On Feb 19, 1945, a Storm Boat Section of the 552nd Engineer Heavy Ponton Battalion (18 Enlisted Men and one Officer with 16 Storm Boats and Motors) joined the unit for rations and billets. Five of the Boats were immediately dispatched out to the 329-ECB, three to the 238-ECB, two to the 237-ECB and three were held at the Company in reserve. For the time the company arrived in Eschweiler until Feb 23, 1945, all the activities were directed toward preparation for the Roer River crossing. During this period the company was billeted right in Eschweiler in a private home which had been badly battered by bombing and artillery shelling. However, the billets were made quite comfortable and equipped with stoves. Coal was plentiful; the manner in which every collar was stocked with coal would not indicate that the German residents had been hard put for the necessities of life. During this preparatory period, many comforts and recreational facilities were provided. Showers were obtained at the Group shower point. Two theaters in town showed movies four times daily, and several USO Shows ‘played in town’. PX supplies were as usual plentiful. Quite a large quote was received by the company to send to the men to the VII Corps Rest Camp. When the Roer River offensive opened on Feb 23, 1945, most of the Light Equipage Platoon was attached to the 237-ECB and 329-ECB. During the early hours of the offensive on Feb 23, 1945, the Light Equipage Platoon delivered their equipment to the river with no casualties. It was found impossible, due to enemy action to commence construction on the proposed Bailey Bridge at Hoven until the morning of Feb 24, 1945. The Bridge was completed by 1130 the same day and Tanks passed over it immediately.

Just across the Roer River Bridge in Birkesdorf, the road was found to be blown out over a small stream. A 70′ DS Bridge was immediately delivered and put up by the 239-ECB. On the evening of Feb 24, 1945, another 50′ DS was delivered to the 329-ECB and constructed in Birkesdorf just East of the Roer River. On Feb 26, 1945, the first loads of equipment for a continuous bridge to be constructed on the Autobahn Highway across the Roer River were delivered to the 237-ECB. Two piers were found necessary and were also constructed of Bailey equipment. On the following day (Feb 27, 1945), the remaining equipment needed for the Roer River Autobahn Highway Bridge was delivered. The bridge when complete was 240′ long and contained two Bailey Piers. Also on Feb 26, 1945, and 80′ DS Bridge was delivered to the 238-ECB and constructed in Birkesdorf, just East of the river, across from Hoven.

On Feb 27, 1945, the second bridge in Birkesdorf, a 50′ DS built by the 329-ECB was dismantled and removed by the company. Later, that day, one 80′ DS Bridge was delivered to the 329-ECB but was not constructed immediately. Early in the morning of Feb 28, 1945, the 80′ DS Bridge sent to the 329-ECB on Feb 27, 1945 was sent forward to the 23-AECB and had to be replaced with another 80′ DS Bridge. During the morning of Feb 28, 1945, the company moved to Düren. In the afternoon a 110′ DS Bailey Bridge, 6 Infantry Support Rafts, 45 M-2 Assault Boats, and 216′ of Infantry Footbridge were sent forward the 329-ECB in the vicinity of Buir F-192513, in preparation for the crossing of the Erft Canal. Also a 110′ DS Bailey Bridge and a 216′ Infantry Footbridge were sent to the 49-ECB in the vicinity of Elsdorf F-174595, likewise in preparation of the Erft Canal crossing. Having crossed the Roer River and broken through the German defense around Düren, the attack also along the Corps front was not rolling fast. So much Bailey Bridge was needed to span rivers, streams and railroad crossings, that the Bridge Platoon drivers had by this time run for three days with little or no sleep. As soon as the trucks returned from one bridge delivery and reloaded, a call would come in for another bridge. It was unquestionably the most intense activity yet engaged in by the unit.

