725TH RAILWAY OPERATING BATTALION CBI BANNER

725TH RAILWAY OPERATING BATTALION CBI BANNER
Banner for the 725th Railway Operation Battalion active during WWII. The banner features a large embroidered insignia with two dice adding to seven, a large red '2', and the Roman numeral 'V' for five encircled with gold bullion wire, in front of a railway arm and a banner underneath reading, 'Railway'. At the top, gold bullion wire embroidered 'US Army'. The insignia in the center is flanked by gold bullion wire embroidered 'India' and '1945'. The fabric is a purple silk-like material with blue fringe on all sides, approx. 15 x 15 inches. Railway Operating Battalions (ROBs) were the smallest active units of the U.S. Army during WWII. Beginning to be organized in 1941, these 800-man outfits were filled with men who had been railroad employees in their civilian lives. In many instances, railroad employees who had worked together were often drafted and served together. The 725th ROB was activated in February 1943 and were all former employees of the Chicago, Rock Island, & Pacific Railroad. By December 1943, the 725th ROB left Los Angeles en route to the CBI and had their operations in Lalmanirhat, Bengal Province, India. The Battalion transported weapons carriers, 4x4s, ambulances, and 250 pound bombs on their 176 mile long railroad, the longest railroad division in the CBI. The 725th ROB was demobilized on October 1, 1945 and returned home aboard the U.S.S. General Hugh L. Scott departing from Calcutta. The 725th ROB was formally inactivated on October 29, 1945 in Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. WITH: Original 1943 Christmas and New Years card from the 725th ROB featuring their insignia on the left margin. Flag has minor soiling and slight tarnishing on wire. Christmas card has minor ink stains on verso. With included research.