Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 018, folder 26: Lawrence Stanley Mann

MANN, Lawrence Stanley 111 3

6th Engr. Spec Brig 149th Engr. Combat Bn. Med Dept Omaha H + 40 Saw bullet hole thru Col. nose (see Col Wolf)

Say medius covered arm hands with mud to stop Dermenus shooting as them

Box 18, #26

Call about wounded on beach Chicago LL D-TE ILL 3

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? Lawrence Stanley Mann

What was your unit and division? 6th Engineer Special Brigade Medical Detachment, 149th Engineer Combat Battalion

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Omaha Beach H plus 40minutes approximately

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Captain, Mc

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 27

Were you married at that time? no What is your wife’s name?

Did you have any children at that time? no

What do you do now? Surgeon in private practice. Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery, Chicago Medical School

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? Few weeks before invasion

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?

Trip crossing the channel was smooth. Seemed much like maneuvers we had partaken in, except there was considerable more noise with bullets flying around. We calculated how deep the water would be when we disembarked.

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).

Did not hear rumors. We knew how the beach was covered with 88’s and the waters mined from previous intelligence.

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Your name Mann, Lawrence S

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?

Few of my enlisted men were wounded. M.D. of sister battalion killed

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

no

Were you wounded? yes Slightly.

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?

Too busy working. Felt nothing.

Do you remember seeing- or bearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time?

A troop of girl scouts could push us into the sea.

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else?

Germans were shooting at us. Covered medical insignia on helmets with mud and removed arm bands. One enlisted man was walking down the beach - bullet had gone between helmet and helmet liner, ripping helmet like a can opener would. One general told one of my enlisted men to clean up the dead. Utilized any equipment available on the beach. That night saw bomb coming straight at me - froze on the ground - wondered what a devil of a time someone would have picking up all the pieces. As soon as we cane on the beach men were saying help this man, etc. Our colonel was wounded in the foot. One GI was barely breathing, but gave him attention for his shock and evacuated him. Saw one of brigade colonels walking down beach with bullet hole through nose. One of Navy officers was shot through the hand.

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Your name Mann, Lawrence

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?

Continued working. Utilized any available equipment on beach.

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944?

Aboard LCI 90

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944?

On Omaha 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?

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 Digest

COPY

May 21, 1958

Dr. Lawrence S. Mann 224 South Michigan Avenue Chicago 4, Illinois

Dear Dr. Mann:

A book about D-Day, June 6, 1944, is being prepared by Cornelius Ryan for publication in The Reader’s Digest and in book form to coincide with the fifteenth anniversary of the Normandy invasion in the spring of 1949. It is being prepared with the full cooperation and support of the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense. With the help of people in Washington, we have been able to reach many 1men who went into Normandy during the first 24 hours, and among them is 1st Lieutenant Alfred Eigenberg, Staff Sergeant of your Medical Detachment, 149th Engineer Combat Battalion, 6th Engineer Special Brigade on June 6, 1944. He suggested that we write to you—and I do so in the very urgent hope that you will agree to help us too.

This will not be another strategic history of the invasion operation but an attempt to describe what men really knew and felt during the 24 hours of D-Day. For this, of course, we can only go to the men who were there and, if they are willing, invade their memories. Mr. Ryan will be travelling about the country during the next couple of months to interview as many as possible of the people who agree to contribute to the book, and so I should be grateful if you would let me know when and where you might be available for interview during that period. In the lmeantime I hope that you will be willing to complete the enclosed record and return it to me at your earliest convenience. We hope that the questions will indicate the sort of information which we are seeking; we need the answers as a basic record of vital statistics and as a guideline for interviews.

We know that the men of the Medical Corps must have some of the most moving stories about D-Day, whether in writing or in memory. We shall look forward very eagerly to your reply. Thank you so very much for any help which you can give us.

Sincerely yours,

Frances Ward

Research Department

The Reader’s Digest Research Department. 230 Park Avenue • New York 17

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