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 ) 

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 

From the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Alaska Post 12/2023

You can find lots more about the 714th here: https://bityl.co/Mzyq

John Pilsits Obituary John P. Pilsits, 99, of Oak Hill Village,

Middletown, died Thursday, November 16, 2023 at Oak Hill Village. John was born on October 14, 1924. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, stationed in India with the 748th Railway Operating Battalion. He was an avid Notre Dame fan, liked reading mystery books, walking and especially the times when he would see anyone and just say "hi." John was the youngest son (and the last of the family line) of the late Rudolph and Lucy Knoll Pilsits of Steelton. He was predeceased by his wife of 47 years Mary E. Magaro Pilsits. He is survived by four sons and one daughter. John Jr. of Aurora, IL., Richard of Enola, Dennis of Philadelphia, Keith of Etters, and Robin Kay Deibler of Wrightsville; 9 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM Monday, November 27, 2023 in Seven Sorrows BVM Catholic Church, 280 N. Race St., Middletown. Celebrant will be Rev. Timothy J. Sahd. 

Viewing will be in the narthex of the church Monday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, West Hanover Twp. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Oak Hill Village for the Benevolent Fund. www.pennlive.com/obits

 733rd Railroad Operating Battalion

If you can help Rob in his search for these locos get in touch with me.

Rob writes ... My WWII railway interests focus on motive power and rolling stock, particularly ambulance trains aka hospital trains. 

Gathering drawings and photos, I endeavour to produce compilations which are deposited in the Archives section of the Military Railway Study Group https://www.mrsg.org.uk/ 

At the moment, I am searching for photos of (British) WD 2-8-0s lent to the USATC bearing Transportation Corps USA on their tenders and RGD branding on the lower cabside. 

The image Pictorial Handbook of Military Transportation Operational Photog_00009.jpg LINK shows an RGD branding. This comes from a better copy of the book held by Bangor Public Library,

The library also holds some ROB histories. Ft Eustis was able to furnish a photo of WD 2-8-0s in USATC use in Belgium. I attach it together with a crop, enlargement, and colour inversion of the locomotive in the middle of the view showing USA on the tender side. (below)

Photo 50876 of the attached .pdf 50875 - 50889 SPARE PARTS LINK TRAIN being photos from Library and Archives Canada shows an ROB brading on the lower cabside. 

Note the apparent repainting of the tender side to obliterate any USA markings which simply wouldn't do for an official 1st Canadian Army photo! Attached is a compilation regarding these locomotives. 

Of particular interest is 79189 which was exchanged for S160 3257 which was acquired for training purposes on the (British) Longmoor Military Railway. LINK

Knowledge of this was scarce and only recently has a photograph of something else with 79189 came to light in a German article Eisenbahn Kurier 12_2020 seiten 48 - 52 - mit Übersetzung ins Englische, also attached. LINK