505-ELPC – March 1945

Original Unit. Designation: 505th Engineer Light Ponton Company; Date of Organization: May 15, 1942; Place of Organization: Camp Gordon, Georgia; Authority of Organization: General Order #15, Hq Eastern Defense Command and First Army, dated May 15, 1942; Sources from which original personnel were obtained.

Officers: CC, Capt Archibald E. Sutton (0-304319), CE by transfer from the Engineer Replacement Training Center, Fort Belvoir, Va; Executive Officer: Lt Gerald L. Bilbro, C.E. by transfer from the 75th Engineer Light Ponton Company, Camp Beauregard, La.; Platoon Commanders and Motor Officer: By assignment from the Fourth Engineer Officer Candidate School, Fort Belvoir, Va, as follow: Francis F. Carnes, Lt, C.E. (0-1100038); James J. Carnes, Jr, Lt, (0-1100039); Burrel D. Carney, Jr, Lt, C.E. (0-1100041) and Francis M. Carson, Lt, CE (0-1100043).
Enlisted Men. Enlisted Cadre of Twelve (12) NCO’s by transfer from the 75th Engineer Light Ponton Company, Camp Beauregard, La, in May 1942 as follow: 1/Sgt Morton Kamm, (6878116); M/Sgt George Underwood (0000000); (Mess) S/Sgt John W. Pritchett (6966756); (Supply) S/Sgt William Blankenship (0000000); (Motor) S/Sgt Kenneth F. Whitehead (33035175); (Platoon) S/Sgt Carlton L. Allen (6994429), (Platoon) S/Sgt Thomas L. Beckman (6974589); (Platoon) Sgt Earl Northrup (32033188); (Mechanic) Cpl Ival Cooper (32035482); (Cook) Pvt Sec 3rd Cl Stanislaus J. Andersiak (R-2340718); (Cook) Pvt Spec 4th Cl J. B. Walker (7088340) and (Clerk) – Cpl Robert M. Mayo (7086178). Two (2) Mechanics by assignment from the Engineer Heavy Equipment School, Fort Belvoir, Va, on May 15, 1942, as follow: Pvt Balmer E. Sinegar (33118318) and Pvt Harold A. Geese (38047063).
Enlisted Fillers. The First group of Enlisted fillers consisting of eleven (11) Selective service Privates was received on Sep 29, 1942, by transfer from D Company of the 82d Ordnance Battalion, Camp Gordon, Ga. per SO 54, 3rd Hq & Hq Detachment Sp Troops, 2nd Army, dated Sep 29, 1942. The second, and principal group of Enlisted Fillers, consisting of 210 Selective Service Privates, were received by transfer from the 1222nd Recep General, Camp Upton, New York, sated Dec 3, 1942.
Changes in Organization during the period. Relieved from attachment to VII Corps and attached to Sixth Army Group per par. 10, Troop Assignment #29, Hq. First United States Army Mar 21, 1945. Attached to the Seventh United States Army per par. 8, Unit Assignment Order #52, Hq. 6th Army Group Mar 20, 1945. Attached to the 1114-ECG for operations per par. 5, Letter Subject, Assignment and attachment order, Hq. Seventh United States Army Mar 27, 1945.

Strength, Commissioned. Officer Strength at the beginning of the period. Capt Francis M. Carson, CE (0-1100043) CC; Lt Gilbert E. Moore, C.E. (0446357) Executive Officer; Lt Howard D. May, CE (0-1110097) Platoon Commander; Lt John A. Mc Donald, C.E. (0-1115692) Platoon Commander; Lt Randal Holden, C.E. (0-1114169) Platoon Commander, Lt William M. Meier, CE (0-1592436) Supply Officer. No Change in Period

