I am so happy that you have found my website helpful so far. That pleases me to no end. I have quite a bit of info on this time period and in fact, you will find more info online in my documentary No Bridge Too Far, part one, which refers to the the area on several occasions. www.nobridgetoofar.com

I will see what I have on my hard drive and/or in my library that hasn't made its way to the web.

All the best, M1

Hello Marion.

I am most appreciative of anything that you may find to assist me in this endeavor! You have really done a Yeoman's work in bringing the History of the Engineers in WWII. Your Father's Service Hostry is very interesting, just as your story of how you explored your Fathers Service is..

Many Thanks,

Jack

Thank you again, Jack. I look forward to working with you. Have a good night. Getting ready for a late dinner and some relaxation. Till later...  😉

Hello Marion,

I hope that this note finds you well. I am still in search for any photographs, literature or any connections to  Camp CANDOIT, in Cotuit, MA 1942-1945.  We are doing a presentation for the Historical Society of Cotuit. I am also interested in your video as well.

Thanks in advance,

Jack Cherry

Sorry about that. I have so many research projects going, that I lose track of myself.  😮  Let me go look right now! Smiles!

Okay, here we go... I will post more during the day as I come upon photos and files of interest....

These are from the collection of Wilbur Thomas Dickens, 540th Combat Engineer (my father's unit)

Here is the script from No Bridge Too Far - This is in regards to Wilbur Thomas Dickens as it relates to Camp Edwards

Wilbur Thomas Dickens – Chapter One - Slides 82-84.pdf

Here's an video clip derived from an interview with Clifford Duncan, also from the 540th. He speaks of Camp Edwards. 

Chapter_one_-_Slide_78_-_Cliff_Duncan_-_Camp_Edwards.wmv

This is taken from documents provided by Rene Rousselle and Bill Vanderwall, both of the 540th. This is a script from the documentary, speaking of Camp Edwards.

Rene Rousselle and Bill Vander Wall – Chapter One - Slides 69-71.pdf

This was provided to me by John H. Dieken. "The following is a compilation of handwritten notes made during an interview with my Dad, Henry John Dieken, in 1975 I think.      John H. Dieken"

Henry John Dieken was sworn into the U.S. Army on February 13, 1942.  However, his records show February 12^th.  His serial number was 37144222.  He was sworn in at Sioux Falls, South Dakota and from there he was shipped to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

At Fort Leavenworth he spent 5 or 6 days, received a physical, clothing, etc.

Following Fort Leavenworth he was shipped to Camp Forrest, Tennessee where he was assigned to the 123^rd Field Artillery, 33^rd Division, “A” Company.  This was still in February of 1942.

On the 3^rd or 4^th of August 1942 he was sent to Camp Edwards, Massachusetts on Washburn Island where he was assigned to the 540^th Amphibious Engineer Regiment of the 1^st Amphibious Brigade.  He was assigned to “F” Company in the 2^nd Battalion. Note:  5 platoons of 70 men made up a company

           3 companies made up a Battalion

           2 Battalions made up a Regiment

           4 Regiments made up a Division

           2 Divisions made up a Brigade

The first paragraph refers to Camp Edwards - Bill VanderWall - 540th Combat Engineer

Chapter One - Slide 36.pdf

This was taken from a 36th Engineer's Newsletter that mentions welcoming the 540th Engineers from Camp Edwards, MA.

Welcome New Battalions Chapter One – Slides 92-93 - Marion.pdf

Taken from Captain John Fallon's memories - 36th Combat Engineer

Seahorse Soldiers by Captain John Fallon – 36^th Combat Engineer

During the 1930’s the various branches of the military thought they had their assignments straightened out.  Among other things the Marines were charged with making assault landings from the sea.  This seemed straightforward enough but as a probable war seemed imminent the army brass realize that a really big landing in Europe could not be handled by the marines with their limited manpower.  The decision was made to organize train and equip an engineer amphibian command made up of brigades of boat regiments and shore regiments.

Planning went ahead and the command was based in Camp Edwards Massachusetts under general Daniel Noce.  This went ahead for a while and soldiers were trained in small boat handling as well as beach maintenance.  The first brigade was in England in the second in the Pacific and when the third brigade of the command was being formed the navy called a halt to the project claiming the landing as their turf.  However naming them engineer special brigades mollified the navy.  The third and fourth went to the Pacific and before the landing in Normandy the fifth and six brigades were formed in England from existing regiments to participate in the landings.

Several engineer regiments were destined to be part of the command and were converted to combat regiments.  At that time engineer regiments were being gradually converted two groups but several of them maintain their regimental structure to almost the very end of the war with the theater commander having the option of timing.  Among the regiments being organized was the 36^th engineer combat regiment.  It was organized and Plattsburgh barracks on 1 June, 1941.  It was a three battalion regiment and remained so during the war.  The seahorse shoulder patch and the regimental crest were approved in the men wore then proudly.  The seahorse represented the amphibious landings that were planned and the motto “rugged” is from an aphorism recited by many engineer soldiers at that time in barracks and barrooms.

Here is my brief history of my dad's unit (540th), which mentions Camp Edwards

Marion's WWII Article001.pdf