424th move to San Quentin, France

[floydragsdale]

It was approximately this time of the year (March) 1945 that the 424th Regiment of the 106th Div. moved, by train, 40 & 8 box cars, to San Quentin. The train had a lay-over at the rail yards, in Paris. That's where most of us saw the Eifel Tower for the first time.

After leaving the rail yards in Paris, the train continued on toward Southern France.

Somewhere in route, the train stopped in another Rail Yard. Along side our forty & eight box cars was a freight train with dozens of flat cars loaded with huge vats, perhaps six or eight feet high. Some of our troops got nosey and discovered that those Vats were full of wine. After removing the "bung" from one of them, canteen cups were used to scoop up a cup of wine. This process wasn't speedy enough to satisfy a growing line of "thirsty" G.I.'s from the 424th Regiment. So, someone emptied a five gallon water can and attached a tent rope to it. Now wine was being taken from the Vat, five glallons at a time.

To say the least, just about everyone in those forty & eight box cars proceeded to get drunk, including one of the high ranking regimental officers. As the train was pulling out of the rail yards, he (the officer) was on top of a forty & eight box car, doing a strip tease.

Frankly, I didn't participate in the extra curricular activity becase I did not, and still do not care for wine. If I had my "druthers" it would be a good glass of beer.

The train made it to our destination, St. Quenton (sp) OK, however most of the troops arrived there with one big "hangover".

Don't confuse this city with the one north of Paris and near Belgium. That one is spelled differently.

Floyd
424th Regiment

[Carl W.]

Great story Floyd! Thanks for sharing.
Do you remember the mission the division received afterwards to assault the St Nazaire and Lorient pockets? The mission that was cancelled because the garisson eventually surrendered.

Greetings
Carl

[xavier]

Floyd,



Thanks a lot for all information you share with us.



When I have read this anecdote, I was amused and surprised.

Surprised because you write "After leaving the rail yards in Paris, the train continued on toward Southern France." and after you specify "Don't confuse this city with the one north of Paris and near Belgium. That one is spelled differently."



Perhaps I don't understand because my American is not good, but I would trace the route of 424th IR and this question about "Saint-Quentin" is a problem for me.



On a lot of document we can read that the 106th go to Saint-Quentin (or San-Quentin) to be reconstituted, but without other precision.

For me, a French living at ~30Km (~50 miles) of Saint-Quentin, it was clear that it was this city.

After I have read this story, I resumed my research...



It’s no city with "Saint-Quentin" name more south. Just one town just near Paris named "Saint-Quentin-en-Yveline" and little villages like "Saint-Quentin en Mauges", "Saint-Quentin sur Indrois", "Soumont Saint-Quentin" or "Saint-Quentin les Anges" but not just "Saint-Quentin".



Moreover, in the report after action of 1 to 31 march 1945, the route used by headquarter and vehicles is Bullingen, Liège, Namur, Mons, Cambrai to arrived at Saint-Quentin (so at North of Paris) [http://www.indianamilitary.org/106ID/Reports/51-106thAAR-ENEMY-1-31-Mar-45/106AAR-ENEMY-1-31-Mar-45.htm].



I can trace this route on a 1940 map if you would see it.



I have wondered if there could be confusion because it isn't logical to pass by Paris for going from Bullingen to Saint-Quentin. Bulligen or Liège is in North East of Saint-Quentin and Paris is around 150km south of Saint-Quentin .

But the Railway system in France is like a star, with Paris in the middle. If we go from North to East, to South or to West, we pass and change train in Paris .



Do you have any memories of your visit to Saint-Quentin (monuments or other. Perhaps I can find vintage photos or informations)...


Xavier

[floydragsdale]

Hello Xavier

I made an error about St. Quentin France. After the War I was stationed (in Sept-Oct.) just South of Paris. The St. Quentin we (424th Regiment) were in was just a few miles from Belgium. However, when we left St. Quentin our Regiment by rail, did go through Paris and we were in the rail yards for a number of hour. I knew we were in Paris because we could see the Eifel Tower from the rail yards.

Floyd

[xavier]

Thanks a lot for these precisions, Floyd.
I have read that at Saint-Quentin, some 106th company (perhaps medical) is on a old factory. Have you memories of your "visit" to Saint-Quentin ? Are you in centrum or periphery of city ?

Xavier

[floydragsdale]

Hello Xavier:

I remember that the month was March 1945 when the 424th Regiment was sent to St. Quentin. There was an Americsn Medical facility (331st Medical Batalion, I think)that was located in an old factory, or warehouse building.

I do not recall much about St. Quentin other than our Company (G Co..) was situated within the city limits and I believe near the center of the Town. Also, we had to enter our accommodation's through a gate-like entrance. I believe that ha=d been a factory or warehouse buildpng.

Not too long after Easter Sunday , the 424th Regiment was sent to Rennes, France and that is when we went through Paris.

Floyd

[xavier]

Thanks, Floyd,

Xavier