- 75 views
This is a set of text and images provided by Thomas E. Davis in 1983, and they can be viewed in order via the image panel below. These images were collected by the editors of Ex-CBI Roundup (through reader submission) over many years of publication, and provided to the Remembering Shared Honor project.
In the CBI during WWII.
Here is text of letter from Mr. Davis attached to images:
"2/21/83
The enclosed photos were taken by me during 1944-45. I was a staff Sergeant/Boat Caption wit the 327th Harbor Craft Company based at Camp Togoa at the Barrackpore Road north of Calcutta.
Except as noted, I do not have names to go with the pictures. I hope some readers can and will make identification.
Have been in touch with Fred Fratyke out in Iowa.
Jon Davis
Somerset, NJ"
geo_location_tag
book_slider
"Crossing the Brahmaputra with all our possessions--two duffle bags each, three years of living items."
Crossing the Brahmaputra
"Crossing the Brahmaputra with all our possessions--two duffle bags each, three years of living items."
"Taken on the Jamuna River, December 1944 or January 1945---Early morning.
Taken from the control tower aft of the LCR (Landing Craft-River) being delivered to Tezpur. I recall where the other LCR were delivered.
This whole trip too 32 days from Calcutta via Khulna, Goalondo, Guwahati--most of the time subsisting on K-Rations.
T. E. Davis"
Early Morning On The Jamuna River
"Taken on the Jamuna River, December 1944 or January 1945---Early morning.
Taken from the control tower aft of the LCR (Landing Craft-River) being delivered to Tezpur. I recall where the other LCR were delivered.
This whole trip too 32 days from Calcutta via Khulna, Goalondo, Guwahati--most of the time subsisting on K-Rations.
T. E. Davis"
"Taken January 20, 1945 at Tezpur, India (my 20th Birthday). The guys in the picture were with an Army Engine Unit to whom we delivered two LCRs (Landing Craft-River) following a 32-day trip up river from Calcutta. I don't know any names. Help! Tom Davis"
Men Of Army Engine Unit In India
"Taken January 20, 1945 at Tezpur, India (my 20th Birthday). The guys in the picture were with an Army Engine Unit to whom we delivered two LCRs (Landing Craft-River) following a 32-day trip up river from Calcutta. I don't know any names. Help! Tom Davis"
"On the Hooghly River hauling water for troop ships. The barges were steel, assembled in Khulna by Army Engineers, towed to Calcutta by the 327th Harbor Craft Co. Barges were 110 feet long, 31 feet wide, with about 7 feet of free board light. Originally used to haul gasoline from Goalindo to Dacca by the 327th and the 326th. Left to right: Weingarten (San Pedro, California), Smith (Tenn.), Eugene Bowers ? (Deepwater, New Jersey), Dillworth ?, and at the controls of the Catamaran Lynn? from Great Falls, Montana."
Hauling Water On Hooghly
"On the Hooghly River hauling water for troop ships. The barges were steel, assembled in Khulna by Army Engineers, towed to Calcutta by the 327th Harbor Craft Co. Barges were 110 feet long, 31 feet wide, with about 7 feet of free board light. Originally used to haul gasoline from Goalindo to Dacca by the 327th and the 326th. Left to right: Weingarten (San Pedro, California), Smith (Tenn.), Eugene Bowers ? (Deepwater, New Jersey), Dillworth ?, and at the controls of the Catamaran Lynn? from Great Falls, Montana."
"Lynn, Great Falls, Montana, at the controls. Eugene Bowers, Deepwater, New Jersey, and Lou Smith, of Tennessee (left to right).
Bowers used to do a back dive off the barge loaded with deck cargo, swim under the 110' barge and 40-plus foot catamaran, while we were underway, and catch a trailing lifeline with preserver attached.
Hooghly River (Howrah bridge in background, looking north, Calcutta on the right, and Howrah on the left.)"
On Hooghly River
"Lynn, Great Falls, Montana, at the controls. Eugene Bowers, Deepwater, New Jersey, and Lou Smith, of Tennessee (left to right).
Bowers used to do a back dive off the barge loaded with deck cargo, swim under the 110' barge and 40-plus foot catamaran, while we were underway, and catch a trailing lifeline with preserver attached.
Hooghly River (Howrah bridge in background, looking north, Calcutta on the right, and Howrah on the left.)"
American LCR (Landing Craft-River) at a dock on a river in India during WWII.
LCR At Dock Along River In India
American LCR (Landing Craft-River) at a dock on a river in India during WWII.
"My boat #327, an MTL (Motor Tour, Launch) of the 327th Harbor Craft Company. Diesel powered-single screw. Crewed by three men. Landing at Hastings Mill where we sometimes ate and enjoyed a movie at HQ 20th Bomber Command. We usually ate and slept aboard or ate at Budge-Budge, Hastings, Barrackpore, or other exotic ports of call. I think that is either Jonnie Williams on the bow, or Roberts."
An Approaching MTL Launch
"My boat #327, an MTL (Motor Tour, Launch) of the 327th Harbor Craft Company. Diesel powered-single screw. Crewed by three men. Landing at Hastings Mill where we sometimes ate and enjoyed a movie at HQ 20th Bomber Command. We usually ate and slept aboard or ate at Budge-Budge, Hastings, Barrackpore, or other exotic ports of call. I think that is either Jonnie Williams on the bow, or Roberts."