Itinerary 816th Eng. Avn. Bn. From: August, 1942 to: August, 1945

Building bridges and railways across Europe during WWII.

“All of us, who have been a part of this team, while impatient for the status of civilian, know that we will look back on 1942, 1943, 1944, and 1945 as the exciting years of our lives. We will be proud of our accomplishments; we will be said at having lost contact with buddies; we will be envious of the freedom inherent in being a part of a conquering army; we will wish for a touch of that old comradeship; and we will have forgotten most of the unpleasant things. In writing this history, it is hoped that these things will be, in part, preserved for ourselves primarily and for others to admire.” – pg. 8.

This uncommon WWII campaign map celebrates an often-overlooked support component of the Allied victory in all theaters of war. Engineering units played an invaluable role in the construction and maintenance of harbors, bridges, field hospitals, defensive emplacements, railways, and airfields across Europe and the Pacific. The image highlights the route of the 816th Engineer Aviation Battalion from its initial landing in Liverpool (8/17/1942) to approaching the outskirts of Munich nearly three years later. Notable projects (railways, buildings, airstrips, etc.) are labeled throughout. Highlights include the first American-built bomber base in England, the resurfacing of a Luxembourg airfield without it ever going out of commission, and the construction of a ‘floating runway’ at Colleville, France.

The map is accompanied by a 176 pp. unit history that offers additional details on the contributions of the 816th Engineer Aviation Battalion. It includes a summary of the various operations (by sections), actions (by company), unit roster, photographs, sketched illustrations, and more. Facts & Figures note that the unit consumed 1.5 million gallons of gasoline, strung over 200 miles of telephone wire, and 41 members were married overseas.

Scarce on the market and noted in only one example in WorldCat, at Texas A&M University. OCLC# 1365772725.