many missions. I live in Atlanta, Ga. where I was born 1924. Have been in Architecture and Construction over sixty years. Attended Ga. Tech on GI Bill. Will be age 90 in may, Married, four sons.
All the best, Regards and good luck.
J. Milton Sandifer
Sent me a few pics and I am uploading them to the gallery. Here's what he had to say about them...
Marion, here is another wonderful picture of my squad. See the notes and names attached. Sgt Russell P. Labraska from Charleroi, PA. was also in the Chow line picture, holding the BAR Rifle on his shoulder and wearing fielf jacket ( not overcoat). He and I had removed our overcoats because German Paratroopers had jumped behind our lines in American uniforms and overcoats, we had orders to shoot if we discovered them.
My unit passed through these towers on March 10,1945 sixty nine years ago. Eight members of my squad failed to be with us because they were wounded or killed on the opposite side of bridge. I was 21 years of age. The Remagen Bridge collapsed into the Rhine River 7 days later from being shelled by both sides. Twenty Engineers died on the bridge when it fell. They were attempting to repair the weakened old bridge. I think Three American Divisions got across before it fell. My Division ( The 78th )now advanced on to cut across the German Autobahn Highway. The German Army was beginning to surrender en mass. It was all coming to an end. May 8, 1945. My Division went on to occupy Berlin in November 1945. An experience of a lifetime, the proudest time of my life, serving this country,no doubt. Not a day now goes by without my thoughts drifting back to those times. Unforgettable
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"