Strength, Enlisted. Beginning of the period: Present 197; Absent 12. The increase during the period: 3. Pvt Ernest H. Snoot (33529771) Transferred in Grade to this Organization per par. 2, SO #68, Hq. Third Reinforcement Depot Mar 9, 1945; Pvt Vincent P. Ferraro (31325667) Transferred in Grade to this organization per par. 2, SO #68, Hq. Third Reinforcement Depot Mar 9, 1945, and Pfc Joseph V. Rivers (32575749) Transferred in Grade to this organization per par. 2, SO #68, Hq. Third Reinforcement Depot Mar 14, 1945. Decrease during the period: 7. Cpl Jack Greveling (35312134); Pfc James P. Gallagher (32642799) and Pfc Ben F. Martin (18020831). Note: these 3 men transferred in Grade to the 104-ID, per VO CG Hq. VII Corps. Pvt Patrick J. Candelora (31327121). Note non-battle Casualty, Death caused by drowning during night assault boat training vicinity of Cologne, Germany Mar 13, 1945; Pfc Matthew Connell (32643582); Pvt John A. Shannon (33416724); Pfc John P. Broderick (32643373). Note: these 3 men lost to Hospital as non-battle Casualties. Net Loss During Period – 4. Enlisted Strength at the End of Period: Present 187, Absent 13.

Stations. At the beginning of the period, the unit was stationed in Düren F-107464, Germany. Moved by Motor Convoy to Quadrath F-263607 Germany, on Mar 4, 1945. Moved from Quadrath, Germany, by Motor Convoy, to the vicinity of Lunneville V-0697, France on Mar 23/24, 1945, stopping for the night of Mar 23/24, 1945 in Verdun, France. Moved from Rehainviller, France, (vicinity of Lunneville) by Motor Convoy to Kaiserslautern, Germany, Mar 27 1945.

Operations during Period

The beginning of this period found the organization busily engaged in support of VII Corps’ 104-ID and 3-AD, along with the other units of the 1106-ECG, following the successful crossing of the Roer River and subsequent breakthrough to the Rhine, and capture of the third-largest German City, Cologne. On Mar 1, 1945, an 80′ DS Bailey Bridge was delivered to the 238-ECB, and constructed by them at Sindorf, Germany, across the Erft Canal. On Mar 3, 1945, a 60′ Double Single Bailey Bridge was delivered to the 324-ECB (99-ID) and constructed across the Erft Canal in the vicinity of Bedburg, Germany. A 60′ DS Bridge was likewise delivered on Mar 1 1945, to the 49-ECB, and constructed over the Erft Canal at Glesch, Germany. Also on Mar 1, 1945, an 80′ DS Bailey Bridge was delivered to the 237-ECB, and constructed across the Erft Canal at Paffendorf, Germany.

On Mar 4, 1945, the company moved on to Quadrath, Germany, and established in private homes in that town after having been ousted by the 3-AD’ Ordnance Battalion from the first location selected by the quartering party. On Mar 5, 1945, an 80′ Double Single Bailey Bridge was delivered to the 237-ECB and constructed across the Erft Canal in Paffendorf, Germany. This bridge restored to use the last of the principal roads running East and West and crossing the Erft in the 104-ID and 3-AD sectors, all of the original bridges having been demolished by the retreating Germans.

From this point on, the Bailey Bridges constructed on the Erft in this locality by the 324-ECB (99-ID), the 329-ECB (104-ID) the 23-AECB (3-AD) and the units of the 1106-ECG were removed one at a time and replaced with fixed timber treadle bridges by Army Engineer Units.

Shortly after the breakthrough to the Rhine River on the VII Corps Front, the III Corps on the right flank of VII Corps likewise broke through the enemy main line of defenses and moved rapidly to the Rhine River. A large number of demolished bridges in that area caused a greater demand for Bailey Equipment than the 501-ELPC (1111-ECG – III Corps) could supply. Subsequently, on Mar 7, 1945, the two Bridge Platoons of this unit, carrying 260′ Double Single Bridge were temporarily attached to the 501-ELPC, and moved down with that unit to the vicinity of Euskirchen. The Bridge equipment of the 1st Platoon was used the following day Mar 8, 1945, to construct a bridge across the Erft River just East of Euskirchen. This 130′ Bridge was built by the 299-ECB, and replaced a bridge of the same type which collapsed the day before when two medium Tanks got on it at the same time.

