FIRE TRUCKS AT WAR
| U. S. Army Fire Fighting Platoons - WWII |
NARA Photo 2002
Class 1000 Firefighting Trailer
Class 325, 4x4, Fire Truck
Class 325, 4x2, Fire Truck
Class 135, 4x4, Crash Truck
Class 1010 Firefighting Trailer
Class 135, 4x2, Crash Truck
| M3A1 Auxiliary Crash Truck |
| Class 150 Crash Truck |
3/4 ton, 4x4, Weaons Carrier
1/4 ton, 4x4, Jeep
1 1/2 ton, 6x6, Cargo & Personel Carrier
| Firefighters from the 2024th Engneer Aviation Fire Fighting Platoon stand by at all times to rescue crew members from burning planes. Bassingbourne Airbase, England |
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U.S. Army Fire Fighting Platoons World War II
“To understand fully the reason for the activation of this and other similar units, we will have to go back to the fall of 1942. At that time
the Tunisian Campaign was in its beginning and from experience the allied commanders, General Eisenhower in particular, found the fires,
caused from ground and air attacks, were losing supplies and equipment at an alarming rate. As an example, seventy five percent of all
planes of two air groups were destroyed at the airfield at Oran from one bombing attack. This single attack gave the Germans air
superiority until replacements were rushed to Oran. Thus, because of this and similar incidents, which definitely impaired our fighting
efficiency, General Eisenhower requested the activation of Fire Fighting Platoons for both air and ground forces. The ground force units
were activated at Camp Clairborne, Louisiana. The Air Force units were activated at Bradley Field, Connecticut.”
2nd Lt. Herbert W. Blanchard
Commanding Officer
2063rd Engineer Aviation Fire Fighting Platoon
On 4 December 1941 the responsibility for Fire Protection within the Army passed from the Quartermaster Corps to the Corps of
Engineers. (COE) On 7 December Pearl Harbor was attacked and the United States found itself at war. One of the many problems now
facing the COE was the need to provide fire protection in overseas theaters of operations. After 6 months of planning, 1 July 1943 saw
the formation of the Engineer Fire Fighting Detachments 1 thru 10 at Camp Clairborne, near Alexandria, Louisiana. The initial staffing for
the detachments brought men from other Army units, some with a background in firefighting who would become the cadre for the new
units. The Commanding Officer (CO) of each detachment held the rank of Lieutenant and most were recent graduates of the COE Officer
Candidate School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and would become the Fire Marshall for each detachment. The COs attended a week course in
the “Methods of Fire Fighting” held at the Central Fire Station in Alexandria, Louisiana. The school was sponsored by the Division of
Trade and Industrial Education of the Louisiana State Department of Education. A senior Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) from each
detachment was designated Fire Chief and attended a special two week school in firefighting held at the District of Columbia Fire Training
Center in Washington, DC. Colonel R. Lewis, COE Fire Protection Specialist was Commandant of the school which lasted from the 14th
thru 26th September 1942.
By mid October recruits from reception centers had arrived and basic training began. Preliminary fire fighting instruction was started
in November 1942, but although the Camp Clairborne Fire Department was most co-operative, facilities were lacking for proper training.
The camp fire department could not allow its trucks to be taken out of service to train with so the training consisted of lectures by the
camp firefighters on fire equipment, fire prevention and methods of handling fire hose.
With basic training completed the ten detachments departed Camp Clairborne by motor convoy and arrived at Camp Harahan at the
New Orleans Staging Area. (NOSA) During the next 2 ½ months excellent training in fire fighting was received under the direction of Major
Eugene A. Wink, head of the training section NOSA. Much assistance was received from Chief Evans and Assistant Chief Burke from the
New Orleans Fire Department. Training was conducted in fire fighting methods at the City of New Orleans Fire School. Numerous field
trips to port areas, industrial plants and a trip on the New Orleans fire boat were also conducted. Probably the most valuable training of
all was received from 1st Lt. David F. Glines, an especially well trained instructor in fire fighting, sent to the NOSA by the Chief Engineers
Office. Lt. Glines brought with him Class 325 fire trucks and Class 1000 fire trailers, the type of fire apparatus the detachment would be
using so that the men could get hands on training. The Lt. also gave thorough training in all phases of fire fighting and fire fighting
equipment.
On 15 March 1944, Detachment 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 departed the NOSA by rail for Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. The units assembled at the
New York Port of Embarkation, (NYPE) Staten Island, NY where they sailed for North Africa on 2 April 1943. On 17 March 1943,
Detachments 6 and 7 departed the NOSA by train for Camp Kilmer and sailed from the NYPE on 29 April 1943 also for North Africa. On 11
May 1943, Detachments 8, 9 and 10 left the NOSA for Camp Kilmer sailing from the NYPE on 23 May 1943 bound for England. On 15
August 1943 these 10 detachments were renamed “Engineer Fire Fighting Platoons.”
April 1943 saw the activation of additional Engineer Fire Fighting Platoons at Camp Clairborne and in May 1943 the first Engineer
Aviation Fire Fighting Platoons, (EAFFP) 1980th thru 2009th were activated at Bradley Field, Connecticut. In June 1943 EAFFPs were
activated at Harding Field, Louisiana where they underwent engineer basic training, moving to Camp Pontchartrain, Louisiana to learn fire
fighting skills. At Bradley Field platoons were under going basic engineer training when they learned, after a day of training at the rifle
range, that their training battalion had been disbanded and they were to become Aviation Fire Fighters. Firefighting training for the
Bradley platoons was conducted at Bradley Field by instructors obtained from civilian fire departments.
