743rd Railway Operating Battalion - Gerald D. Allie

Jon the son of Gerald D. Allie has sent me some information about Gerald's service in the 743rd ROB in France and Belgium.. 

As of this writing Gerald is still alive and age 99! 

Birth Date Name Gerald D. Allie 

Birth Date 21 Jul 1925 

Birthplace Goodell, Iowa 

Military Service Branch Army Military Unit Headquarters Company 743rd Railway Operating Battalion Event Type Military Discharge 

Event Date 6 Apr 1946 Event Place Camp McCoy, Monroe, Wisconsin, United States


his service. As of this writing Gerals is stiull alive and age 99! Birth Date Name Gerald D. Allie Birth Date 21 Jul 1925 Birthplace Goodell, Iowa Military Service Branch Army Military Unit Headquarters Company 743rd Railway Operating Battalion Event Type Military Discharge Event Date 6 Apr 1946 Event Place Camp McCoy, Monroe, Wisconsin, United States

Army Railway Unit "Playing " with toys 1944

Railways of WWII Part I and Part II

735th Railway Operating Company - Westphal

Neal Westphal writes about his dad Glenn George aka "Jack" Westphal

Our Dad, Glenn George aka "Jack" Westphal, served as a medic in the 735th ROB during WWII. We are gathering information on his service. 

 One story I remember, Dad telling came when they were entering the railyards at Hamm, Germany. A group of kids were standing along the tracks and because they had their names painted on the side of the boxcar, the kids began shouting "Westphal, Westphal," one of the other guys turned to Jack and said "looks like you're home Westphal." Hamm is located in the German state of Nord Rhein-Westphalia

I would love to hear from anyone who had a relative that served with him and and want to know more about the unit and his service. 

His four surviving sons would be greatly appreciated it. Our Dad was from a small town in Iowa.Thanks, Neal Additional stories HERE

 One of the family stories ... "several of his fellow solders had been separated from their unit and were to
rejoin them at a town down the line. When they arrived the unit had left and there was no other military presence. So with no means to get a meal and becoming hungry, they came up with a plan. They decided to break into a ware house and steal something to eat. However once in side they became quite concerned with getting caught and just grabbed the first thing they came to in the dark. When safely clear of the warehouse they examined their bounty which turned out to be a case of lifesaver candy. Dad said even though it did little for their immediate problem, it made them very popular with the local children. In a few days the unit rolled back into town and they rejoined their unit." 

Good Conduct Medal award letter --->

Please email me militaryrailwayservice@gmail.com and I'll forward to Neal (Thanks, Nancy ) 


A Different Track: Hospital Trains of the Second World War by Alexandra Kitty

 

Railroads played an integral role in the Second World War. Trains brought food, munitions, and essential supplies. They transported troops. They were a means of escape for those fleeing persecution. At the same, they were used to transport innocent people to their deaths. Yet there was one kind of train that improved the chances of survival every time they rolled through the battle-worn towns and cities of the European theatre of war.

Hospital trains were not a new concept in the Second World War, but their use was instrumental in this most deadly conflict of the twentieth century. Regular passenger trains were converted into mobile emergency wards tending to the critically wounded. It was an elegant solution, as train cars could be refitted with tier beds, and supplies could be easily transported along with medical staff.

A Different Track introduces readers to the world of hospital trains of the Second World War. From the nurses who ran them to the factories that manufactured them, this book looks at how these trains quietly altered the fortunes of the world. From Canada’s contributions to the role of women who both healed the sick and built the trains, this is a fascinating look at one of the hidden nuggets of history.

Order on Amazon : https://amz.run/8hhB 

746th Railway Operating Battalion - Foley

746th Railway Operating Battalion Unit photo unknown date