~ DECLASSIFIED HEADQUARTERS, 72€TH RAILWAY OPERATING BATTALION APO 350 US ARMY Historical Report for November 1944 8 Lec 1944 One of the significant changes in the organization of the battalion was the securing of a medical officer and six "medics" to fill a gap that had long been noticeable. For almost a year exter activation the battalion has been an oryhan, medically speeking, and has had to mift for itself as orphans learn to do. However, in spite of the fact that no sertcus incident had oc- curred to emphasize the need of a medical officer, it had long been felt that the use of men trained in first aid only, men mo were doing an effective piece of work in the situations thet presented themselves of a minor nature, would not be adequate in the face of a major crisis or emergency or threat of circum- stames which only adcilied professional man could handle. Letijt Nathan Wattlemen, v470298, Mc, reported for aity II Wov 1944, from the 166th General Hogital, Normandy Base Section, and tock over the organization of the dispensary and the "medics". History moves slowly, but the men who make history move quickly within their spheres. Such is tne case with the 718th. Again headquarters had ha aly become well estslished at Sezanne before the order to move again was given, this time to Conflans- Jarny, France where headcuarters opened at 0001, 15 Nov 1944. This move brought the battalion witnin range of the German ar- tillery in the Metz sector, or at least w thin range of guns they had been using for long distance shelling. The day before headquarters was established at Conflans, men of the battalion who were stationed there already were subjected to another shell- ing, one of the huge shells making a direct hit upon the room which one of our men occupied in a hotel nea tne sta ion and which he had vacated less than an hour before the shell hit. Damage done was slight. Before the move closer to front line activity, te battalion suffered its first oversees casualty in tne death of 1/5 Willian C. Hedin, Company C, who was killed with four other men, including an officer of the 706th Ry Grand Division, in a train accident near Sommesous, France on 8 Nov 1944. ‘The other men were from other units. This is tne second deth witnin the battalion, tne first occuring quring techinica: training while at Cawp Cla ibome, Louisiana, the result of a rail car accident. The wove to Conflans proved a great benefit to the morale of the men, since a hotel near the station was available for setting up a mess hall with the use of dishes instead of arny wess gear, a more or less elaborate recreation hall with home- like furnishings, and shower facilities. The recreation hall was the scene of two dances on Saturday nights, with music fur- nished by talent within the organization. Movies after a long period of famine also were made available at Conflans through the Speeial Service Officer.DECLASSIFIED thority £0. /2065 ay YH nana vite 5 Historical Report for Novenber 1944 (cont'd) Territory operated by the 714th after the move to Conflans ranged from there to Athus, Belgium to the north, and to Chetean Salins, France to the southeast. A compilation of the daily situation report of Lt ¥. B. Wing, Chief Dispatcher, shows that in November 593,117 gross tons, and 251,872 net tons were moved, not including French tonnage. Attached are certificates signed by Major Kenneth P. Klinger, TC, Railway Regulating Officer at Conflans for the Third army, testitying to tne performance of duty under fire of 718th men on 7 October 1944 and 14 November 1944. The men involved on the first occasion were nd Lt SIDNSY T. DAVIS, 01947187, TC, Sgt John A. Nagel,, Pfe’ William H. Arledge, 34693046, Pfc Russell A. Christie, 57729584. Those on the second oceusion were Sgt David G. Blaquiere, 39020723, Tec 5 Myron D. Jones, 30707493, Tec 9 Henry L. Klingle, 30808079, Tee 5 Vincent M. Faggella, 42048440, Pvt Charles W. Croom, 34900743. Taye A Witenes . WILLIAMS Chaplain, USA Bn HistorianDECLASSIFIED Authoriy £0. /204 oy SH nara date 5/54 68107H T”AFFIO REGULATING GROUP (PROV) HIRD UNITED STATES ARMY Redlway Division Gonflons, Frenec 23 Novonbor 19/4, CERTIFICATE During the period betwoon aprroxinately 2100 hours, 7 Octoter 1944 wd 0400 hours, 8 October 1944, yoré operations on the rail lino at Cons "ans, Frenec, wero carried on under sheli fire of tho oncmy, During this sho?li: threo trains wore put through the yerds, of which ono ucs en emmunition treiny without