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The 28th Signal Company in World War II

by Robert W. Cronenweth

298 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #04-0313; ISBN 1-4120-2485-4; US$25.00, C$29.00, EUR20.50, £14.50

First-hand accounts of 28th Infantry Division Signalman reveals controversial information indicating that the Battle of the Bulge was not a surprise German attack - but a well - planned Allied trap.

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About the Book      About the Author      Excerpt      Catalogue Information

About the Book

This history of the 28th Signal Company covers the activities of the unit from 1936 through 1945. It contains personal anecdotes, recollections and photographs of Company veterans from the World War II period, as well as reports from a wide range of military and civilian sources. Because the Signal Company moved with the Division Headquarters, this account also includes much information about the 28th Infantry Division itself. Of particular interest to historians and researchers is a highly original examination of the events that led to The Battle of the Bulge. Based on declassifi ed secret information as well as personal accounts, this controversial and compelling analysis explains how The Bulge was not a "surprise attack" - but rather the springing of a carefully laid trap by Generals Eisenhower and Bradley to draw the Germans out from behind the heavily fortified Sigfried Line and engage them in the open.

Also published here for the first time are the personal experiences of individual Bulge survivors recounting the opening days of the battle. With orders TO HOLD AT ALL COSTS, the men of the 28th Infantry Division stalled an overwhelmingly superior German force for three days, enabling the 101st Airborne Division to move into Bastogne.

The author, Robert W. Cronenweth, served over a period of twenty-eight years in the 28th Signal Company and 28th Signal Battalion in grades from Private to Lieutenant Colonel.

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About the Author

Robert W. Cronenweth had a duel career as a soldier and as a public school teacher and administrator. He enlisted in the 28th Signal Company Pennsylvania National Guard on 26 June 1939, shortly after graduating from Brentwood High School in Pittsburgh, PA. He trained with the company on Monday nights and during summer active duty training until February 1941, when the 28th Infantry Division was ordered to active duty for one year of training. By this time Bob had attained the rank of Corporal and was sent on the advance detachment to the Division Signal Office at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation. Promoted to Sergeant in March 1941, he trained with Company on maneuvers in Virginia and the Carolinas. On 7 December 1941 he was traveling north in a convoy from the Carolina maneuvers when the United States declared war on Germany and Japan. In January 1942 he moved with the Division to Camp Beauregard, Louisiana and on to Camp Livingston, Louisiana in March 1941.

On 1 April 1942, Bob was ordered to attend the Officers Candidate School at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Upon graduation as a 2nd Lieutenant on 13 July he was assigned to the 92nd Signal Company, 92 Infantry Division at Fort McClellan, Alabama. Bob had been promoted to 1st Lieutenant by the time the 92nd Division was reassigned to Fort Huachuca, Arizona in the spring of 1943. In June 1944 he was reassigned to the 153rd Armored Signal Company, 13 Armored Division, and served with them as a Captain and Company Commander in combat in France and Germany.

The 13th Armored Division returned to the united States and was at Camp Cook, CA being re-equipped for the invasion of Japan when President Harry S. Truman's decision to deploy nuclear weapons ended the war.

After separation from Active Duty with the 13th Armored Division in December 1945, Bob continued his education at the University of Pittsburgh. He was again called to Active Duty with the 28th as Major, Division Signal Officer on 26 August 1950.

After separation from Active Duty in July 1953 Bob again reorganized the 28th Signal Company. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and served as Division Signal Officer until June 1959 when he also became the Battalion Commander of the reorganized 28th Signal Battalion. During this period he was instrumental in the organization of the 28th Signal Society and it's affiliation as a Chapter 6 of the US Army Signal Regiment. Entering the Army reserve in 1966, he was placed on the Army retired list on his 60th birthday.

In parallel with his military career, Bob was employed as a principal and later as Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction in a local school district. Starting in January 1986, he participated in the organization meetings that led to the founding of the 28th Division Heritage Association. Bob has four children and recently celebrated his 52nd wedding anniversary with his wife Shirley. Bob lives just a few miles from where he grew up in Pittsburgh, PA.

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Excerpt

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Catalogue Information

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