IX Engineer Command

operation." The doctrines, the charts, and the plans --- that was for higher headquarters to figure out. For these reasons, the following account is presented so that those men can see the overall accomplishments of their efforts and how they fitted into the pattern of war.

The story of the construction of a single airfield is a narrative of coordinated service among various headquarters and individuals. Careful planning and constant contact with all echelons of ground and air forces has guided the operations to now. Based on a knowledge of the ground plans and the probable requirements for bases in maintaining the air effort, the engineer staff has planned the phasing of units into the plan. Then the story that the engineers know too well starts to unfold:

An advance party of reconnaissance men moves close to the front-line area and charts the site previously selected. The debris of battle lies about and the infantry has just moved out. Center line of the main runway is charted, proposed taxiways, marshalling areas, hardstands or dispersal areas, repair areas, fuel storage sites, and bivouac areas are surveyed and mapped. On the chart access roads are indicated, water points, gravel Spits, and railheads are recorded, and the rough map is on its way to regimental and brigade headquarters.

The battalion moves in and bulldozers, the backbone of the work organization, and other heavy equipment begin grading operations. .At the same time, trees are felled, hedges and other vegetation are grubbed and cleared, fills are made, and high ground leveled. It is bustle of activity.

Often, the noise of battle and the churning creak of the bulldozers mingle in the air over the dusty activity of construction. The blasts from heavy artillery adds to the