A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE 449TH MP COMPANY, 1ST ESB 1944
The 449th military police company took part in practice invasion operations for six months with the 1st ESB. During breaks in training, the Military police soldiers would also perform MP duties in nearby English towns. The 449th also had the added responsibility of guarding the top-secret planning room for 1st ESB portion of the invasion. The 449th landed on Utah Beach at approximately 0800 hours on 6th June, 1944. Although enemy resistance was lighter than on Omaha Beach, there was a constant threat of artillery and sniper fire. To counter these dangers, the 449th kept men and vehicles moving off the beach to make room for incoming waves of soldiers and supplies. The military police soldiers also oversaw EPW operations and within four days had supervised the removal of 4,000 EPWs to England. Casualties for 449th during beach operations consisted of seven MPs wounded and one killed. The following449th members were awarded the Bronze Star Medal: lieutenant E.J. Barattino, Tech 4 D. Feingold, Corporal E.G. Streich, Corporal J. Feinstein and Pvt. H. Kuperberg. In the days immediately following the initial assault other ESB units landed in Normandy. The 301st and 595th Escort Guard Companies maintained beach evacuation pens filled with German EPWs and processed the constant stream of new prisoners. Companies C and D of the 783rd Military police battalion assisted in directing the considerable amounts of beach traffic four days after 6th June1944.
In the coming months, beach operations became more routine and less dangerous. Battle lines moved inland and many MP units followed. Most MP units attached to the ESBs were reassigned, but they continued processing many thousands of EPWs and also kept the supply lines operational. Although the beachhead was secure, the war in Europe loomed ahead.
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