delay ia running tinc, ond sustaining no damgo to loads, Tho fo2towe ing nened soldiors,*monbers of 718th Reilvay Oporting Battalion, were « uelly ongegod in tho activities nocossary to cnzry through those reil oper- ‘ons, porforning the duties indicated: 24 Lt SDNEY T. DAVIS O1947107°-"TC Officer in Charge Sgt John A, Nagol. aT Yerdnnster Pee Willian H, Arlodge 34653046 ‘Tolopkone Operator Pfe Russoll 4,Chriitic 37729504 Yord Clerk, I certify thet the above is a truc account of tho occurrence and thot ‘he soldiers nentioned porforned tho dutios as indiented, I have persons) imovledge of the above nontioned incident, ‘ DiAs jive Nba : KENSETH P, KLINGER Mejor, TC Railay Rogulcting Officcr~ - DECLASSIFIED Authority £0. /20 65° ay YLH nana date 3/4 a, 681TH TRAFFIC REGULATING GROUP (FROV) THIRD UVITED STATES ARMY Railmy Division Conflans, Fronce 23 November 194/, GERIIEIGCALTE During the period between approxinntely 0130 and 0500 hours, 14 Movenber 1944, yerd operations on the rail line at Conflans, Frenoc, wore cerried on under heavy ehellirg by the enony, During this shelling an ommunition train was put throvgh the yords, without detay in running time, end sustaining no demags to the loade, The foilewing nom soldicrs, nenbors of 71#h Railway Operating Betitelicn, were actually engaged in the activities necessary to ccrry tinough these reil operations, porforning the duties indicated: ; Sgt David G, Blaquicrs 39620723 -Yardnaster i Tee5 Myron D. Jones 36767493 Tolophone Operator Pot Charle W, Croon 34900743 Yard Clork j TecS Henry L, Klingle 35808079 Gar _Ingpoctor Tech Vincent M, Forgele L204%49 Gar Inspector, Sgt Bldquicre and Tec 5 Jones were on the phon? expediting the movonont of the train when a shell hit tho building noxt doo, not 25 foot fron whore they stood, The blest knocked then eff their fect. At this tino, the shelling hed been going on for 2} hours, Fvt Croom, yard clerk, hod chockod consist of his trein, and Too 5 KJingle cnd Tee 5 Faggella hod inspected the train for bed order care, I certify that the above is a truc secound of what occurred, ond that tho soldiers rontioned perforned the duties as indicated, I hevo porsonzl knowledge of the above nentioned ineidont, fea ig [Cebus td XE NNETH P, KLINGER[> DECLASSIFIED puthority £0. /20 65” oy 1H nana pate 2/5 4}> DECLASSIFIED. 4 puttoriy £0. /2065 By JH nara vate 3/54 THBT18th ADAY OPERATION BatTaLTON DE Fao | Interview with Lt. Colonel Frank airthright, 23 october LA. Id. Colonel Birthright was fomerly associated withthe Southern Radway and about tvo months ago he wat comfacionéd inthe army and seut te France where he arrived on 5 September. lla wae to take charge | of the 718th Railway Operating Battalion whidr had been ‘Gponsored by the Wow York Central tatiway and “wirich had landed 41 Sratiee ‘atiortly after E-bay. It appeared that the 728th did nob posess’a very satis | factory Pevord and it.was the Golonel'y job to find out ‘list was the matter and to straighten 1t outs 4 | et Be e ‘ pel Battalion Heudquarters were established st Barsle-De and then @ large munber of raitheads were set up on 4 line reughly arawa from southeastern Belgiwa and Luxembourg te tie district west: ‘of etx end Nancy.’ These railnoads vere for supplying the Third army and dncluded ‘he toms-of Revigny, Bariselacurt, Toul, Verdun, Conflagres, Longuym, Longy, ‘St. Henchoula, vey th drgome, Blesne, Cleranait, Prouvilie, Doaback, and Dongeraaine, The Batielion’ Headquarters, whiGh wake Tater brought back to Seganne, had been’ selected with care end attention to highway ‘sonnectiona with potential raiiheads, Tie roada neer Bir-le- Due wets: all paved with asphalt and this facilitated movement for the inspection of potential railheads. The French trains are ordered by U.S, forces and operated by Hrencl crews with U.S. erewe superimposed on each trein, Lty Colonel Birthetdit implicd thab-the U.S. erews were to soe that the french mallnay wen did, their.work because in thelr somewhat hostile feeling to the americans they might have slackened on the job, The Colonel ‘hat higier | retiway officials cooperated excellently but among the railway workers tere Was a tendency to be uncooperative, There areisertain areas in Franca where Us3. creve operate the trains entively. The Franch, Lunever, were described as doing a “fair railway job¥, .9 >= dn Womandy from D-Luy on, ratlmys had been operatad by-the U.3, (a 12-Septenber those roads were turned back. to the Prenel for