The 2nd Bridge Platoon remained with the 501-ELPC until Mar 20, 1945, although no necessity arose for the use of its equipment. The Corps front now consisted of the Rhine River. For a few days no actual operations were engaged in, but an intensive assault stream crossing training program was instituted. This training was conducted, starting on Mar 10, 1945, on a lake just outside Cologne. The objective of the training was to familiarize the Infantrymen of the 104-ID with the use of the M-2 Infantry Assault Boat Pontoon propelled by a 22 HP Outboard Motor.

The training was under the direct supervision of the 329-ECB (104-ID). The equipment and outboard motor operators were supplied by the Light Equipage Platoon of this company under the supervision of Lt McDonald, the Platoon Commander. The training scheduled one Infantry Battalion per day to cross with full equipment, first during daylight, and again at night. Stress in the training was laid on properly entering the boat, distribution of personnel on the ponton so that it would ‘ride’ well, correct seating in the boat, and proper method of leaving the boat. In addition to the training with the M-2 Assault Boat Pontoon, a storm boat section of the 552-EHPC was attached and Infantrymen were trained in the employment of the Storm Boat, propelled by a 55 HP Outboard Motor.
On the night of Mar 13, 1945, an accident occurred resulting in the loss by drowning of 10 Enlisted Men and 1 Engineer soldier who was the outboard motor operator. Though the reports of this accident seemed somewhat garbled, probably due to the excitement at the time, the following general summary of circumstances surrounding this accident. From one cause or another, probably due to too many men being loaded too close to the front of the boat, some water was shipped on over the bow. Apparently the men on board became excited, and instead of remaining calmly in their places, got up or moved toward one side of the boat.
This caused the ponton to overturn, although it did not sink. As there were other motors running on the lake, and as it was very dark, the cries for help were not to promptly heard. By the time the situation was realized and other boats reached the scene of the accident, only a few of the men could be saved. After a thorough search and check, eleven men were determined to be missing.

The lessons learned from this unfortunate accident are that men must be impressed with the necessity of keeping calm, sitting still, and staying in position when a boat ships a little water. This is extremely difficult to accomplish, as was evidenced on the following day when a similar incident occurred in broad daylight. Another boat, this time a storm boat, shipped a little water over the bow, the men again got excited and moved about, and in an instant, they were all in the water. This time none were lost; but it clearly shows how easily men will lose their heads when they think a boat is going under (which it would not have, had they all remained still.) Secondly no more than 6 infantry riflemen with full equipment should be placed in the front half of an M-2 Assault Boat Pontoon. False ponton bows will help prevent shipping water over the bow, thereby cutting down chances of the probable cause of such an incident. Men must be made to unfasten all web equipment upon entering the boat, so all they have to do should they go into the water, is slip their equipment off over their heads. An NCO should check each man as he enters into the boat to see that this is complied with. It may always be practical or possible in actual combat, but it should certainly be S.O.P. in any training exercise. When the bodies were recovered after dragging the lake, most of the men appeared to have drowned while still trying to get out of their equipment. Following this one unfortunate accident, the remainder of the training went off smoothly and was completed on Mar 21, 1945. However, the loss of the one Engineer Soldier, Pvt Patrick J. Candelora, with the others on the night of Mar 13, 1945, was a sad blow to the Company. Candelora had not been with the Company for a long time but had made many friends, and a fine impression by his cheerful attitude, his efficient performances of duty, and his military bearing.
On the evening of Mar 10, 1945, at about 2230, the 1106-ECG Executive Officer called Capt Carson, the 505th Engineer Light Ponton Company Commander, and informed him that a major change was imminent for his Company. Col Cofer stated that the matter was Secret, and of course, could not be discussed over the telephone. He stated that there was nothing urgent about it and Capt Carson could wait until morning to come up and discuss it with him, but that if his curiosity got the better of him to come up immediately. The bit of information aroused Capt Carson’s curiosity to the extent that he immediately went up to the Group Headquarters where he learned that the Company was to be attached to the Seventh United States Army, and was to move down by Mar 25, 1945. Further instructions were to be obtained from Col Black, the VII Corps Engineer Executive Officer the following morning.

