Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 017, folder 39: Gerald H. Burt

D-Day Book BURT, Gerald H. Release

299th Eng NY 65

Box 17, #39 Release to P.G

299th Engr. C Bn Co A V Corps

Omaha 0633

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0 \ O-TE Niagra Falls, N.Y. NY 65 LL Interview if possible good things here

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? Gerald H Burt

What was your unit and division? 299th Engr C Bn Co A Attchd to the Fifth Corps for the invasion, First Army -Jewett's outfit

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? We landed on Omaha beach in the vicinity of Colleville -sur-Mer, France. 0633 we landed on the beach,some of us were the first American men on the beach.

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Cpl What was your age on June 6, 1944? 20 yrs Were you married at that time? Yes What is your wife's name? Doris B Burt Did you have any children at that time? she was born a month later What do you do how? I am A Pipe-fitter When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? We were notified May 7 by the Deputy chief of staff of the fifth corps. 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? Our day started early at 0100 we had breakfast , we were all pretty tired to start with. The channel was choppy. Most of the men were to nervous to talk much but those that did were talking about the trip so far. As we started towards the beach the tention grow,most of us were sea sick from being nervous. We smoked and talked about home and tired to comfort each other. We had one fellow who was looking forward to the landing and wished he had brought a camera. He did devert our attention, We all thought he was a little off.

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). Rumor had it that the germans had renforced the beach with men and that we would be slaughtered. They had a few surprizes for us. They would drive us back in the channel to drowned.

- for Cornelius Ryan c - Your name Gerald H Burt

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? I don't need a diary to remeber.

Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? Yes about ten of my closest friends.

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? I remeber we were talking about what we were going to do after this was over. I remeber saying to one of my friends that my wife is expecting a child soon And was goimg to see the baby at any cost. I remember our Plt Sgt inviting us all to is wedding when the war was over. These conversations were Just before we landed on the beach. After the landing the casualties were high, all I can remember was Everyone seemed to hurt and vjs^e sallllllLjSZ ^Ir , Tlrnm help m The Pit Sgt was killed. Two of mybuddies one on Either side of me were Killed. That is when I reallized what war was all about and I become fighting mad. Were you wounded ? No Dc you remember what it was like- -that is, do you remember whether you felt any pain or wore you so surprised that you felt nothing ? Do you remember seeing- or bearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? I remember one fellow inmy outfit that got shot in the rear it wasn * t to seriuos, we had always kidded him about being so heavy and big that they couldi^ t miss him. All he said was if I had to get shot why did it have to be there, he loved to sit on his bed in the barracks and read. 1 Dc you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Some fellows got behind the tank dozers for protection from the small arms fire, they were told nbt to but they kept it up till the tanks started to back up , the tank driver couldn * t see them and he backed right over them killing them instantly. I can still hear their screems That incident stands out with me the most. ’

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Gerald H Burt

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?

The fellow I referred to early who wished he had a camera with him, got off of the landing craft under heavy shell fire and small arms fire and walked up to the dune line which was about a good city block from the landing point as though he was walking a street back in the states. He seemed to have no fear. The best part about it was that he never got a scratch.

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? I was a sleep on the Princess Maud a channel steamer. The invasion was set for the fifth but plans were changed so at 1930 hrs on the fifth we went to bed.

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944?

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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Gerald H Burt 4205 McKoon Ave Niagara Falls, NY

8 June 1958

TO: Miss Frances Ward Readers' Digest 230 Park Ave New York, N.Y.

Dear Miss Ward;

In reading the American Legion Magazine for June, I came across your add wanting veterans of D-Day invasion on Normandy Beachheads. I was a sgt in an Engr unit that made the initial invasion as demolition teams to clear the beach of obstacles. I like to see the men who deserve the credit get it, I would be glad to offer what help I can.

Gerald Burt