their operation, French crews were quite expericneed wince they Formerly had operated trder Geragn suservisicn, = Practically ol1.reilrosds in. France are dowble-trasked,” Most of ‘the vadlvays.were left intact by the retreating Gormuns though a large number of Urddgas have becn destroyed. Undoubtedly the destruction of bridges bas to be ergilited primarily te the-Ninth Air Eorce, though it | 1s scuctines difficult to toll the causes for the destruction of any | given bridges, Destroyed: bridges mde necessary railway Sol | e | less satisfactory Ines untti bridges had been repaired.) did not have time to mine the tracks because ‘they were f ec ‘toward: Germany so rapidly by General Fatton, Decasionally there * : a_i~~ DECLASSIFIED Authority £0. 1.20657 oy 2H nana date 3/54} Many engines and auch rolling stock in Brands was Westroyed US. engines and Lox cars were brought in, These ee ea] tured Swiss, French, ¥elgian end German ‘cars and igedmotives,’ Sone fF the lecmotives vere those which had been left tras the first ‘orld War and were still being used by the French, 004 the rolling stock situation was described as ood, have bean in more demand than the care and beth’ U.S. and Bri esel engines were brought in for switching operations. Such et engings require comparatively little servicing, in ‘the Germans took the better class locomotives to Germany with Uheu, although it was pointed out that the Gersan rotreat ns Germany was mide chiefly over highways, Operating on the Frensh railways required the usudl Yankeo | ingenuity in improvising anéit is reeorded that dork was"used when coal was: lacking, that seavater was used for engines in emergencies | | " | antretch of a hundred alles of track in perfect enters aH | and Unat improvised nethols of sighening ol] into diesels occurred, Sone of the diesels had beon, sent. over to yarns ae: in such. @ hurry that they were not preperiy equip) te ‘yperation. “4 iat at" tae 508th Rasa operating Ba ion Fo ceived a citation for hig improvised E ponaate fueling’ * Cioacl Pontabault, The 0.3..troops operating om French railndys have Been subject: | to siifacks from German alreraft.. at Comercy Oeman plans strafed | ‘an eastbound train and killed a French engineer. US; troops were | able to. save thonaeives during Ubie attack. another hazard to rail Foadd resulted fram falling planes, dn instance in whidh a German over Sesame exploded in nitair and then fell on the raiiroad Ha way has. been reperted. at Verdun a nimber of German spice 5 oeiiiea leines tet se sate sak wor Tae acta & German was caught stringing dynamite along the tracks of the rail- road yard, A U.S, MP apprehended this saboteur, Lt, Colonel Sirth- | right sas surprised that the German aircraft did not barb the bridges which U.S. forces had repliced. They seemed to confine thelr atten | tfon-to attacks on railiay personel. Lt. Colonel Birtirigit was | near one railway station which was straféd by a sifigle German plans. Gorman reconnaissance planes flew over the ay Lines at night | but they made no attacks. | were captured in the railroad yards by the FFI. ‘They Were dressed | | Lt. colonel Birthright stayed with the 716th for when he took 111 and had to be brought back to the end, of ‘bis stay his Battalion was beginning to Fores. and the Ninth ary but suppites were roan Third jawy. It is also interasting to note that sh Solonel Birthright returned railways were placing the Paidhead than the Atules could wiload,~~ DECLASSIFIED Authority £0. 12065" By JH nara date 3/61 cuttclimted for October. -Thts'tncrede “inthe scant of tonnage far acd y rail had made'practically unnecessary the use of the Red Balt higincy express. Th the early part of Septenber the Red Ball Express had been the principal means for supplying: General a Pattants Army, but toward the adddle) of) October'a few Red Be trucks Were seen on the road, 2h France ‘the’ trains are run on the “lsft hand track as they, are-in England. In Ger onever, \they are run on the right ! hand track, There are v crossings on the French reil- | ways and thope whics TeEbeeneseuies ites witch are | ranch ome. ” guarded by < mn who sleeps nearby, Zhe French have asserted that they were happy at our arrivel, Nevertheless they made money under Gehnan rule e way men have tried to pronote good feeling among th French although gocasionally there are disficulties such as the following: At Revigny @ section gang in the railroad yard ‘unkat Ay built a | fine over 8 buried 