1944 saw the activation of additional Engineer Fire Fighting Platoons, 1700 thru 1708th at Aversa, Italy and Engineer Fire Fighting
Platoons, 3100 series, at Fort Lewis, Washington in October 1944. In addition, Engineer Fire Fighting Platoons, 2791 thru 2797 were
activated at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia, April 1944 with fire training taking place at Camp Picket, Virginia. At Dale Marbry Field, Florida in
January 1944, eight Engineer Aviation Fighting Platoons were activated traveling to Camp Pontchartrain for fire training. In England, fifty-
eight Engineer Aviation Fire Fighting Platoons were activated in April 1944. This was accomplished by transferring firefighters from
excising platoons in England to the newly activated units and obtaining firefighters from the Station Complement or Air Service Group at
the airfield. In most cases, Station Complement personnel provided fire protection before the arrival of the EAFFPs in the UK using Royal
Air Force (RAF) crash tenders and fire trailers.
Engineer Fire Fighting Platoon: The Engineer Fire Fighting Platoon consisted of a headquarters section and three fire fighting
sections. Besides functioning as a normal headquarters, headquarters section had personnel and equipment for fire fighting. Included in
its personnel was the platoon CO holding the rank of Lieutenant, who would be designated the Fire Marshall, a fire chief, a section chief,
clerk, truck mechanic, pump operators, drivers and firefighters. The mission of the EFFP was fire protection and fire prevention at Army
depots, hospitals, wharves and docks, bases and cantonments. The headquarters section had one Class 325 fire truck, when first
deployed these were 4x2 vehicles built on American commercial chassis. In 1944 the military Chevrolet 4x4 chassis, Class 325 appeared
in the theater. Both versions of the Class 325 were equipped with a front mounted 300 gpm. centrifugal pump and 300 gallon water tank.
Other equipment included two booster reels each equipped with 150 feet of ¾ in. hose, various firefighting tools, 12 foot roof and 24 foot
extension ladders. The hose bed had a capacity of 600 feet of 2 ½ in. and 600 feet of 1 ½ in. hose. Each firefighting section was equipped
with one Class 1000 firefighting trailer which was towed by a 1 ½ or ¾ ton support vehicle. The Class 1000 trailer consisted of a gasoline
engine driven centrifugal pump capable of delivering 500 gpm. at 120 psi., mounted on a standard 1 ½ ton cargo trailer. The hose bed had
a capacity of 700 feet of 2 ½ in. and 300 feet of 1 /2 in. hose. Additional hose and firefighting equipment was carried in a weapons carrier
which towed the Class 1000. Many EFFPs were reorganized in 1944 as Engineer Composite Platoons, FAFC. This allowed for an
increase in Class 325 fire trucks from 1 to 4 and an increase in personnel. In addition, the Army 700 gal. water tanker, mounted on the 21/2
ton, 6x6 chassis was authorized for use.
Normally the EFFP was dispersed, each section operating as a fire station and responsible for a particular part of the total territory
covered and assisting other sections as needed. The platoons were assigned to other Army units for rations and administration. Reports
of fire were received at the headquarters section via telephone and the proper station or stations were dispatched over direct line
telephone. Of course, many calls were reported directly to the nearest fire station by personnel discovering the blaze or emergency. In
many cases, the sections operated a great distance from one another and each operated as an independent fire department only
requesting assistance from another section upon reaching the scene and locating a telephone to make the call. When EFFPs reached
their assigned locations they were faced with many challenges. The first, locating adequate quarters in which the platoon would live and
house the fire equipment, if possible. Fire sections set up shop in former civilian fire stations, garages, schools and industrial buildings.
The next mission of the platoon was to survey its area of responsibility locating sources of water for firefighting, fire hazards and routes
of travel to reach all portions of the area. Rivers and ponds normally served as water sources but sometimes fire hydrants were located.
Army hose fittings would not mate with these water systems and adapters were machined at Engineer Depots for the platoons use. Hose
adapters were also made to allow American hose to be joined to British and other foreign manufactured hose.
Getting to the platoons next assignment wasn’t always easy. On 18 October 1944 members of the 1225th EFFP departed Base F,
Finschafen, New Guinea and sailed for an unknown location. Rough weather was encountered a few days out and a monsoon struck
just before midnight of the 28th. The ship rolled and pitched, finally coming to rest upon a sandbar, where it remained for 3 days and
nights. Underway once again land was sighted on 29 October, the Philippines. That evening Japanese planes were active attacking
shore positions and for the next 5 days platoon members remained on the ship waiting to disembark. Then at midnight on 3 November
enemy planes appeared and ack-ack fire erupted from the mainland. At 0330 hrs that morning, one Japanese Zero being shot from the air,
crash dived into the ship in a suicide dive. A terrific explosion was felt and fire seemed to cover the whole front of the ship. Men sleeping
on the forward part of the ship were blown or jumped overboard. The 1225ths CO rounded up all the firefighters, except for 7 overboard,
and laid attack lines to the fire and worked until it was extinguished. The members overboard were able to board a raft, rescuing several
members of the ships crew before reboarding the ship. While the fire and rescue were occurring, Japanese planes were bombing and
strafing overhead. Ack-ack and other gunfire from adjacent ships in the harbor were flying all around them. The ships captain praised
the members of the 1225th EFFP for their work and many would receive Soldiers Medals for their actions that day.
