HEADQUARTERS

697TH ENGINEER PETROLEUM DISTRIBUTION CO (SEP)

                                                               APO # 512                           US ARMY

 

 

                                               17 October 1944

 

314.7

 

SUBJECT:     War Diary.

 

TO :                Commanding General, Seventh Army Rear Echelon, Historical Section, APO# 758, U. S. Army.

 

1.    Transmitted herewith is unit War Diary for the 697th Engineer Petroleum Distribution Company covering the period 1 Sept/44 to 30 Sept/44 inclusive.

 

 

 

CARL W. BILLS,

CAPT., C. E., COMMANDING..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incls:

War Diary in Trip.

 

 

 

                                                                              SHEET No   1

War Diary, 697th Engineer Pet Dist Co.                             STATION: Pierrelatte, France         

 

MONTH OF   September 1944                                           Prepared. by: Frederick W. Hirsch, 1st Lt., C.E.
                                                                                                                   

DAY                                                                  EVENTS

 

1-3                   PFC Anglin, Herbert J. and PFC Peterson, Victor B. were transferred on rotation to 7th Repl Dep for trans-shipment to the U.S.A.  PFC Anglin has been with the Company since it was formed back in North Africa, he was liked by everyone and will be greatly missed by all the boys. PFC Peterson joined the Company the 22nd March 1944 as a replacement, he was an outstanding man in every way. He will also be greatly missed by every one that knew him.

 

4-6                  Regular Pipeline duties.

 

7                      Today we had our first taste of real Southern France rain. There was very little wind with the moisture but it was the heaviest rain we had been caught in for some time.

 

8                      M/Sgt Greaves and 15 EM moved to another building in the Bulk Stock Terminal Area (Etang De  Berre) which was more convenient for operating at the Lavera Refinery. Operations expected to begin within 24 hrs.

 

9                      Lt Johnson, of the 3rd Mobile Laboratory, who is attached to this unit went to the hospital today. The medica1 authorities explained that he would be evacuated back to Italy for treatment.

 

10-11               News was received of PFC Haastedt, who previously left Company in Italy - sick 262nd Station Hospital. He is being evacuated to the zone of interior. He entered the hospital with a sickness similar to paralysis. Our best wishes for a speedy recovery and return to the unit.

 

12-13               Lt Longnecker left company hq and moved to Lavera Refinery to supervise the operation of the Bulk Stock Terminal which is now in operation. He will join M/Sgt Greaves and the other 15 EM.

 

14-16               Capt Woulfe from Engineer Section, C.B.S., left company to rejoin parent unit. He had been attached to the company prior to the invasion of Southern France and had become very well liked by all the company.

 

17-19               Detachment of  1- Officer and 18 EM rejoined the Company on the 17th Sept/44. They had been stationed at St. Raphael, France where they were operating the St. Raphael Petroleum Installation. The 784th Pet Dist Co took over this installation.

 

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                                                                                       SHEET No.   2
War Diary, 697th Engineer Pet Dist Co.                     STATION: Pierrelattr, France

 

 MONTH OF  September 1944                                   Prepared by: Frederick W. Hirsch, 1st Lt, CE.

 

   DAY                                                                    EVENTS

 

20                    Six enlisted men rejoined the company from temporary duty with the 1379th Engr Pet Dist Co at Lavera Refinery where they had been teaching 1379 Engr men the operations of the Bulk Stock Terminal Storage. The 1379th Engr Pet Dist Co is now in charge of operating the terminal.

 

21-22               Regular Pipeline Construction Duties.

 

23                    The Company left bivouac area at Martigues, France at 0900 hrs departed by unit vehicles for new bivouac area approximately 1- mile S.E. of Pierrelatte, France. Arrived at 1500 hrs, total distance traveled 110 miles, weather rain and cool, Morale Good.

 

24                    Company engaged in building up bivouac area to best accommodate the entire company. There is a large building in fairly good condition which is being utilized for Hq as well as living quarters for Officers & EM. However, it is not large enough for the entire company, and some tents are being used to house the remainder. There are four medium sized fireplaces in the different rooms of the building which to most of the men is indeed a luxury and a pleasure. Rain & Cold.

 

23-26               S/Sgt Hergrueter and S/Sgt Posener who have been attached to the company were relieved of attachment and attached to Engr Section 7th Army, left enroute about 0900 hrs. VOCO.

 

27                    28 enlisted men and 2 officers were attached and joined company today from 7040th Truck Bn (Italian). In the construction of the pipeline additional trucks for hauling have been greatly needed and their chief duty will be hauling and stringing 4" Victaulic pipe. These EM (Italian) were captured in the North African Campaign.

 

28-29               Pvt Oscar V. Berry, was transferred to the 24th Replacement Depot for trans-shipment to A.B. Training Center, left enroute 29th Sept/44. Pvt Berry had made application for Paratroop training, was accepted and is now on his way for his initial training.

 

 30                   17 enlisted men (colored) joined the company today, on DS from 426th Engineer Dump Truck Company. These men and trucks to be utilized to facilitate present pipeline project.

 

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