Greetings to all users of this site !!!!!!!!!!
 
I have been using this fine site for several years as a resource for various research projects into U.S. Army engineer units which served in Italy during WWII. 
 
My father, Frazier Savage, served in the H&S Company of the 316th ECB (91st INF DIV) from AUG 1943 thru the unit's inactivation at Camp Rucker (AL) in NOV 1945. Afterwards, he was assigned to the engineering section of 1st Army HQ, which was then based at Fort Bragg (NC) but subsequently relocated to Fort Jay (NY) in JUN 1946. In 1948, my dad attended Army Intel School and then joined the Attache' Section of the Pentagon to which he remained assigned until his retirement in 1970 after an Army career of just over 30 years.
 
In keeping with the stoicism of many men of his generation, my dad spoke little of his wartime experiences. He unfortunately passed away not long after retirement and before I was mature enough to show real interest or ask meaningful questions about his experiences in the Army. After raising my own kids and seeing them stand on their own feet as adults, I found myself yearning to understand my own father's history, and ... thanks to the miracle of the internet, plus a little luck and the help of many like-minded people ... I have learned a lot. 
 
In my research, and owing to the fact that I am an engineer by trade myself, I have developed a broad interest in the amazing accomplishments of US Army engineer units during WWII and I have been collecting original vintage photos of engineering projects underway in Italy. At this time, I have decided that this site will be a good place to share some of my photos, which leads me to the topic of this thread.
 
The 387th ENG Bn arrived in Italy at Naples-Bagnoli in OCT 1943, initially attached to Peninsular Base Section. In JAN 1944, the 387th came under operational control of Fifth Army, attached to VI Corps. At that time, Companies B and D were attached to the 540th ENG Combat Regt and travelled by water to Anzio harbor, as part of the initial unloading detail there. The photo image here is a scan of an original 8x10 in my collection which depicts men of the 387th (presumably either Companies A or C) grading a lot with heavy crushed rock in preparation for the staging of trucks used to haul supplies unloaded from ships at the adjacent Harbor of Naples. The photo was taken in early FEB 1944. In the background is the massive Castel Nuovo, and just off camera to the right is the Piazza del Municipio. Directly behind the photographer would be the Naples Maritime Station, with an array of docks stretching as far as the eye can see over the photographer's right shoulder.  Photo Credit: Bureau of Aeronautics. Source: Office of Public Information, U.S. Navy Department.
 
Adjacent to the 1944 photo is snippet from Google Earth depicting the same location today. The spot where the photographer evidently stood in 1944 is today the main parking lot for the Naples Maritime Station.

Hi again eveybody,
The french association " Les Fleurs de la Mémoire" ("Flowers of Souvenir") has made itself a mission to hold the memory of those who felt in Normandy.
As the association's web site claims:
"By laying a flower in a grateful gesture towards the american troops, Les Fleurs de la Mémoire pay tribute to them as well as to those resting in the other allied cemeteries."
As a proud member of the association, i regularly drive to the Colleville cemetery to lay flowers to honor Earl G. Ford, staff sergeant in the 147th CE, Missing in Action on D-Day.



I found very little information about E.G.Ford.
He was born on May 23,1923, lives in Hatfield, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania when he went for enlistement on January 26, 1943 in Allentown.
He was Staff Sergeant in company B, 147th CE and disappeared on d-day during the assault.

If anybody can help me know more about him, i will greatly appreciate.
Alain

Hello from Normandy, France.
Just a quick post to share pictures of the memorial monument of the 147th CE.




The monument is located in a yard of the castle of Englescqueville-Percée, 3km west from Vierville-sur-Mer (Omaha D1 exit). The 147th has been settled in the castle until mid november 1944. They used barracks built by the germans to shelter workers of the Atlantic Wall.


This picture has been taken beginning of november 1944 when the memorial was inaugurated.
Wooden barracks can be seen in the back. They have been destroyed since.


Proudly posing in front of the monument.
Any information on the identity of this soldier?

The owner of castle, Mr Bernard Lebrec, is a really passionate man, dedicated to the memory of the 147th. If anybody intents to visit Normandy, i strongly recommend to visit the castle and discuss with him. The castle has been owned by his family for a while and they produced excellent cider and calvados .

-----------------------------------------
Alain

Hello everybody @ 6thcorpscombatengineers.com

Many thanks to Marion for letting me in  

I am passionate in history and especially ww2 since i was a teenager. And of course D-Day and Normandy campaign.
I live near Caen, Normandy, France, close to hill-112 SW of Caen in a house which has been occupied by germans officers, a barn have been burnt here, i often find Mauser cartridges in my garden, and 2 weeks ago, i found a german bike rear licence plate while walking in the countryside with my dog.
War memory is everywhere... difficult to forget what took place here around, however remembrance is mandatory.

As my nickname may hint, I am currently researching information about the 147th engineers Bat. which took part of the D-Day, as member of the 6th ESB, 1th Army.
The 147th walked the sand in the first wave in front of Vierville and suffered heavy casualties. It then secured roads and took part in airport A-1 building along with USAAF engineers at Englesqueville-la-Percée between Omaha and La pointe du Hoc (http://www.6juin1944.com/assaut/9usaaf/9alg.php?page=a1). They stayed in the castle of Englesqueville where there still stands a memorial (i will post the pictures soon).

I would appreciated any help finding information of the 147th.
BR
Alain

Hello everyone

First I would like to thank Marion for creating one account for me !

I am a french passionate of history and especially about the liberation of my department. Most of my researchs are on the 4th armored division who had to fight a hard battle to liberate the town of TROYES. I try to find all the soldiers who died during this battle and i hope the town will recognize them by their deeds and build a monument dedicated to their memories.

The 133th Engineer Combat Battalion played a role in protecting south flank of 4th armored and they lost many men prisonners in a german ambush.

I hope to learn more about the 133TH on this forum.
I already met a veteran's son with the forum. Thank to Eric Aho i had some very interesting elements about the events of the end of August 44.

friendly

Lionel M