401st Combat Engineer Battalion

[Walt's Daughter]

Found this little tidbit. Not much, just states a little about this particular gentleman.

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John Castle

John Castle entered the Army on May 1, 1942, on his 30th birthday. Basic training took place at Fort Leonard Wood, KS. He was assigned to the 5th Army, 19th Combat Engineer's. He arrived in North Africa in November of 1942, followed by action in Sicily and Italy until the German surrender. John attained the rank of Staff Sargeant. He was offered the opportunity to receive a promotion and to move the Pacific Theater of operation, he did decline. John was discharged in Sept. of 1945..

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Here's a bit more...

 

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During World War II, designated as the 1st Battalion, 19th Engineer Combat Regiment, the Battalion participated in the North African, Sicilian, and Italian Campaigns. In November 1942, the battalion was part of the assault echelon in landings in North Africa. Over the next several months, the unit maintained main supply routes, repaired airfields, conducted recons, built bridges, cleared mines, dodged air attacks, prepared obstacle systems and fought as infantry. On 19 February 1943, the battalion reorganized as infantry and dug in as part of the 1st Infantry Division’s defense at Kasserine Pass. On the night of 20 February 1943, the battalion came under intense fire. The unit suffered 117 casualties at Kasserine. For the remainder of the Tunisian Campaign, the 52d Engineer Battalion provided construction and combat engineer support to the 1st and 34th Infantry Divisions and the 1st Ranger Battalion. A major part of the support was keeping over 360 miles of roads open.

 

The battalion was again in the assault echelon during the invasion of Sicily. The engineers hastily cleared sections of beaches, reconnoitered for exit routes, provided dozer support and knocked out pillboxes. When the unit moved inland, they repaired the Comiso Airfield. During the march across Sicily, the engineers spent most of their time probing for mines, bypassing blown bridges or occupying positions alongside the infantry.

 

During the fighting in Italy, the battalion was given one of the toughest missions assigned to any engineer unit in World War II, support for the 36th Infantry Division’s disastrous crossing of the Rapido River. In the bitter battle, the engineers built bridges in open terrain under heavy enemy fire. The 36th Infantry Division was destroyed in the fighting. The battalion spent the rest of the war supporting operations in Italy.

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World War II

Algeria-French Morocco (with arrowhead)

Tunisia

Sicily

Naples-Foggia

Rome-Arno

North Apennines

Po Valley

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Here's a link (PDF file) that contains a reference to the 19th Combat Engineer Regiment, as well as many others in the ETO and PTO.

 

http://www.usace.army.mil/inet/usace-docs/...0-1-45/c-19.pdf

 

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This was taken from my friend Steve's page on the 310th Engineers.

 

The Gothic Line, August 1944 - "Fifth and Eighth Armies were now moving slowly closer to Florence and the Arno River. Headquarters of both armies had several plans under consideration for crossing the Arno. River-crossing training of the 85th Division was stepped up. On 2-3 August, Companies A, B, and C of the 310th Engineer Battalion, with two companies of the aattached 1st Battalion, 19th Engineer Regiment, moved to the banks of the Elsa River south of Certaldo, where they practiced bridge construction for ten days. This river was fifty feet wide and from three to four feet deep. The engineers, working every day, built and dismantled foot bridges and treadway bridges. They also fashioned 'flying ferries' of M-2 assault boats. The rest of the Division continued to occupy itself with river-crossing problems, and Division and unit commander prepared plans for crossing the Arno west of Signa, which was west of Florence."

 

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I will keep looking through my Fifth Army books, etc. to see what else I can gather for you.

 

I strongly suggest that you call the Army Corps of Engineers and talk to Michael Broadhead. He's head of the history department there, a good friend, and a real gentleman. He played a huge part in the success of this site and has also helped many others in their research.

 

Tell him that you are looking for records for the 19th Combat Regiment, which later split into your battalion the 401st, and the 402nd.

 

http://www.hq.usace.army.mil/history/contact_us.htm

 

Happy to assist you sir!