Work at this Depot, O-631,
continued to be heavy. Due to the unusual cold weather and snow
experienced in the later part of January, much of the work was accomplished
under somewhat of a handicap, but production levels were maintained
nevertheless.
On the 27th of January 1945
2nd Lt. Clyde W. Cloninger went to London to attend an Education
and Orientation school, returning 4 February 1945.
On the 9th of February 1945
orders were were received promoting 2nd Lt. Clyde W. Cloninger to
1st Lt., date of rank 1 February 1945 per par 15, SQ 32, HQ
HTOUSA.
On the 13th of February
1945 two enlisted men who had been on detached service at Depot O-635
returned to duty.
The unit received its first call for
infantry reinforcements on 15 February 1945 and enlisted men were
transferred to the 12th Reinforcement Depot on 19 February 1945.
Three replacements arrived and joined the company on March 8th,
and one on March 11th. These men were assigned from the
GPRC (Det 80) APO 226. Soon thereafter we received our second call for
replacements and this time for 15 men. These men left on the 19th
of March for the 12 Rein. Dept. APO 551.
Due to the critical shortage of men in
the shop, two men were recalled from the detachment in Northern Ireland,
they arrived on the 21st of March.
Three replacements joined this company
on the 26th of March, being assigned from the GPRC (Det 80) APO
226. All replacements received so far were found to be energetic and
willing to learn, and with a little training, will be able to materially aid
in the mission of this unit.
Since another call was received for
reinforcements it was necessary to begin the selection of the men. This
group of 18 was transferred on the 30th of March to the 12
Reinforcement Depot, APO 551. This unit now had less personnel then at
any other time during the last three years.
On the 4th of April six enlisted men who had been transferred to
the Depot by the 874th Ordnance Heavy Automotive Maintenance
Company were transferred to this Organization. The fact that these men
were trained in the type of work we are doing is a great help at this time
since we have lost so many of our trained personnel as infantry
reinforcements.
On the 12th of April one of
the men was returned to the unit from the 12th Reinforcement
Depot. After having completed his infantry training he has passed his 31st
birthday.
During the month of April the unit was
nominated as the Ordnance for Task Force Nightlight. Work continued to
be heavy at the maintenance shop and April proved to be a record month.
At 1100 hours on 7 May 1945 the unit
was notified to move to Camp Crookston in Scotland the next day.
Everyone was busily engaged in packing and loading when word was received of
the unconditional surrender of Germany. The unit moved by convoy on 8
April 1945 and cleared the initial point at 0700 hours. Therefore,
instead of having a day off the unit spent VE Day fighting it's way over the
hilly roads of Northern England and Scotland. The unit arrived at its
destination at 2045 hours and found the Camp to be dismal and muddy place.
As this account closes the unit is
busy preparing for its mission with the Task Force Nightlight.
