D to V-E Day 234th Engineer Combat Battalion Route of March Bivouac Sites Bridges Constructed Infantry Missions Miscellaneous Facts

Rare WWII route map owned by a member of the unit it represents.

This uncommon WWII unit history map was compiled by a First Lieutenant in the 234th Engineer Combat Battalion (illegible signature in the upper right) and printed, probably in France, in 1945. The self-explanatory title succinctly summarizes the contents, which provide a detailed overview of the regiment’s impressive war efforts. These include hitting the beaches of Normandy on D+2 as part of the 29th Infantry Division and fighting across much of France and Germany.

The continent-spanning route is bifurcated into two images, labeling bivouac sites, locations of interest, geographic features, and important events. During the epic campaign, the 234th was responsible for the construction of at least three dozen bridges, supplying nearly 3,000,000 gallons of water, and maintaining over 25,000 miles of roads. This success was not without cost, as noted in the tally of awarded citations. The total number of Purple Cross recipients has been apparently censored.

The map is rare and unlisted in WorldCat or the Library of Congress collections as of October 2024. This particular example was owned by one of the 234th’s 89 Bronze Star recipients, T/4 John B. Coriden of Hammond, IN. Several photographs and miscellaneous documents relating to the veteran are included with the map. An excerpt from V-Mail sent to his parents reads “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I guess a fellow doesn’t appreciate things until he has to leave them home and doesn’t get the same care anymore.”