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.
Saturday, July 29, 1944:
On the 29th and 30th Company “C” constructed a 36 foot timber trestle bridge in the same area. Maintenance of the important supply road between Carentan and Periers was included in the battalion work area.
Quoted from Robert Greenwalt’s unit history.
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, July 15, 1944: Bivouac south of Pont L’Abbe.
Promotion to the rank of Captain was received by 1st Lt. James R. Donaldson, S-2 and 1st Lt. Darrel B. Bishop, Commanding Officer, Company “C” effective 15 July.
Quoted from Robert Greenwalt’s unit history.
Friday, July 14, 1944: Bivouac south of Pont L’Abbe.
Two German officers attempting to infiltrate through our lines after the defeat of their unit at Cherbourg, surrendered to members of Company “B” on the 14th of July and were turned over to Counterintelligence Corps personnel at Pretot, France.
Quoted from Robert Greenwalt’s unit history.
Thursday, July 13, 1944: Bivouac south of Pont l’ Abbe
Work area of Company “C” included the town of La Haye du Puits where bulldozers cleared rubble from the streets and mines were removed. Also included was road from Lithaire to La Haye du Puits. During the stay in this bivouac the company was under fire from 88 shells each night.
Quoted from Robert Greenwalt’s unit history.
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.
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.
