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Build...Defend...Maintain
Units
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Brigades
Heading the IX Engineer Command lineup of units were three provisional brigades. These comprised the second highest operational level of the command.
The First and Second Engineer Aviation Brigades were established on August 1, 1944 as a means of decentralizing control over the great distances growing out of the St-Lo breakthrough and subsequent displacement of separate armies and tactical air commands. Acting as advanced echelons of command headquarters and confining their control top only operational matters, the brigades were always in close proximity and laison with the TAC and Army which they were supporting. Aviation engineer units were shifted between the brigades as directed by operational needs. The First and Second Brigades did a major share of the aviation engineer planning and each contributed half of the total construction effort.
The Third Engineer Aviation Brigade was activated last winter when the command took on greater maintenance responsibilities. With the mission of maintaining operational airfields and performing construction in rear areas, the brigade called upon two provisional regiments to carry out all this work. By VE-Day, the brigade had assumed responsibility for all work west of the Rhine River and was maintaining an average of 75 airfields. It employed about 10,000 civilians and PWs to augment the work done by attached units.
922nd Engineer Aviation Regiment
Le Bourget, (A-54) the famous French airfield where Lindberg landed the Spirit of St. Louis after flying the Atlantic, stands as a symbol of the “front line operations” of the aviation engineers. A bronze plaque now rests on the wall of the administration building at the field in honor of Col. A.P. Little, Jr., and Lt. Col. G.B. Hall, of the 922nd. These two officers lost their lives at Le Bourget while attempting reconnaissance of this field while enemy troops were still in possession of much of it.
923rd Engineer Aviation Regiment
The 923rd Engineer Regiment is the only colored unit in the IX Engineer Command, and the largest single Negro organization in ETOUSA. The Regiment arrived on the continent of Europe in September, 1944 and has since been employed on airdomes on the southern airdromes on the southern front in support of the 1st French Army and the U.S. 7th Army, and has completed construction and rehabilitation projects across the Continent and into Germany. The famous 200 voice United States Army Negro Chorus is comprised of members of this regiment.
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924th Engineer Aviation Regiment
The 924th Engineer Aviation Regiment was activated in October 1942 at Richmond, VA, and arrived in the U.K. July 1943. In 12 months the regiment built 28 airfields in England. After D plus 32 it constructed and rehabilitated 47 airfields on the Continent. In the great final drive east of the Rhine, “Stripped-Down” mobile units of the 924th traveled with Armored Division spearheads to rehabilitate S and E fields in advance of the Infantry. These fields enabled the fastmoving forces to be supplied by air transport.
925th Engineer Aviation Regiment
The 925th Engineer Aviation Regiment landed on Omaha Beach 2 July 1944, then followed General Patton through Coutances and Avaranches, then eastward through Paris to the Metz-Thionville area. Wintered in this area then pushed into Germany through Trier, Bonn, Mainz, Frankfurt, Erfurt, Bamberg, Stuttgart, and Augsburg to Munich. During time Regimental headquarters was at Bonn within 400 yards of German outposts, Headquarters and Service Company built the first airfield East of the Rhine in the Regimen bridge-head area. Battalions attached to the 925th built 77 fields in a little over 10 months operations on the Continent of Europe.
926th Engineer Aviation Regiment
BORN AND WEANED: Richmond Airbase, Richmond, VA, June 1943. CHILDHOOD: Honington, Suffold, England with seven battalions and thirty-three jobs. ADOLESCENCE: Great Barrington with practice moves; Wethersfield, Cokethorpe; and Boomerang. ADULTHOOD: Cherbourg to Pilsen; D + 5 in Normandy dust; distance in Brittany; anniversary in Alen?on; past Paris behind Patton; sod fields, mesh, hessian; winter home in St. Nicolas, winter work in mud with plank; Spring push over Rhine; tenting in Lorsch; furor in Furth; equipment always working with battalions; paper work never ceasing; spreading supervision over 76 airfields.
2nd Airfield Maintenance Regiment
The 2nd Airfield Maintenance Regiment (Prov) was established at Le Chesnay France, on the 27th of October 1944, for the purpose of supervising airfield maintenance and additional airfield construction in rear areas. This organization has included twelve battalions in its short history. At periods, this regiment has been responsible for the maintenance of as many as 65 airfields West of the Rhine. In April 1945, the plan for turning airfield maintenance over to civilian contractors was instituted, thereby releasing subordinate units for construction in forward areas.