Col Black’s information the next day confirmed Col Cofer’s remarks of the evening previous and added instructions to the effect that Capt Carson should proceed as soon as practicable to Seventh Army Headquarters for further information.

Capt Carson left on the afternoon of Mar 11, 1945, with driver T/5 Callahan, T/5 Moulder, and Pfc Thoren, and proceeded via Aachen, Liège, Marche, Bastogne, Luxembourg, Metz, Nancy to Luneville, France where the Seventh Army Headquarters was located. After obtaining necessary information relative to the Company’s future expected operations during attachment to the Seventh Army, Capt Carson returned to the Company CP in Quadrath, Germany. After reporting information obtained to Col Black, it was decided that the Company should leave on Mar 23, 1945.

One result of Capt Carson’s trip was to start a top-notch rumor as to why’s and wherefores of the trip. It was ‘authoritatively’ circulated about the Company that Capt Carson had gone up to Antwerp to make necessary arrangements for shipment of the Company to the Southwest Pacific or China, Burma, India Theater of Operation. In further substantiation of evidence offered, T/5 Moulder (the Company Carpenter) had been taken along’ to obtain information regarding crating up the Company property, office and kitchen equipment, and so on. Far fetched though it was, this ‘authoritatively’ rumor had a wide following of believers within a very few days. Upon returning to the Company, the Enlisted Men who had made the trip were thoroughly pumped for information, but obeyed their instructions to a ‘T’ and gave out none. However, several days later when the First Bridge Platoon went down to the Army Engineer Depot to turn in their Bridge, the enlisted men of the Depot Company knew all the details of the ‘Secret’ information, and subsequently, ‘let the cat out of the bag’.

On the morning of Mar 23, 1945, the Company Departed from the VII Corps area in a motor convoy of four march units. The route was through Aachen, Liège, Marche, Arlon, Bouillon, and Verdun, where an overnight stop was made at an Ordnance unit located in that city. The area through Liège and to about 10 miles below that city was familiar territory to the Company, but the rest of the trip was through a strange country. In perfect spring weather, the Company thoroughly enjoyed the trip through some of the world’s most historic and picturesque battlegrounds. The second day of the trip took the Company through Pont-à-Mousson, Nancy and to the destination, Luneville arriving at about 1500 on Mar 24, 1945.
The location picked out for the Company headquarters by Lt May and the advance detail was in a large farmhouse just outside of Luneville. The line platoons were bivouacked in open fields, as indoor billets were not available. The unit was immediately attached to the 1140-ECG and on the evening on March 24 was committed to supporting that Group in its operations of supplying the Seventh United States Army with Engineer Materials and Maintenance. The particular part of the Company was to play in support of the Group’s operations was in transporting Engineer materials from the Army Engineer Base Depot at Luneville, France to forward depots. Due to the rapid advance of the Seventh Army, this mission was quite a difficult task. The combat troops of the Seventh Army had already reached the Rhine River and a few days later forced a crossing.

On March 27 1945, the Company moved forward to Kaiserslautern, Germany, establishing in five large private homes near the center of town. The Company continued to support the Group operations by the transportation of Engineer materials from the Army Engineer Base Depot to forward depots until the of the period.