44 ‘shell, “The childrén-had gathered around the | fins end could not be shoved unay, ‘Unfortunately whan the shell ex | Pheded two of the children were killed. ‘The 718th Ratlvay Operating Battalton “furntsied a burial car, flowers and a chaplain for the | burial ofthe children, The "GI" railroader has demonstrated that he posseuecs excellent | morale und he is said to be doing @ splendid job under many etffi- | cult etreunstancs ‘Trains wust be operated at night without head. | Lights even though the men risk running into broken ar dest bridges, Lt. ‘colonel Birthright remarked that while he had been 22 in 4 hospital in France he had censored soldiers mail gent to © Loud 2 disparaging remark of any kind, France shortly after D-Day under ttsyex- guiander, it had no equipssnt at all, not syen or novels butaproceeded to acquize cranes, half-tracks, railroad tracks ané other equipment anywhere and everywiere they could find Byer ae | neveasary they sent to England for material, Later thay ware noved — | into the aore formrd areas, as imentioned above, and Lt, Birth. right was able to. straighten out their difficulties 96 that | were | reported to be one of the Geetibattalions in france.[>> bectassrien ~ huthorty £0. 12068 By 1H nara Date 3/54) uusn only about ten minutes to eatch on to th. secrets of operating Erench engines, ‘The battalion now has about three times es mich Sertatory over which to operate as other battalions. The stipulated Shout at the present tine 1s 279 miles. thoush others are officially’ Tocerded as having only & to 128 miles, ‘Tt chould be observed, hi Syorg, ast Af a shipment ts needed beyond the stipulated partias of the dine gygr which the battalton operates, i will run the goods | where needed, The 7iéth formerly had poor sleeping quarters but at Bar-le- Due they had found satisfactory barracks, Then moving to Bar-le-Duc dt was foumd that the 718th crews were scattered at various places. Fwautyoseven ware reported as lost, Lt, Colonel Hirthright. reascer- | bled them ap. Tapidly as ke could and all but five retumed, These | five for sume unknown reasan had been ordered to stay in Paris. Lt. | Golonel Birtlirisht was finally able to Locate them and ordere! then. | to take any available engine and car and come to Headquartérs. This | they. prooseded to ac There were twenty-six hospital trains operating ‘between Cherbourg and Paris and 80 Percent of these ere in-operation | éadly, } French yailroad cars haul only one-third the anount of freight | tha 0.3, car hauls, | The 733m Tailway Operating Battalion wes brouget-over fron Sngland te take control in the formard areas during tie first part of October. | | | 7b was reported that there mms no trouble dn getting eupty reil- oad gare back fron the forvard areas. At one tine there were 5,000 | empties waiting for freight in Normandy. | General Gray has recently been meeting with Generel Gurpes. ia Paris to decide on Yallway matters for the time shen the raiiwsy fran Marseilles is joined to the railways fron Cherbourg, #8 takes 3,000 long tons per day to aupply one Amiy of -ten Sivisians wth 15,000 troops to a division. of these supplics 500 long tons are gasoline, Jpahiong, tons are food, 1,000 are ‘ammunition and 300 are miscellaneous, | | | ; : 4tet tN — DECLASSIricL F201 yy ‘on these ‘a total of 267 i © oor ggGarryine @ gross tonnage of 181,562 and e of 70,442 in this short Period. Th e daily reports Dispateher show that for the month 61 trains movea 606 is tons and 142, aie nee tone a AE: BAS. 1pP ‘to the "Third ‘An the hot griddle" siong roth; supplies were kept ‘pouring into the beck of the front. The sector bey Lending’ was’ operated for a time, too. ‘ Bes dary ‘The new move made great demands Bron Compaby 4 beeause.of the Utter destruction of: the line in certel ‘ | stmetion was necessary in these places irom the ground wp. the A companies of the 712th Bnd’ 735rd battalions Were Working under the supervision of Capt Norman’ P, Patterson coimeealng cfficer of Comapmy A of the 718th, in dealing siek | this Problem of reconstruction of demolished lines. The German. counter-attack in its om: way making the month outstanding in the history of the present campaign, hed its effect | upon the operations of the 718th. ‘The tactie at removal. of units of the Third Army was reflected in h windling operations of trains | d tonnage toward the end of the month. The proximity of the consequence an. increasin; 718th to the front line brought as a { ig number of air-raid alarms astihe month j the slarcn overs there was no disruption in the movement or traing, | qhe Slams resulting chiefly in nuisance value te men enemy on { two occasions, though, the eneny made direct air attacks upon trains housing’ personnel of the 718th- Both attacks oecumed in | the early hours of 26 December 1944.