Not all fire fighting platoons had the luxury of looking for buildings in which to quarter, some had to “dig in.” Members of the 217th
and 1218th went ashore at Utah Beach on 13 June 1944 to provide fire protection at the shore facilities. The 1217th set up headquarters
at the Regimental Command Post and fire sections were dispersed to each battalion area. There was an air raid about 0200 hrs on the
15th and bombs were dropped in the regimental area, causing little damage and no causalities. Shortly after the raid the headquarters
sections responded to Sugar Red Beach for 3 amphibious vehicles ablaze, the probable cause being shrapnel from bombs. Enemy
planes returned while headquarters section was fighting the fire, several bombs dropped and there were no casualties. During the 6th
and 17th of June, the platoon conducted a fire inspection of the regimental area informing Battalion Officers of the availability of their
firefighting services. Mutual aid assistance was established with the 128th and two navy firefighters were attached to each fire section to
help in case of fire on beached craft. The platoon responded to numerous fires, mostly in ammunition and trash before leaving the Utah
Beachhead on 8 October and being assigned to the Utah Beach Command.
Engineer Aviation Fire Fighting Platoon: The Engineer Aviation Fire Fighting Platoon assigned to the Army Air Corps (AAC) was
identical to the EFFP, but differed from those platoons in equipment and training to meet the specialized requirements of the AAC. The
headquarters section had on Class 135 Crash Truck which in early deployment was of the 4x2 version and later the military Chevrolet
4x4. Both versions of the Class 135 were equipped with a front mounted, semi-high pressure, centrifugal pump capable of pumping 60
gpm. at 350 psi. Other equipment on the truck included a 300 gallon water tank, two side mounted and one rear mounted booster hose
reels each carrying 100 feet of 1 in. heavy duty booster hose. 20 gallons of foam was carried in a tank mounted atop the water tank. A 16
foot A-frame ladder, standard Army crash kit, fire extinguishers and small firefighting tools were also carried. Two sections of the EAFFP
were supplied with Class 1010 Crash Trailers. The Class 1010 trailer consisted of a high-pressure piston pump with a capacity of 35 gpm.
at 750 psi. mounted on a two-wheel trailer which was equipped with 150 gal. water tank, two bracket type hose mounts with 100 feet of ¾
in. high pressure hose each, Army crash kit along with fog and foam nozzles. The bed of the towing vehicle carried additional fire
extinguishers, tools and hose. The third section of the EAFFP was equipped with a Class 1000 pumping trailer. Headquarters and two
sections were equipped primary for crash incidents while the third section was equipped for structure fires.
Research of EAFFP records and photographs from the era show that some of the platoons were equipped with Class 110 and Class
125 Crash Trucks, previously thought not to been used in the theater of operations.
While a few of the EAFFPs served in Africa and then into Italy, the majority of them were stationed in England. Living conditions in
England were much better then for their brothers serving with EFFPs in Europe and other locations. For the most part, they arrived at
established airfields, with adequate living quarters, hot meals and entertainment facilities. The platoons found that fire protection was
being carried out by Station Complement and Air Service Group personnel using Royal Air Force fire apparatus. The EAFFPs assumed
fire protection duties using RAF crash tenders and fire trailers, since their American fire equipment had not arrived and the station
personnel returned to their units. From the records of the 2113th is the following.
.
“This organization came into being as the 2113th Engineer Aviation Fire Fighting Platoon on the 11 April 1944 at Army Air Force Station
174. However, its origin dates back to November 1943 upon the arrival at this station of the 76th Station Complement Squadron, Major
Radar, Commanding, Lieutenant Vokal assigned to that organization as Fire Marshall. His crew consisted of six men in the Station
Complement Fire Fighting Section. They immediately set about organizing a Fire Department with the aid of RAF fire equipment with which
the station is basically stocked, fire extinguishers, two British Crash Tenders, and two British Trailer Fire Pumps……Special Order No. 57,
Headquarters AAF Station 174, dated 11 April, activated the 2113th Engineer Aviation Fire Fighting Platoon.”
While many of the RAF crash tenders were found to be in good operating condition, many reports of unserviceable or tenders in poor
operating condition are found in platoon monthly reports. From the records of the 2039th EAFFP stationed at Bodney Airfield, #141 is
found the following entry:
“The base was assigned 2 Crossley and 1 Fordson crash tender. The Fordson was deadlined awaiting a new steering gear box and
one of the Crossleys was deadlined for engine trouble. The one good Crossley in good condition was stationed at the tower. We had 2
trailer pumps here, 1 Bedford Stork and 1 Sigma. Neither of these was in running condition. Prior to the arrival of the American equipment
we had to use what we had. We put 6 men to workas mechanics, and the rest of the alternated at line duty and alert. We got the 2 trailer
pumps working and they were dependable, the only disadvantage, being that they have no self starter, and must be cranked. We repaired
the other Crossley, but neither of the Crossleys were any good. Their top speed was 15 MPH and they were never dependable. They failed
to start, failed to go into gear, and gave us trouble every day. The Fordson, which has a V-8 engine, was the best vehicle we had, but we
didn’t get the needed steering box until January.”
Providing fire protection at the many airfields in England could also prove dangerous. On the evening of 4 June 1944, a B-24
Liberator bomber of the 856th Bomb Group piloted by Second Lieutenant Raymond J. Sachtleben crashed into an unoccupied house at
approximately 17:30 at Hardingham, near Garveston, Norfolk, killing all ten men in the crew. Private Ted Bunalski and Sergeant Monroe A.
