286th Engineer Combat Battalion, Headquarters and Service Company

R.I.P. Will Hoppe

rand — Wed, 28 May 2014 12:14:52 +0000

My father, Will Hoppe, died a few days ago. I put up this site for him in 2010, to share with the world the booklet he and Bob McKean created. He got a kick from my reports of the comments left here, and I enjoyed hearing the memories they sparked in him. At one point, he told me that the booklet was his best work. I’ve posted his obituary and some of his “lesser” work on willhoppe.com

“Whoop” (Will HOPPE)

Will Hoppe in 2010

August 1945 – The “mighty” soldier

rand — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 02:50:47 +0000

Here’s the front and back of a small photo of my dad, Will Hoppe.

January 1946 – Will Hoppe skiing in Arosa, Switerland

rand — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:51:08 +0000

Click on the photo to read what Will wrote to his grandparents back in Brooklyn.

More ID help needed

rand — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:34:33 +0000

Paul Anesto’s daughter Crystal has asked that I post this picture of her father at Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest in hope to identify any of the other soldiers.

You can click on the photo to make it larger. Anyone?

Kaiserslautern

rand — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:59:39 +0000

Will Hoppe’s handwriting on the back says “Merkin, De Murjian, and myself. Merkin is a Bklyn boy, too.”

Name the soldiers

rand — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 02:25:37 +0000

Please use the comments to help identify the soldiers in this photo!

286th – 31 December 1944 through 17 June 1945

rand — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:11:22 +0000

View 286 Engineering Combat Battalion in a larger map

Based on a map produced in June 1945 by the father of Arthur Alexander of Brooklyn, NY.

Will Hoppe told me some more details about the production of this map, which I will follow up with him.

The Book

rand — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 11:09:18 +0000

Compiled by Will HOPPE and Bob McKEAN in Bad Mergentheim, Germany.

Photos by Nick KISCHITZ