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816th Engineers
One of the first bases in Normandy, (A-3) with fighter-bombers operating from it on D + 8. Prior to this invasion-construction, the 8th spent 18 months in England building heavy-bomber bases and training. After Normandy came Le Mans, Cormielles (Oui, Paree), Belgium, Luxembourg and then Germany where eight S and E strips were completed in three days.
818th Engineers
This battalion landed on Utah beach on June 30th, and followed advancing armies through France to Luxembourg and to the Nancy area, engaging in the construction of 18 airfields. In the “Bulge” area, the unit was forced to mine and guard their installations. Y-46 at Aachen was one of the first fields in Germany, and the 818th built 12 S and E strips east of the Rhine.
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819th Engineers
The 819th arrived in the E.T.O. in July 1942 to build Andrews Field, the first American-built heavy-bomber drome in England. Elements of the unit landed in France H + 3 hours on D-Day. Battalion won Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation for construction under fire of first ALG in Normandy. Constructed 10 ALGs and 14 S and E strips, and rehabilitated three enemy airdromes on the continent.
820th Engineers
After two years of airfield construction in England, the 820th hit Omaha beachhead with invasion forces on D + One. A-12 at Lignerolles was completed despite enemy artillery, bombs and straffing. They followed Patton to Le Mans, completing four airfields in the area before going into the buzz-bomb area of Belgium, and later across the Roer and finally the Rhine.
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825th Engineers
Although the Y-27 at Trier was one of the first operational fields in Germany, and Y-47 at Eshbarn was the first fighter-bomber field East of the Rhine, the 825th is proudest of the TAD at Thionville. By working on a 24-hour schedule in bitter winter weather, this field was completed ten days ahead of schedule, and later accommodated record air traffic.
826th Engineers
Unit landed in Normandy on D + 6. Two days later the site for its first continental airfield, A-10 was captured. Two days work surfaced A-10; four days made it an operational fighter-bomber base. Entire job completed under enemy artillery fire. Constructed fields behind U.S. 7th and U.S. 9th Armies. Across Rhine into Germany and beyond Weimar by V-E Day.
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827th Engineers
Activated in April, the 827th left New York Harbor Dec. 7, 1942 for the E.T.O. Before the continental campaign, more than 10,000 cubic yards of concrete were poured and six million square feet of asphault laid by this unit in construction of 8th A.F. bomber bases. The first completed airdrome at Eye was presented to the Air Corps on Dec. 7, 1943.
829th Engineers
This Battalion was assigned maintenance of a fighter-bomber base at Azelot, France. Although conditions of the field were such that it was apparently a hopeless task, a major reconstruction program was undertaken. The Air Force didn’t miss a single mission during a very bad winter, and the finished field was considered one of the very best in the Nancy area.
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830th Engineers
Twenty-two months experience in constructing heavy-bomber bases in England successfully prepared this unit for its continental mission. After crossing Omaha Beach, 13 fields were completed in record time. Metz will be remembered. Jerry’s straffing and night construction work within sight of German-held forts. The men have fulfilled their slogan, “GET THE DAMN JOB DONE”.
831st Engineers
The 831st was activated in May and left for E.T.O. duty in August 1942. This unit poured three runaways and complete perimeter track in 89 days a Chipping Ongar. “Engineers from all over the country came to see this work. Nothing like it has ever been done before in this country,” said the London Express.
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832nd Engineers
Landing in England in Sept. 1942, five months after being activated, this Battalion started construction on Glatton Airdrome and Abbots Ripton Air Depot. They arrived in France on D + 24, following advancing armies across France into the heart of the Reich. By V-E Day they had built ten airdromes, 16 S and E strips, and maintained 9 airdromes built by others.
833rd Engineers
The 833rd was activated at McChord Field, Washington, in April 1942, and arrived in the United Kingdom in August 1942, where they were engaged in construction of heavy-bomber bases. The Battalion landed at St. Clair, Omaha Beach on the 30th of June, 1944, then moved across the continent building hospital evacuation strips, fighter-bomber bases, and other high-priority airfield construction.
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834th Engineers
Activated in April, this Battalion arrived overseas in Aug 1942. During the following 16 months they built Matching Airdrome. It was awarded the Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation for work on first invasion fields in Normandy, including an ELS, and an evacuation strip, a tactical field and a tactical air depot. On V-E Day, the 834th was working on Czechoslovakia’s first American airfield.