Atchley, members of the 2033rd EAFFP, were eating dinner when they heard a man yelling that a plane had crashed. They left their meals,
ran out to the road, and jumped on the first fire truck going to the fire. Joined by other members of the platoon, led by Staff Sergeant
Charles Provenzano, upon arrival at the crash site they immediately went to the burning plane and proceeded to extinguish the flames,
disregarding the danger of bombs and a gas tank which was burning and full of gasoline. The plane was loaded with Model 201b
fragmentation bombs, and while the fire was being combated, a bomb exploded. Sergeant Atchley was killed instantly. Private Bunalski
received multiple shrapnel wounds, and a severe wound to the left side of his neck, which caused him to bleed to death. The other
members of the platoon continued to attempt to fight the fire until ordered away from the crash. Private Bunalski and Sgt. Atchley were
posthumously awarded the Soldiers Medal for heroism. Staff Sergeant Provenzano was awarded the Bronze Star along with four other
members of the 2033rd EAFFP, Sergeant Antonio M. Suplrizio, Private First Class Anton Bauo, Michael Lararowica, and John J. Schrack.
Many of the EAFFPs in England served their entire tour of duty there until they were inactivated. While others where deployed from
England to the continent serving at airfields, (ALG- Advance Landing Ground) in France, Belgium and Germany moving from ALG to ALG
as the American Army moved towards Germany.
Fire Prevention measures were an important part of the fire platoons responsibility for both EFFP and EAFFPs. Inspecting military
occupied buildings looking for unsafe conditions, missing or discharged fire extinguishers and hazards took much of the platoon’s time.
They set up Fire Points” throughout the camp/airfield which contained first aid firefighting tools including shovels, pails, sand and 5
gallon hand pump fire extinguishers for use in combating fire before the arrival of the fire department. Refilling fire extinguishers used by
Army units at the camp was also one of the duties preformed by the platoons. Fire training on the use of fire extinguishers was given to
all personnel.
Several EAFFPs in England engaged in “Firefighter Olympic” contests with British National Fire Service Personnel. (NFS) The two
units meant on the field of battle to match their firefighting skills against one another with ladder, hose and pumping evolutions. EAFFPs
came out on top in several of these events. Since many of the EAFFPs were stationed in England, with easy access to English towns,
many platoon members found girlfriends, dated and then married.
Adapt and Improvise: Local conditions and hazards dectated that the platoons modify some of their fire equipment to meet the
demands associated with combat firefighting. Foam tanks were mounted on Class 325 fire trucks as well as the M3A1 Decontaminating
truck, and the foam tanks enlarged on the Class 135. Several EAFFPs in England mounted CO2 systems on their vehicles. From the
records of the 2122nd EAFFP, Martlesham Heath, AFF#369 is the following:
"A twenty gallon tank is being made for foam on the Class 135 crash truck. This will save a great deal of time and will eliminate the job
of one man who at the present time has to carry two gallon cans of foam up to the hose nozzle. A shot off valve will be put on the foam
tank. This will enable the use of either water or foam. Foam tanks are also going to be mounted on the 1020 crash trailer. Another
addition to the 135 crash truck are four 60 lb. CO2 tanks with two 65 foot reels of hose. The tanks will be connected in pairs. Each pair of
anks will produce 120 lbs of CO2 and will last approximately two minutes apeace. The CO2 will be used mainly for rescue operations."
The pumps from fire trailers were often removed and mounted in the cargo bed of the platoon’s weapons carrier and water tanks
mounted on the trailer. EFFPs in some cases used German fire trucks acquired as the Army moved through France. Since water supply
was often a problem for the platoons, several made arraignments with Engineer Water Purification Companies to truck water to the scene
of fires. The 1209th EFFP acquired several hundred feet of new hose and two firefighting trailers from the French Fire Service at
Cherbourg, France. They also discovered a large quantity of German firefighting foam which was put to good use by the platoon. The
1208th EFFP acquired a 2 ½ ton Army cargo truck on which they mounted a 800 gallon water tank. Added where the components from a
Class 325 fire truck, including the pump, tools, ladders and hose, which made for a very impressive fire truck. The platoons were often
called to extinguish fires at ammo dumps and depots, a very dangerous operation. After consulting with Armor and Engineer
commanders, they deployed tankdozers to assist the firefighting operations. The tankdozers were able to move into the fire and separate
the burning material. At some locations, 1 ½ in. fire hose was inserted through the muzzle of the gun, run out through the breach, then
out the tank turret and connected to a fire pump trailer. A nozzle connected to the end of the hose allowed for close in application of
water to the burning ammo.
In 1943 the COE authorized for use as an auxiliary crash vehicle the M3A1 Decontaminating Truck. The unit consisted of a 400 gal.
wood tank mounted on the standard GM, 2 ½ ton, 6x6 chassis, with a high pressure, 400 psi. pump driven from the truck transmission.
Many of the fire fighting platoons had realized the M3A1 made for a reliable firefighting vehicle prior to the issuance of the directive and
had used them with great success. The COE offered a conversion kit that provided additional firefighting capacity for the vehicles. The
kit included two high pressure pistol grip nozzles, additional high pressure hose, foam can sling and carrying basket, foam pick-up tube
and foam nozzle. Photographs from the era show 55 gal. foam tanks mounted on the vehicles.
By the end of 1944 the Class 150 Crash Truck was beginning to appear at Air Force Stations in England. COs and NCOs from EAFFPs
scheduled to receive them attended training sessions on the new truck. The Class 150s were built on the Sterling and Kenworth 6x6
chassis with body work and fire equipment manufactured by Cardox. The primary extinguishing agent on the vehicle was 6000 lbs. of
CO2 and 300 gals. of foam premix expelled by CO2. The units proved quite successful and provided additional firefighting capacity for
the platoons. Research indicates that some 30 of these units were deployed before wars end.
The jeep was authorized to the fire fighting platoons as part of their TO&E and in 1944 the COE authorized its use as an auxiliary
airfield crash truck. They were equipped with the Army Crash Rescue Kit along with several fire extinguishers.
