England

 

Life in England and Pre - D-Day Preparations

After landing in South Wales, the troops disembarked into the drizzly map of US Forces stationed in England.

These men were called Yanks by the British, and known as "Overpaid, Oversexed, and Over Here!".

Life in Anticipation of Combat mean further training, bivouacs, and a chance for many men to experience what is was like overseas.

With Secret Ordinances in Hand,the troops boarded the SS Susan B Anthony on the 18th January 44. The journey took ten days. They finally landed in Wales on the 28th January 1944.

The Anthony shuttled across the Atlantic several more times to build up the the Allied Forces preparing to invade Europe later that year.

Unfortunately, the SS Susan B Anthony was sunk on the June 7, 1944, D-Day +1.

For further information regarding the USS Susan B. Anthony AP-72 contact Ms. Pauline Forney
lene@kiski.net
My Dad during a "quiet" moment in a Neissen Hut

On 2nd June, the Battalion in strength: participated in the "Salute the Soldier Week" inaugural parade at Long Hand borough, Oxfordshire, England.


On 2 July 1944, at 2545, the battalion left Eynsham Park by Motor convoy for the marshaling area l/RCRP/4 near Dorcester, England, a distance of approximately one hundred thirty miles. It rained during-the entire nine hours of the movement.

 

Debarkation to Normandy

The Battalion was broken into craft loads and at 0145 hours, 5 July 1944, the first craft load, LST 1359, left for embarkation area at Portland, England, followed at 0250 hours by craft load, LST 1360, and at 0650 hours by craft load LST 1361.

 

The convoy left the port in England at 2200 hours, 5 July 1944, and after an uneventful crossing, arrived at Omaha Beach, Normandy, France, at approximately 12OO hours, 6 July 1944, debarking "between 1400 and 1650 hours the same day.
Troop Movements
Arrived Newport, South Wales, England 28 Jan 44
Eynsham Park, Oxon, England 29 Jan 44 to 2 July 44
Middleston Stoney, Oxon, England (B Co.) 24 Feb 44 to 29 Mar 44
Leatherhead and Staine, Surrey England ( A Co) 11 Mar 44 to 29 Mar 44
Anti Aircraft Gunners, Stiffkey range, York 27 May 44 to 31 May 44
Marshalling Area 1/RCRP/4 3 July 44 to 5 July 44
LSTs-1359, 1360, 1361, US Navy 5 July 44 to 6 July 44

The 40th Signal Construction Battalion landed at Newport, South Wales, on the 29th of January 1944, and entrained for Eynsham Park, Northleigh, Oxfordshire, England, where the entire battalion was-garrisoned in Neissen huts.

 

The five months, from February to June, were devoted to intensive training in all forms of wire construction, including the battalions' introduction to British Multi-Airline Construction.

On the 26 April,the battalion was alerted for movement overseas for the purpose of taking part in the liberation of the continent of Europe. Eynsham Park was our concentration area.