Hello Denis:

What a nice surprise getting your email. 700 photos huh? Oh my God, what a gold mine. That is a real treasure that you have there!

I don't have any stories or personal accounts from the 3rd Inf Div yet, so this is just great for me to be in contact with you. Would you be willing to send more info my way so we could begin a page for your father?

The photos of the bridges come from several sources including members of the

540th, various sons of engineers, internet sources, US Army & Engineer books from my collection, etc.

The photo of Gen's Dever and Patch in the snow was acquired from Riviera To the Rhine - European Theatre - US Army in WWII series. It's on page 504.

Let me know if you need anymore specifics and if I have the info, I will be more than happy to send it your way. I can also send copies of the photos if so desired.

I would love to see some of your extensive collection. Sounds wonderful. I look forward to hearing from you again. Please stay in touch.

Warm regards, Marion J Chard

Denis sent me the following photos from the crossings at Worms and Bobbenheim...

Another photo of pontons

Worms Bridge

Another photo of Worms Bridge

Bridge at Worms

These are the kinds of photos I was referring to earlier on this site when I said I thought they were "amazing". Really, once you get past the harem-scarem scenes of combat, it's photos like this that boggle the mind and make you not only realize but appreciate all that the engineers did. Crossing those rivers were no small potatoes.

Marilyn

I know. I marvel at these too. And so should everyone else. What everyone has to remember that if it weren't for the engineers, then the infantry and armored didn't make it to the other side. Engineers were indispensable units to the everyday running of the war effort.

My daddy and his buddies ruled!

Cool pics. I've been looking for similiar shots of bridges in the Po Valley.

I thought I posted this comment but I guess not. Did anyone notice the female Nurse in the photo of the Bridge at Worms? Wonder what she was.

Ah yes, I noticed her right away. Hopefully someone will have an answer on which med unit she might have been with at the time.

Good eye!

I assumed she was a Nun or maybe some international Red Cross---definately a civilian. I think the US Red Cross wore uniforms. I've seen Red Cross uniforms that were nice and clean, like that one, but I doubt that was utilitarian for combat.

I should have asked my uncle who served in the Red Cross for years something during Korean War time or later.

Steve

Just added a 3rd Infantry Division pin to my collection today. Yeah!