The stream channel had been flooded by locking the gates of the canal and by felling trees along
the river bank. As the flooded area was about a kilometer wide, it was impossible to cross except on the
approach; so preparations were made to bridge its gaps. Company E, 315th Engineers, was assigned to
this work, and the necessary material for the job was hauled from a German dump at Montigny to
Laneuville by the trucks of the 315th Engineer Train and trucks of the 343d Machine Gun Battalion. It
was expected to cross the river proper by pontoons, and a pontoon train was sent up by the army. But
the change in plans rendered this work unnecessary, and the river was bridged by other engineers after
the armistice.
The engineering work was directed by Colonel Jarvis J. Bain, who was assigned as division
engineer when Colonel Pope returned to the United States.
Although the exact direction of the next advance was uncertain, there being an intimation from
higher headquarters that the Division might push north on the west side of the river instead of crossing,
General O’Neil continued to make preparations for getting across the Meuse in case a forced crossing
were ordered. Several boats and rafts were constructed by the 315th Engineers and men of the Brigade.
A bridge across the Meuse River, between Laneuville and Stenay,
which was blown up by the Germans in their retreat.
Bridges over the Meuse River, showing damage left by the Germans in their retreat.
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