HEADQUARTERS 270th ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION
APO 461, U. S. Army

30 April 1945

SUBJECT: Roster of Key Personnel

TO: Commanding General, 70th Inf Div, APO 461, U.S. Army

ATTN: A. G. Historical Section

1. Listed below is a roster of key personnel (Officers) for this command:

Commanding Officer MATHESON, DAVID M., Maj. 021757

Battalion Staff SORTINO, JOSEPH E., Maj. 0337881, Executive
MURPHY, RICHARD D., Maj., 0325544, Plans and Training (S-3)
OLSEN, BRUCE C., Capt., 0332159, Liaison
BODMER, ERWIN E., Jr., Capt., 0394682, Intelligence (S-2)
CAMPBELL, WILBUR D., Capt., 01107844, Supply (S-4)
MASSEY, ROBERT M., 1st Lt., 01113346, Adjutant (S-1)

Company Commanders

FURMANIAK, HILARY, Capt., 01102248, Company A
MORRILL, KEITH S., Capt., 01102395, Company B
SIEGRIST, KERMIT, A., Capt., 0375002, Company C
ROGERS, ROSS E., Capt., 0340534, Headquarters & Service Co.

Medical Detachment

TRAMBERT, HARRY L., Capt., 0441860, Bn Surgeon
REYNOLDS, JAMES W., Capt., 0527347, Bn Dental Surgeon

For the Commanding Officer:

(signature) Robert M. Massey 1st. Lt., CE Adjutant

HEADQUARTERS 70th INFANTRY DIVISION APO 461, U.S. ARMY

6 May 1945

MONTHLY REPORT OF SPECIAL STAFF SECTION DIVISION ENGIN EER SECTION

1. As a reult of decreased responsibility of an engineering nature for the organic 270 Engineer (C) Battalion, the mission of the Division Engineer Section has been modified. This mission now includes maintenance of direct liaison with the Engineer Battalion, plus such recommendations relative to engineer functions as may be required.

2. Activities of the section: a. Through the Engineer Supply Officer the location and establishment of Water Points to serve all divisional units was arranged. b. Provided map supply for Division Headquarters and part of Special Troops. c. Arranged for and accomplished removal and disposition of captured engineer material, particularly removal of explosives. d. Maintained liaison with General and Special Staff sections.

3. Special Activities

Accomplished construction of sanitary facilities for installation at camp housing liberated Allied personnel near Dies. No unusual problems encountered.

Bruce C. Olsen Capt. (CAC) CE Asst. Div. Engr.

NARRATIVE ACCOUNT OF 270TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION

Period 1 April 1945 - 30 April 1945

With the collapse of the SAAR POCKET by the combined operations of the United States Third and Seventh Armies the 70th Infantry Division was no longer in direct contact with the enemy. The mission of the Battalion was therefore changed from that of a fighting organization to one of occupation and security of rear areas.

The Battalion opened the month's operations by moving from SIEGELBACH, GERMANY (Q9696) to BUDESHEIM, GERMANY (M1350). Our mission was that of occupation and control of the town of BUDESHEIM. The control of civilian movement was enforced by road blocks established at all entrances to town and maintained on a twenty-four hour schedule. Passes were issued to farmers to allow them to work in their fields, and other civil affairs problems had to be handled, due to the fact that the AMG was not yet in control of the area. Approximately one third of the Battalion was employed in this matter while the remainder were utilized in the maintenance and repair of Army MSR's in the Division sector.

The mission of the Battalion remained unchanged when we moved from BUDESHEIM, GERMANY to a new area in the vicinity of FLORSHEIM, GERMANY (M498578). Our area of responsibility extended about 100 sq. kms. Each line Company was given a large area to patrol and occupy, and vehicular roving patrols were established. Fixed guard post were established on Public Utilities, DP Camps, and Military Installations. The principal installation guarded was the railroad South of the MAIN RIVER

On 28 April 1945 the Battalion moved from FLOESHEIM, GERMANY (M498578) to BAD SCHWALBACH, GERMANY (M2371) and again each company was given a large area to occupy and control. Approximately 1000 sq. kms were included in the Battalion area. "C" Company was given the responsibility of operating the Allied Ex Prisoners of War Camp at LIMBURG, GERMANY (M2297). The Camp contained 3100 Ex POW's who had been living under exceedingly poor conditions. The sanitation and living conditions were cleaned up by the Russian and Polish inhabitants of the Camp under Engineer supervision.

During the entire period the 1st Platoon of Company B was attached to the 275th Infantry Regiment at FRANKFURT, GERMANY (M6768). This Platoon was used in a supervisory capacity over German civilian labor. This labor cleared the streets of debris and repaired utility installations in the FRANFURT area.