March 1945

2 March 1945
"A" Company finished culvert and crater filling at Oberweis. One platoon maintained roads and one squad repaired road for hospital at Mulbach. One platoon cared and cleaned its equipment. "B" & "C" Companies placed two platoons each on the road net and MSR for its upkeep and maintenance. Each Company had a platoon in reserve.

3 March 1945
Three platoons from "A" & "B" Company were employed working roads along MSR. "C" Company was alerted for a bridge job on Kyll River West of Metterich. Preliminary reconnaissance was made and work commenced. The trestles were found already placed by 7th Engrs. Actual placing of bridge was planned around 0400.

4 March 1945
"B" Company started at Sinspelt maintaining roads to Oberweis, Rittersdorf and South to Bitburg and Stahl. All platoons from "A" and "B" Company were committed to these tasks. Two Treadway bridges were decked by "C" Company. First was 36' and second 96' located just west of Metterich. An alert for building Bailey at Erdorf was given "C" Company. A 40' D/S was completed by one platoon of "C" Company.

5 March 1945
A squad from "B" Company swept and posted road from Erdorf to Badem. Two squads remained in reserve. "C" company maintained two Treadway Bridges (36' and 96' long) West of Metterich, which demolished a building which created a road hazard at point East of Oberweis. Two Platoons of "C" Company went to work constructing 110' T/S Bailey Bridge at Erdorf with half a squad clearing mines and removing 100' abatis just south of bridge site. "C" Company's D-7 and Bn. Tank Dozer cleared road of obstacles and debris from Bitburg to Irsch and North to Erdorf.

6 March 1945
All of "A" Company maintained roads in the vicinity of Stahl and Bitburg to Rittersdorf. "B" Company maintained roads in town of Bitburg and roads just west. One platoon prepared site for 160' Continuous D/S Bailey at Kyllburg. A third platoon was in reserve. A platoon and a squad of "C" Company maintained roads East from road junction to Bitburg and Obermois.

7 March 1945
Some extra effort was required along the various stretches of roads. Mud and craters were troublesome. "A" Company was busy with two platoons on roads in Bitburg and vicinity. After previously preparing site "B" Company constructed 160' D/S Continuous Bailey Bridge at Kyllburg. "C" Company committed two platoons on road repair and half a squad destroying enemy demolitions.

8 March 1945
"A" Company cleared rubble and filled craters in town Bitburg. "B" Company completed 160' D/S Continuous Bailey Bridge at Kyllburg. "C" Company maintained and patrolled road of MSR to the rear. 2 Squads filled crater and improved road to Airport. Two platoons of "B" Company maintained road not in the area of Malberg.

9 March 1945
Four squads continued work on streets in Bitburg and another squad maintained bridges at Bitburg. The MSR from Bitburg, Trach to Erdorf was held in repair by two squads of "A" Company. Two platoons of "B" Company maintained road not in the area of Malberg, Malbergweich and Kyllburg. One platoon in reserve. "C" Company with a shovel and the use of Traxcavator and D-7 from 613 L. E. Co. Repaired roads from Erdorf to Baden, Orsfeld to Sainsfeld, to Steinborn. All platoons were committed plus aid of 50 PW's.

10 March 1945
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Area of present assignment presented much required road work. 263 PW's were used by the companies. One platoon of "A" Company blew four pillboxes and destroyed enemy demolitions. "B" Company maintained roads from Steinborn to Weisburg and from Kyllburg of Traxcavator, shovel and four trucks maintained Endorf road. One squad remained for upkeep of 36' and 86' Treadway Bridges.

11 March 1945
"A" Company used three platoons on road stretch from Kyllburg East to crossroad. "B" Company disposed three platoons along its road responsibility from crossroads West of Weidenbach. "C" Company also employed all it's elements maintaining roads and two Treadway bridges. Also patrolled MSR to Sinspelt. 300 PW's were under the supervision for work by the Battalion.

12 March 1945
One platoon from each company patrolled & maintained separate road sections and repaired shoulders along MSR from Sinspelt to North of Kyllburg as far as Weidenbach. Plans were made to move Battalion completely forward at 1400 hours. This move was to facilitate operations pending.