This is just a brief overview of the Army Fire Fighting Platoons and the soldiers that served with them. The units are credited with
saving countless lives both military and civilian during their years of deployment. Many platoon members were injured and approximately
50 were killed in the performance of their duties. Millions of dollars in government property was saved from fire by these brave firefighters
and their contributions to the war effort has been generally undocumented by historians. You will not see these unsung heroes of World
War II on the History Channel. Many platoon members went on to become civilian firefighters in cities and towns across the United States
and attained high ranking positions in their respective departments.
“To understand fully the reason for the activation of this and other similar units, we will have to go back to the fall of 1942. At that time
the Tunisian Campaign was in its beginning and from experience the allied commanders, General Eisenhower in particular, found the fires,
caused from ground and air attacks, were losing supplies and equipment at an alarming rate. As an example, seventy five percent of all
planes of two air groups were destroyed at the airfield at Oran from one bombing attack. This single attack gave the Germans air
superiority until replacements were rushed to Oran. Thus, because of this and similar incidents, which definitely impaired our fighting
efficiency, General Eisenhower requested the activation of Fire Fighting Platoons for both air and ground forces. The ground force units
were activated at Camp Clairborne, Louisiana. The Air Force units were activated at Bradley Field, Connecticut.”
2nd Lt. Herbert W. Blanchard
Commanding Officer
2063rd Engineer Aviation Fire Fighting Platoon
On 4 December 1941 the responsibility for Fire Protection within the Army passed from the Quartermaster Corps to the Corps of
Engineers. (COE) On 7 December Pearl Harbor was attacked and the United States found itself at war. One of the many problems now
facing the COE was the need to provide fire protection in overseas theaters of operations. After 6 months of planning, 1 July 1943 saw
the formation of the Engineer Fire Fighting Detachments 1 thru 10 at Camp Clairborne, near Alexandria, Louisiana. The initial staffing for
the detachments brought men from other Army units, some with a background in firefighting who would become the cadre for the new
units. The Commanding Officer (CO) of each detachment held the rank of Lieutenant and most were recent graduates of the COE Officer
Candidate School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and would become the Fire Marshall for each detachment. The COs attended a week course in
the “Methods of Fire Fighting” held at the Central Fire Station in Alexandria, Louisiana. The school was sponsored by the Division of
Trade and Industrial Education of the Louisiana State Department of Education. A senior Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) from each
detachment was designated Fire Chief and attended a special two week school in firefighting held at the District of Columbia Fire Training
Center in Washington, DC. Colonel R. Lewis, COE Fire Protection Specialist was Commandant of the school which lasted from the 14th
thru 26th September 1942.
By mid October recruits from reception centers had arrived and basic training began. Preliminary fire fighting instruction was started
in November 1942, but although the Camp Clairborne Fire Department was most co-operative, facilities were lacking for proper training.
The camp fire department could not allow its trucks to be taken out of service to train with so the training consisted of lectures by the
camp firefighters on fire equipment, fire prevention and methods of handling fire hose.
With basic training completed the ten detachments departed Camp Clairborne by motor convoy and arrived at Camp Harahan at the
New Orleans Staging Area. (NOSA) During the next 2 ½ months excellent training in fire fighting was received under the direction of Major
Eugene A. Wink, head of the training section NOSA. Much assistance was received from Chief Evans and Assistant Chief Burke from the
New Orleans Fire Department. Training was conducted in fire fighting methods at the City of New Orleans Fire School. Numerous field
trips to port areas, industrial plants and a trip on the New Orleans fire boat were also conducted. Probably the most valuable training of
all was received from 1st Lt. David F. Glines, an especially well trained instructor in fire fighting, sent to the NOSA by the Chief Engineers
Office. Lt. Glines brought with him Class 325 fire trucks and Class 1000 fire trailers, the type of fire apparatus the detachment would be
using so that the men could get hands on training. The Lt. also gave thorough training in all phases of fire fighting and fire fighting
equipment.
On 15 March 1944, Detachment 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 departed the NOSA by rail for Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. The units assembled at the
New York Port of Embarkation, (NYPE) Staten Island, NY where they sailed for North Africa on 2 April 1943. On 17 March 1943,
Detachments 6 and 7 departed the NOSA by train for Camp Kilmer and sailed from the NYPE on 29 April 1943 also for North Africa. On 11
May 1943, Detachments 8, 9 and 10 left the NOSA for Camp Kilmer sailing from the NYPE on 23 May 1943 bound for England. On 15
August 1943 these 10 detachments were renamed “Engineer Fire Fighting Platoons.”
April 1943 saw the activation of additional Engineer Fire Fighting Platoons at Camp Clairborne and in May 1943 the first Engineer
Aviation Fire Fighting Platoons, (EAFFP) 1980th thru 2009th were activated at Bradley Field, Connecticut. In June 1943 EAFFPs were
activated at Harding Field, Louisiana where they underwent engineer basic training, moving to Camp Pontchartrain, Louisiana to learn fire
fighting skills. At Bradley Field platoons were under going basic engineer training when they learned, after a day of training at the rifle
range, that their training battalion had been disbanded and they were to become Aviation Fire Fighters. Firefighting training for the
Bradley platoons was conducted at Bradley Field by instructors obtained from civilian fire departments.
1944 saw the activation of additional Engineer Fire Fighting Platoons, 1700 thru 1708th at Aversa, Italy and Engineer Fire Fighting
Platoons, 3100 series, at Fort Lewis, Washington in October 1944. In addition, Engineer Fire Fighting Platoons, 2791 thru 2797 were
activated at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia, April 1944 with fire training taking place at Camp Picket, Virginia. At Dale Marbry Field, Florida in
January 1944, eight Engineer Aviation Fighting Platoons were activated traveling to Camp Pontchartrain for fire training. In England, fifty-
eight Engineer Aviation Fire Fighting Platoons were activated in April 1944. This was accomplished by transferring firefighters from
excising platoons in England to the newly activated units and obtaining firefighters from the Station Complement or Air Service Group at
the airfield. In most cases, Station Complement personnel provided fire protection before the arrival of the EAFFPs in the UK using Royal
Air Force (RAF) crash tenders and fire trailers.