— DECLASSINEU eee Repos the Nana A Boa tn [on stiyplied by 2 ei 2 ispatehing carrier pigeons. The gnei- the CIC'for investigation. The secondfair | eh stationed at Benestroff, ehiefly ze suffered, Sgt Howgrd G. Al: ng. being seriously’ wounded ating. a diese. aa ng the attack. Wil 8, 2B ‘eummiative ‘total of 2 kifled and; is the casualty record of the battalion z ie nie uhh The 718th be tony Lin it elso uni ed hee: beon well réceived. Also, an official Eee japhic laboratory was set up under authority duly granted on or channels, tains ¢ - fi in care not only of official battalion amateur pictures 4 for Seti men. third-class cc a vcolorfedty decorated auditorium, peatine Some thirty. men confortably, in the major portion of the car. | tee tte : SO RLOYD Re WIEETAMS Chaplain, USA 3B Historian | abs ~SECRET.| ~~ DECLASSIFIED Authority £0. /20 65” ay YH nana ote s/h) GUNBRAL HEADQUARTERS MILITARY RAILWAY SERVICE UNTTED STATES ARMY ae As Pe O- 887 29 March 1945 subject: Commendation of 706th Ry Grand Div, end 716th end 732nd Ry Opn Bns- To : Superintendents, 716th and 752nd Railwey Operating Battalions. 3, General Superintendent, 706th Railway Grend Division } General Manager, 1st Military Reilway Services 1. Brigadier Generel Walter J. imlier, Assistent chief of start, G-4, Third Aruy has written me in general concerning the cctivities of the 706th Radiway Grand Division and in those compli~ sentery remarks, ne states, "Partioularly would I like to menti nent ery of the’ 718th ond 72nd Railway Operating Battalions, which cperated magnificently prior and subsequent to the Bastogne Bulge. oeer intimate knowledge acquired ty these two battalions of the fequirements of the Service Troops in the combat echelons hes developed a flexibility which enables them to meet the ever- Shenging etuations in a most effective manner. Their ready under- ctendine and proms action kas insured the uninterrupted flow of supplies to the Army, when snd where necded, and has, contributed faktasurably to the success of the U. S- Third Army." 2. It 4s a pleasure for me to pass on these commendations to whieh I humbly add my personal congratulations~ /s/ CARL Re GRAY, JRe /t/ CEL Re GRAY, Je Brigadier Gene: ‘Director General A TRUB COPY: A hayt R: Wablinne FLOYD Re WILLIAUS Captain, Che.~ - DECLASSIFIED Authority EO. A205 ay 1H nara oate_3/= 4} ‘HRADQUARTERS | Advance Section Commmications Zone ‘Bupopean Theater Of operations United States Army Office of the Commanding General APO 113 8 April 1945 | SUBJECT: Commendation \ TO + Colonel Le G. Jemison, Commanding 706th Railway Grend Division APO 350- US Arny. I. I have been officially advised thet the first train of cargo, consisting of 50 wagons léaded with gM Class 1 supplies, departed from Palek, Germany at 011000A April 1945, and arrived at Maing, Germany, & distance of 125 miles, at 0521458. Trains containing petrol, ammunition and additional susistence, together with trains of personnel, followed in logical sequence, so that by 0423508 April 1945, a total of 21 trains had cleared east of Searbrucken on this line. 2. This wes en extraordinary achievement involving the prompt ond efficient utilization of newly constructed rail lines, and I believe has had no precedent in any previous action supporting 1th Army Group since D Day, The rapidity with which this line was madé operative is feflected by the fact that the first "ray load" train arrived at destination on the same date that construction was completed on this 125 mile line. 3. You and the organizetion which you so ably commend are heartly commended by me for this superior accomplishment. ‘EWART G. PLANC Brigadier Generel, USA Commanding 1s? IND. 18T MIL HY SV, HQ, 706th RY GR DIV, APO 350, US ARMY 12 AFRIL 1945 TO: Commanding Officers, 712th, 716th, 718th, 732nd-, Ry Opn Bn, APO 350, U. S. Army O1€ 706th Railway Grand Division Rear ‘1+ This commendation has been made possible by. the work done by the members of this commend and your efforts have made possible the results accomplished. This letter should be made available to the members of your command. ts) te a JAMISON /t/ L. G. JAMISON