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For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day
THOUSANDS OP MEN, ON LAND AND SEA AND IN THE AIR, PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF NORMANDY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT JUNE 5, 1944 AND MIDNIGHT JUNE 6, 1944. IF YOU WERE ONE OF THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.
What is your full name? Warner A. Broughman
What was your .unit and division? 502 Regiment, 101st Airborne Div.
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ? My unit flew across the peninsula and Parachuted on Utah Beach. 1:05AM D-1
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Captain
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 26
Were you married at that time? yes
What is your wife's name? (Janice) Recently Divorced
Did you have any children at that time? 1 child in 1944 3 fine children now (15-12-6)
What do you do now? Presently employed at U.S. Public Health Hospital (Narco) Vocational-Education Director.
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? We knew that Airborne troops would be used when ever needed. We trained long and hard for this mission. Briefed 12 days before D-day
What was the trip like during the crossing of the Channel? Do you remember, for example, any conversations you had or how you passed the time? General Eisenhower and staff come to our area just before dark to give us some words of advice and wisdom. I shall never forget his handshake and his arm around my waist and saying "You will be successful, you have nothing to worry about. Do a good job and God bless you". Our actual flight to the target was spent almost in silent meditation.
What were the rumors on board the boat, ship or plane in which you made the crossing? (Some people remember scuttlebut to the effect that the Germans had poured gasoline on the water and planned to set it afire when the troops came in).
There were no particular rumers that effected us. We had a job all laid out for us.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name- Broughman, Warner
Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No Diary kept until later in Hospital.
Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? Many killed and wounded
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? We were Very busy and when possible we would try to determine the seriousness of the casualties
Were you wounded? Yes on June 16, 1944
Do you remember what it was like—that is, do you remember whether you felt any pain or were so surprised that you felt nothing? I remember very well. My multiple injuries were serious and hospitalized me for more than 2 years.
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? Incidents at that time were very serious but we always tried to see the Comical sides even to laugh and yell encourogement to a man trying to actually run out of a line of fire.
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Sad and heroic incidents are somewhat Common for many of us who were together as a unit for several years. we were more as a family rather then an Army unit. We grew very close to each soldier and looked out for the well being of all.Death in our unit was very high during the French invasion.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 -
Your name- Broughman, Warner
In times of great crisis, people generally show either great ingenuity or self -reliance, others do incredibly stupid things. Do you remember any examples of either from D-day ? Paratroopers who may face instant death faces great odds and certainly must be self reliant. ingenuity is a by line against the odds in a war of this nature.
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Preparing for the invasion of France.
Where were you at midnight on June 6 , 1944? Jumped by parachute on Utah Beach at 1:05 AM.
Do you know of anybody else who landed within the 24 hours of D- day, June 6, as infantry, glider or airborne troops, or who took part in the air and sea operations, whom we should write to? The only other paratrooper making the invasion of 1944 and is alive today that I have contact with, is living in Lexington Ky also. He is a close friend of mine and at the time of the invasion was Captured for a long stay in prison. Rodgers Baker 217 Jahoma Rd. Lexington, Ky.
PLEASE LET US HAVE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT WE CAN INCLUDE YOUR EXPERIENCES IN THE BOOK. WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE YOUR STORY ON SEPARATE SHEETS IF WE HAVE NOT LEFT SUFFICIENT ROOM. FULL ACKNOWLEDGMENT WILL BE GIVEN IN A CHAPTER CALLED "WHERE THEY ARE NOW;" YOUR NAME AND VOCATION OR OCCUPATION WILL BE LISTED.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.
Cornelius Ryan Frances Ward Research, The Reader's Digest
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146 Wabosh Drive Lexington, Ky June 18, 1958
Miss Francis Ward Readers Digest 230 Park ave New York, NY
Dear Miss Ward:
A few days I was contacted by friends of the personnel section from the near by Signal Depot. I was told about the proposed history of the invasion of 1944 being prepared by Mr. Cornelius Ryan. after discussing this with only brief information they insisted that I contact you about this matter.
My Military record no doubt is very impressive to many people who were never subjected to the actual combat missions, However those few of us who were fortunate enough to eventually return home to our families and friends