More on Maj. Balcom

Last week I was able to discover a bit more about Major A.A. Balcom.  He was the 24th's first wartime commanding officer (http://24engineers.blogspot.com/2012/12/wartime-commanding-officers.html).  

Using the VA's Nationwide Gravesite Locator and the National WWII Memorials Registry, I was able to turn up the following information.  

First name: Alonzo

Born: 7/22/1919

Died: 6/8/2000

He was from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and ended his service in the Army as a Colonel.  I am under the impression that he left the 24th for a promotion.  
 You can see a picture of him here; 
http://www.dixiestones.net/details.php/listing/1231

Pine Camp, NY

After the 4th Armored Division was activated in 1941, the Division, along with the 24th, was sent to Pine Camp, NY for training.  Here are the items I have in my collection from that period.

Post card depicting hospital area;

 

 

Matchbook cover;

   

"A" Co. V. Panzers

During fighting in September of 1944 at Rechicourt, France, "A"/24 and other elements CC"B" came into heavy contact with Kraut armor.  But they were no match for the brave men of "A" Company! 

An incredible feat.

*Photo of After-Action Report, taken by author.  Courtesy of the Eisenhower Presidential Library.      

Map Overlays and the Route to Regan

On recon patrols and other missions, engineers would draw their findings on a map overlay.  This was used exactly like a transparency on an overhead projector.  They would set it on the map, and there you have a detailed picture of the situation.  This is depicted fantastically by Blood  on the Talon; 

http://castraponere.com/bloodonthetalon/29-jan-45-engineer-overlay-revisited/

This is a picture of an overlay drawn by members of the 24th Arm'd Engr. Bn.
It depicts the route of approach to Regan from Schwandorf, both located in Germany. The green colored line represents the road taken by armor of the division.   

 

The Germans also used overlays.    

[1] On 13 November 1944, the second platoon of "B" Company captured a vital piece of intelligence at an over-run position of the 1125 Grenadier Regiment (559th Division).  It was a map overlay depicting "all minefield locations, type, and number of mines in (word unreadable), bridge defenses."  The overlay was sent up to Group HQ.  

[1] "After-Action Report, Company B, 24th Armored Engineer Battalion, Period 1 November 1944-30 November 1944. From the Eisenhower Presidential Library.  

Disposition of Units on VE Day

VE Day (Victory in Europe Day), May 8, 1945, marked the end of hostilities against Nazi Germany.  The 24th found themselves in Southern Czechoslovakia, along with the rest of the 4th Armored Division.

This map was made using a document that is part of an after-action report.  It states the command post locations for each company on VE Day. 
You can click on the points to see what elements were located there.

  

View Disposition on VE Day in a larger map

In Memory of ?

On the night of 11 September, 1944, most of Company "B" was committed as infantry to secure a bridgehead.  During this action, one of the injuries was the commanding officer of "B" Co.  He was evacuated to an aid station, and returned to his duties on the16th.

Only 8 days after returning to duty, the 24th received a heavy enemy counter-attack south-west of Chateu-Salins, France.  One of the unfortunate casualties of this action was the C/O of "B".

Now, you are wondering why I titled this "In Memory of ?" .  I did this because his name is never mentioned in any reports.  He is, unfortunately, another name lost to the ages.

In memory of "B" Company Commanding Officer
24th Armored Engineer Battalion
KIA 24 September 1944
Anonymous, but not forgotten