Golonel TC General superintendent~~ DECLASSIFIED Authority EO. (2065 TOE wana vate 3/54] “Ist Militery Railway Service HEADQUARTERS, 716TH RAIIWAY OPSRATING BATTALION Office of the Commanding Officer APO 350 17, April 1945 SUBJECT: Pirst Rail Trip Across Rhine River. T0 + Commanding Officer, 706th Railway Grand Division, APO 350, U. Se Araye 4s per conversation, following was train end engine crew of doubleheader 7968-7966 with 54 Class I -- first supply train over Roosevelt Bridge, Mainz at 1505 hours 14 April 1945: Colonel LOUIS G. JAMISON, Commanding, 706th ky Gr Div Major ROBERT A. WRIGHT, Commanding, 716th Fy Opn Bn 226th Ry Opn Bn Personnel Conductor Sgt. We We Utley, 38517984 Hezen, Arkansas Engineer Tec 4 J. A. Greenwald, 36768538 1st Engine 4212 Cermak Road, Chicago, Illionis ingineer Tec 4 C. J. Doty, 38212759 2nd Engine Route 3, Marmaduke, Arkansas Fireman Tec 5 R. Be Morrison, 38535638 1st Engine Route 3, Box 97-A, Dennison, Texas Pireman Tec 5 F, B. Cowell, 57425964 2nd. Engine 107 E. 3rd st., Moulton, Iowa Brakeman Pfe FP. We Johnson, 36695009 4324 Irving Park Blvd., Chicago, Illionis Brakeman Pvt Re A, Guilfoil, 35465596 409 LeMay Court, Jackson, iichigen ROBERT A. WRIGHT Major, TC * Commanding « % A TRUB COPY: lye &. Weitome WILLIAMS Captain, che.afne Ist AILITAKY nALUWAY suxvIce ToiS, 718T AAIDYAY OPuKATIUG BATTALIUN Uffice of Commanding Officer HuAD Ua APO 350 4 June 1945 JCAL aaeUNT FU: The month of Larch sw the progress of the 716th into Ger- meny. Our first train moved out of Gouvy, Selgium, into Cermeny on 3 larch 1945, carrying retions, mail, gas, oil ané coal. ‘the lest spikes vere still vibreting from the mauls of the trock gong Who und just laid the rail when the train pulleg into the reil- head at Bleislf, Germany. ‘wo crews and four officers were on this first train. (1) With heodquerters st Iuxenbourg City, operations went on both north to Gouvy, Bélgium and thus to Germany, and also east- werd to Trier and hrang in Germany. gsefore the latter line could be opened up it wus necessary to reconstruct much danaged treck and bridges. At Weeker conreny "A" maintained most of its men to clear up a railhead there, and to replace tvo bridges be- tween there and Lertert. This opened the line into Yasserbillig, and When engineers had completed the bridge across the river et the latter plece, the line wos cleared into Trier (2). Opera- tions at Trier quickly essumed tremendous rroportions beceuse of two imrortant factors. One was the overwhelming numbers of rri- soners of wer which had tobe moved back. At the same tine the imperative need for gas was being met by trains coming up. 1 ing these operations it may be noted that more than 18,000 s were lorded and sent back in one day, wile 120,000 moved in fifteen days (3). At the some time ges was being brought n and unloaded at the railheads at.e terrific rate. Kailhends at Ingelheim, Trier, shreng vould receive 25 or SU cars of gas+ In half sn hour these vould be emtied, and more would be on the way. Crews were running short and consequently were being overworked. One crew came in aiter being on the road ior 70 hours and had to go out immediately beceuse no other crew was avail eble to relieve them (4). another is reported heving been on the road for 90 hours, and wes summarily taken off its job in the interest of safety of operation (5). What made the operations through Trier noteworthy wes a combinetion of circumstances, such as having single treck from Wesserbillig to Trier vith consequent necessity of running heevy volume against the current of traffic, moving #12 five classes of supplies and Pui's and two to four hospital treins per day, and in spite of the heevy volume of criticel movements acconylishing the operations without a single accident (3). The line to Gouvy from Jttelbmick was through territory criss-crossed with streams and cluttered with.steep hills. ‘where were 27 bridzes to be reyleced before the line could operate,> - DECLASSIFIED puthoriy £0. 