Engineer Fire Fighting Platoon: The Engineer Fire Fighting Platoon consisted of a headquarters section and three fire fighting
sections. Besides functioning as a normal headquarters, headquarters section had personnel and equipment for fire fighting. Included in
its personnel was the platoon CO holding the rank of Lieutenant, who would be designated the Fire Marshall, a fire chief, a section chief,
clerk, truck mechanic, pump operators, drivers and firefighters. The mission of the EFFP was fire protection and fire prevention at Army
depots, hospitals, wharves and docks, bases and cantonments. The headquarters section had one Class 325 fire truck, when first
deployed these were 4x2 vehicles built on American commercial chassis. In 1944 the military Chevrolet 4x4 chassis, Class 325 appeared
in the theater. Both versions of the Class 325 were equipped with a front mounted 300 gpm. centrifugal pump and 300 gallon water tank.
Other equipment included two booster reels each equipped with 150 feet of ¾ in. hose, various firefighting tools, 12 foot roof and 24 foot
extension ladders. The hose bed had a capacity of 600 feet of 2 ½ in. and 600 feet of 1 ½ in. hose. Each firefighting section was equipped
with one Class 1000 firefighting trailer which was towed by a 1 ½ or ¾ ton support vehicle. The Class 1000 trailer consisted of a gasoline
engine driven centrifugal pump capable of delivering 500 gpm. at 120 psi., mounted on a standard 1 ½ ton cargo trailer. The hose bed had
a capacity of 700 feet of 2 ½ in. and 300 feet of 1 /2 in. hose. Additional hose and firefighting equipment was carried in a weapons carrier
which towed the Class 1000. Many EFFPs were reorganized in 1944 as Engineer Composite Platoons, FAFC. This allowed for an
increase in Class 325 fire trucks from 1 to 4 and an increase in personnel. In addition, the Army 700 gal. water tanker, mounted on the 21/2
ton, 6x6 chassis was authorized for use.
Normally the EFFP was dispersed, each section operating as a fire station and responsible for a particular part of the total territory
covered and assisting other sections as needed. The platoons were assigned to other Army units for rations and administration. Reports
of fire were received at the headquarters section via telephone and the proper station or stations were dispatched over direct line
telephone. Of course, many calls were reported directly to the nearest fire station by personnel discovering the blaze or emergency. In
many cases, the sections operated a great distance from one another and each operated as an independent fire department only
requesting assistance from another section upon reaching the scene and locating a telephone to make the call. When EFFPs reached
their assigned locations they were faced with many challenges. The first, locating adequate quarters in which the platoon would live and
house the fire equipment, if possible. Fire sections set up shop in former civilian fire stations, garages, schools and industrial buildings.
The next mission of the platoon was to survey its area of responsibility locating sources of water for firefighting, fire hazards and routes
of travel to reach all portions of the area. Rivers and ponds normally served as water sources but sometimes fire hydrants were located.
Army hose fittings would not mate with these water systems and adapters were machined at Engineer Depots for the platoons use. Hose
adapters were also made to allow American hose to be joined to British and other foreign manufactured hose.
Getting to the platoons next assignment wasn’t always easy. On 18 October 1944 members of the 1225th EFFP departed Base F,
Finschafen, New Guinea and sailed for an unknown location. Rough weather was encountered a few days out and a monsoon struck
just before midnight of the 28th. The ship rolled and pitched, finally coming to rest upon a sandbar, where it remained for 3 days and
nights. Underway once again land was sighted on 29 October, the Philippines. That evening Japanese planes were active attacking
shore positions and for the next 5 days platoon members remained on the ship waiting to disembark. Then at midnight on 3 November
enemy planes appeared and ack-ack fire erupted from the mainland. At 0330 hrs that morning, one Japanese Zero being shot from the air,
crash dived into the ship in a suicide dive. A terrific explosion was felt and fire seemed to cover the whole front of the ship. Men sleeping
on the forward part of the ship were blown or jumped overboard. The 1225ths CO rounded up all the firefighters, except for 7 overboard,
and laid attack lines to the fire and worked until it was extinguished. The members overboard were able to board a raft, rescuing several
members of the ships crew before reboarding the ship. While the fire and rescue were occurring, Japanese planes were bombing and
strafing overhead. Ack-ack and other gunfire from adjacent ships in the harbor were flying all around them. The ships captain praised
the members of the 1225th EFFP for their work and many would receive Soldiers Medals for their actions that day.
Not all fire fighting platoons had the luxury of looking for buildings in which to quarter, some had to “dig in.” Members of the 217th
and 1218th went ashore at Utah Beach on 13 June 1944 to provide fire protection at the shore facilities. The 1217th set up headquarters
at the Regimental Command Post and fire sections were dispersed to each battalion area. There was an air raid about 0200 hrs on the
15th and bombs were dropped in the regimental area, causing little damage and no causalities. Shortly after the raid the headquarters
sections responded to Sugar Red Beach for 3 amphibious vehicles ablaze, the probable cause being shrapnel from bombs. Enemy
planes returned while headquarters section was fighting the fire, several bombs dropped and there were no casualties. During the 6th
and 17th of June, the platoon conducted a fire inspection of the regimental area informing Battalion Officers of the availability of their
firefighting services. Mutual aid assistance was established with the 128th and two navy firefighters were attached to each fire section to
help in case of fire on beached craft. The platoon responded to numerous fires, mostly in ammunition and trash before leaving the Utah
Beachhead on 8 October and being assigned to the Utah Beach Command.
