Very interesting note from Ludovic in France about the 723rd ROB in France and their trucks.

My name is Ludovic; I am a Frenchman and live in Normandy, 15 miles West from DREUX city. I was always interested in military history and, because my grandfather Maurice was a rail worker from 1922 to 1960 in the area Dreux-Verneuil sur Avre, I discovered, years ago, that it was the 723 rd ROB who was in charge of our railway line.

Many times, I've read the saga of this unit in your blog, and ten years ago, my son Geoffrey and I, bought a 1944 GMC tipper truck with the intention to restore it and give it markings of the 723 rd, to maintain its memory here. The nicknames of our truck is "Alamo" and "Georges"(an uncle of mine which was soldier during and
after WW2). So, our truck is running since this year. I've read that it was the "A" company of the 723 rd who used some trucks as it, but how may, I don't know...?
So, the markings are to be completed with truck/company n°. Enclosed, photos of us and another from the 1944 era in Normandy. I hope this will be of interest for you and old friends of America. very sincerely yours, Ludovic

Toni Alexandra, the granddaughter of Pfc. Harry Ruyle Trager of the 729th Railway Operating contacted me and wanted to share information on her grandfather's service in the 729th.

She is also looking to contact others from or connected to that unit - email me cunningb2@gmail.com if you have a connection.

Thanks Toni ...



Photo #90 is my grandfather, Pfc. Harry Ruyle Trager, 03-20-1942.

Photo #65 L to R is PFC. Harry Trager; T-4 J. Bogan; Pvt. A. Peterson; and T-5 R. Umbanhower; 03-20-1943
Some great notes from Toni PFC Trager's granddaughter Harry Ruyle Trager was born December 20, 1912 in Indianapolis, IN. Trager entered the service of the New York Central System Railroad on December 12, 1936 as a yard brakeman and was promoted to yard conductor on September 3, 1941. On February 26, 1941 Trager left the service of the New York Central System to be inducted into the Army's Military Railroad Service on March 6, 1942 at Fort Benjamin Harrison at Indianapolis, IN. Pfc. Trager was assigned to Company C of the 729th ROB and was deployed to the European Theatre of Operations. Pfc. Trager served in England, France, and Germany and was awarded the Combat Infantry Man's Badge with Oak Leaves, the Rifle Sharpshooters Badge, the Decoration Medal for Good Conduct, the Medal for Campaign and Service Victory World War II, the Medal for Campaign and Service EAME Campaign Complete, and the Medal for Army of Occupation Germany. Pfc. Trager was discharged from the U.S. Army at Camp Attebury, IN on August 20, 1945. Harry Ruyle Trager continued his railroad service with New York Central System and Penn Central through the 1970s and counting MRS service accrued almost forty years on the railroad While my grandfather was deployed to the European Theatre of Operations he fell from the top of a train and fractured his leg. On September 25th, 1942 he was admitted to the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary for the fracture and here are some photos from his stay. My grandfather didn't know a stranger. I honestly believe during his hospital stay he made friends with everyone there, thus the photos.

From Guy in Belgium ...
With 100% certainty, the above picture was taken at the large Antwerp railyard called “Antwerpen-Dam” in Belgium. The partial gantry in the top right corner was part of a hugh coaling crane. This was demolished late sixties when there where no steamtrains located there anymore. The engineshed is still standing but the 2 large chimneys have gone. The hugh building behind is also standing. This whole area has been turned into a leisure park a few years back with fountains and summer bars and the like. Just off picture on the right, behind the coaling installation, an old engine shed has been turned into a posh restaurant. The area had such rich railway history but nothing is left visible. An offer by the railcompany to display a locomotive has been turned down by the city architects.
Google earth image today...
 

PFC Ralph E. Liddick of the 728th is buried in the LaPlatte Cemetery in Sarpy County NE.
He died on 9 Feb 1973. Sarpy County is located south of Omaha along the Missouri River.

 
Omaha World-Herald Sunday, Feb 11, 1973 Omaha, NE Page: 88

Thanks to John for rescuing these great photos of Capt Richard G. Hill of the 763rd Railway Operating Battalion.