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[*Yes, I would be available for Interview. CoMB. ?
Morgantown [illegible] [?eas] NC 6 LL*]
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? CHARLES M CONOVER
What was your unit and division? HQT HQ 1 ST U.S. INF DIVISION MP-PLATOON
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? On Omaha "Easy " Red Beach arrived at about 0800 6 - June
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? 1st Lt.
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 26
Were you married at that time? NO
What is your wife's name? Betty Joe Conover
Did you have any children at that time? NO
What do you do now? Lt.Col. Regular Army
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? about May 1st 1944
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? The [inserted]great[end inserted] [?convoy?] of ships was something of which I had never before seen, even though I had participated in the landing at ORAN (N. Africa) and Sicily. I was further impressed by the air-cover which seamed constantly overhead. Briefing prior to this attack was very thorough and being veterans we knew what to expect. We were mentally and physically ready! the possible use of gas was our only concern - even though we wore chemically heated clothing
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). As a matter of fact I recall the above mentioned rumor; however, it did not bother us as we were exceptionally well trained and ready for the occasion.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Lt Col. Conover
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? yes - One of my men was killed and 27 were wounded of the MP-Platoon.
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? NO. We were seasick as hell when we arrived on the Beach and were unfortunate when our LCVP(Boat) got stuck on a tetrahedral obsticle about 20 yards out in the water. A [inserted]German[end inserted] mortar or artillery round blew the front ramp of the LCVP and here is where about half of the casualties occured. The rest became casualties in moving up the beach to the high ground on the bluffs.
Were you wounded? Yes
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? Initially it was hotter than than hell! Though not too painfull. I was given a shot of morphine after which I became violently ill. at about 1700 hours the same day (6 June) I became very weak from the loss of blood and finally passed out.
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? yes - I saw a colored man digging like hell on the beach. he must have been 5 feet down & still digging. It appeared as though he just couldnt go deep enough fast enough!
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Yes - As we moved across the beach they took us under small arms fire - as each man moved forward he was hit. We could not spot where the fire was coming from as the Germans use smokeless powder and were post masters in the art of Camouflage. A quad 50 mounted on a half-track fired at a suspected area and seamed to have done some good. About 10 minutes later the same area was again under small arms fire. At about 1100 hrs the Navy put some naval fire in this same ground area and finally distroyed a large well camouflaged bunker. at this time we moved off the beach toward our objective which was near the little town "St. Laurent Sur Mere"
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name CONOVER - Lt CoL.
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? With our status of training - confidence seemed extremely strong.
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? in a concentration are near Bournemouth England
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? I was placed in a deep slit trench on the bluff overlooking the Beach
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? Col. Tomas F. Lancer
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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Lt. Col. Charles E. Conover REGIMENTAL ADVISOR 120th INFANTRY REGIMENT Post Office Box 68 Morganton, North Carolina
24 April 58
Dear Miss Ward
The undersigned particpated in the "D" day landing of the 1st U.S. Inf Division on "Omaha" Easy Red beach on 6 June 1944
Would be happy to help you in any way
Sincerely,
Charles E. Conover Lt. Col. Inf 033685
[*"Dear Col. Conover"*]