Engineer Aviation Fire Fighting Platoon: The Engineer Aviation Fire Fighting Platoon assigned to the Army Air Corps (AAC) was
identical to the EFFP, but differed from those platoons in equipment and training to meet the specialized requirements of the AAC. The
headquarters section had on Class 135 Crash Truck which in early deployment was of the 4x2 version and later the military Chevrolet
4x4. Both versions of the Class 135 were equipped with a front mounted, semi-high pressure, centrifugal pump capable of pumping 60
gpm. at 350 psi. Other equipment on the truck included a 300 gallon water tank, two side mounted and one rear mounted booster hose
reels each carrying 100 feet of 1 in. heavy duty booster hose. 20 gallons of foam was carried in a tank mounted atop the water tank. A 16
foot A-frame ladder, standard Army crash kit, fire extinguishers and small firefighting tools were also carried. Two sections of the EAFFP
were supplied with Class 1010 Crash Trailers. The Class 1010 trailer consisted of a high-pressure piston pump with a capacity of 35 gpm.
at 750 psi. mounted on a two-wheel trailer which was equipped with 150 gal. water tank, two bracket type hose mounts with 100 feet of ¾
in. high pressure hose each, Army crash kit along with fog and foam nozzles. The bed of the towing vehicle carried additional fire
extinguishers, tools and hose. The third section of the EAFFP was equipped with a Class 1000 pumping trailer. Headquarters and two
sections were equipped primary for crash incidents while the third section was equipped for structure fires.
Research of EAFFP records and photographs from the era show that some of the platoons were equipped with Class 110 and Class
125 Crash Trucks, previously thought not to been used in the theater of operations.
While a few of the EAFFPs served in Africa and then into Italy, the majority of them were stationed in England. Living conditions in
England were much better then for their brothers serving with EFFPs in Europe and other locations. For the most part, they arrived at
established airfields, with adequate living quarters, hot meals and entertainment facilities. The platoons found that fire protection was
being carried out by Station Complement and Air Service Group personnel using Royal Air Force fire apparatus. The EAFFPs assumed
fire protection duties using RAF crash tenders and fire trailers, since their American fire equipment had not arrived and the station
personnel returned to their units. From the records of the 2113th is the following.
.
“This organization came into being as the 2113th Engineer Aviation Fire Fighting Platoon on the 11 April 1944 at Army Air Force Station
174. However, its origin dates back to November 1943 upon the arrival at this station of the 76th Station Complement Squadron, Major
Radar, Commanding, Lieutenant Vokal assigned to that organization as Fire Marshall. His crew consisted of six men in the Station
Complement Fire Fighting Section. They immediately set about organizing a Fire Department with the aid of RAF fire equipment with which
the station is basically stocked, fire extinguishers, two British Crash Tenders, and two British Trailer Fire Pumps……Special Order No. 57,
Headquarters AAF Station 174, dated 11 April, activated the 2113th Engineer Aviation Fire Fighting Platoon.”
While many of the RAF crash tenders were found to be in good operating condition, many reports of unserviceable or tenders in poor
operating condition are found in platoon monthly reports. From the records of the 2039th EAFFP stationed at Bodney Airfield, #141 is
found the following entry:
“The base was assigned 2 Crossley and 1 Fordson crash tender. The Fordson was deadlined awaiting a new steering gear box and
one of the Crossleys was deadlined for engine trouble. The one good Crossley in good condition was stationed at the tower. We had 2
trailer pumps here, 1 Bedford Stork and 1 Sigma. Neither of these was in running condition. Prior to the arrival of the American equipment
we had to use what we had. We put 6 men to workas mechanics, and the rest of the alternated at line duty and alert. We got the 2 trailer
pumps working and they were dependable, the only disadvantage, being that they have no self starter, and must be cranked. We repaired
the other Crossley, but neither of the Crossleys were any good. Their top speed was 15 MPH and they were never dependable. They failed
to start, failed to go into gear, and gave us trouble every day. The Fordson, which has a V-8 engine, was the best vehicle we had, but we
didn’t get the needed steering box until January.”
Providing fire protection at the many airfields in England could also prove dangerous. On the evening of 4 June 1944, a B-24
Liberator bomber of the 856th Bomb Group piloted by Second Lieutenant Raymond J. Sachtleben crashed into an unoccupied house at
approximately 17:30 at Hardingham, near Garveston, Norfolk, killing all ten men in the crew. Private Ted Bunalski and Sergeant Monroe A.
Atchley, members of the 2033rd EAFFP, were eating dinner when they heard a man yelling that a plane had crashed. They left their meals,
ran out to the road, and jumped on the first fire truck going to the fire. Joined by other members of the platoon, led by Staff Sergeant
Charles Provenzano, upon arrival at the crash site they immediately went to the burning plane and proceeded to extinguish the flames,
disregarding the danger of bombs and a gas tank which was burning and full of gasoline. The plane was loaded with Model 201b
fragmentation bombs, and while the fire was being combated, a bomb exploded. Sergeant Atchley was killed instantly. Private Bunalski
received multiple shrapnel wounds, and a severe wound to the left side of his neck, which caused him to bleed to death. The other
members of the platoon continued to attempt to fight the fire until ordered away from the crash. Private Bunalski and Sgt. Atchley were
posthumously awarded the Soldiers Medal for heroism. Staff Sergeant Provenzano was awarded the Bronze Star along with four other
members of the 2033rd EAFFP, Sergeant Antonio M. Suplrizio, Private First Class Anton Bauo, Michael Lararowica, and John J. Schrack.
