cape cod. . .

During the first week of April 1943 our Regiment moved lock, stock, and barrel to Washburn Island off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The Boat Battalion moved by rail while the shore companies traveled second class and came by trucks. It is presumed that here were laid the seeds of a friendly rivalry between the two battalions as to which is the tougher.  Here also the Regiment made the error of purchasing a mimeograph machine which turned out reams and reams of training memorandums and other associated required reading materials.

A program of physical conditioning was inaugurated along with advanced engineer training and, the principles of amphibious warfare. We soon found that these high-sounding titles actually meant hours and hours of hard work. About this time some of us were beginning to sprout chevrons, and it was a wise man who refrained from tearing into his bunkmate. The fellow might be a Technician Fourth Grade the following day and have the memory of an elephant.

No longer were we social outcasts; on the contrary, many were the conquests in the nearby cities of Falmouth and Hyannis. Everywhere we went we were received with open arms. It was surprising how far a man could get on a week-end pass.

The name Popponessett Beach brings back to us our first training in anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons. The migratory birds gave this area a wide berth for quite a long while after we left there just in case there 'was an Amphibian still there banging away at some target.

About that time, while we were at Washburn, our Regiment was renamed the 594th Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment. The strength and the cornposition of the units remained the same, however.

Cat  and Mat

Specialized training in engineering was given to the Shore Battalion, Company E was given its first construction project when it was detailed to build a Quartermaster Warehouse at Camp Candoit, Massachusetts. Meanwhile, the Boat Battalion was sending selected personnel to Signal Training School at Camp Edwards, and was busy training men in the nomenclature of landing craft.

The Boat Battalion had the urge to move again. It left Camp Washburn on foot the last week in April to set up headquarters at Camp Candoit, approximately 15 miles away. Inside of two weeks the Shore Battalion followed its trail. We were all set for the most memorable and enjoyable training period the Regiment has known.