Dear Anthony:

Sorry it has taken several days to get back with you, but as my site grows and my research continues to expand, it makes it harder for me to reply as quickly as I would like.

I am very pleased that you took the time to write and I will try to help you as much as I can. First off I will post your letter on my forum, in the hope that others will see it and reply. I have done this for many others and several have had success with the Internet exposure.

Secondly, you will have to contact NARA in St. Louis for morning reports and NARA in College Park, Maryland for such items as after-action, journals, operation reports, etc. You will need to provide them as much information as possible, such as years the unit served during WWII, the area they served in, regiment and battalion names, etc. The man that was very helpful to me at College Park is:

Timothy K. Nenninger,

Chief, Modern Military Records

Textual Archives Services Division

http://www.archives.gov/dc-metro/college-p...park/index.html

http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-...it-rosters.html

Thirdly, here are two contact names for the 291st:

Mr. Raymond Nice

Ashland KS

620-635-2827

raylucynice@yahoo.co

291st Engineer Combat Bn

Mr. Joseph H. Geary

55 Cottrell Road

Saunderstown, RI 02874

(Newsletter)

(401) 295-7088

I have tons of links on my Links Page for WWII sites that are related to museums, The History Channel, etc. Much to many to list here. Please check out my page at https://ww2combatengineers.comlinks.htm . Everything is listed my category.

Lastly, here are numerous links for the 291st. This is not a comprehensive list, but one that should help to get you started.

http://www.historynet.com/wwii/blmassacreatmalmedy/

http://www.qmfound.com/malmedy.htm

http://hometown.aol.com/dadswar/bulge/

http://members.iinet.net.au/~gduncan/massacres.html

http://www.hq.usace.army.mil/history/bridge2.htm

http://www.2ndarmoredhellonwheels.com/unitinfo.html

https://ww2combatengineers.comlaw...awrencepage.htm (my site)

http://www.balagan.org.uk/war/rules/crossf...ios/malmedy.htm

http://www.libraries.psu.edu/delaware/vide.../warfilms2.html

http://www.hbo.com/apps/band/site/client/s...ry.jsp?exid=252 (you can no longer contact the names on this page through email)

http://troopships.pier90.org/crossings/1943b.htm

https://ww2combatengineers.comengforum/index.php?showtopic=275 (an article on my forum)

http://www.battlefieldbks.com/index.cgi?ca...6207&pid=000250 (book)

I understand your urgency from the bottom of my heart. If you have looked through my site, you have seen that I am in the process of collecting information and writing a book on the men from engineering units of VI Corps. Time is of the essence because before long the personal memories will be gone forever.

I would love to create a page for your father on my site. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future and hope that I have provided some helpful info. Oh before I forget, I also found some info on this unit in my engineer's book and will try and scan it for you within the next several days. I will send the info to you via email and will also post it on the forum along with your letter and my response to you this evening.

Continued success and my best regards to your father.

Warm regards,

Marion J Chard

Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek

VI Corps, 540th Combat Engineer WWII

http://www.6thcorpscombatengineers.com

Essayons!

I wrote a letter to the editor of WWII Magazine this afternoon, inquiring if he could put us in touch with General Michael Reynolds. Let's hope that my efforts succeed.

--

Friday, September 30, 2005

Christopher J Anderson – Editor

741 Miller Dr. S.E.

Suite D-2

Leesburg, VA 20175

Dear Mr Anderson:

I am writing to you on behalf of a friend, Anthony Consiglio, the son of a 291st Combat Engineer, whose father was one of the men who was referred to in an article titled, Desperate Stand at Malmedy by Michael Reynolds.

