October 1944

2 October 1944
"C" Company maintained roads and operated rock crusher. Dozer ran over mine knocking off track. "A" and "B" Companies maintained roads in assigned sector. Continuous rains necessitate continuous maintenance.

3 October 1944
"B" Company took over operation of rock Crusher at location near Remereville. Continued road repair and maintenance by remainder of Battalion. Roads being widened and stabilized by addition of rock.

4 October 1944
"A" Company replaced 48' Treadway bridge South of Bey with 50' D/S Bailey. "C" Company maintained roads east of La Sielle River under sporadic 88 fire. "B" Company operated rock crusher and maintained roads.

5 October 1944
"C" Company drew fire while working on roads East of La Sielle River of which 80% were duds. "B" Company operated rock crusher and worked on roads, vicinity Arracourt under sporadic fire. "A" Company worked on sector North of N-74.

6 October 1944
Battalion maintained and rebuilt roads in assigned sector. Continuous Engineer reconnaissance.

7 October 1944
"A" Company filled in road crater in vicinity of Bures opening another route for Justice. "C" Company moved to position, vicinity of Ferange La Grande to relieve elements of 166th Engineers; disposed as Infantry. "B" Company operated crusher and repaired roads. Continuous Engineer reconnaissance.

8 October 1944
A and "B" Company worked in assigned sectors. "C" Company in support of the 166th. Engineers removed debris and destroyed enemy explosives.

9 October 1944
"A" Company constructed 100 foot T/S Bailey at Einville and repaired bridge in Valhey. "B" Company operated crusher and maintained roads in assigned sector. "C" Company replaced Company of 166th on line as Infantry.

10 October 1944
A and B Companies worked roads in assigned sector. "C" Company still on line and under sporadic F.A. fire. Continuous Engineer reconnaissance in sector.

11 October 1944
A and B Companies worked roads in assigned sector. Elements of "A" Company removed mines in the vicinity of Bures. Harassing fire in "C" Company position resulted in one man killed, and one wounded.

12 October 1944
"C" Company relieved from support of 166th Engineers; returned to base camp. "A" Company removed mines in the vicinity of Bures and maintained roads in assigned sector. "B" Company operated crusher and maintained roads.

13 October 1944
"C" Company started construction of 120 foot T/S Bailey with intermediate Bailey bent at Parroy &laqo; mile from enemy positions. "A" Company cleared roads of mines and debris and filled shell-holes in the vicinity of Bures, "B" Company operated crusher and maintained roads. Continued rain and bad weather.

14 October 1944
"C" Company completed Bailey at Parroy and prepared for demolition. Harassing enemy F.A. fire slowed construction; 88 shell very nearly hit charge just after completion. One platoon "A" Company attached to 2nd Cavalry, cleared mines in the vicinity of Colacourt. "B" Company operated crusher and maintained roads.

15 October 1944
All companies worked on road maintenance. Platoon from "A" Company worked with 2nd Cavalry.

16 October 1944
All companies on road maintenance. Platoon of "A" Company relieved from attachment to 2nd Cavalry. "B" Company operated crusher. Outpost suffered because of continual breakdown of machinery. "A" Company continued the operations of mine removal and road blocks, vicinity of Bures. Continuous rains kept "B" Company busy maintaining road net by relieving muddy and slippery conditions. In addition to maintenance of roads, "C" Company was called upon to send four men to remove demolition charges from Bailey Bridge over Canal at Parroy due to enemy artillery shelling.

17 October 1944
The battalion prevailing assignment remaining unchanged but was brightened by "A" Company's unawaited discovery of enemy abandoned stock. this consisted of two barrels of wine and 800 lbs. of sugar found in a Parroy building occupied as a CP by the 2nd Cavalry Group. Operation of the rock crusher near Remereville was part of "B" Company's job plus a new assignment of road between Parroy and Coincourt. Proper drainage was a paramount problem along many roads at this time. "C" Company received the major portion of battalion road net as its task to improve and maintain.

18 October 1944
It was a prosaic day throughout the battalion. All the road net of battalion of 70 miles length was being maintained. The issue of winter clothing was well advanced. The bivouac area was in deterioration with the operations dug-out itself causing a troublesome drainage problem.

19 October 1944
A 60 foot Bailey Bridge erected by 60th Engineers at Bey was dismantled by "A" Company, also "B" Company removed a second Bailey 50 feet long just North of Bioncourt which was "A" Companies construction. These bridges were removed to forestall their inundation due to flood water awaited in the Seill River. Road barriers at bridge approaches were erected as no fixed bridges were substituted.