837th Engineers
The 837th Engineer Aviation Battalion, after a year’s service in Africa, Italy, and in the Mediterranean theater, joined the IX Engineer Command in the European Theater in March 1945. It started the development of the major international airdrome (Y-17) near Marseilles, on which it supervised more than 2000 German PWs continuously, until the 837th was released for redeployment.
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840th Engineers
This Battalion crossed the Normandy beaches early in July to build Meautis (A-17), then raced armored forces to Dreaux, then knocked out a “quirky” from the white chalk of Mourmelon. They struggled in the mud of Toul during the Fall, and shivered through the Yuletide at Tantonville, after which they engaged in maintenance operations. Crossed Rhine in March to Frankfort, then to Stuttgart.
843rd Engineers
The 843rd landed on D + 25 in Normandy, and airfield construction began that day and continued through Normandy, across northern France to Munich, Germany, when V-E Day arrived. This unit was the first to operate on the northern side of Paris, occupying Le Bourget with enemy troops at one end of it. It constructed in whole, or part, 40 fields in Europe.
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844th Engineers
The 844th arrived in England in June 1944, and helped build Birch Airdrome and Wattisham Air Depot. Since January 1944, the unit has been busy keeping 8th A.F. fields operational, having overlaid with 8-feet concrete, either completely or partially, perimeter tracks on all 8th A.F. 1st Devison Stations: worked on 48 A.F. stations, 8 depots, 12 hospitals, and 5 headquarters.
846th Engineers
Landing in Normandy on July 16th, thi unit had completed A-13 by July 26th, a fighter-bomber base with two PSP runways. The 846th has completed three ALGs, two S and Es, one fighter-bomber strip, and has rehabilitated 20 airfields. Operations carried them from Normandy, through France, Belgium, Holland, and into Germany where V-E Day found them working on Bremen Airfield.
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847th Engineers
The 847th was attached to the First Tactical Air Force until it came under IX Engineer Command in February, 1945. It built first two medium-bomber fields for support of 6th U.S. Army Group at Lyon and Dijon. It was the first Battalion of the Regiment to enter Germany, and completed one of the first OAF fields at Schweinfurt.
850th Engineers
The 850th landed on Utah Beachhead on D + 14, where they built a “Cub” field. From there they proceeded to airfield construction at Querville, Gaem, Iannes, Alen?on, Vitry, Reims, Haye, Nancy and many other places. By Easter, 1945, they had crossed the Rhine where they completed five fields and six S and Es.
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851st Engineers
D-Day found this unit at a place in England known as “Buzz-Bomb Alley”, maintaining seven newly-constructed ALGs. On the continent in October at Le Bourget airdrome; then to Reims and other French operations. In April the unit constructed Y-99 in Germany, an SMT fighter-bomber base, and in addition maintained S and E fields east to the Elbe River.
852nd Engineers
Activated in Spokane, Washington, Aug 1942, leaving for England May 1943, to complete two bomber bases, resurface two airdromes, provide housing, workshops for A.F. units. Confident on D + 37 where they constructed 10 airfields, two air depots, rehabilitated four fields and maintained 40. Completed one of the first fighter-bomber bases in Reich, and accompanied two armored spearheads to build advance S and E strips.
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859th Engineers
This Battalion completed a heavy-bomber station in England in time for it to be used in support of the Normandy invasion. Shortly after arrival in France, it constructed an ALG at Luxeuil, the first airfield in France to be built by Negro troops. Since then it has been employed in the maintenance of many fields and the construction of an OAF field near Frankfurt.
861st Engineers
Activated Jan 1943, although it had been trained since Oct 1942 as 1st Battalion of the 924th Regiment. This unit arrived in England May 1943 and proceeded to replace hundreds of acres of apple orchards with a heavy-bomber field by Feb 1944. Since then it has been engaged in maintenance of 8th A.F. fields.
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862nd Engineers
The 862nd spent 14 months in the UK, before landing in France , where it moved across France to Belgium working on six fields en route. Under constant rain and robot bombs, depot-transport field A-93D was built. Later a PSP field was built and five fighter fields converted for bombers. At one time all US fields in Belgium and Holland were maintained by the 862nd.
937th Engineer Avn. Cam. Bn.
This Camouflage Battalion arrived overseas in Feb 1944 to do extensive camouflage of invasion stockpiles in England. Arriving in Normandy D + 20, engaged in decoy operations to draw enemy fire from aircraft on ALGs. As Luftwaffe impotency reduced camouflage needs, unit operated engineer supply dumps and engaged in airfield construction and maintenance.
