UNIT HISTORY (in France)
On 10 April 1951, the 83rd Engineer Battalion (Construction) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, was reorganized under TO&E 5-315, as changed, with an authorized strength of 25 officers, 16 Warrant Officers, and 844 enlisted men. Shortly thereafter, the Battalion was alerted for shipment to the European Theater.

The 83rd departed Fort Sill and arrived at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, on 3 and 4 May, 1951. Departure from the New York Port of Embarkation was made aboard the USNS General M.B. Stewart, on 11 May, 1951. The Battalion arrived at La Pallice, France, on 20 May, 1951, and proceeded by rail to Landes de Bussac, France, arriving at Bussac the afternoon of 20 May, 1951.

On arrival at Landes de Bussac, the 83rd found its home an area closely resembling a swamp. The units immediately went into action with their own resources, cleared a section of land, and established a tent city. The 83rd lived in this tent city for approximately three years while they cleared the land for the present facilities that compromise the USAGD, Bussac.

During those first years Companies "A," "B," "C," were sent at various times to accomplish land clearing and construction projects at other posts throughout the Base Section area. In many instances newly arrived personnel were assigned to a company and immediately sent on TDY to perform some engineer construction project, not to return to their parent unit until time for their rotation. In many respects, due to the immensity of area of responsibility and vast construction effort, this same situation exists at present.

In addition to the many varied engineer projects which have included everything from grading roads to erecting buildings, or assisting in historical archaelogical findings, the 83rd Engineer Battalion and most of its units have played a key part in the NODEX's (New Off-shore Discharge Exercises) held in this command. Their participation in all of these exercises consisted of site preparation far in advance of the actual exercise, and engineer support for the exercises themselves, which in many cases was extensive. In addition to the before and during exercise support, the engineers perform the "after the exercise" rehabilitation wherein they restore the NODEX sites to their original condition.

During 1959, the Battalion moved from Bussac General Depot to the US Army Installation, Fontenet. In addition to our (83rd Engineers) other missions we became the operating headquarters of our post. The Battalion was increased to 12 assigned and 3 attached units, a total of almost 1,600 officers and enlisted men and over 400 civilians employees. Our responsibilities increased tremendously but our enthusiasm and perseverance waxed stronger than ever. Every successful milestone passed by the Battalion was a tribute to your hard work, esprit de corps. and the will to succeed in spite of adversity.

At the time the 83rd Engineer Battalion arrived in Europe, the Battalion consisted of only its organic units, i.e.:
Headquarters and Service Company
"A" Company
"B" Company
"C" Company

Since those first days in Europe, the Battalion has grown to a total of twelve companies and three attached. By the addition of the assigned separate companies and attached units, the Battalion has become one of the largest in USAREUR, and perhaps the Army.

At the present time five of the companies are stationed at various other posts as follows:
"A" Company at Braconne
"B" Company at Bussac
"C" Company at Ingrandes
543rd Engineer Company (PL) at Chinon
89th Engineer Company (PL) at US Army Installation, Rochefort

The remaining companies are stationed at Fontenet along with Battalion Headquarters:
Hq/Svc Company, 83rd Engr Bn
597th Engineer Company (HE)
548th Engineer Company (DT)
547th Ordnance
500th MP Detachment
175th EOD
349th General Dispensary
4085th Labor Service Company (Guard)
28th Engineer Detachment (Water Supply)

My ex wife received the telephone call from the French police when it happened. The friend of mine was Mike Flynn from trhe 581st which was almost across from the snack bar.

The area where the low boy was located is the main parking lot. Units that were there at the time were HQ Co, for the post; 313th Sig; 581st Engineers; Polish Guards; 202nd Mp Co/Platoon; 97th Engineer; a Postal Unit.

The Hq Co comprised the Depot storage personnel, Shipping and Receiving, TMP, Fire Station, all personnel, admin, finance, Fac Engineers, CO's Driver.

Personnel in the 97th ran the Depot Maint, the 83rd Engineer Battalion was there -- they were off the installation on the main road off the Depot. When they left the 84th Engineer Bn took their place. I saw a lot of changes while I was there from 1959-1964.

The area where the wrecked vehicle is was the cantonment arera; all else warehouses, TMP, and the like were on the depot isself, half a mile one way and about a mile the other way. There is a web site that has a few pictures of the mp station and some other pictures. There is not much left.