Original Unit. Designation: 505th Engineer Light Ponton Company; Date of Organization: May 15, 1942; Place of Organization: Camp Gordon, Georgia; Authority of Organization: General Order #15, Hq Eastern Defense Command and First Army, dated May 15, 1942; Sources for the original personnel. Officers. CC, Capt Archibald E. Sutton (0-304319), CE by transfer from the Engineer Replacement Training Center, Fort Belvoir, Va. EO, Lt Gerald L. Bilbro, CE by transfer from the 75th Engineer Light Ponton Company, Camp Beauregard, La. Platoon Commanders, and Motor Officer: By assignment from the Fourth Engineer Officer Candidate School, Fort Belvoir, Va., as follow: Francis F. Carnes, Lt, CE (0-1100038); James J. Carnes, Jr, Lt, (0-1100039); Burrel D. Carney, Jr, Lt, C.E. (0-1100041) and Francis M. Carson, Lt, C.E. (0-1100043).
Enlisted Men. Enlisted Cadre of Twelve (12) NCO’s by transfer from the 75th Engineer Light Ponton Company, Camp Beauregard, La., in May 1942 as follow: 1/Sgt Morton Kamm, (6878116); M/Sgt George Underwood (0000000); (Mess) S/Sgt John W. Pritchett (6966756); (Supply) S/Sgt William Blankenship (0000000); (Motor) S/Sgt Kenneth F. Whitehead (33035175); (Platoon) S/Sgt Carlton L. Allen (6994429); (Platoon) S/Sgt Thomas L. Beckman (6974589); (Platoon) Sgt Earl Northrup (32033188); (Mechanic) Cpl Ival Cooper (32035482); (Cook) Pvt Sec 3rd Cl Stanislaus J. Andersiak (R-2340718); (Cook) Pvt Spec 4th Cl J. B. Walker (7088340) and (Clerk) Cpl Robert M. Mayo (7086178). Note. Two (2) Mechanics by assignment from the Engineer Heavy Equipment School, Fort Belvoir, Va., on May 15, 1942, as follow: Pvt Balmer E. Sinegar (33118318) and Pvt Harold A. Geese (38047063).

Enlisted Fillers. The First group of Enlisted fillers consisting of eleven (11) Selective service Privates was received on Sep 29, 1942, by transfer from D Company of the 82nd Ordnance Battalion, Camp Gordon, Ga. per SO 54, 3rd Hq & Hq Detachment Sp Troops, 2nd Army, dated Sep 29, 1942. The second, and principal group of Enlisted Fillers, consisting of 210 Selective Service Privates, were received by transfer from the 1222nd Reception General, Camp Upton, NY, dated Dec 3, 1942.
Changes in Organization during Period. Company relieved from Assignment to the 1-A and 12-AG and Assigned to 6-AG per Troop Assignment #88, Hq. 12-AG, File 322 (AG-O) Apr 8, 1945, effective Apr 8, 1945. Company relieved from Assignment to the 12-AG, from Attachment to 6-AG, and assigned to 6-AG, and further assigned to 7-A per Letter Hq. 6-AG, Subject, Unit Assignment Order #65, File AG 370.5/VC-O, Apr 13, 1945, effective Apr 8, 1945.
Strength, Commissioned and Enlisted. Officer Strength at the beginning of the Period. Capt Francis M. Carson, C.E. (0-1100043) Company Commander; Lt Gilbert E. Moore, C.E. (0446357) Executive Officer; Lt Howard D. May, C.E. (0-1110097) Platoon Commander; Lt John A. Mc Donald, C.E. (0-1115692) Platoon Commander; Lt Randal Holden, C.E. (0-1114169) Platoon Commander, and Lt William M. Meier, C.E. (0-1592436) Supply Officer. No Change in Period.

