Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 018, folder 44: Romeo Fredrick Pompei

Utah 6:30 Debanking 87th CHEMICAL MORTAR BATTALION UTAH Squad Sgt.

DURING BOMBARDMENT “After the initial bombardment started I just kept repeating the numb er (942433) which was my signal to go over the met into the landing craft.

ON DEBARKING

"On my way over the net, a sailor near me tapped me on the shoulder and told me that the first wave had taken the beach by surprise. “One man crushed his root between the landing craft and the transport “One tiling make me forget the invasion. When coming down the met I landed with a bang and lost my front tooth which was raise. I could not speak except with a lisp. Next 1 became deathly seasick and made use of the paper bags. There we were, the big conquerors, throwing up, moaning and growning and begging the coxwain to move into the beach quickly.

ON STE. MERE EGLISE

In the vicinity of Ste. Mere Eglise, the battalion was called upon fo mximum firepower (we were the nearest gun on the beach at the time). The Germans had launched their first organized counter attack in our area and the situation was critical. I cannot forget how the Colonel, the exec, all officers, cooks, bakers—everyone fed ammunition to the guns and we laid down a tremendous concentration of fire which directly reduced the counterattack to nothing. We were cited by First Army Hdqts. for the action.

Release to PG Box 18 #44 D-Day Book Pompei, Romeo Pa 64 Release

For Cornelius Ryan (1) Romeo F. Pompei Aug 11, 1958 Philadelphia, Pa. GREEN PA-64 LL Dear Miss Ward: The original questionaire was soiled and unreadableI will answer the questions in order-

1) Romeo Frederick Pompei 2) 87th Chemical Mortar Battalion 3) Utah Beachead appr. - 6 a.m. 4) Squad Sergeant 5) 21 years 6) no 7) - 8) - 9) Builder 10) We were taken from compound, heavily guarded, past three rows of sentries into a underground building and inside we looked upon a real model of the Coterdin Ponmusle and there informed and breefed that we were to be part of the assault units. We were pointed out our exact landing location and subsequent action11) I spent most of the time checking equipment. There was no feeling of fear, just apprehensive and wondering just how I would react- There wasn't much conversation a gradual change had come over everyone- After the initial bombardment had started I just repeating the number (942433) which was my signal to go over the net into the landing craft. we had an excellent transport and I remember now that the men went through this just like a training problem which

Cornelius Ryan (2) Romeo F. Pompei Attest to the good training we received -

11. I remember hearing about the Germans setting the waters on fire and also about their Peller mines placed on stumps just like the water line which would detonate as the attack craft came in On my way over the net a sailor near me tapped me on the shoulder and impressed me that the first wave had taken the lead by surprise 12. No Diary 13. One friend crushed his foot between the landing craft and transport - Another was killed on the beach by artillery fire - 14. When we landed undiscovered the beach was not sand as assumed but fine pebbles which made it difficult to move or dig in - This {illegible} had to remain in the lead to direct others to our gun positions - he told me he had trouble digging in and I yelled as I moved off the beach for him to stay low and keep digging - Later I was ordered to send a runner to bring him up and he was dead killed by an 88 mar. 15. I was wounded 19th of June - 16. I was surprised that I felt nothing - just a few jabs in the back and a shock wave - I concentrated on moving my limbs to make sure they were all right. I was only slightly wounded by shrapnel power 88 {illegible} shell -

Cornelius Ryan -(3) Romeo F. Pompei

17) Two things made me forget the war and the invasion- when coming down the net I landed with a bang and lost my front tooth which was [?artificial?]. I couldn't speak right - just with a lisp and at that time we made use of the paper bags they had given us - we became deathly sea sick and there we were, big conquerors, throwing up moaning and groaning and begging the coxswain to move in to the beach quickly.

18) In the vicinity of St. Mere Eglise the battalions was called upon for maximum fire power (we were the nearest guns on the beach at the time) The Germans had launched their first organized counter attack in our area and the situation was critical I cannot forget how the Colonel, the Exec, all officers cooks, bakers, every one fed ammunition to the guns and we laid down a tremendous concentration of fire which [crossed out]dirtly[end crossed out] directly reduced the counter attack to nothing.- We were cited a First Army Headquarter for this action --

19)

Cornelius Ryan- 4- Romeo F Pompei (20) -Midnight- June 5, 1944 I was somewhere in the English channel aboard an attack transport (21) Midnight June 6 -1944 I was in a fox hole somewhere around St Mere Eglese in Normandy France (22) No Romeo F Pompei Aug. 11, 1958