I found this page http://www.6thcorpscombatengineers.com/history.htm while doing a search for the 291st Combat Engineers, on Google.com. I realize that your web site has to do with different CBE's, but I am trying to find a way to contact someone, to get background on my Father and tell his story.
My father Sergeant Vincent Consiglio, Still very much alive and well, was in the 291st Combat Engineers Co. B. He was written about in a book called "The Dammed Engineers" by Janice Holt Giles (not sure of the name of Author, but positive of the book's name). He was in the book for being trapped in a house in Malmedy with 30 or so other men. After 13 or so hours of fierce fighting, Germans surrounding the house, he volunteered to go for help along with another guy from Buffalo. He ran through heavy fire back to the front lines to get help, and he did witness the half tracks picking some 15 or so men up out of that house, He also took part in the many other battles. He landed at Normandy beach fought at the Huertgen Forest, the bulge, etc... His company was the 291st CmbtEng, and the 1st to build and cross the Rhine River 1st (Picture to prove it). He witnessed the collapse of the Remagen Bridge and has pictures of the bridge before and after its fall. I am writing to you for several reasons.
1.) First and for most, If you know how I could contact any one who would know how to get a hold of the day by day movement and times, etc, that the 291st took from the time they left US to the time they departed from Europe. I would like to know things like, what time his company hit the Normandy beach, etc…
2.) I would like to see if there are any lists of those in the 291st that my know how to get a hold of this information.
3.) I would some how like the History Channel, or the WWII War Museum, to know of my Father heroics that day…
4.) Do you know of ANY other sites that have to do with the 291st? If you know of them please reply with as many links as possible.
PS: Lastly. As terrible as it may seem so say, I would like my fathers story told, documented somehow, before he passes away.
Sincerely,
Anthony Consiglio
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
Sorry it has taken several days to get back with you, but as my site grows and my research continues to expand, it makes it harder for me to reply as quickly as I would like.
I am very pleased that you took the time to write and I will try to help you as much as I can. First off I will post your letter on my forum, in the hope that others will see it and reply. I have done this for many others and several have had success with the Internet exposure.
Secondly, you will have to contact NARA in St. Louis for morning reports and NARA in College Park, Maryland for such items as after-action, journals, operation reports, etc. You will need to provide them as much information as possible, such as years the unit served during WWII, the area they served in, regiment and battalion names, etc. The man that was very helpful to me at College Park is:
Thirdly, here are two contact names for the 291st:
Mr. Raymond Nice
Ashland KS
620-635-2827
raylucynice@yahoo.co
291st Engineer Combat Bn
Mr. Joseph H. Geary
55 Cottrell Road
Saunderstown, RI 02874
(Newsletter)
(401) 295-7088
I have tons of links on my Links Page for WWII sites that are related to museums, The History Channel, etc. Much to many to list here. Please check out my page at http://www.6thcorpscombatengineers.com/links.htm. Everything is listed my category.
Lastly, here are numerous links for the 291st. This is not a comprehensive list, but one that should help to get you started.
I understand your urgency from the bottom of my heart. If you have looked through my site, you have seen that I am in the process of collecting information and writing a book on the men from engineering units of VI Corps. Time is of the essence because before long the personal memories will be gone forever.
I would love to create a page for your father on my site. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future and hope that I have provided some helpful info. Oh before I forget, I also found some info on this unit in my engineer's book and will try and scan it for you within the next several days. I will send the info to you via email and will also post it on the forum along with your letter and my response to you this evening.
Continued success and my best regards to your father.
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
I wrote a letter to the editor of WWII Magazine this afternoon, inquiring if he could put us in touch with General Michael Reynolds. Let's hope that my efforts succeed.
--
Friday, September 30, 2005
Christopher J Anderson – Editor
741 Miller Dr. S.E.
Suite D-2
Leesburg, VA 20175
Dear Mr Anderson:
I am writing to you on behalf of a friend, Anthony Consiglio, the son of a 291st Combat Engineer, whose father was one of the men who was referred to in an article titled, Desperate Stand at Malmedy by Michael Reynolds.