Anthony has tried unsuccessfully in the past to contact others including Major General Michael Reynolds, but didn’t know how to proceed. He contacted me last night when he discovered my site regarding WWII combat engineers, and was wondering if I could assist him in his search. He states in his email to me:

“My dad is ‘one of the 3 engineers’ General Reynolds talks about in this article, who ran into the lone farm house along with those from K company and those TD men from 823rd. He saw the other 291st men killed and saved the 3rd when he dragged him from up stairs down into the basement. He ran outside in back and used the machine gun from the 2 dead TD men and sprayed the entire hedgerow and hog house and killed numerous German foot soldiers. He was the same man out of 33 trapped in the house to make it out and go back for help to the front lines with the guy from K Company.â€

I am hoping that you will be able to put us in contact with General Reynolds, or at least forward this letter of inquiry to him. I thank you in advance for your assistance. Please note that I am a long time subscriber to WWII Magazine and enjoy it immensely. I frequently refer to it on my website and recommend it highly as an accurate source of information to my viewers.

Warmest regards,

Marion J Chard

Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek

VI Corps, 540th Combat Engineer WWII

http://www.6thcorpscombatengineers.com

Essayons!

The Ludendorff Bridge collapse is very much of interest of me: http://www.basher82.nl/Data/margraten/harlow.htm

If anyone has any additional info, please let me know!

BTW, I was just contacten by Mr. Hinman of the 82nd Engineers about a William S. Todd. They found out he was with the 291st as well. William was KIA on 26 Dec. 1944 when his unit was bombed by Allied planes. Mr. Hinman contacted the col. of the unit and he remembered William and the incident!

regards,

Stevin

I'm sure Tony will be interested in that. Thanks for posting the info regarding William S Todd and the 291st. Tony's father is still alive and has a very good memory. Maybe the name will strike a bell with him.

Please read this post to see the connection. This is just astounding. Coincidence? I think not...

http://www.6thcorpsc...?showtopic=1556

The Ludendorff Bridge acollapse is very much of interest of me: http://www.basher82.nl/Data/margraten/harlow.htm

Stevin, just got done reading your webpage on Harlow. I think I could actually hear the danged bridge creaking and groaning. What an eerie feeling. Scared me just to read it. Can't imagine being there and having it happen.

In all my research, this still strikes me as one of the "oddest" incidents. just imagine the strain on that huge bridge that it collapsed, even while the Engineers were working around the clock to strengthen it.....No less than 28 men lost their lives. Mind you, the Germans tried EVERYTHING to destroy it; Artillery, Bombers, divers with mines, etc...

Anyway, I won't hijack this thread any longer....

Here's a PDF file on the 291st Engineers as taken from The Corps of Engineers: The War Against Germany.

291st Engineers.pdf

Thanks!!! I understand you order Col. Pergrin's book (First Across the Rhine).

I understand that the Col. is still alive and was the man who remembered William and the bombing!!!

Another succes-story, courtesy of the 82nd Engineer Combat Bn gents!

I have just sent a letter to the Colonel. Please read it below.

--------

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Dear Colonel Pergrin:

First off thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I am the daughter of a WWII combat engineer and am currently doing research for my website and book on my dad’s unit, the 540th Combat Engineers and his fellow engineers of VI Corps.

I began my initial search over 18 months ago, and I’ve amassed an unbelievable amount of data. I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting hundreds of vets, their families, and various historians and researchers. Needless to say I feel very blessed and must admit that I couldn’t have gotten this far without that great resource; the Internet.

Since the website’s inception in June 2004, my site has received over 20,000 hits and has been an integral meeting ground not only for VI Corps Combat Engineers, but also those of other engineering and infantry units. Many have approached me for research assistance and I am happy to say that I have been able to help a number of families in their quest for information, and this is the reason I am writing to you this evening.

I recently have come into contact with a couple of members of the 291st and other parties who also have an interest in this engineering regiment and am trying to ascertain some facts before creating pages regarding their WWII history. I am currently reading your book, First Across the Rhine and want to cross-reference their memories with the facts that you present.

I am trying to obtain data on two men; one a gentleman named William Todd, who was KIA on December 26, 1944 and the other, a Sergeant Vincent Consiglio from Co B, who is still alive and trying to find other living members of the 291st. Vincent has begun to share his memories with me through his son and so far I am very intrigued by his history.

Sergeant Consiglio would love to be able to get in touch with you, and be able to confirm the history of the 291st as he remembers it. As you know, 60 years have passed and he’d loved to talk about his experiences with someone who was there.

