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Independence Mo. MO 11 (12502 E 33rd Terr.) [in margin] Can't find letter he refers to repeatedly Sugg: BLACK or hold out till the letter turns up [end in margin]
For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day
THOUSANDS OF 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. 5 ,— What is your full name ? Herbert Afton Taylor
What was your unit and division? First Engineers Special Brigade
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ? Utah Beach 0800 hrs June 6, 1944
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? 2nd Lt.
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 33. My birthday was June 5, and it is my understanding that the invasion had been planned for that day, and was postponed on account of the weather.
Were you married at that time ? Yes
What is your wife !s name? Roberta Claire Taylor nee Staihr
Did you have any children at that time ? A two year old daughter, Patricia Diane
What do you do now? I work for Hallmark cards, Inc. in Quality Control.
When did you know that you were going to he part of the invasion? We suspected it several weeks ahead of time but knew for sure only a very few days in advance.
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 ? This information is included, in my letter you have on file.
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). The only rumors I recall turned out to he factual. That was that the area was heavily defended.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 -
Your name Herbert Afton Taylor
Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? I did. It was the source of the information contained in the letter I sent you.
Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day ? Very few. The casualties on Utah Beach were much less than had been anticipated.
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties ? No.
Were you wounded ? No.
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?
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed fumy at the time? Included in previous letter
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else ? Included in letter
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Herbert Afton Taylor
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? Included in letter
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Going into the Channel, I think.
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Somewhere between two and five miles inland from Utah Beach taking refuge in an old stable.
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? Sgt Peter Thomas,R020727287, Box 577, Army Language School Presidio of Monterey, Calif. Bill Callahan, 810 W. Sunset Lane, Columbia, Mo. Tom Whitford, Police Dept, Elmira, New York Robert Wheeler Ted Struble Bill Callahan will have the addresses of the last two names.
I will be available for interview in Independence any time after August 1. If you could let me know a few days ahead of time I could probably arrange for Bill Callahan to be at my home on that date also. Bill is now Publicity Director for the Missouri Tigers. Thank you for your very nice reply to my letter. Sincerely yours, H. Afton Taylor 12502 E. 33rd Terr. Independence, Mo.
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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 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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MP with Engineering Utah Good stuff
May 2, 1958 Independence, Mo. MO 11
Miss Frances Ward Reader’s Digest 230 Park Ave• 5 New York, N.Y. Dear Miss Ward:
I have been informed that Reader's Digest is preparing a history of our D-Day invasion of Europe. At the time of the invasion I was 2nd Lt. Herbert A. Taylor, 595th M.P.E.G. Co. , First Engineers Special Brigade, 4th Div., 1st Army. I landed with the third wave of infantry on Utah Beach, June 6, 1944. The following paragraphs cover the trip across the channel and my first twenty four hours on French soil.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
After spending several days aboard a small LCI we finally received orders to move out, one day later than originally scheduled. By now we were champing at the bit, as the only way of relieving boredom had been to play cards or feed the sea gulls, and you soon grow tired of either. The ship's barber had done a rushing business and the robber was charging two shillings but we paid cheerfully. It was something to break the monotony or else maybe we wanted an invasion haircut in case we were heroes and had our picture taken. I was a bit disappointed that we hadn't sailed a day earlier so the invasion could have occurred on my birthday, but fate, the weather, and General Eisenhower decreed otherwise.
As we moved down the river with several other LCIs there was a feeling of separation from reality that is hard to explain. There we were, starting the greatest military operation in history, an event to back everything else off the front pages and write new and glorious chapters of American History, and we were part of it. It was hard to realize as we talked and Joked, that within twenty four hours we would be fighting for our country and for our lives and that not all of us would be present at the final victory. Many of these men were veterans of two and three previous invasions and had a thorough knowledge of all those seemingly insignificant little details that mean the difference between victory and defeat, life and death. Many were like me, well trained, but still waiting for their first taste of combat experience.
As we passed a medieval fort at the mouth of the river the submarine nets opened and we moved through the mine fields into the open water of the channel. This also was to be an assembly area. It was evening and we stood at the rail and watched the sun settle behind the green hills of Britain. Looking to the front there were a number of ships similar to ours, each with a barrage balloon fastened to its stern and floating about 200 feet overhead. Curious as to the amount of pull of these ungainly but necessary protectors I took hold of the mooring cable and gave it a pull. My weight(190 lbs) Just about enough to offset its pull. Looking to each side were more troop ships and escorts as far as the eye could reach