The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 72, July 1968 - April, 1969 Page: 70
This periodical is part of the collection entitled: Southwestern Historical Quarterly and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Texas State Historical Association.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Southwestern Historical Quarterly
officers had known for fully two months that the river was to be crossed,
yet they had apparently made no effort to secure the required equipment.
General Walker and the Corps Engineers were advised of conditions;
though both showed their concern, there was nothing they could do other
than protest to 5th Army.
The only river crossing material available was the pneumatic recon-
naissance boat and the wooden assault boat M-2. The standard M1938
footbridge was not available in any amount.49
We had attached to the division Col. Killian's"o veteran 19th Engineer
Regiment, Co. A 8c B of [the] 16th Engrs. with Col. Anderson's"' ioo8
Engr. Gp. in support. Every effort was made by the Div. Engineers and
all attached troops to make the crossing but we failed in every attempt.
Roads could not be constructed under heavy enemy fire. Every method
known, and some never before tried, were used to clear mine fields in-
cluding driving 250 head of sheep up and down the river.
Our losses [Engineers] were high, but nothing to compare with the
infantry. After six days and nights of preparation and two of trying to
cross the river, we were shifted to the north where the 34th Division
had made a crossing where the river was fordable.2
As a result of this operation, 5th Army relieved Gen. Wilbur," Asst.
Div. Cmdr.; Col. Bill Martin," 143rd [Regimental] C[ommanding] O[fficer];
Col. [Clayton P.] Kerr, C[hief] of S[taff]; ,[and] Lt. Col. Fred L. Walker,
Jr.,6" G-3; [and] Col. Werner. Lt. Col. Andy Price". . .. [was] wounded and
4Stovall Narrative, 59-60.
6Joseph O. Killian, 019370, was consecutively executive officer, battalion commander,
and commanding officer of the 19th Engineer Regiment from February 19, 1942, to
December 4, 1944. He was awarded the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the
Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Army Commendation Medal. Babcock to
R.L.W.
61Kingsley Shermon Anderson, 015450, was commanding officer of the 1oo8 Engineer
Group from August 21, 1943, to September 4, 1944. He was awarded the Silver Star, the
Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. Ibid.
62Stovall Narrative, 62.
6Brigadier General William H. Wilbur, the 36th Infantry assistant division commander,
was one of the few general officers in World War II to wear the Congressional Medal of
Honor. He received the award as a colonel in the North Africa landings, near Casablanca,
in November, 1942. He joined the 36th Division at Salerno in September, 1943, and con-
tinued as assistant division commander until after the Rapido River repulse in January,
1944. Huff (ed.), A Pictorial History of the 36th "Texas" Infantry Division, unp.
64William H. Martin, 0335128, was consecutively battalion commander, regimental ex-
ecutive officer, and regimental commanding officer of the 143rd Infantry from November
25, 1940, to January 29, 1944. He was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with Oak
Leaf Cluster, and the Purple Heart. Babcock to R.L.W.
65Fred L. Walker, Jr., 020293, was assigned to the 36th Infantry Division from October
8, 1943, to April 7, 1944. He was awarded the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze
Star, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal with
one Oak Leaf Cluster. Ibid.
56Andrew F. Price, o218891, was consecutively battalion commander, regimental execu-
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 72, July 1968 - April, 1969, periodical, 1969; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117146/m1/86/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.