20 October 1944
The battalion roads were kept open for the smooth flow of traffic by two platoons from each Company. One "B" Company platoon continued rock quarry operation. A Class and demonstration in Infantry tactics is scheduled for the next three successive days for the reserve platoons. Lt. Capuano and a platoon from "B" Company is in charge.

21 October 1944
In our road work the battalion vehicles were averaging ten tire punctures per Company per day. Lacking a magnet a squad from "C" Company hand picked the hazards of parts and fragments of enemy vehicles strewn over roadway between Serres and Valhey. The bivouac area was in deterioration. However, Headquarters Company advantageously placed pierced plank walks and cinders to combat miry conditions. Ample latrine boxes were also built.

22 October 1944
The battalion was occupied on the road net including intersection adjacent to Group. Lt. Villadsen reported mines mentioned by 114th Med. Battalion proved to be mortar shells found between Valhey and Buissoncourt near Chateau. They were promptly disposed of. The re-garnishing of camouflage nets with Autumn colors neared completion.

23 October 1944
New areas of responsibility commenced today. Road area now stretches from Bouxieres to Brin on the North, to canal on South. Easey and Mazerulles bounded area on West and East respectively. Capt. Oberdorf, S-4, did commendably in securing rubber footwear for all the men. Capt Makholm spoke of his 1/4 ton being rendered inoperative wrecked by a field artillery truck skidding into it.

24 October 1944
Gradually men and officers of the battalion were arranging their quarters for colder weather. As the companies grew more acquainted with the difficulties of the road work in their new areas, the tire problem also diminished. Practice firing grenades and rockets was concluded today on the 60th Engrs. course. Information reached us through Group of a Floating Bailey Bridge demonstration commencing the 25th at Toul and ending 30 Oct.

25 October 1944
The experiment of using "TAR BABY" for shower water heating at Champenoux proved very successful. The motor maintenance section also set up shop in shower building in order to operate more efficiently. Two days minus rain showed its drying effects on the roads.

26 October 1944
Road work continued to be the battalion's main effort. Several headquarters men were attending the Toul Bailey Bridge demonstration. Lt. Grey and Lt. Christiansen attended today. A be-weekly movie arranged by Lt. Hubbard, our Special Service officer, was enjoyed by the battalion. During the evening, an inspection of the Battalion kitchens show them to be in commendable condition - according to Major Knight.

27 October 1944
Major Reagan's tour of battalion roads brought a commendation to the companies. With two companies maintaining road net, each company received a day for checking and cleaning equipment. Major Knight and Capt. McCann were impressed by the number of men constructing floating Bailey at Toul. The day's sidelights included Pvt. Beebe's 2 1/4 ton tipping over suffering only two flat tires and the happy combination of good French beer and T/Sgt Calve's 21st birthday at headquarters.

28 October 1944
With dryer weather maintaining the roads was improving proportionately. Major Reagan received a visit by Col. Keller of Group and Col. Lieber, Corps Deputy Chief of Staff. "C" Company reinforced bridge near Agincourt which was sagging due to heavier traffic loads then bridge was classified for. Lt. McGlinchey, "A" Company C.O., experimented building roads of German pierced plank. Several officers with Group attended flame thrower demonstration including Lt. Christiansen which General Patton also attended.

29 October 1944
Each reserve company in turn have given first and second echelon maintenance to all their vehicles. Usual road efforts continued. Passes for EM to Nancy were enjoyed, though earlier darkness shortened the daylight hours.

30 October 1944
Emphasis throughout the unit was being placed on maintenance of equipment. A convenient portable dark room for the Bn. photographer, Cpl. Pitts, was constructed in the 1-ton cargo trailer. A morale boost was given the battalion, when 80 passes were issued to a show, featuring Marlene Dietrich. Interest was shown in headquarters of a German rocket firing weapon, discovered in newly captured areas.

31 October 1944
All Bn. vehicles were being checked for anti-freeze, as freezing temperature showed its first signs. Companies were given additional assault practice, using rockets and flamethrowers against concrete positions. A guard was placed at Treadway Bridge dump near Pettoncourt by "C" Company. Halloween was also noted by "C" Company with bridge near Agincourt and Lt. Halstrom being the butt of a practical joke by Lt. Sparling.