732nd R.O.B. photo Major T.J. BRENNAN
Below is a photo of Major Thomas J. Brennan, the commanding officer of the battalion throughout the war. He died in September of 1973.
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PHOTO from collection of Ernest Everett Pittman (PITTMAN Ernest Everett b 3 Nov 1908 IL d 20 June 1968 Mt.Vernon, IL , pre-war boxcar builder at Mt. Vernon Car Manufacturing Company)
Inscription on reverse of photo: "Major T.J. BRENNAN 732nd R.O.B." (handwritten)
This particular copy was printed on wartime Actien-Gesellschaft für Anilin-Fabrikation German paper (Agfa-Lupex paper), which would have been readily available at camera shops in Northern France.
In this photo, Maj. Brennan is holding a copy of the December 7, 1944, Stars and Stripes army newspaper, printed from its Paris press. (Vol. 1, No. 134 of that publication.)
The headline reads "Saar Crossed at 6 Points /// 3rd Forces Four New Bridgeheads on 50-Mile Front"
There are two boxes of "Kleenex Tissues" and a pack of smokes behind him.
It is speculated that this photo was taken within one week of the publication date of the newspaper pictured (07-DEC-1944), because one week later on 16 December the Germans sought to break through in the Ardennes forest, starting the Battle of the Bulge in which 19,000 American soldiers died.
[The full front page of the newspaper can be seen at http://www.wartimepress.com/WWII-Archives/images/717/Paris%201944%2012%2007.jpg ]
[ Photo: Major_Thomas_J_Brennan_DEC_1944.jpg ]
What makes a Railway Operating Battalion, Railway Shop Battalion or Railway Grand Division ?
- A: Two (2) track platoons and one bridge platoon to handle construction
- B: Shop company: Two platoons responsible for equipment maintenance, one platoon shopped the rolling stock
- C: Operating & Supply company: provided engineers, conductors, and operations personnel
- H & S: Supplied the dispatchers, telegraphers, MPs, and other support personnel
- A: Responsible for lathes, milling machines, locomotive repair
- B: Boiler repair, firebox rebuilds, blacksmithing
- C: Foundry operation
- H & S: Administrative duties, supply and maintenance of shop power and equipment
735th Railway Operating Battalion -- McClelland
Thanks to Mike McClelland for sharing his Dad's photos!
The wording on the back of the one in the upper left reads "Finley and his pride--Remicourt, Belg.".
The upper right says "Call Board". The title at the top read CO. C. 735th RY. OPN. BN. The three categories below it read 1st Opr. Platoon, Hqtrs. Platoon, and 2nd Opr Platoon.
The lower left picture has "Ronet Yards, Namur, Belq." on the back, and the picture in the lower right reads "Full Field Inspection, Ft. Snelling, Minn" on the back.
On the back it says, "H.J. Finley, Gutershol, Germany". Mike "aboard H.M.S.S Princess Maud, English Channel" and one that with the caption on the back reads, "Tom Jones and unexploded power section of V-2...Antwerp, Bel."
