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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? ROBERT C. ELLIOTT
What was your unit and division? Co B 4th ENG COMBAT - 4TH INF. DIV.
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? UTAH BEACH
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? PRIVATE
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 36
Were you married at that time? YES
What is your wife's name? CORA
Did you have any children at that time? No
What do you do now? 1007, DISABLED --SERVICE CONNECTED ARTHRITIS
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? WHEN I GOT ON THE BOAT
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? NERVES ON EDGE VERY LITTLE CONVERSATION PLAYED POKER FOR FRENCH MONEY
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). No RECOLLECTION
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name ROBERT C ELLIOTT
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? No
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? No
Were you wounded? No
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?
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? THE COMPLETE CONFUSION
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? NONE
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name ROBERT C.ELLIOTT
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? MOST OF US HAD SENSE ENOUgh TO BURY OURSELVES AGAINST THE SAND DUNES UNTIL SOME SEMBLANCE OF ORDER WAS RESTORED
ITS ALL A VERY FAINT DREAM NOW
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944?
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?
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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June 3, 1958
Mr. Robert [crossed out]E[end crossed out] C. Elliott 114 Autumn Street Passaic, New Jersey
Dear Mr. Elliott:
A history of D-Day, June 6,1944, to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the Normandy invasion next year is being prepared by Cornelius Ryan for publication in the Reader’s Digest and in book form. It is being written with the complete cooperation and assistance of the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense. This will not be another strategic history of invasion day, but a story of the twenty-four hours of D-Day as people lived them and remembered them. For this, we can only go to the men who were there and, if they are willing, invade their memories. Having learned of the part which you played in the invasion, we hope very much that you will be interested in the project and agree to help us.
During the next few months, both in this country and in Europe, Mr. Ryan will be interviewing many of the D-Day participants who agree to contribute to the book. Very probably, he will wish to talk with you during that period. In the meantime, since we are dealing with literally hundreds of people, we have found it necessary to develop an individual file on each person who agrees to help us. Therefore, we hope that if you are interested in the project, you will complete the enclosed record and return it to me at your earliest convenience. We truly believe that these questions will serve you, as well as us, if they can help to crystallize some hazy memor- ies and to indicate the sort of information which we are seeking.
I should be most grateful to know as soon as possible when and if you will be available for interview during the next few months. We want very much to tell the story of your unit, and in order to do that we need your per- sonal account. We look forward eagerly to your reply.
Sincerely yours,
Frances Ward Research Department
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