Although E Company's assigned area of construction was less than D
Company's considerably more grading was required to obtain the desired
contour on Runit.
This was also the factor considered when equal dis-
tribution of man power was discussed.
In view of the fact that less
clearing and other preliminary work was necessary on Runit, this unit was
committed to furnish the majority of the personnel for the provisional
construction detachment on Eniwetok, in addition to one officer.
On about 15 January 1948, the shifting and transferring of personnel
simmered down to a reasonably firm organization on each project and gave
support to the belief that there would be a shortage of manpower.
The
strength figures planned were based on the construction missions only,
but these were rendered more difficult by necessity of reorganization to
take on added burdens of rehabilitating Eniwetok island and other lesser
projects.
Construction on Engebi Island had started on 6 December, with the
arrival there of the survey party, the foundation crew of the MK~PK
' Company and fourteen (14) NCOs and men from the 18th Engineer Construction
Companye
On this date exoavation of the 200 ft tower footings was start-
ed by. the MK-PK Company and the 18th Engineers began clearing and initial
grading for the main control line between the sero tower and the timing
station sites.
Until 24 December, all construction personnel, civilian
and military, lived aboard the LST 45 or the LST 219 which were alter-
nately anchored off-shore to act as "floating hotels.”
Since the preliminary clearing and grading was reasonably complete
on Engebi, when the main body of troops arrived at Eniwetok, the Aomon and
SECTION VLi=b,.
20