179th Engineer Combat Battalion

[Walt's Daughter]

Here is some info on the 179th Combat Engineers. This is taken from History of the 305th Combat Engineers.

 

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18-30 April 1945 - In the area of Bamberg-Nurnberg-Regensburg. The Battalion CP is located in Schesblitz, Germany, 18-22 April, Nurnberg, Germany 23-28 April, Regensberg, Germany 29 April and Ergolsbach, Germany 3 April 1945. Upon receipt of movement orders at Kandler, Germany for the Division to go to the Bamberg area, the 206th Engineer Combat Battalion was removed from support of the 305th Engineer Battalion. The battalion moved via Gera, in the vicinity of Erfurt, and Arnstadt to a concentration area at Schesblitz, where most of five days were devoted to cleaning up engineer and personal equipment, re-emphasizing the non-fraternization policy, and instruction in identification of Russian Air Craft. As the XX Corps advanced swiftly to the south of Bamberg, the 80th Infantry Division, in Corps reserve, followed, moving next to the City of Nurnberg. Here the battalion continued to work on previous engineers in clearing some debris and removing and destroying a considerable quantity of enemy explosives, ammunition, and panzerfausts, and artillery pieces. The main roads in the town were worked over, to the extent that unavoidable craters were filled or smoothed over and larger one distinctly marked to prevent accidents. The main streets were also marked and posted with signs to aid traffic circulation and convoy control in and through the city. With the crossing of the Danube River and subsequent capture of Regensberg by the 65th Infantry Division, the 80th Infantry Division passed through the 65th and went forward. At this time the 179th Engineer Combat Battalion, 1154th Engineer Group, came into support of the 305th Engineer Battalion. The 80th Division followed the 13th Armored Division to the Isaar River, with little necessary engineer work required. No bridges having been blown over the Isaar River, the 305th instituted reconnaissance and crossed with assault boats one battalion of the 317th Infantry. This was done successfully, while the 179th Engineer Battalion assembled equipment preparatory to constructing a floating Treadway Bridge and ferry on the Isaar River in the vicinity of Dingolfing and Manning, respectfully. 2 Men WIA, 1 Man KIA. 169 Prisoners of War were taken. 1 Bronze Star, 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, 3 Purple Heart, and 1 Oak Leaf Cluster. 1-8 May 1945 - In an area vicinity of Ergolsbach, Germany to Vocklabruck, Austria. The Battalion CP was located at Ergolsbach, Germany 1 May 1945, Marklkofen, Germany 2 May, Simbach, Germany 3-4 May, Vocklabruck, Austria 5-8 May 1945.