AlCan to Utah Beach 1944
Kilroy Drawings from the 145th Engineer
Combat Battalion
Saved by Col. John French McGaughey
Compiled by Andy Miller
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any image for a larger view
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Colonel John French McGaughey |
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These drawings are from photographs in
my grandfather's World War Two scrapbook, which was recently discovered
as my aunt was packing her house to move. I never knew my grandfather,
John French McGaughey, as he died when I was 7 months old. There
is no one in the family now living who has personal recollections
of French, so any information about his service in the war is from
official records and his scrapbook. He was the commanding officer
of the 145th, and served with the unit |
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(or its predecessor units) from 1941, and was with the unit when
it was assigned to the construction of the AlCan Highway in the
spring of 1942. The 145th sailed for Britain in April 1944, and
disembarked on Utah Beach on July 7, 1944.
The 145th built numerous bridges and repaired roads in support
of Patton's Third Army assault on German forces across France.
They were moved toward the fighting around Bastogne during the
Battle of the Bulge,
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but did not see significant combat in that battle, at least as
far as my limited research has been able to determine. There were
some incidents of strafing by German aircraft, but in nearly all
the photos where the soldiers are present, there are very few
weapons in evidence.
The drawings illustrate many of the experiences the men of the
Battalion faced. Food, fear, discomfort, and the desire to be
home are all clearly expressed in these drawings. While the 145th
was not in the front line, they
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living, and working conditions in a place where they had no desire
to be. From my perspective of having the luxury of air conditioning
in the summer and a warm, dry bed in the winter, being able to go
almost anywhere I want when I want, and not living with the daily
fear of being shot at, bombed, or shelled, I am constantly amazed
at the length of time the GIs spent sleeping in mud and snow, eating
cold food, with the added bonus of having the very real |
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chance of being killed. I'd like to think I could have endured
that, but I am forever gratefult that I have not had to test that
presumption.
There unfortunately is little information about these drawings.
A few things are certain - they were drawn by someone in the 145th
Engineer Combat Battalion. The drawings were done by a soldier
who I can only identify as Schrader, from the signature on one
of the drawings. I am presuming he was attached to the Battalion
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intelligence section, given that there are a couple
of drawings referring to "Snoop-Two," or S-2, the intelligence
officer. I am not certain of the sequence of drawings, but have
listed them in the order they were found in my grandfather's scrapbook.
I hope you enjoy the drawings, and I would very
much appreciate hearing from you if you know anything about the
145th's time in Europe, and particularly if you recall my grandfather.
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Andy Miller
Morrisville, NC
Send Corrections, additions,
and input to:
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