120 By YEH apa vite 3 " Sos Historical Report for Merch 1945, cont'a 10 Hcport for March 1945, cont'd and 16 tunnels were found. For some unknown reason the Germans Gemolished the bridges but left the tunnels intact (2). and 28 Officers, et the end 784 end 28 respectively. The inerease of six EU was due to reinforcements receive® in place of ter sent for infantry retraining during the previous month. wo nen were sent for infantry retraining during warch. Six passes to Paris were given, 12 to Brussels, and two furloughs to Britain, (6) oven Suumary courts-martial cases were conducted in Merch, and no special courts-martial. (6) ihe chaplain continued his schedule of services for each company on Sundsys, two at Luxembourg City, one at Kruchten for SP eRRy Ate ome et Betteuburg for company’ "3". Use was nade of the diesel sutorsil assigned to the 718th to visit nen along fee division at various stations and to take PX rations end reading material to outlying detachments. (2) feneral health of the battalion was excellent. The medical Getachment secured a raiiroad car and comvertéd it into an sae . fizmry for quarters cases, with a capacity of six men. “The in- firmery wes mainteined next to the dispensery car so that super- vision was always adequate. (7) During the month V.D. edu- cational talks by individual NOO's, company officers, and medical derartment were continued. Posters concerned with VD. contrer and graphs of the V.D. status by companies were displayed in tue ferective orderly rooma. Since all cases of V.D. reported dur. ing the month occurred following exposures in cities ahere men ppt on Pess, @ rrogram of individuel orientation was set up for cit men scheduled to visit these cities. Every group of men going op pase was sent to the battalion dispensary where it was told of the dangers of exrosure, the necessity of adequate proyaylaxis and the correct methods of employing prohylactic measures. (7) Special Services activities for the month in general were fhose availeble to all units stationed in Iuxembourg City, through fhe medium of the Red Cross Clubs: No movies could be suheduiog for the unit, but a small quota of men were allowed to attend « neighboring Third Army unit's movies three nights per week (2) The band from company "C" plcyed at the Red Cross Glub once per week, and @ unit reading end writing room equipped wi th speciel services bocks, magazines end other materials wes a gathering ¥lece for the men within the unit in their spere time. (8) Company "B", with headquarters at Bettenburg, Luxembourg, had men on DS at Bassie Yutz, Libramont, Iuxenbourg City, Bas~- togne, Stockem, Gouvy, and Metz. Seven men at the latter Place formed the 706th RED wrecking crew. No shop facilities aside from the mobile shop were evailable at Bettembourg, but the heavy volume of traffic hendled, as mentioned above, indicetes SUQRET~~ DECLASSIFIED Authority £0. 12065 ay YH nana vate 3/54 S Te Astorical Report for March 1945, contta eStorical Report for March 1945, contta that company met every demand adequately. The Commanding officer of the combeny received the Bronze Star and T/5 Henry Klingle was awarded the Theatre Certificate of Merit (see below). On the lighter side, company "BY played two games of basketball with the champion team of Luxembourg, losing each by a score that wes close. (2, 9) On fhe spot awards of the Bronze Star were made by Brigadier qeneral Gwart G. Plank, USA, at Iuxenbourg City, 5 larch 1945, to ine officer and men named below. Cited for their actions abore duriney ond the call of duty and in face of possible loss of size suring 2 train accident at liessancy, Belgium 10 January 1945, When an ammunition train collided with a ration trein, with re- sultant fire and explosions, were: Gartain KRIDER, ANTON J., 0470116, Tc, cc, Company "3" (citation in uxhivit 2). Tee § Voss, Robert %., 35919723 (citetion, Exhibit 3) 2fe Smith, oscar L., 34817544 (citation, sxnibit 4) Set Pierce, William x., 35608537 (citation, ixiibit 5) Sgt Zabel, John G., 84817178 (citation, uxhibit 6) The Theatre Commander's Certificate of xerit for achieve- nent or service of outstanding merit was awarded to an officer pnd eight men on 13 Kerch 1945 at Inxenbourg City « Colonel Louis G. Jamison, commanding officer of the 706t. RGD, pre- Sented the certificates citing the following for meritorious sérvice during enemy ‘shelling of the railtocd yards at Con- flans, France, 14 November 1944: SH 2nd Lt DAVIS, SIDNEY, 01947178, TC (citation in ux- hibit fet Nagel, John a., 57679872 (citation axhibit 8) Toy § Blaguiere, David G., 39620723 (cit., axnibit 9) Zec 5 Fewplia, Vincent ., 42048440 (cit., xxhibit 10 Tee 5 Jones, lyron D., 36767493 (citation, Exhibit 1) dec 5 Klingle, Henry L., 35808079 (citation, kxhibit 12 #fc Arledge, William H., 34653046 (citation, imxhibit, 1 fie Christie, Ruseclt a+, S7720684 (eit., sxnibit 14) Frt Croom, Charles W., 34900743 (citation, Exhibit 15) A sketch showing the reilroad operated by the 718th during | March is eppended, Exhibit 16. TR ROH RE PoornoTas i+ See cory of indorsement to Comanding officer, 706th Railway Grand Division from Headquarters, 718th Railway Operating Battalion, dated 12 March 1945. (uxhibit'1) 2. Personal Observation. SEGRE %. = =~ - DECLASSIFIED futhorty £0. /20 65° ay XH nara date 3/54 3. Interview with Ist Lt Vercil V. Crouch, Company "C", 71€th Ry Opn Bn, Mainz, Germany, 11 April 1945, 1500-1600 hours. 