Many of the EAFFPs in England served their entire tour of duty there until they were inactivated. While others where deployed from
England to the continent serving at airfields, (ALG- Advance Landing Ground) in France, Belgium and Germany moving from ALG to ALG
as the American Army moved towards Germany.
Fire Prevention measures were an important part of the fire platoons responsibility for both EFFP and EAFFPs. Inspecting military
occupied buildings looking for unsafe conditions, missing or discharged fire extinguishers and hazards took much of the platoon’s time.
They set up Fire Points” throughout the camp/airfield which contained first aid firefighting tools including shovels, pails, sand and 5
gallon hand pump fire extinguishers for use in combating fire before the arrival of the fire department. Refilling fire extinguishers used by
Army units at the camp was also one of the duties preformed by the platoons. Fire training on the use of fire extinguishers was given to
all personnel.
Several EAFFPs in England engaged in “Firefighter Olympic” contests with British National Fire Service Personnel. (NFS) The two
units meant on the field of battle to match their firefighting skills against one another with ladder, hose and pumping evolutions. EAFFPs
came out on top in several of these events. Since many of the EAFFPs were stationed in England, with easy access to English towns,
many platoon members found girlfriends, dated and then married.
Adapt and Improvise: Local conditions and hazards dectated that the platoons modify some of their fire equipment to meet the
demands associated with combat firefighting. Foam tanks were mounted on Class 325 fire trucks as well as the M3A1 Decontaminating
truck, and the foam tanks enlarged on the Class 135. Several EAFFPs in England mounted CO2 systems on their vehicles. From the
records of the 2122nd EAFFP, Martlesham Heath, AFF#369 is the following:
"A twenty gallon tank is being made for foam on the Class 135 crash truck. This will save a great deal of time and will eliminate the job
of one man who at the present time has to carry two gallon cans of foam up to the hose nozzle. A shot off valve will be put on the foam
tank. This will enable the use of either water or foam. Foam tanks are also going to be mounted on the 1020 crash trailer. Another
addition to the 135 crash truck are four 60 lb. CO2 tanks with two 65 foot reels of hose. The tanks will be connected in pairs. Each pair of
anks will produce 120 lbs of CO2 and will last approximately two minutes apeace. The CO2 will be used mainly for rescue operations."
The pumps from fire trailers were often removed and mounted in the cargo bed of the platoon’s weapons carrier and water tanks
mounted on the trailer. EFFPs in some cases used German fire trucks acquired as the Army moved through France. Since water supply
was often a problem for the platoons, several made arraignments with Engineer Water Purification Companies to truck water to the scene
of fires. The 1209th EFFP acquired several hundred feet of new hose and two firefighting trailers from the French Fire Service at
Cherbourg, France. They also discovered a large quantity of German firefighting foam which was put to good use by the platoon. The
1208th EFFP acquired a 2 ½ ton Army cargo truck on which they mounted a 800 gallon water tank. Added where the components from a
Class 325 fire truck, including the pump, tools, ladders and hose, which made for a very impressive fire truck. The platoons were often
called to extinguish fires at ammo dumps and depots, a very dangerous operation. After consulting with Armor and Engineer
commanders, they deployed tankdozers to assist the firefighting operations. The tankdozers were able to move into the fire and separate
the burning material. At some locations, 1 ½ in. fire hose was inserted through the muzzle of the gun, run out through the breach, then
out the tank turret and connected to a fire pump trailer. A nozzle connected to the end of the hose allowed for close in application of
water to the burning ammo.
In 1943 the COE authorized for use as an auxiliary crash vehicle the M3A1 Decontaminating Truck. The unit consisted of a 400 gal.
wood tank mounted on the standard GM, 2 ½ ton, 6x6 chassis, with a high pressure, 400 psi. pump driven from the truck transmission.
Many of the fire fighting platoons had realized the M3A1 made for a reliable firefighting vehicle prior to the issuance of the directive and
had used them with great success. The COE offered a conversion kit that provided additional firefighting capacity for the vehicles. The
kit included two high pressure pistol grip nozzles, additional high pressure hose, foam can sling and carrying basket, foam pick-up tube
and foam nozzle. Photographs from the era show 55 gal. foam tanks mounted on the vehicles.
By the end of 1944 the Class 150 Crash Truck was beginning to appear at Air Force Stations in England. COs and NCOs from EAFFPs
scheduled to receive them attended training sessions on the new truck. The Class 150s were built on the Sterling and Kenworth 6x6
chassis with body work and fire equipment manufactured by Cardox. The primary extinguishing agent on the vehicle was 6000 lbs. of
CO2 and 300 gals. of foam premix expelled by CO2. The units proved quite successful and provided additional firefighting capacity for
the platoons. Research indicates that some 30 of these units were deployed before wars end.
The jeep was authorized to the fire fighting platoons as part of their TO&E and in 1944 the COE authorized its use as an auxiliary
airfield crash truck. They were equipped with the Army Crash Rescue Kit along with several fire extinguishers.
This is just a brief overview of the Army Fire Fighting Platoons and the soldiers that served with them. The units are credited with
saving countless lives both military and civilian during their years of deployment. Many platoon members were injured and approximately
50 were killed in the performance of their duties. Millions of dollars in government property was saved from fire by these brave firefighters
and their contributions to the war effort has been generally undocumented by historians. You will not see these unsung heroes of World
War II on the History Channel. Many platoon members went on to become civilian firefighters in cities and towns across the United States
and attained high ranking positions in their respective departments.