Anthony has tried unsuccessfully in the past to contact others including Major General Michael Reynolds, but didn’t know how to proceed. He contacted me last night when he discovered my site regarding WWII combat engineers, and was wondering if I could assist him in his search. He states in his email to me:
“My dad is ‘one of the 3 engineers’ General Reynolds talks about in this article, who ran into the lone farm house along with those from K company and those TD men from 823rd. He saw the other 291st men killed and saved the 3rd when he dragged him from up stairs down into the basement. He ran outside in back and used the machine gun from the 2 dead TD men and sprayed the entire hedgerow and hog house and killed numerous German foot soldiers. He was the same man out of 33 trapped in the house to make it out and go back for help to the front lines with the guy from K Company.â€
I am hoping that you will be able to put us in contact with General Reynolds, or at least forward this letter of inquiry to him. I thank you in advance for your assistance. Please note that I am a long time subscriber to WWII Magazine and enjoy it immensely. I frequently refer to it on my website and recommend it highly as an accurate source of information to my viewers.
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
If anyone has any additional info, please let me know!
BTW, I was just contacten by Mr. Hinman of the 82nd Engineers about a William S. Todd. They found out he was with the 291st as well. William was KIA on 26 Dec. 1944 when his unit was bombed by Allied planes. Mr. Hinman contacted the col. of the unit and he remembered William and the incident!
I'm sure Tony will be interested in that. Thanks for posting the info regarding William S Todd and the 291st. Tony's father is still alive and has a very good memory. Maybe the name will strike a bell with him.
Please read this post to see the connection. This is just astounding. Coincidence? I think not...
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
Stevin, just got done reading your webpage on Harlow. I think I could actually hear the danged bridge creaking and groaning. What an eerie feeling. Scared me just to read it. Can't imagine being there and having it happen.
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
In all my research, this still strikes me as one of the "oddest" incidents. just imagine the strain on that huge bridge that it collapsed, even while the Engineers were working around the clock to strengthen it.....No less than 28 men lost their lives. Mind you, the Germans tried EVERYTHING to destroy it; Artillery, Bombers, divers with mines, etc...
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
I have just sent a letter to the Colonel. Please read it below.
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Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Dear Colonel Pergrin:
First off thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I am the daughter of a WWII combat engineer and am currently doing research for my website and book on my dad’s unit, the 540th Combat Engineers and his fellow engineers of VI Corps.
I began my initial search over 18 months ago, and I’ve amassed an unbelievable amount of data. I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting hundreds of vets, their families, and various historians and researchers. Needless to say I feel very blessed and must admit that I couldn’t have gotten this far without that great resource; the Internet.
Since the website’s inception in June 2004, my site has received over 20,000 hits and has been an integral meeting ground not only for VI Corps Combat Engineers, but also those of other engineering and infantry units. Many have approached me for research assistance and I am happy to say that I have been able to help a number of families in their quest for information, and this is the reason I am writing to you this evening.
I recently have come into contact with a couple of members of the 291st and other parties who also have an interest in this engineering regiment and am trying to ascertain some facts before creating pages regarding their WWII history. I am currently reading your book, First Across the Rhine and want to cross-reference their memories with the facts that you present.
I am trying to obtain data on two men; one a gentleman named William Todd, who was KIA on December 26, 1944 and the other, a Sergeant Vincent Consiglio from Co B, who is still alive and trying to find other living members of the 291st. Vincent has begun to share his memories with me through his son and so far I am very intrigued by his history.
Sergeant Consiglio would love to be able to get in touch with you, and be able to confirm the history of the 291st as he remembers it. As you know, 60 years have passed and he’d loved to talk about his experiences with someone who was there.
Well, talk about coincidences! I was just getting ready to mail this letter to you, when I received an email from Robert Hayes, regarding William Todd. He wrote to tell me that he’s in contact with you. He was just thrilled and as you can imagine, I am delighted to hear the news. So here I am making last minute changes before I send this off.
Thank you in advance for your assistance. I look forward to hearing from you and I’ll be enjoying your book in the meantime.
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
