897th and 3562nd Ordnance HAM Companies, 1941-1945

897th Ordnance Heavy Automotive Maintenance Company
3562nd Ordnance Heavy Automotive Maintenance Company
1st Army, V Corps, European Theater of Operations

Belgium, 1944: the war rages on, the weather is lousy, and your truck's frame is bent. Who ya gonna call? The 897th, that's who! They performed difficult repairs under adverse conditions.

Welcome to this WWII history site commemorating the 897th and 3562nd Ordnance HAM Companies, maintained by the son of 897th veteran Julian Gocek. I love to hear from veterans and their families, current service people, and history buffs. With the passing of my father at age 97 in 2015, I doubt any 897th vets are still with us. Best wishes to all the families.

The site is laid out to be mobile-friendly, but with over 250 original wartime photos from the Gocek, Hammond, and Chenevey families, and others, watch your data usage. Just keep scrolling! Contact info at the bottom.

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This day in history: Wednesday, August 8, 1945: Casablanca, French Morocco, North Africa.The company reaches Casablanca harbor at noon and unloads the Cape Beale; personnel and vehicles are taken to Ordnance Camp 107 in Casablanca. The unit is relieved from assignment within the European Theater of Operations and assigned to the African Middle East Theater, and further, to the North African Service Command. The Rock of Gibraltar is seen en route to Casablanca. The 3562nd’s mission is to operate the Service Command’s base depot and shop, doing 5th echelon rebuild. HQ had not expected a Category IV unit as there was a 6 to 8 month job here, so action is taken to get the company replaced. Meanwhile, passes are available for sightseeing.

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