13 March 1945
One squad of "A" Company continued demining airstrip East of Thur. Remainder of company was alerted to assist 88th Engrs constructed H. P. Bridge at Moselkern. "B" Company readied itself to build estimated 400' Treadway Bridge at Hatzenport using one platoon to collect equipment for the mission. "C" Company's bridge also was at Muden. Preparations and collections of equipment was being done. Construction length was estimated at 400' and bridge was to commence in the early morning.

14 March 1945
"A" and "B" Companies finished bridges. First was located at Moselkern of 378' Length. Job was completed at 1830 hours and was a reinforced H. P. Bridge. Second bridge at Hatzenport was 456' long and was done at 1930 hours by "B" Company and was a Floating Treadway. "C" Company had 90% of their bridge done at 1800 hours at Muden.

15 March 1945
"C" Company's Treadway was completed at 2030 hours at Muden. Some difficulty was met in placing antimine bombs in upstream positions from bridges. Cables snapped due to pressure of current on logs in water. Powerboats also failed. In addition the MSR was also maintained by platoons from "A" and "B" Company from Kaisersesch to Mayans. Also Kehrig to Mayans and the near shore river road from Hatzenport to Cardan.

16 March 1945
Road maintenance again became a fair portion of our work. The anti-mine boom work continued and elements of "C" Company were on alert to remove debris which might damage bridge at Muden. All Companies committed troops along MSR from Kaisersesch as far northeast to RJ. Also from same point to Mayans and axial roads North. Plans were made to move across Moselle River before dawn in order to clear bridges for traffic rush expected.

17 March 1945
Road maintenance with removal of road blocks consisting of cribbed logs. These roads were MSR's leading to bridges across Moselle River at Hatzenport, Moselkern and Muden. Reconnaissance section took just 2 PW's just Rheinbollen. Bn. HQ. Was set up in Braunshorn.

18 March 1945
Road maintenance and removal of log-crib road blocks was the main and only mission of all companies. Routes were the main supply arteries in to Simmern and East to Argenthal and Rheinbollen. Civilians were commandeered to remove road blocks in various towns in which they were located. The town authority was usually contacted regarding this work. One squad of "C" Company went in support of 2nd Cavalry and destroyed enemy ammunition. The reconnaissance section turned over six PW's who surrendered at Bad Dreusnach.

19 March 1945
Major task of Battalion was the maintenance of supply routes, axial and lateral, in a fairly large area. Each company worked two platoons. "A" Company worked sector out of Kastellaun, Keidelheim and Simmern South to Sargeroth on MSR. "B" Company's area stretched from Simmern to Argenthal and east to Rheinbollen. Also route from Kisselback to Budenbach. A third sector started in Kastellaun and Northeast to Godenroth to Braunshorn south to Wiebelsheim, Oberwesel to Kisselbach and Rheinbollen to Bachrach was also in the sphere of work which was "C" Company's job.

20 March 1945
"B" Company alerted to build three contemplated Bailey 80' D/S bivouacked in Spredlingen. The contemplated bridges at Schwabenheim and two at Stadecken were not required after receiving more reliable reconnaissance. In this projected task the Company suffered thirteen casualties, one fatal, due to enemy air bombing of bivouac. "A" Company had a stretch of road for maintenance from Simmern to Holzbach. The major portion of the battalion road responsibility was maintained by "C" Company. Roads passed from Simmern to Rheinbollen and Bachrach, Stromberg to Windesheim and Bingen, Windesheim too Witterback, Kellenbach and Gemunden to Winterburg. A reserve platoon held for mission at Alzey was sent to prepare a Corps bridge dump.

21 March 1945
Two platoons of "A" Company inflated floats in bridge dump in Undenheim preparatory to bridge construction vicinity of Oppenheim. A squad and a half unloaded lumber at Bad Kreuznach and the remaining half squad destroyed 38 enemy mines at Oppenheim. "B" Company worked one platoon at Sprendlingen and a second platoon maintained bridge approaches at Bretzenheim. The bridge dump at Alzey was being cleared by one platoon. One platoon constructed racks for the pneumatic floats and a third platoon loaded 12' sections of Treadway sections complete. Much and varied equipment was attached to battalion for this operation to cross the Rhine River. It included an AA unit, six Quickway Cranes, assault boats, and several outboard motors.

