Welcome!

My name is Andy, and I’ve launched this site to provide information to anyone interested in the activities of the 145th Engineering Combat Battalion during World War II. For now, this is mostly about the bridges built by the 145th. I have added information about the Battalion’s path across Europe, photos of the bridges they built and where they built them, and what those locations look like now. So far, I have 155 photos of 64 different bridges built by the Battalion from central France into Germany. Click on the “Europe” menu above to see the photos.

I have also added a couple of videos from home movies taken during construction of the Alaska Highway in 1942 and 1943, by the 35th Engineer Regiment, the predecessor unit of the 145th. Click on the “Alaska Highway” menu item above to see the videos.

Most of the blog posts are quotes from Robert Greenwalt’s unit history and follow the Battalion’s progress across Europe.

If you have information about the activities and the men who served in the 145th, please contact me using the Contact item in the menu or in the comment box below.

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July 30, 1944

Sunday, July 30, 1944:

Following the break up of the stabilized front in Normandy, the battalion work area was moved up so that the rear line of maintenance was along the St. Lo – Periers road. On 30 July, Company “C” moved to one mile north of Falligny where it was attached to Group headquarters for special assignment.

Quoted from Robert Greenwalt’s unit history.

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July 28, 1944

Friday, July 28, 1944:

Engineer work on road and culverts continued through the next two days [following release from line infantry assignment ending July 26] when Company “C” received the first bridge job allocated to the battalion. A 50 foot Bailey, Class 40 was constructed as part of a causeway which included construction of two culverts of 20 foot spans.

Quoted from Robert Greenwalt’s unit history.

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July 21, 1944

Friday, July 21, 1944: Bivouac northwest of La Mere des Pierres.

On the 20th at 2345 hours, unit was alerted for movement into the front lines as infantry in gap between 83rd and 90th Divisions. The following day 1102nd Engineer Combat Group established an advanced CP[i] with the battalion. Except for sweeping nearby bivouac area for mines, no engineer work was done during the alert period which remained in effect until 0500 on the 26th of July.

[i] Command post

Quoted from Robert Greenwalt’s unit history.

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July 16, 1944

Sunday, July 16, 1944: Bivouac northwest of La Mere des Pierres.

All companies moved to a bivouac ½ mile northwest of La Mere des Pierres on 16 July. Immediately upon arrival Company “A” was assigned task of laying a hasty minefield at the front. Work was started at 0200 hours on the 17th and was completed at 1700 hours the following day. The company was pinned down by enemy mortar and shell fire during the greater part of this time. No casualties were suffered, however. The other line companies were engaged in road repair work, burying dead cattle and destruction of mines.

Quoted from Robert Greenwalt’s unit history.

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July 11, 1944

Tuesday, July 11, 1944:

A new bivouac 2 miles south of Pont L’Abbe was occupied and on the 11th of July 1944, Company “C” was detached and proceeded to a new area 1 ½ miles Northeast of La Haye du Puits. Work areas having been designated, the line companies carried out engineer work in the front line – removing mine fields, digging artillery emplacements, road repair and engineer reconnaissance.

Quoted from Robert Greenwalt’s unit history.

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July 10, 1944

Monday, July 10, 1944. The 145th is in bivouac about 1 mile north of Picauville, attached to VIII Corps and 1102nd Engineer Combat Group.

The Battalion has been in France for two days, and has already suffered two casualties.

Cpl. Jesus Medina, Company “C” was shot by sniper while on guard, suffering a severe wound in leg. Another man from Company “C” was evacuated as a combat exhaustion case.

The first operation engaged in was that at La Haye du Puits where the battalion as Corps Engineers, was placed in support of the 8th Division.

Information from the unit history prepared by Robert Greenwalt.

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