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Airborne Engineer Aviation Battalions
876th
This Airborne Battalion was activated in November 1942, and arrived overseas in July 1943. It was the first unit assigned to the IX Engineer Command. It was mainly engaged in France, Belgium and Germany. During the airborne invasion of Holland, the 876th carved out “hasty” airstrips for the airborne forces.
877th
The 877th Airborne Battalion arrived in the United Kingdom in March 1944, and on Omaha Beach on D + 30. They built A-15 at Maupertus, which was the first field on the continent to base medium B-26 bombers and Black Widow night fighters. The 877th was engaged in construction and maintenance of 66 fields in France and Germany.
878th
The airborne 878th was activated in Feb 1943, and arrived in England in March 1944 to “sweat out” D-Day. It was on almost constant alert for airborne missions from D-Day to V-E Day, a period enlivened by eight “dry runs” and a short sea voyage to Utah Beach and return. Its motto, “Ready, Willing, and Able” --- was recently revised to, “We’ve Had It”.
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Engineer Maintanence Companies
An important factor in the success of the huge airfield construction program was the rapid and excellent repair of heavy airfield construction equipment by three Engineer Maintanence Companies: the 471st, 475th, and the 973rd. When possible, mobile repair units of these organizations repaired equipment at the airfield sites, while most heavy repair was completed at the maintanence units own bases.
Detachment A of the 752nd Engineer Parts Company and the Ordnance Spare Parts Sub-Depot supplied replacement parts needs by the maintenance units as well as battalions. The 1193rd Engineer Base Depot aided the program by maintaining a pool of heavy engineer equipment for all Command organizations.
Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squads
One of the most dangerous, but necessary contributions made in airfield construction on the continent, was that of the 8th, 43rd, 68th, 82nd, and 86th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squads. Although each squad contained only one officer and five enlisted men, these units removed or destroyed hundreds of tons of bombs, mines, and booby-traps from airfield sites. All squads were in active operations in Normandy by D + 30, and moved across Europe with advance elements of the Command. At one time they did as much as 500 percent overload of operations.
Medical Dispensary (Aviation)
There are five Medical Dispensaries (Aviation) attached to the IX Engineer Command: 208th, 209th, 215th, 218th, and 220th. These units furnish medical care for all organizations not provided with the adequate medical facilities and include Dental Sections and Infirmaries. Personnel include Medical Doctors, Dentists, and Medical, Surgical, and Dental Technicians. These medical units assume sanitary insepction duties as well as physical medical duties. The Medical Dispensary unit is generally composed of three officers and 13 enlisted men.
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Headquarters
Command Headquarters consists of specialized sections and personnel detailed to coordinate, plan and administrate the functions of the organization. The huge airfield construction program had to be coordinated with tactical situations on ground and in the air. The following units played and important part in successful Command operations.
The 902nd Engineer A.F. Headquarters Co., and the 319th Station Complement Squadron provided housing, administrative, and mess facilities, motor-transportation, map-reproduction and other services for Main and Advanced Headquarts. Hq. and Hq. Squadron is composed of technical and specialized personnel of Command Headquarters, which included Intelligence, Operations, Supply, Finance, Personnel, Adjutant General, and Judge Advocate General Sections. Hq. and Hq. Squadron also included Special Service, Inspector General, Information-Education, Chemical Warfare, Statistical Control, Public Relations, Command Chaplain Ordnance and Quartermaster Sections.
The 1294th Military Police Co., (Aviation) provided Interior Guard, Traffic Control, POW Guard, Investigation, and also processed War Department and civilian identifications. The 395th Signal Co., (Aviation) installed, operated and maintained all radio, telephone and teleprinter communications between all units of the widespread Command from the first days of the invasion. These two organizations hold Meritorious Service Plaques for outstanding services.
The 126th and 160th Army Postal Units processed all mail for Command organizations. Although units were constantly moving, millions of letters and parcels efficiently and speedily distributed. Detachment A of the 1052nd Quartermaster Co., procured food, clothing and T/E equipment for Command units, serving as liason between QM depots and the Command.
1st Platoon of the 32nd Special Service Co., organized GI entertainment, formed an orchestra and provided recreational services. The 1st Historical Unit was recently formed to transcribe the history of the Command, the story of the greatest military airfield construction program in all time.
