Guestbook

oliver from rheinberg wrote on 05/01/2026 at 13:40

Good day everyone, and many thanks to the 17th‑E team for the dedicated work. My name is Oliver, I am 50 years old, and I live very close to Spellen – the place described here as the Rhine crossing point. In the area where I live, there are still numerous traces of the terrible war — civilian cemeteries, military cemeteries (Allied and German soldiers), former anti‑aircraft positions, destroyed buildings that were rebuilt (and still show signs of the war). In the neighboring town, Montgomery/Churchill and Eisenhower had their accommodations. Churchill had himself transported from Rheinberg across the Rhine to “Ork” (a small village near Spellen). A cross stands there today. Our nearby forest is full of bomb craters. Just yesterday I watched a documentary about Normandy. For anyone interested: besides Omaha Beach, there is the LIBERATION TOWER in Hünxe near Wesel (once a beautiful Hanseatic city — then completely wiped out during the war. A picture on Wikipedia shows Wesel looking indistinguishable from a lunar landscape). Here is a link: https://liberation-tower.de/de/startseite/ This site can also be viewed in English (top right corner). Many greetings, and thank you for this detailed information!

Hank Lawrence from Bournemouth UK wrote on 26/09/2025 at 10:55

Hi I did make contact a few years ago but probably lost now. I am ex Royal Engineers my website blog link explains all. Mainly i would like to say that i was born in Spellen in 1942 my mother was Dutch and father German. After the war mother remarried to English guy and i ended up in the UK. Respect to you all and may your fallen R.I.P Regards Hank Lawrence

Joe Ruzic from Birmingham, AL wrote on 21/04/2025 at 03:20

Hello - I have spent the last few months archiving my maternal grandfathers WW2 letters to his mother. He wrote over 100 letters in his nearly 5 years with the Co HQ of the 17th Armored Engineer Battalion. I have some interesting documents that perhaps could be displayed on this site. Does anybody know how to contact the webmaster? I tried to reach out via the ; menu, but a couple fields were locked and I was unable to submit my note. Let me know if anybody can assist. Joe Ruzic (ruzicje1@gmail.com)

Bill Carter from Michigan City Indiana wrote on 25/03/2025 at 15:58

Very interesting site. I was with the 20th Engineer Brigade in Vietnam. I always enjoy history of the engineers.

Kevin Charles from Kannapolis, NC wrote on 14/12/2024 at 17:05

I put the wrong link as my FB link - my apologies!!! It should have been: https://www.facebook.com/KevinWCharles

Kevin Charles from Kannapolis, NC wrote on 14/12/2024 at 17:03

During WW2, my great uncle Donald served in both the 17th Armored Engineer Battalion and the 22nd Armored Engineer Battalion (Company C) as part of the 2nd Armored Division. He died long before I was born, but I inherited his uniform and some photos from his service. I'd like to share what I know, and ask for help filling in the gaps. His separation papers only list the 22nd engineers, but I have letters labeled the 17th, and the uniform insignias are from the 17th. I'm not sure when he shifted from the 17th to 22nd. I would be very happy to share photos which include other soldiers and equipment also. My email is KevinWCharles@aol.com, and I'm happy to connect on Facebook if you'd like (https://www.facebook.com/groups/739835469433638/user/42812583). The contact form won't allow me to enter the required contact data, so I was unable to submit it that way. I am looking forward to connecting with others interested in this unit! - Kevin Charles

Erica Swenson Elliott from West Palm Beach, FL wrote on 17/05/2024 at 14:05

Dear Martijn and Team, I found your Amazing Website this morning, thank you! I was searching for a few more Tidworth Tidbits for my Great Uncle Pete;s book that I am currently writing, and I found so much more than that! I didn''t have the June 1944 operation report. Thank you for sharing this. Corporal Peter S. Snoich was an Iron Knight in the 66th Armored Regiment of the 2nd Armored. He served in the Reconnaissance Company from North Africa onward. On November 28, 1944, Pete was killed from a random shell, when setting up another nighttime perimeter on the Roer Plain of Germany. Private Don Evans (you can listen to Don if you search his name on YouTube) was the last to speak with Pete and witnessed his death. Pete is buried in Margraten, Holland. Pete's grew up in the small borough, Coaldale, PA which sent 1,225+ men and women to every WW2 theater. I am currently documenting Coaldale's WW2 monument on FindaGrave.com I will run a cross-reference on your 17th Engineers and my Coaldale research and see if anyone pops up. Pete's Niece, Erica

Rita Harrell from Myrtle Beach wrote on 26/03/2024 at 13:32

Release of "Pattons Hand of God; book by James E. Sammons and co-authored by his daughter Rita Sammons Harrell soon to be available to order online. J.E. fought 7 Battle Campaigns and tells his stories to those who would want to experience those recollected memories of War from Benning to Berlin to keep these brave men of the 17th who "Paved the way" to never be forgotten.

Richard Munoz from Santa Barbara, California, USA wrote on 26/09/2023 at 04:36

Found this website as I was researching my late great uncle Amado P Castro, the reading states Purple Heart (unconfirmed), we have found a copy of his Purple Heart certificate issued by the Secretary of War on November 22, 1944.

