I'm in the process now of putting together a magazine presentation (November-December 2006 issue) about WWII amphibious engineers who were so critical to the success of beach assault landings and follow-on logistical build up as forces moved inland. The main part of that presentation is an article written by the daughter of one of the veterans of those operations. Before I read her article, and had an opportunity to view many photos she provided, I had always assumed that engineers involved in beach landings during WWII were mostly engaged in clearing obstacles. I did not know, for example, that engineers were also responsible for much of the unloading of supplies onto the beachhead.
The unit involved in the presentation entered the war in 1942 from the U.S. and was a part of actions in North Africa. Afterwards, they supported beach assaults on the Italian island of Sicily, and then onto the Italian mainland at Naples and Anzio. Afterwards, they moved from Italy to France and then into Germany where they remained until the war's end in 1945. In all, they were overseas a long time...1942-1945.
I've always been amazed at how the people back home during World War II, with loved ones deployed and away from home for such long periods, kept their faith and remained so supportive for so long. It was a special time for the United States that's for sure. Makes you proud of those who were there at the time.
