Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 106, folder 17: Roland C. Ziegler

Ziegler, Roland C. American 1st Sgt. 82/307

Box 106, #17

14 March

OK Day List 307 Eng

Ziegler, Roland C. 1st Sgt. 307 Eng.

II. The door was removed as soon as we passed the coast of France. We were flying at about 1500 ft. and Capt. Chaplinski and I stood in the door watching as people ran out of churches along the way and were waving very enthusiastically anything they could lay hold of. At one point we passed over a small garrison of German soldiers, and in the fleeting minutes we could see it reminded me of a Max Sennett Comedy. The officer in charge was trying to form them in ranks, three or four were trying to hitch a horse to a cart, the horse had other ideas, while others were still loading it. Some had tied belongings to bicycels and were frantically leaving the area post haste. I think panic prevailed. At one point we were fired on by a flak barge hitting our plane several times. Those P-51 pilots were magnificent, diving through our formation and putting the barge out of action.

13. Rumours. Conversation on the C-47 was next to impossible, the acoustics were horrible.

20. Incidents with Germans. Capt. Chaplinski with one pit. attacked a farm house containing about a company of German Soldiers. Pvt. J.A. Silverman, a bazooka man, got hit in his sitter, This so infuriated him that he ran through the 2nd floor and out the roof. Out of every opening came tumbling Germans. In front of this house was a duck pond, six inches of water, four feet of mud, into which dove two Germans and stared to swim across. Two troopers merely walked around and captured them as they came out. Enemy casualties six killed five wounded and twentyeight captured.

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 ? Roland G. Ziegler

Your present address and telephone number? Tel. 356 3315 1024 2nd. St. Baraboo, Wis.

What do you do today? Electrician

What was your unit, division, corps, as of September 1944? 307 A B Engeneers 32 Div. XVlll Airborne Corps.

What was your rank as of September, 1944? 1st. Sgt.

What was your age as of September, 1944? 26

Were you s ingle/engaged/married then? To whom? If maried, did you have any children at that time? Single

Where were you born? Baraboo,Wis.

- 2 - When did you get to the ETO and what previous oombat had you seen? May 10 1943. Sicily and Italy

When did you know you were going to be part of the Holland operation? About Sept 1st 1944

What was your reaction? Were you anxious, resigned or relieved, for example, to return to action? I would say we were all anxious to go as garrison duty is not a combat soldier’s cup of tea. We had already had two false starts.

What was the trip like into Holland? Do you remember seeing anything unusual or any conversations you had, or how you passed the tims? I remember very vividly trip as the door was removed as soon as we passed the coast of France, and" it was a bright Sunday morning. We were flying at about 1500 ft.and Capt. Chaplinski and I stood in the door watching as the people ran out of churches along the way and we were waving very enthusiastically anything they could lay hold of. At one point we passed over a small garrison of German soliders, and in the fleeting minutes we could see it reminded me of a (over)

How did you feel about a daylight operation? Do you recall any conversations with your friends abou£ it? What was said? We viewed it with mixed emotions, While night operations were always a nightmare as to regrouping after a jump, we felt the enemy would have a field day at the drop zone.

What ware 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? As far as conversation on the C47 it was next to impossible, the acoustics were horrible. Yes we hoping that the war would be over by winter, but we also knew that there would be bitter fighting before it was.

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 have been searching for my notes for the past week but somehow have missplaced them. I still have a notebook containing the names of men in my company killed and wounded there, but I don’t think it would serve any purpose in your book

Max Sennett Comedey. The officer in charge was trying to form them in ranks, three or four were trying to hitch a horse to a cart, the horse had other ideas, while others were still loading it. Some had tied belongings to bicycles and were frantically leaving the area post haste. I think Panic prevailed. The Air Force covered us with all available fighters, at one point we were fired on by a flak barge hitting our plane several times. Those P51 pilots were magnificent, diving through our formation and putting the barge out of action.

-3-

Were any of your friends killed or wounded on the day of the drop or on subsequent days? Yes our company lost one officer and ten troopers killed, one officer and twenty seven men wounded, one officer and one man missing in action,presumed captured.

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? Nothing of note that I can remember.

Were you wounded or captured during this period?Can you give details? No I was wounded twice in Italy.

Do you recall seeing or hearing anything that seems humourous now even though it may not have seemed so at the time ? I remember one which I shall never forget that happened before and has no bearing on this operation. We met an old Italian near camp, Dressed very poorly with his feet warped in rags. He looked down at our jump boots, of which we were proud and kept them shiny,and said "Roosevelt!" 'He pointed to his own and said " Mussilini "

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Sad yes in checking the position of one platoon after a fierce fight in the town of Grosbeck and finding my company clerk, of whom I was very fond, killed along with five others. When, How, Name? Do you remember any significant experiences you may have had with Dutch civilians members of the Dutch underground ? Would you explain? Because of infilters we were ordered not to associate with anyone until they cleared by Div. Hqs.

What do you remember most about the country of Holland? It was the most beautiful country we had seen. The people were very industrious and progressive.