278th Engineer Combat BN in the European Theater of Operations

A pictorial tribute to the efforts of combat engineers in the ETO during WWII.

This fascinating campaign chronicle tells the story of the 278th Engineer Combat Battalion during the Second World War. The unit’s route from training in England to occupational duties in Germany is shown with a bold red line, crossing through France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Interspersed throughout are numerous vignettes that provide valuable insight into the priorities of the American G.I. in the European Theater.

Reflections on achievements (bridges, supply lines, lumbering, etc.) are presented alongside postwar baseball games, celebratory drinks, and thinking about home. Signs for Buzz Bomb Alley, diving fighters, and an explosion in the Ruhr Pocket give some indication of the dangers faced. Additional scenes on the left side showcase onerous duties in an amusing cartoonish style, likely appreciated by the soldierly audience.

The map was designed by T/4 Robert S. Alexander and printed in Heidelberg, Germany in 1945 by Winter Offset. Text on the verso, written by T/4 John L. Clark, provides a history of the 278th Engineer Combat Battalion between its first organization and V-J Day. The map is uncommon on the market and unlisted in WorldCat as of May 2024.