The 160th Engineer Combat Battalion lost twenty four men in its battles across France, Luxembourg, Germany and Austria. Chester P. Rydelski, Pfc. and Joseph S. Rydelski, Pfc. served with my Dad in B Company and are two of them that I especially remember. I had never even seen a picture of them until a few months ago but for years my Dad told me about them. B Company was on the west bank of the Moselle River, across from Metz close to Arnaville, France, attempting to build a treadway bridge.They were taking an intense artillery barrage that lasted for hours. They were dug in and Dad was sharing a foxhole with Joseph. A ways away a call came out for medics but they were not able to get near because of the shelling. When the medics did get in word spread that it was Chester and it was bad. Men advised Joseph not to come over to him so my Dad and Joseph stayed away. The men thought that an artillery shell had hit a tree not very far away and exploded in air spraying shrapnel. The next day they came and got Joseph and took him back to a field hospital to see his brother. Chester died shortly after that.That happened in September, a few months later in February, every platoon in B company was involved in the assault crossing at Echternach. It was a bloody and costly battle and Joseph did not come back. A few days later Joseph was declared Missing in Action. These pictures of Chester and Joseph had been packed away in an album that had been given to Dad years ago. He was moved when he saw these pictures for the first time and quickly named Chester and Joseph. Dad says that they were good men, good soldiers and good friends. Dad hasn't forgotten these brothers and we haven't either.
Chester and Joseph's other brother, Walter, passed earlier this year, he proudly served his country in World War II in the U.S. Navy.
Robert L. Nichols, Pfc., 160th Engineer Combat Battalion, B Company, gave his life at the Echternach crossing also. His nephew, Wayne, has been searching for information about his Uncle Robert, with Marion's help. Marion has some detailed accounts of that crossing linked to her website.
I cannot post this without thanking Edie and Sue who helped me get in touch with the Rydelski family. They took some risk replying to a strange person asking for help with this and in no time they connected me to the family. They were so kind to take the time and trouble and I thank them.
Glen Blasingim
Memorial page from Battalion Book.
List of men From 160th ECB lost in WW 2.
Chester Rydelski, top row, right end, Tennessee maneuvers Winter 1943/44.
Chester Rydelski shaving, Tennessee maneuvers Winter 1943/44.
Joseph Rydelski, Tennessee maneuvers, Winter 1943/44.
Joseph Rydelski, Camp Rucker, Spring 1944.
MIA Memorial, Luxembourg.
Close up of MIA plaque showing Joseph's name.