Well, talk about coincidences! I was just getting ready to mail this letter to you, when I received an email from Robert Hayes, regarding William Todd. He wrote to tell me that he’s in contact with you. He was just thrilled and as you can imagine, I am delighted to hear the news. So here I am making last minute changes before I send this off.

Thank you in advance for your assistance. I look forward to hearing from you and I’ll be enjoying your book in the meantime.

Warm regards,

Marion J Chard

Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek

VI Corps, 540th Combat Engineer WWII

http://www.6thcorpscombatengineers.com

Essayons!

Guess what? I just got a call from the Colonel himself. What a nice man. He is still very involved with writing and taking an active role in the Army Corps of Engineers. He said he would look forward to talking to Sergeant Consiglio and had nothing but praise for him. He told me that Tony received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his actions. He also talked about William Todd and said that his grandson had been to his house a couple of times to speak with him. I told him that I would contact Tony Jr and have him reach him. Tony and his dad are going to be so thrilled. Talk about making my day!

Colonel Pergrin and I talked for about 10 minutes and he told me about 4 videos on the History Channel that I might be interested in. They are:

• Damned Engineers - Battle of the Bulge
• Bridge at Remagen
• Unsung Heroes - Stopping the Panzers
• Malmedy Massacre

I am going to make sure to add those to my wish list. Man is that every getting long...

I asked the Colonel if he would sign my book (First Across the Rhine) if I mailed it to him and he said that he would send me his other book, Engineering the Victory. What an honor. Can't wait to get it.

The Colonel also told me about all the decorations the unit has and IS still receiving to this date. He explained that the unit has been honored by every president including both Bush presidents.

Well can't wait to hear what transpires once Tony gets back from his vacation. He's in Florida right now, so I left a message on his cell phone. Sure hope he gets it.

Here is some info on the Colonel's book:

Book Description- Engineering the Victory

The Battle Of the Bulge, in December 1944, was Hitler and the Wehrmacht's last great battle of World War II in the West. After losing the war for the beaches and hedgerows of Normandy, and barely escaping with huge losses from the Falaise pocket, the German Army fell back to just West of the Rhine and the German border. Hitler and his Generals planned a massive counter stroke and marshaled the forces to make it work. Striking in surprise on December 16, 1944 in the weakly defended Ardennes, German thrusts moved quickly to put Allied forces on the defensive. The Battle of the Bulge was that ensuing great battle. In this book Colonel David Pergrin reaches out for the other stories of that battle. Assisted by the Army Engineer Association, he has gathered numerous battlefield stories, anecdotes, and experiences told by those who were there and who lived them. With his own battlefield experience providing an understanding of people in war, he has crafted an interesting book that tells those stories of engineers in battle. Many of the participants in that great battle have never been recognized for their exploits. The stories Dave Pergrin has collected in this book bring attention to engineer soldiers in combat and construction units who fought and died with their comrades of infantry, tankers, artillery, and the others - units that have not before been accorded their due. Weaving these stories and vignettes together into the framework of the overall battle, this book honors the many engineer soldiers, their companies and battalions, that contributed greatly to the allied to the allied defeat of the Germans.

Tony and his father got to speak with the Colonel. I am just thrilled that I was able to bring them together. Sometimes is doesn't get any better than this.

Here's some excerpts from his letter to me...

...I did talk to Col. Pergrin and we set a time up last Wednesday and he and my Father spoke and I taped the entire conversation on V-tape. Well I think my father did most of the talking as he was so excited to talk to someone from his old outfit. Col Pergrin said he thinks the next reunion will be in FLA. My dad said to him that if its in Ft. Myers then Col Pergrin can stay with them at their house...The Col said ooooK!...

... He actually got close to breaking down as he told his story to the Col. he has a lot of bad memories from that day and a lot of unforgiven feelings about those who died around him and all those Germans he killed that day....

...I have more pictures I can send you and I just really wanted to thank you again... Talk to you soon.

Tony

When the site is revamped, I will be adding a page for Tony's dad. In the interim, I will share a few photos with you.

This one is the First Across the Rhine

Bridge at Remagen