22 March 1945
Final preparations for Rhine River Bridges & boom construction were afoot. One platoon of "A" Company assembled material for anti-mine booms. The balance of the company was on alert to construct 40 HP Bridge, "B" Company was ready to start work on 1000' Treadway Bridge. Both bridges were to be located in the vicinity of Oppenheim. "C" Company worked loading and unloading bridging and material at dumps in Alzey and Undenheim. A squad also rigged anchors for the floats. The Battalion CP was set up in Undenheim during this preparatory stage.

23 March 1945
A forward CP was set up adjacent of boat basin in which four pontoon sections were assembled for Rhine River Treadway. These were floated in turn to bridge site with aid of a power boat. After delay due to interference in launching difficulties of Naval LCVPS actual construction commenced at about 0300 hours. Opposition in the form of repeated aerial attacks were met with. Also accurately directed shell fire caused a change in placing of cranes but was eventually eliminated upon capture of seventeen enemy at a field phone on a far shore. All were found in a hasty fortification by Lt. Huntington and Sqt. Boucher. 972' of Treadway was emplaced and Rhine River spanned for at 1700 hours. "C" Company supplied materials and assembled floats. "B" and "A" Companies built bridge and boom respectively aided and abetted by the 995th, 996th, and 997th Engrs. Including four cranes and five power boats. So was the first 3rd Army Bridge and crossing the Rhine River.

24 March 1945
"A" Company completed collection of materials and constructing anti-mine boom 2200' long on the Rhine south of Oppenheim. One squad assisted in 1000' anti-personnel boom construction. Anti-barge boom material was collected for 1400' by platoon from "A" Company. "C" Company received assignment to construct second Treadway over Rhine approx. 1050' Long south of first site. One platoon maintained approaches of 972' Treadway Bridge. "B" Company prepared floats for the bridge which Construction commenced immediately.

25 March 1945
Upon completion of 972' Treadway immediate construction commenced on a second Treadway directly upstream. Two platoons of "C" Company worked on its erection and without great difficulty completed it at 1200 hours. This Treadway was 1116' long. The remaining platoon maintained bridge. "A" Company repaired and maintained far shore approaches using a platoon. Two squads worked in constructing approximately 1000' anti-personnel boom and dropping anti-personnel charges in the river. "B" Company assisted in preparing floats & equipment and maintained 972' Treadway.

26 March 1945
The two Treadways completed across Rhine river, plans were made to move across. Battalion was alerted to make assault crossing of Main River in vicinity of Muhlheim. Battalion billeting parties were sent forward to arrange quarters vicinity of Dornheim.

27 March 1945
Plans for moving Battalion to Dornheim were rescinded. A more forward position was chosen at Offenbach for impending operations. All Companies and Bn. HQ. Set up CP's at 1400 hours. One platoon of "A" Company made ready to operate ferries at Muhlheim crossing site with two platoons in reserve. "B" and "C" Companies gathered required equipment and boats for assault of Main river at 280300. The first company was to cross the 1st Battalion of the 357th Inf. and the latter the 3rd Battalion.

28 March 1945
"B" and "C" Companies crossed two Battalions of 357th Inf. and completed mission without casualties at 1030 hours. One squad from "B" and a platoon from "C" Company remained at Muhlheim and Rumpenheim sites respectively to man boats for evacuation of wounded and supply. "A" Company completed Class 10 ferry construction at 1030 hours and two squads operated the same. All tasks were terminated and battalion elements relieved at 1800 hours upon completion of Heavy Pontoon Bridge.

29 March 1945
Bridge approaches and their maintenance at Muhlheim was the task for a platoon of "A" Company also recovery of light bridge equipment along river. One squad operated ferry at Rumpenheim. "C" Company also placed one platoon recovering light equipage on river each side of ferry site. The bridge approaches at Rumpenheim were also looked after and two squads completed anti-mine boom upstream from bridge at Muhlheim. One squad inspected barges in Main River in area adjacent to bridges.

30 March 1945
Two platoons of "A" Company maintained Muhlheim bridge and approaches. Also provided security for the same and maintained Rumpenheim bridge with approaches and provided security. "B" Company disposed two platoons on roads from Muhlheim bridge to Hochstadt, Wachenbuchen, Mittelbuchen to Kilianstadten for repair and maintenance. "C" Company worked roads from RJ Northeast of Vilbel to Gronau, Kilianstadten to Windecken.

31 March 1945
The Battalion remained in rear securing Main River bridges crossing at Rumpenheim and Muhlheim. "B" and "C" Companies maintained roads in repair. Plans and expectations were to move ahead a considerable distance.