Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 017, folder 07: Jerome J. McCabe

McCABE, Col Jerome J.

492 Fighter Bomber Sqdr. Mo

Box 17, #7

492 Fighter Bomber Sqdn., 48th Fighter Group

Flight over "I lead my squadron over the Channel at about 15,000'. The weather was over rcast at that hour at about 12,000'. We were on radio silence. Both on the trip over the Channel and over Normandy, things looked quiet and peaceful. I was particulary con- with my navigation to the target area.

Job "After our initial bomb run we were directed to stay in the area for a period of time to strafe moving or stationary military targets. We did make passes on marshalling yards and rail equipment. Flying at ground level it seemed to me that civilians up at hour were rather surprised at the air density. and activity. The area had all types of aircraft at all altitudes.

Dead

LL Grandview MO3

For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-Day

THOUSANDS OF MEN, ON LAND AND SEA AND IN THE AIR, PARTICIPATED IN TH 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? Colonel Jerome J. McCabe, U.S.A.F. What was your unit and division? 492 Fighter Bomber Sqdn 48th FIG Group Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Dive bombed targets behind the beachhead at H-hour minus 30 minutes What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Major, USAF What was your age on June 6, 1944? 28 Were you married at that time? No What is your wife's name? Did you have any children at that time? No What do you do now? Assigned to : Hq Control Air Defense Force Richards- Gebaur A.F.B. Grandview, Mo. When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? several weeks 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? I led my sqdn over the channel at about 15,000 ft. the weather on the continent was over cast at that hour at about 12, 000 ft. we were on a radio silence. Both on the trip over the channel and over Normandy things looked quiet and peaceful. I was particularly concerned with my navigation to the target area. What were the rumors on board the boat, ship or plane in which you made the crossing? (Some people remember scuttlebut to "she effect that the Germans had poured gasoline on the water and planned to set it afire when the troops came in). no rumors. our interest was on our target and the success of the invasion and mission

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name

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? ---

Were you wounded? Not on that date - was wounded over Achaen, Germany Oct 1944.

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? No

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? After our initial bomb run we were directed to stay in the area for a period of time to strafe moving or stationary military targets. We [crossed out]also we directed to[end crossed out] did make passes on marshalling yards and rail equipment. Flying at ground level it seemed to me that civilians up at that

rw'. - for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name

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? No Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? at our airdrome at Ibsley, England (near Bournemouth Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? same place

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?

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 IP 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.

will be available for interview at my present location thru July

Cornelius Ryan Frances Ward Research, The Reader ’s Digest

GRANDVIEW APR18 550PM 1958 MO.

UNITED STATES 2 CENTS POSTAL CARD

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS

C. J. Ryan c/o Readers Digest 1300 Connecticut Ave Washington, D. C.