[jmacusa]

Credit for making emergency repairs to the battle damaged bridge goes to the US Armys 291st. Engineer Combat Battalion under the command of Lt. Colonel David Pergin. He was one hell of a fine engineer and so where his men. It was a patrol from the 291st. who first found survivors wounded and dazed from having survived the infamous Malmedy Massacre in Dec.1944.

[yarddog]

That is actually fascinating. The 291st really got around. I just saw a program a few days ago about the 291st. they, more than anyone else were responsible for stopping Peiper during the Battle of the Bulge.

Their commander guessed correctly where the Germans were headed and time and again, blew bridges just before or just as he approached them. They said Peiper was heard to say “Those damned engineers”. when he was forced to retreat.