First Across the Rhine; The Story of the 291st Engineer Combat Battalion in France, Belgium, and Germany

Pergrin, David E., and Hammel, Eric

ISBN 10: 0804106150 / ISBN 13: 9780804106153

Published by Ivy Books, New York, 1990

About this Item

xii, [4], 347, [5] pages. Illustrations. Maps. Appendices (includes The Bailey Bridge). Bibliography. Index. Colonel David E. Pergrin (26 July 1917 - 7 April 2012) was commanding officer of the 291st Engineer Combat Battalion of the United States Army during World War II. Before the war he earned an engineering degree at Pennsylvania State University, graduating in 1940. While at Penn State he participated in the ROTC program. Pergrin was called to active duty in April 1941, with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. After helping train numerous engineering platoons and companies, he was transferred to the new 291st Engineer Combat Battalion in April, 1943 to assist in its training. In August, he was given command of the battalion when it completed its states-side training. During training in the United States and Britain, then Major, later Lt. Colonel, Pergrin emphasized individual leadership which he credited as the main reason for the unit's success in completing its missions, especially while under enemy fire. In what quickly came to be called the Battle of the Bulge, the 291st Engineer Combat Battalion found itself directly in the path of the German spearhead. With heart-stopping suspense, Colonel David Pergrin describes one of the European theater's critical delaying actions as his unit destroyed bridges, planted mines, and defended roadblocks in the face of oncoming tank columns. Here, in gritty detail, is the story of how "those damned Engineers" ruined Hitler's winter offensive, and how the 291st, with a reputation almost as big as its accomplishments, went on to build a 1100-foot pontoon bridge across the Rhine at Remagen in 32 hours--in the face of fierce opposition and near-impossible odds. Pergrin follows the battalion from its formation and training through the campaigns in France, Belgium, and Germany, making us witness the genuine heroics, skill, and spirit that lifted the 291st to the realm of legend. First Ballantine Books Edition, presumed first printing.

Seller Inventory # 77180

Bibliographic Details

• Title: First Across the Rhine; The Story of the 291st Engineer Combat Battalion in France, Belgium, and Germany
• Publisher: Ivy Books, New York
• Publication Date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0804106150
• ISBN 13: 9780804106153
• Binding: Mass market paperback
• Illustrator: Calvin Chapman of the U.S. Army Signal Corps (took
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very good

About this title

Synopsis

For the 291st, there was no bridge too far. From Normandy to the heart of Germany itself, the 291st Engineer Combat Battalion literally paved the way for the Allies' final march to victory in Europe. Comprised of the best and the toughest among American enlisted men, proving they could take the worst of combat, and more important, give it back, the 291st both built and blew up vital bridges, stood its ground against the crushing Panzer spearhead during the Battle of the Bulge, and provided critical access over the Rhine in the face of enormous resistance.

This is the 291st's story, dramatically told by the man who served as its commander.

From the Inside Flap

t, there was no bridge too far. From Normandy to the heart of Germany itself, the 291st Engineer Combat Battalion literally paved the way for the Allies' final march to victory in Europe. Comprised of the best and the toughest among American enlisted men, proving they could take the worst of combat, and more important, give it back, the 291st both built and blew up vital bridges, stood its ground against the crushing Panzer spearhead during the Battle of the Bulge, and provided critical access over the Rhine in the face of enormous resistance. <br><br>This is the 291st's story, dramatically told by the man who served as its commander.