Strength, Enlisted. Beginning of the Period: Present 188; Absent 12. The increase during the Period: 7. Pfc Matthew Connell, (32643582) Assigned to this Organization per (par) Paragraph 40, (SO) Special Orders 103, Hq. 2nd Reinforcement Depot Apr 16, 1945. Pfc Robert H. Nuss, (35543582); Pvt Carl C. Dugan Jr, (33267749); Pvt Alfred J. Ippoliti, (32644023); Pvt Ernest H. Lewis, (3458427); Pvt Jake M. Marrow, (36653191). Note. These 5 Enlisted Men Assigned per paragraph 19, Special Orders 105, Hq 2nd Reinforcement Depot Apr 18, 1945. Joined organization Apr 20, 1945. Pfc John P. Broderick, (32643373), Returned from Hospital to duty Apr 24, 1945. Decrease during the Period – 4. Pfc John J. Murray, (32640587), Died in Hospital Apr 17, 1945, while undergoing an operation for appendicitis; Pfc James F. Berry, (35360330), Lost to Hospital as Non-Battle Casualty. (Illness) Apr 20, 1945; Pvt Joe L. Blaylock, (14015945), Lost to Hospital as Non-Battle Casualty (Bullet Wound); Pvt Carl C. Dugan Jr, (33267749), Lost to Hospital Apr 20, 1945 as Non-Battle Casualty (Previous leg injury). Net Gain during the period : 3. Enlisted Strength at the end of period: Present 190, Absent 13.
Stations. At the beginning of the period, the unit was stationed at Kaiserslautern WR-0293, Germany. The company moved by motor convoy from Kaiserslautern to Wurzburg W-N 5934, Germany on April 15 1945, establishing new CP at 1830. The company moved by Motor convoy from Wurzburg, Germany to Ulm WX-6679, Germany, April 30 1945 establishing new CP at 0030.
Citations. On Apr 17, 1945, at a Company formation, the Bronze Star Medal was presented to Captain Francis M. Carson (01100043), 505th Engineer Light Ponton Company for ‘Meritorious Service in support of active combat operations from Feb 24, 1945, to Apr 8, 1945, in Germany’. The presentation was made by Lt Col Everett, 1144th Engineer Combat Group’s Commander. On Apr 22, 1945, at a Company formation, the Silver Star Medal was presented to Pfc Melville I. Kramer, (32644006), Corps of Engineers, 505th Engineer Light Ponton Company, United States Army for gallantry in action and disregard for personal safety displayed on Feb 23, 1945, in Germany which reflects the highest credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States. The presentation was made by Brig Gen Garrison Davidson, the Seventh United States Army Engineer Commander.

Operations during Period

The operations of the company during this period consisted almost solely of the transportation of Engineer materials from Army Dump at Luneville – France to Kaiserslautern – Germany, and thence to more advanced dumps successively at Walldurn, Wurzburg, Hamm, Crailsheim, Goppingen, Ulm and Donauworth. These operations were distinctly hampered during the period by a lack of ordnance replacement parts for 2 1/2 ton trucks. Where an average of 50 trucks should have been kept on the road, it was only possible to keep about 40 in constant operations. At that, most of the major assemblies obtained, came from wrecked vehicles in Ordnance collecting points.
On Apr 5, 1945, a River Recon was begun for the purpose of determining the possibility of transporting Engineer materials in River barges from Worms on the Rhine River northward to the confluence of the Main River with the Rhine River thence eastward along the Main River to Bamburg. This recon was accomplished by an officer, a power Utility Boat Operator, a boat mechanic in a power utility boat. The recon clearly revealed that transportation on River Barges was impossible due to a large number of demolished bridges obstructing the River. The recon was concluded on Apr 19, 1945.

Francis M. Carson
Capt 505th Engineer Light Pontoon Company
Commanding

War is Over
Final Roster 505-ELPC. Organization: Engineer Light Ponton Company, Camp Shanks, New York, November 26 1945. 505th inactivated this date per General Orders # 119 ASF NYPE Cp Shank NY Dtd 26 Nov 45 Capt Opuda John CE (0-485030) Trfd to 9223 TSU-TC Debarkee Transient Det 2C 505th Engineer Light Ponton Company Deactivated.

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