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

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

31 MAY 1945

SUBJECT: Temporary appointments of Enlisted Men

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

ATTN: A. G. Historical Section

1. During the month of May the following temporary appointments of Enlisted Mebn have made by this Headquarters:

NAME FROM TO
Milton J. Derrick, 38541569, Co C, Sgt - S/Sgt
Arthur F. Goerndt, 37572818, Co C, Cpl - Sgt
Trumen J. Honeycutt, 38681883, Co C, Pfc - Cpl
Kelley E. Dixon, 35076815, Co C, Pfc - Cpl
Harvey Eggert, 37640808, Co C, Pfc - Cpl
Melvin Kolden, 39707442, Co C, Pfc - Cpl
Howard Link, 383925542, Co B, Pfc - Tec 5
Ronald E. Kellogg, 37266296, Hq & Sv Co, S/Sgt - T/Sgt
Lester L. Heath, 11018003, Co B, Pfc - Cpl
Clayton A. Anderson, 37573620, Co A, Tec 5 - Tec 4
Richard H. Dickey, 35234121, Co A, Pfc - Tec 5
Arnold E. Evenson, 37018258, H/S Co, Pvt - S/Sgt
Robert L. Davis, 38425067, H/S Co, Pvt - Tec 5
Samuel L. Beimer, 38352531, Co C, Tec 5 - Tec 4
Alvin R. Kniffen, 37573519, Co C, Pfc - Tec 5
Ike J. Petras, 18013297, Co B, T/Sgt 1- st/Sgt

For the Commanding Officer:

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

NARRATIVE ACCOUNT OF 270TH ENGINEER BATTALION

Period 1 May 1945 - 31 May 1945

The Battalion opened this period with the performance of a variety of occupational duties.

One company confined its activities to the operation and administration of the former STALAG 12-A at LIMBURG (M2297) now known as ALLIED EX POW CAMP NO. 2. A great amount of work was done to improve the sanitary facilities in the camp. The administration of the camp was made easier by placing the senior officer of each group of Ex POW's in command and making him responsible for the conduct of all Ex POW's under him.

The remainder of the Battalion (less one platoon of Co. B) were given areas to guard and patrol. They were also responsible for guarding of all DP Camps and PW Hospitals within their area.

One platoon of Co. B was on DS with the 275th Infantry Regiment at FRANKFURT (M6768) and devoted their time to supervising work of civilian labor in the repair of streets and utilities in that city. The platoon leader acted as city Engineer for the city of FRANKFURT.

On the 13th of May 1945 the Battalion was relieved of all security patrolling and guarding and was assigned the mission of performing Engineer work within an assigned sector. The Battalion was given a portion of the 70th Division area and the remainder of the Division area was assigned to the 1115th and 1104th Engineer (C) Groups. With the assignment of a new sector steps were immediately taken to make a reconnaissance of the entire Battalion area. Roads and bridges were classified and a survey was conducted for Engineering materials.

The need for a fixed bridge across the LAHN RIVER at NASSAU (M045905) was forseen and a reconnaissance for a site was made. A site was selected just North of the destroyed bridge and plans for a class 40-70 two way fixed bridge were drawn up by the Battalion S-3 section. Reconnaissance for materials were made and pile driving equipment was borrowed from the 1115th Group. It was decided to make the bridge construction job a training project as well as a necessary Engineer task and each company took its turn on the construction work. At the close of the period the span was approximately 50% completed. The work was slower than expected because of the numerous changes of companies working on the job, but it is felt that the training obtained far outweighed any disadvantages resulting from the slowness of the work.

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

6 June 1945

MONTHLY REPORT OF SPECIAL STAFF SECTION DIVISION ENGINEERING SECTION

1. The Division Engineer Section is currently responsible for Liaison with the Engineer Battalion and with Corp Engineer Units working within the Division area.

2. Activities of the Section a. Provided map supply for General and Special Staff sections, within the limit of maps available through the corps map supply. b. Arranged for the accomplishment of Engineer tasks requested by General Staff sections, including construction of a footbridge across the Lahn River and wiring of an enclosure for German prisoners being processed for discharge. c. Coordinated water supply and water points to provide service to all Division units in the most convenient manner.

3. No unusual problems have been encountered by the section.