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[*NJ 20 Paterson, N. J. LL Nothing*]
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.
What is your full name? Roman Zaleski
What was your unit and division? Co.E.22nd Inf. Regt. 4th Div.
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? around 8:00 in the morning, beach unknown.
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Pvt.
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 19
Were you married at that time? no.
What is your wife's name? no.
Did you have any children at that time? no.
What do you do now? Work in a foundry as a moulder, on aluminum & [crossed out]mg[end crossed out] magnesium castings
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? While in the marshling area. appro. one week before we got on the ships to cross the channel.
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? The trip was smooth. Tension seemed to build up soon as we boarded ship. Time was passed by cleaning equipment.
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 ). Rumors seemed to revolve around the invasion itself.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Roman Zaleski
Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? no.
Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? no.
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 you so surprised that you felt nothing? ----------------------
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? A bullet striking the inside of a fellows helmet liner, and cutting it like a band- saw, without him as much as even getting scratched.
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? The day I got captured. It seemed like the world I was living in had left me, not knowing what fate had in store for me.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Roman Zaleski
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? Cannot recall any.
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Aboard ship
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? A few miles [crossed out]inland on[end crossed out] off the shore of Normandy
Do you know of anybody else who landed within those 24 hours (midnight June 5 to midnight June 6) as infantry, glider or airborne troops, or who took part in the air and sea operations, whom we should write to? no.
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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83 George St. Paterson, N.J. 6/8/58
To: Frances Ward Readers Digest 230 Park Ave. N.Y.C., N.Y.
Dear Miss Ward:
Read your article in American Legion magazine for information pertaining to the invasion of Normandy.
Am interested in the fact, that I was captured and held prisoner for ten and a half(10 1/2) months.
If you think my information will be helpful, please let me know.
Thank You, Roman Zaleski
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