4. Conversation with Capt William G. Chase, CO, Company "C 718th Fy Opn Bn, Mainz, Germany, 10 April 1945, 2000-2100 hours. 5. Conversetion with idajor Robert A. Wright, CO, 716th Ry opn Bn, Mainz, Germany, 10 April 1945, 2000-2100 hours. 6. Statistics compiled from battalion files. Interview with Ist Lt Nathan kattleman, wedicel officer, Opn Bn, 2 June 1945, Mainz, Germany, 1400 hours. 8. Statement of Tec & Joserh David, special services NCO, 2 June 1945, Meinz, Germany, 1500 hours. 9. Statement of Capt Anton J. Reider, CO, Company "B", 718th Ry Opn Bn, 30 May 1945, liainz, Germeny. FLOYD R. WILLIS Chaplain (C@t), USA, 16 Incls. Battalion Historian Incl. 1. Coxy of 1st Ind to CO, 706th ky Gr Div. Incl. 2. Cozy of citation for Capt Anton J. Reider Incl. 3. Copy of citetion for Tec 5 Robert &- Voss Incl. 4. Cory of citation for Pfc Oscer Le Smith Incl. 5. Cozy of citation for Sgt William H. Pierce Incl. 6. Coiy of citation for Sgt John G. Zabel Incl. 7. Copy of citation for 2nd Lt Sidney Devis Incl. & Cory of citation for Sgt John A. Negel Incl. 9. Gopy of citation for Tec 5 Dawid G. Blequiere Incl. 10. Copy of citation for Tec 5 Vincent M. Feggelle Incl. 11. Copy of citation for Tec 5 lyron D. Jones Incl. 12. Copy of citation for Tec 5 Henry Le Klingle Incl. 13. Cozy of citation for Pfc Williem H. Arledge Incl. 14. Copy of citation for Pfc Russell A. Christie Incl. 15. Copy of citetion for Pvt Charles W. Croom Incl. 16. Sketch of railroad operated during March 1945 Ie WeeConér Piremen Brimen Srkman Conar snr BECLASSIFIED puthorty £0. (2065 ay 15H nana date 5/54} ZIRSBER Bxhipit 1 1st Ind v Ee, 718th Ry Opn Bn, APO 350, U. S» Army, 12 Mamch 1945. To: Commanding Officer, 706th Railway Grand Division, APO 350 US army. 1. The first 719th Reilway Operating Battalion train to enter Germany was made up in the yards at Gouvy, Belgium, during the ‘ly morning hours of 3 March 1945, and departed that station at 0815 hours thet dete. Much of the track along the route was newly laié, skirting boxb craters and shell holes. Tack of ballast and wavy rail were reminiscent of the old "C&P Railroad", bringing back memories of technical training days on what was then "The World's Worst Railroad", The train was derailed three times en route, and each timecWes rerailed with cross ties, rocks, and what frogs were available. Once the train stalled at the mouth of a tunnel while officers and crew walked ahead to make certain the tunnel wes clear, and just short of destination there was a delay of 40 minutes while the last track was laid into the railhesd. The train, consisting of 25 care, was powered by two 500 mumbers 7255 and 7234. Consist of 12 cars was rations and mail, while the other 15 cars carried ges, cil, and coal. Departure. time from Gouvy, Belgium, wes 0615, 3 Merch 1945, and arrival at Bleielf, Germany, was -+'1970 hours, 3 liarch 1945. 3. In addition to the two crews named below, tue following | officers, this unit, rode the train: | Major MSRLE FP. SAVAGE, 050845, TC, Asst Railway Superintendent | Home Address: 37 College St, Battle Creek, Michigan- | Ceptain WILLIAM G. CHASE, 0354409, TC, Trainmaster | Home Adarei Ardsley-on-Hudson, New York Captain RALPH E. BEAN, 0001431, 7C, Asst Detachment Commander Home Address: Sorento, Illionis. lst Lt RUSSELL L. TALLEY, 0491170, TC, Yardmaster Home Address: oul Wilson Street, Joiliet, Illionis. CHEW no. 1 j Rag A5K ee ui MWUCTED, | #6 oe“ Boee ee er Oe e siete | Miss. ‘Tee 4Pred ¥. Wyatt Sdevoo31 Geni Dely, Buena Vista, Pt ogeltnorg) Tenn. jhe 1 Tee Slyron D- Jones 30767493 3642 Lexington, Chicago, Chicago,I11 | qi. | Pre Kaymond R. Dempsey 20210372 424 Shonnard Street, syracuse, 3) Syracuse, MY. | Pic Lewis R. Finkbeiner 32945039 © Robinson St, Albany, WY | Saugerties, IY | | CREW 2 fee SWilliem J srown os18t8e0 -E7e1 Green street sen Franciso| Sen Frenciseo, Calize Calif. | Tec 4Josepa W. Thorn 38020249 912 Cofrin, Sherman,Tex Dallas, Tex | Daniel C. Rey 37e20341 New Franklin, Mo- Jefterson | (over)