Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 101, folder 13: Alfred Warfield Ireland, Jr.

IRELAND, Alfred W., Jr 82/HQ Co. Major

Box 101, #13

--OK [D?y list]

See also Besterbrutje See also Col. Walter Winton See Charles Mason

[*Jr.*] Ireland - D Day veteran.

Thought the trip into Holland was like nothing before or since. They felt like sitting ducks for the German AA batteries. Rode as co-pilot and was kept busy checking their route into the DZ. Kept intouch with Col. Walter Winton G-2, via walky talky radio. Col. Winton was flying in a glider in formation with his. They encountered very heavy flak over 'OS' which was only minutes from the DZ.

Recalls the heroic exploit of Captain Harry. Remembers his visit to the house of his uncle in downtown Nijmegen on the night of September 17th to meet with members of the Dutch underground in connection with plans to take the Nijmegen bridge. Nijmegen was in the hands of the Germans. Captain Harry, in a jeep, under blackout entered the town - met with underground - returned to their lines by running German roadblock and was wounded in the process.

Back to back with Besterbeurje.

[*Maj/82/HQ Co.*]

THE READER'S DIGEST

In checking official army records, we understand that you may have participated in the airborne assault of Holland in September, 1944. Would you kindly answer the following questions:

What is your full name? Alfred Warfield Ireland Jr.

Your present address and telephone number? 5317 Felice Place Woodland Hills, Calif. [*suburb of LA*] 91364

What do you do today? Sales Executive - McCormick & Co - Balto MD - Corporate HQs Schilling Div - San Francisco, Calif

What was your unit, division, corps as of September, 1944? HQs & HQs Co. 82nd Airborne Division XXVIII - 18th Airborne Corps

What was your rank as of September, 1944? Major - A.C.of.S. G-1 82nd Division.

What was your age as of September, 1944? 28

Were you single/engaged/married then? To whom? If married, did you have any children at that time? Married to Rosella G Ireland (now Dec'd)

Where were you born? Wilmington, Delaware

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When did you get to the ETO and what previous combat had you seen? 1) December 1943 (North Ireland) 2) Participated in the invasion of Sicily July 9,1943, and the invasion of Italy Sept 1943. 3) Participated in invasion of Normandy June 6, 1944.

When did you know you were going to be part of the Holland operation? Late August 1944 or early Sept. Memory poor on this. There were several airborne operations set up for our division prior to the Sept 17th Invasion of Holland. However these were cancelled due to rapid advance of Patton's army thru France & Belgium.

What was your reaction? Were you anxious, resigned or relieved, for example, to return to action? Both relieved and anxious to get on with the war. Morale was high and from Jim Gavin on down we wanted to regain the momentum and [crossed out]rejoin[end crossed out] [?reassume?] the initiative [crossed out]as[end crossed out] we had [crossed out]been [illegible][end crossed out] gained in Normandy.

What was the trip like into Holland? Do you remember seeing anything unusual or any conversations you had or how you passed the time? Like nothing before or since. We felt like sitting ducks for the German AA battery. During flight over Channel and into the lowlands several tow planes and gliders were shot down. Riding as Co-pilot I was kept busy checking our route into the D.Z. Also kept in touch with Col Walter Winton G-2 via Walky-Talky radio. Col Winton was flying in a glider in formation with mine. We encountered heavy flak over 'OS' which was only minutes from our D.Z. However, landed on target and reached our rendezvous point intact.

How did you feel about a daylight operation? Do you recall any conversations with your friends about it? What was said? The daylight operation came as bit of a surprise to most of us. However, after thorough briefing and analysis of our mission we felt that our chances for success were excellent. It was generally agreed that with the element of surprise going for us [crossed out]we[end crossed out] our mission could be accomplished.

What were the rumours on board the plane or glider in which you flew to Holland? Had you heard, for example, that if the Holland invasion was successful, the war would be over by winter? There was some talk that with a well-coordinated effort (between U.S. & British Airborne troops as well as British ground elements) we might make a run at Berlin and wind things up by Christmas. The "Krauts" had other ideas.

Did you by any chance keep a diary or notebook of what happened to you during the period just prior to September 17, 1944 through September 26, 1944? Do you still have it? I maintained the G-1 Journal for the Division. Also kept personal activity schedule during days leading up to the invasion.

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Were any of your friends killed or wounded on the day of the drop or on subsequent days? Yes.

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? Yes.

Were you wounded or captured during this period? Can you give details? No.

Do you recall seeing or hearing anything that seems humourous now even though it may not have seemed so at the time? "D" night train incident.

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? * Exploit of "Captain Harry". Heroic would describe Harry's visit to the home of his uncle in downtown Nejmegin on the night of Sept 17th to meet with members of the Dutch undergound in connection with plans to take the Nejmegin bridge. "N" itself was in the hands of the Germans. Capt Harry, in a jeep, under blackout entered the town - met with underground - returned to our lines by running German roadblock and was wounded in the process.

Do you remember any significant experiences you may have had with Dutch civilians or members of the Dutch underground? Would you explain? Civilians and underground proved extremely helpful to allies. Very courageous people.

What do you remember most about the country of Holland? Neat, clean, orderly, flat, damp, industrious, prideful.

*Capt "Arie.D." - (Arie-Harry) * Capt A.D. Bestebrurtje - Dutch commando who dropped with our HOS. unit on Sept 17th.

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In times of great crisis, people generally show amazing ingenuity or self- reliance; others sometimes do incredibly stupid things. Do you recall any examples of either?

Do you recall any incidents with the Germans? Fights, surrenders, truces or any conversations you may have had with them afterwards?

Do you know of anybody else who landed within the period as infantry, glider or airborne troops, or who took part in any of the operation, whom we should write to? Please include addresses if available. Walter Winton - Brig General - Pentagon

PLEASE LET US HAVE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT WE MAY INCLUDE YOUR EXPERIENCES IN THE BOOK. WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE YOUR STORY ON SEPARATE SHEETS OF PAPER IF WE HAVE NOT LEFT SUFFICIENT ROOM. FULL ACKNOWLEDG- MENT WILL BE GIVEN IN A CHAPTER CALLED "WHERE THEY ARE TODAY." YOUR NAME AND VOCATION OR OCCUPATION WILL BE LISTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

Sincerely yours,

Heather Chapman For Cornelius Ryan