160th Engineer Combat Battalion WW II ( new member)

[Walt's Daughter]

Wow, the last memory was none too pleasant. Bet that stayed with them for a really long time. So sad!

 

When my dad's unit was in Africa (he didn't join them until later), the unit had a fantastic Chinese cook. Here's the transcript on that story from my documentary.

 

 

How the 540th Lost Their Chinese Cook or “Me no George”

Chapter Two

General Lucian Truscott headed for Green Beach, at the mouth of the Sebou River. But before reaching his destination, his jeep became mired in the shifting sands. However, he was in good company, for as far as the eye could see, numerous military vehicles were also bogged down and abandoned on the North African beachhead.

His two-way radio was also worthless at this point, and the tank and tank destroyers he eventually hooked-up with, had nearly cost him his life. One of the tankers accidentally squeezed off a round from his machine gun; the bullets whistling within inches of the general's head. The day was NOT getting off to a good start.

Later he struck out on his own, hiking for an hour through rough terrain, before encountering a regimental commander, who informed him that Major Dilly's battalion had been decimated and down to 40 to 50 men. But Truscott was very skeptical and ordered Colonel de Rohan's troops to search every house in the area. An hour later, more than two hundred frightened young American soldiers had been rounded up. So much for high casualties.

Later, Truscott returned to the desolate beach command post, where he repeatedly heard shouts of “GEORGE” and “PATTON”, the evening's password and counter-sign. Feeling alone, frustrated and miserable, he violated his own rule and lit a cigarette. As he surveyed the dark coastline, he was comforted by the sight of tiny red glows from the men who also chose to break the rules.

As he sat, a suspicious character approached and with an accented voice said, “Hey, gimme a cigarette.” But when the general complied, the man exclaimed, “God-damn. All wet. Gimme light too.”

As Truscott held out the lit end of his cigarette, two of the general's officers sprang forth, poking their tommy guns into the stranger's stomach. “GEORGE”, one of them rang out. And instantly they heard, “Me no George. Me Lee, cook, Company C, 540th Engineers.” Poor Lee was lost and searching frantically for his outfit.

Later, General Truscott “stole” the talented Chinese cook for his own, and in turn, Lee was nabbed by General Patton, all to the dismay of the 540th Combat Engineers.