96th Engineer Battalion (United States)

The 96th Engineer Battalion was a military engineer unit in the United States Army. The battalion, which was composed mainly of African-American troops, served during World War II and was also known as the 96th Engineer General Service Regiment.

96th Engineer Battalion
96th Engineer Battalion distinctive unit insignia
Active1941–1946
Country United States
BranchUnited States Army Corps of Engineers
TypeEngineer battalion
Motto(s)"Ecce Signum" (Latin: Behold the Sign)
EngagementsDutch East Indies campaign
Kokoda Track campaign
New Guinea campaign
Philippines campaign

History

Townsville mutiny

The 96th Engineer Battalion was activated as the 9th Engineer Battalion (Separate) at Fort Bragg on 1 June 1941. It embarked at New York on 4 March 1942 and arrived in Australia on the north-eastern coast of Queensland, on 9 April 1942.[1]

Troops from US 96th Engineers were stationed at a base on Townsville's western outskirts known as Kelso. This was the site for a large-scale siege lasting eight hours, which was sparked by racial taunts and violence. The soldiers took to the machine guns and anti-aircraft weapons and fired into tents where their white American counterparts were drinking, killing one, severely injuring dozens and expending 700 rounds.[2]

After this they were stationed at Port Moresby on 28 April.[1] On 29 July 1942 it was redesignated the 96th Engineer General Service Regiment, and moved to the Philippines on 22 April 1945, where it was inactivated on 15 February 1946.[3]

Notes
  1. Stanton 1984, p. 570.
  2. Bavas, Josh (10 February 2012). "Townsville WW2 Mutiny Uncovered by Queensland Historian". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  3. Stanton 1984, p. 542.
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References
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