Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 013, folder 56: Frank Henry Litzler

4th Div. LITZLER, Frank Henry Tex 19

Box 13, #56

8th Inf. 6:30? Red Beach

Story of E Co Capt, who lost pants

Sweeny, Texas TEX 19 For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day LL couple of good things

THOUSANDS OF MEN, ON LAND AND SEA N 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 ? Frank Henry Litzler What was your unit and division? 8th Inf. Regt. 4th Inf. Div. Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ? Utah Beach-H Hour

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? P.F.C. (private first class) What was your age on June 6, 1944? 30 years (approx.)

Were you married at that time? no What is your wife's name? ---- none Did you have any children at that time ? no

What do you do now? Farm and Ranch

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? Just a few weekd 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? we were on the ship a coupld days. It was stormy, the channel rough and choppy. shortly before midnight June 5th my best buddy said, "Frank, tomorrow morning, two of us will go into France only one willcome back." Ted died on field of battle several months latter. In attaching Siegried line

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 ) one rumor- The Germans had built a concrete wall 20 ft high. Heavily maned with guns and troops.

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Frank Litzler

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No_But I wote a note on fly leaf of teastment,(to my mother) If wanted,(the original is available) I could give a duplicate [*what?*]

Were any of your friends killed or wounded during the landing or during the day? yes

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? nothing remarkable

Were you wounded? Yes__ Aug 29th 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 felt a warm sensation when the steel struck my body; and thought,"no blood, and I know I'm wounded in several places." I was bloody, but happy. Pain came a few days latter.

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? [crossed out]Nothing[end crossed out] D-Day [inserted]note below[end inserted] several things during the days that followed.

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Very memorable was the action of Captain of E-Co. I'd have been glad to [crossed out]soilder[end crossed out] soldier with that guy. Mid-afternoon D-day I saw him for the last time. I believe he got wounded June 7th 1944. E-Co. landed on our right, but some how got to far left, in our sector. Captain E.co. had his pants ripped from cuff to crotch, but he rallied his men got order, where everything was confussion. That P.M. I saw him in long johns (underwear) he had lost his pants, but [crossed out]l[end crossed out] refused to take a pair from anyone I had on double uniform, and told him so, only he declined to take one

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Frank Litzler

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? None- Excepting the fact that about noon of D-Day while I was a lonely out Post, I went to sleep. When I woke, the Co. had moved on. The sergeant who gave me this duty forgot that I existed.

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? on a ship in the English Channel

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Sleeping in a drainage ditch some where in Normandy, west of Ste. Mere Eglise

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? Mr. James D Weafer LL 1570 East Ann St. Montgomery, Ala

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

LL P.O. Box 234 Sweeny, Tex. June 16, 1958 Miss Francis Ward Readers Digest 230 Park Ave New York, N.Y. Dear Miss Ward, Regarding American Legion Newsletter June 1958, where in Cornelius Ryan seeks facts about the Normandy Invasion. I landed with the 4th Inf. Division, 8th Inf. Regt. on D day H hour June 6, 1944, on Utah beach. If I can be of service I'd be glad to oblige. Sincerely Frank Litzler #2