Admin Reply by: Martijn

Hi, Thank you for the message, we will correct the page online. Martijn

Charles R. Stewart from Athens, TX wrote on 28/02/2023 at 04:15

I was up late last night browsing the internet when, at around 0200, I came across the 17th Engineers website. At about 0930, I was still reading, wide wake and amazed at the achievements this unit, which deserves a motto like: "No job too tough!" I'm a retired USAF officer and my last assignment was at USAFE HQ at Ramstein AB, Germany for 3 years; so I know a little about military life with the single exception of combat. Just wanted to say, "Thanks for the sacrifices and herculean efforts made by everyone associated with the 17th Engineers. Anyone still around from the WW-II days should feel rightly proud of the role they played in defeating the Nazis and bringing peace to a world much in need of it." Sincerely, Chuck Stewart

Edward Kempster from Bromberg, Austria wrote on 12/10/2022 at 05:53

Hard to believe I've only just found this (very well-executed!) site. I am the great-grandson and namesake of Edward H. Brooks, Commander of the 2nd Armored Division from March to September of 1944. I'm an American expat who has been living in eastern Austria since 2018, and am planning my first trip to Normandy in the spring of 2023 to see some of the places and people liberated from Nazi tyranny by the 2AD. To this end, and in preparation for a YouTube channel live-stream on which I will be a guest in December, I have stepped up my research into the Division, during which I found this site. I've made it my life's avocation to preserve, document, and curate the mementos and experiences of General Brooks, and find great meaning in the stories of the men who lived and died under his command... particularly those of the 2nd Armored Division. I just wanted to say how wonderful it has been to find this site, and to offer the use of any photos or information I may have at hand. Unfortunately, I've not found any diary that he may have kept during the war, and many of his papers were donated to the Norwich University library many decades ago. Warmest regards, Edward "Ted" Kempster

Rita Sammons Harrell from Myrtle Beach wrote on 20/09/2022 at 13:48

Book is almost ready for release. An empowering soliders epic experience in 7 battle campaigns to the final end of WWII. Great for generations to come to understand the courageous, humorous and spiritual side of war. Will keep you posted on release date and how to order.

Bob Pelletier from Nashua, NH USA wrote on 18/07/2022 at 23:33

I would like to add to my comments from about two years ago. I recently read the entire Unit History section for the first time. Again, I cannot thank the research team enough for their astonishing level of detail. A superb capture of the 17th and the critical role that it played during WW2 towards preserving freedom and restoring order.

Robert K Chapman from Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England, UK wrote on 27/06/2022 at 21:14

Hi Guys I am totally blown away by the work you have put in to honour the 17th. We are a small group from the UK who proudly wear the 17th insignia at re-enactments around the UK and it is great to see such a fantastic website to honour all who served. Thank you so much Bob Chapman

Colin Dix from Gloucester wrote on 27/06/2022 at 10:39

I have a 1942 WC51 Dodge, it’s marked as 17th Armoured, I have just come home from Normandy from the DDay celebrations. I’m looking for a garrison cap badge, “ We pave the way”, does anyone have one to sell please?

Kurt Steltenpohl from Saint Charles, Illinois, USA wrote on 31/03/2022 at 04:52

I am very pleased to have discovered this website and the existence of a European re-enactment group dedicated to the 17th Armored Engineer Battalion. My father, James Aloysius Steltenpohl, served with the 17thAE during WWII. It is incredible for me to have found a group of people who are remembering and honoring the military service of my father and the men and women he served with. Thank you. I look forward to sharing some photos and other memorabilia that we have and also to learn more of my father's life from your research.

Dilys Winegrad from Philadelphia. PA wrote on 25/03/2022 at 18:14

PS to previous entry just submitted. Since the British RNs who volunteered for the first Red Cross Landing in Normandy in 1944 are never interviewed s were the American Naval nurses, I wish to name my aunt, Lucy Stringer, 1906-1998. RN, BRC. I do not even know if the BRC were given any rank although they wore army khaki!!!!

Dilys Winegrad from Philadelphia wrote on 25/03/2022 at 18:07

I have returned again and again to see the images and read the stories of the brave and fabulous American engineers responsible for the constructing the Spellen pontoon bridge over the Rhine: the first complete and in a timespan that makes it the nineteenth-century wonders of the world. Having crossed into Normandy a few months after D-Day, my aunt, a Great Ormond Street stained children's nurse, crossed on that bridge after work in Normandy, Belgium and Holland to be one of the Red Cross Nurses who liberated Belsen. A member of her group, driving a 15 CWT, was one of the people who slid off the main track and held up traffic that spring on their way to the "Horror Camp."

Rita Sammons Harrell (James E. Sammons CPL) from Myrtle Beach wrote on 23/09/2021 at 12:15

Great tribute to the 17th Battalion who "PAVED THE WAY" to lead the way to 7 successful battle campaigns! My dad lived the war everyday after he came home and began the 2nd Armored Division's Reunion Club that met yearly hosted by a solider of the division in their state every Labor Day weekend. But not only that, but my dad also wrote a descriptive book from trainings at Ft Benning to Coming back to America. Chapters of Battles in every detail. The book will be released soon. And you can order at the website: pattonshandofgod.com For our grandkids and all that need to know how it really was in raw gripping stories for history to remember...

Brenda L Loyd from Baton Rouge wrote on 08/02/2021 at 14:53

I have returned to read and study this website over and over again. It is so hard to find information about the 17th Armored Engineers during World War II. My father-in-law, Clyde C. Loyd, was a member of this group, but he died before I married his son. I am working hard to gather information to share with his grandchildren. Of course the fire at the National Archives has not helped nor has the pandemic this past year. I need to find out which company he was assigned to and when. I do know he changed companies with the death of a Lt in a different company. I know he was in ROTC at LSU when Pearl Harbor was bombed. He was not allowed to finish that semester. Teachers had to give grades based upon the work up to that point. He would return to LSU after the war to complete his senior year. Then he remained in the Army Reserves rising to the rank of Lt. Col.

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