If you do NOT see the Table of Contents frame to the left of this page, then
Click here to open 'USArmyGermany' frameset

560th Signal Battalion
Southern European Task Force
Looking for more information from military/civilian personnel assigned to or associated with the U.S. Army in Germany from 1945 to 1989. If you have any stories or thoughts on the subject, please contact me.

History

Related Links
Verona

Vicenza
 
Battalion History
560th Signal Bn DUI
 
(Source: SIGNAL CORPS, compiled by Rebecca Robbins Raines, ARMY LINEAGE SERIES)
LINEAGE (Partial, only SETAF years)
Redesignated 25 October 1961 as the 560th Signal Battalion and allotted to the Regular Army.

Activated 15 November 1961 in Italy.

Inactivated 18 March 1971 in Italy.
 
1962
(Source: Email from James Pease)
I was disappointed in the fact you have no information on the 560th Sig Bn in Vicenza, Italy.

I was assigned to that unit from 1962 until my discharge in July of 1964 where after that time the unit seem to have been disbanded.

We operated a communication station in the Alps and I spent time on the mountain during its operation. The site provided direct commutation between northern Europe and Verona which was the Army Headquarters (SETAF).

I also helped to resupply the site with provision when needed. I would transport the supplies by truck up to area where a chopper would then lift the supplies up to the site.

We also had personal stationed in Naples to maintain communicates with our radio relay equipment while a new land base system was being installed.

It was a wonderful experience for me. I am grateful for my time in the service and proud that I served.

I also have fond memories of traveling through Germany, beautiful country.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
I don’t remember the exact location of the (radio relay) site. I think it was North out of Vicenza and a little west. It was build on a mountain peak.

We had a lot of carrier equipment along with three or four antennas. This site allowed for land line communication between NATO and SETAF.

A four or six person team would spent 30 days maintaining the site. We had two diesel generators that provided our power which we maintained; alternating units every ten or twelve hours.

We were in our own little world up there. In the spring we would have a farmer bring up his live stock to graze on the mountain. There were times we would take turns walking down the mountain which took about 30 minutes. Some time we would use cardboard to slide down, taking a little less time; walking up was an hour climb.

I was raised on a farm so I would enjoy helping out in the field when I was off the site. The people were beautiful and made us feel like part of their families. It was a great experience for all of us that were aloud to work the site.

And when provisions were needed I would jump at the opportunity to drive them up to the base of the mountain. I was an all day trip. Everyone in the area would come watch the chopper make the lifts and sometime help us load the supplies.

After our time on the mountain we would receive certificates for our service in maintaining the site and performing the necessary duties needed to live up there for the month. I think I still have it and will look for it. If I am able to find it I will send you a photo of it.

(If anyone has additional information on the 560th Signal Battalion and/or the radio relay sites operated by the 560th Sig Bn in northern Italy, please contact the webmaster - see email link at top of page.)

(Source: Email from Jerry Puckett)
I was in the 560th from January 1962 through May 1964 and spent a month at Yankee Relay.

I recall that it was about 60 miles from our base and that we were transported by helicopter to and from the mountain. I enjoyed my time at the relay and may have met James Pease during that month.

During my tour in Italy, our platoon was not responsible for the relay and I can only tell you that it was at about 5000 feet in elevation and from it I could see a commercial antenna on a peak at a much higher elevation.

I assume it was north of Vicenza because the only mountain range I could see from our base (Vicenza) was to the north and as I mentioned earlier about 60 miles from base.

If James Pease is the person I am thinking of, he would be a much better source of information than me because he seemed to go there on a regular basis.

The former Yankee Relay site, above the village of San Baldo, northwest of
Vittorio Veneto, Italy (GOOGLE)
 

An aerial tramway was used for supplies (Mike Jackson)
 

Day room at the radio relay site (Mike Jackson)
 
1963
(Source: Email from Marvin Jackson)
I was in Italy from 1963-1965 and can give you the location for Yankee Relay. The nearest town is San Baldo (see Google Maps image above).

1. Certificate


 
1967
(Source: Email from Ermest Swain)
The radio relay mentioned in the above post was called Yankee Relay.

Cannot remember the exact location but it was north of Vicenza in the mountains. Spent a few weeks there myself in 1967.
1968
(Source: Email from Chester Bennett)
My tour of duty started with the 560th Signal Battalion in Vicenza (Caserma Ederle) around November 1968.

Worked at the switchboard for a while, hated it. Finally got the chance to go radio site in Verona, Monte San Giuliana. Was there until the deactivation of the unit.

We were then sent to the 8th Infantry Division (Airborne) in Bad Kruzsnach, Rose Barracks where I stayed until 1971.

I rosed to the rank of SGT E5. Enlistment time stopped in April 1971.

The radio site at Mount San Gulianna was a fixed radio site. I believe there was a total of 3 or 4 men there, trying to remember the names.

We used to talk with sites in Germany from time to time.

There was a club up there called the "AL Canon" , and also an orphanage close by.

I will dig into my old trunk, might find some data there.

I have a friend who lives in Oregon who was on site with me before he was sent to Vietnam.

(If anyone has additional information on the Monte San Giuliana radio relay site or can provide the exact location of said site, please contact the webmaster - see email link at top of page.)
Related Links: