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

24th Transportation Battalion
37th Transportation Highway Transport Division
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 (1948-1957)

148th Trans Bn History

24th Trans Bn History

67th Trans Co

68th Trans Co

76th Trans Co

83rd Trans Co

524th Trans Co

148th Transportation Truck Battalion History
1951
The 148th Trans Truck Bn arrived in Germany in 1951.
1954
(Source: STARS & STRIPES, December 4, 1954)
The 148th Trans Truck Bn will officially inactivate on Dec 5, 1955 at a ceremony to be held at the battalion's headquarters at Krabbenloch Kaserne, Ludwigsburg. Concurrent with the inactivation, the 24th Trans Truck Bn will be activated and replace the 148th.

The above actions are being taken to allow the colors and history of the 148th to be returned to the control of the New York National Guard.

Another redesignation will take place at Kranbbenloch during the ceremony on Dec 5. The 721st Trans Co (Lt Truck), a Pennsylvania NG unit (and subordinate unit of the 148th), will be redesignated as the 68th Trans Co (Med Truck). The 721st will revert back to the PANG.

Webmaster note: In reading the information on the 24th Trans Bn below, it would appear that the 24th, originally located at Hanau, was inactivated there in Dec 1954, then reactivated at the new home station of Ludwigsburg as part of the actions mentioned above.... Anybody know more about this?
24th Transportation Truck Battalion History
1948 - 1957
24th Transportation Bn DUI
1949
(Source: STARS & STRIPES, August 9, 1949)
The 24th Trans Truck Bn played a major role on keeping the Berlin Airlift operations going.

The battalion consists of six transportation truck companies, with a total of 288 tractors and 576 trailers. Each one of these companies is supporting the airlift.

Three of the companies work at the Rhein Main Air Base, and one at the Wiesbaden Air Base.

One company is permanently in support, filling various transportation requirements other than actual loading operations of planes, and one company is on a rotational rehabilitation status in its company area.

Each of the companies, except the one designated for support activities, is rotated through a 50-day period — 40 days' work and 10 days' rehabilitation.

Except for the three companies assigned to Rhein Main, all perform their own organizational maintenance, with field maintenance conducted by two medium automotive maintenance detachments. At Rhein Main, Polish mechanics (from a Labor Service unit) perform maintenance duties, and work two shifts on a seven-day work basis devoted to servicing all operating tractors.
1952
(Source: 37th Transportation Highway Transport Division, Germany, 1952. Yearbook 1952)
  The unit was activated in Frankfurt am Main, Germany on 20 March 1948 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 24th Transportation Truck Battalion.


24th Trans Bn - originally headquartered at Edwards Barracks, Frankfurt a.M., on left side of the Homburger Landstrasse.
This Battalion was formed as a result of the Berlin Blockade, and no unit of the Army can claim a larger share of credit for the Berlin Airlift than can the 24th Transportation Truck Battalion. From the first day when General Lucius Clay started the unprecedented program of feeding and supplying one of the world's greatest cities entirely by air, the 24th Transportation Truck Battalion worked without let-up transporting supplies -- coal, flour, clothing -- from Frankfurt Military Post to Rhein Main Air Base, where they were loaded on to planes and flown to Berlin.

The Airlift brought new hope and morale to an astonished world, and no small part of the credit for its success must go to the 24th Transportation Truck Battalion, which was in on the beginning of the operation and carried it through to its valiant completion. Without the men who made the Airlift possible, there is no question that the Western Powers would long since have been forced out of Berlin, and it is no exaggeration to say that the 24th Transportation Truck Battalion bore the brunt of the Airlift.

On 2 December 1949, the unit was reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 24th Transportation Truck Battalion.
 
ORGANIZATION (end of 1952):

UNIT DESIGNATION

LOCATION COMMENTS
HHD, 24th Trans Bn Francois Ksn, Hanau  
67th Trans Co (Hv Trk) Hanau [1]  
68th Trans Co (Hv Trk) Hanau [1]  
76th Trans Co (Hv Trk) Hanau [1]  
254th Trans Co (Trk) Hanau [1]  
[1] STATION List, 15 Dec 1952
 
The Battalion today (end of 1952) comprises four assigned Companies: the 67th, 68th, 76th, and 254th Transportation Truck Companies.

The 254th joined the Battalion on 1 September 1952, replacing the 83rd Transportation Truck Company, which was reassigned to the 53rd Transportation Truck Battalion.

The 24th Transportation Truck Battalion is at present located at Francois Kaseme, in the town of Hanau. Prior to the Battalion's arrival there on 17 July 1951, it was stationed in Edwards Kaserne, in Frankfurt.

The present Kaserne was utilized initially as a Displaced Persons camp, and the spruce appearance of the Kaserne today is an excellent reflection on the men who took it over. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Weadock took command of the Battalion on 15 March 1952. The Battalion flag bears two battle streamers from World War II: the Rhineland and Central Europe.
 
On 1 April 1953, the units was once more reorganized and redesignated, this time as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 24th Transportation Battalion.

On 25 December 1957 the Battalion was inactivated in Germany.
 

1. Parade
2. Parade
 
 
If you have more information on the history or organization of the 24th Transportation Truck Bn, please contact me.
 
(Source: Email from Bill Greer, HHC, 24th Trans Bn, 1957-58)

SO #73, 1957
 
I was stationed in Ludwigsburg's at Karls Kaserne from August 1957 until August 1958. At the time I arrived there it was the 24th Trans Battalion. I was assigned to Hq. Co. At this time the 68th, 70th, and the 501st Transportation Companies were all at Karls Kaserne.

It appears from my papers, that the unit was changed to the 28th Transportation Battalion in 1958. 

By the time I was to be discharged, the 68th and 70th had all been moved to another location and I was reassigned to the 501st until my discharge in August of 1958.
I was a PFC  while stationed in Ludwigsburg. I still have my original 201 file and I used it to refresh my memory and get the correct dates. If you need any information from it, just let me know.

My wife and 4 month old daughter came to Ludwigsburg and I was allowed to live off base. We lived in a small 2 room appartment above Motz Gasthaus. Although I was a truck driver, I spent my tour making charts and maps for the officers in the batallion.

This was quite an experience and one I will never forget.  
 
Bill Greer on the USNS General Simon B. Buckner which transported most troops during that periodt.
68th Transportation Truck Company
 
28th Transportation Battalion
 

Spinelli Barracks installation map (partial) (Webmaster's collection)
 
1978
(Source: Email from Mark Peck, 68th Trans Co, 1978-81)
I served with the 68th Transportation Company at Spinelli Barracks in Mannheim from December 1978 - February 1981. I was assigned to the motor pool. SFC William Heath (Wild Bill) was our Platoon leader.

I discovered your website and immediately good old memories came to mind. Thank you for posting this great website.

Looking at the installation map for Spinelli, based on what I think was the front gate, I will use that as my starting point:

Next to Red #30 is the Guard Shack. Looking East, right next to guard shack, is the movie theater and gym. South of the gym, next to Red #28, is the barber shop. Next to Red #62 is the PX and connected to the PX is the 598th Trans. Co.

Next to Red #48 is Battalion HQ. East of HQ is the 68th where I was at. Bldg #1577 is the 68th Transportation Motor Pool. Bldg #1566 is the mess hall and Bldg #1559 the canteen (Kantine).

The 68th and 150th did share the same barracks. They had the 2nd floor and we had the 3rd. 1st floor was office, orderly room and female soldiers. Sub floor was supply , armory and there was also a bar down there.

The big long U-shaped building at the top wasn’t there back then. I’m sure things change in 40 + years!

Building # 1572 was our motor pool that we also shared with 150th. (We always referred to the 150th as Buck and a half.) There is a huge oval shaped area directly across from where all the motor pools are. That is where we parked our trucks. One time, someone used a pry bar and poked holes in all the radiators ! That really hurt us ! We lost valuable time. We were responsible for delivering mail, PX and Commissary. That was our mission. We worked around the clock getting all trucks repaired and back on the road.

I’m not 100% sure but, it all seems to fit just the way I remember it.

A place outside the back gate where we all hung out was Mom’s Guest House! It was famous for wine and cola, egg special and Jaegerschnitzel,

I would like to locate some of my old buddies.
76th Transportation Truck Company
1990

76th Trans Co Unit Photo, 1990 (Everette Coppock)
 
Related Links: