326th Ordnance Depot Company (2)

notes by John Dixon

from History written by C.O. Capt. Jack A. Claywell copied from declassified carbon copy,

with additional information from Waldo R. Kingen, ex-Personnel Clerk.

• June 1943 Combat Vehicle Park set up

• 18 August 1943 Major Francis of 622 OBAM had set up production line for GM model trucks: best production day 26 October 1943.  At peak 10,000 men at G-25 including 500 civilians

• February 1944: Artillery Park set up at Toddington

• 27 April 1944: orders to be ready to move anytime aftr 10 May 1944

• 1 July 1944: movement to France via Southampton

• 4 July arrived Utah Beach where eventually set up G-202 at Le Ham, near Ste. Mere d'Eglise, first Ordnance Field Depot in France.  Set up "Red Ball Express" to supply 1st and 3rd Armies.  Whilst at Le Ham, a 2nd Lt. shot himself in the foot.

• 8-12 November 1944: moved to Marseilles

• 9 April 1945: moved into Germany. 

• 30 April 1945: Only former company member was killed by "off-limits misconduct".  Milton J Edelman, born 15/06/1917, of New Jersey killed 30 April 1945 (news only learned 47 years later because of transfers etc.)  Joined up 29/04/1941 but transferred out of 326th on 27/09/1943 and joined Normandy landings on 16 June 1944; travelled via Battle of the Bulge to Kassel in Germany.  He was buried at St. Avold, Metz but his body was subsequently repatriated at request of next of kin c 17/11/1948 and buriedd in a Jewish Cemetery.  Death classified as "killed in battle"  (Kingen).

• 8 May 1945 VE Day