Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 018, folder 43: Stanley Polezoes

A/A

POLEZOES, Stanley 303rd ALA 9 Bmbr Group

Box 18, #43

LL ALA 9 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 6, 1944. IF YOU WERE ONE OF THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

What is your full name? Stanley Polezoes

What was your unit and division? 360th Sq. 303rd Bomb Gp. 1st Air Division

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Flew two missions in support of British landing on Normandy Believe our target was "CAEN" which we hit twice that day

What your rank on June 6, 1944? 2nd Lt. What was your age on June 6, 1944? 20 Were you married at that time? no What is your wife’s name? Helen E.

Did you have any children at that time? no

What do you do now? still in the U.S.A.F. stationed at Eglise AFB as a Major

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? at mission briefing that early morning of the 6th

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? Recall we had cloud cover under us and we were dissipointed in not being able to see the invasion fleet in the channel, otherwise all was quiet and routine.

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) none at all, all I can recall in the way of conversation was "Look at all the planes in the air" and some words of sympathy for those poor souls hitting the beach who we still couldn't see.

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 -

Your name Stanley Polezoes

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. we had a real milk run on both trips

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

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?

N.A.

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? The only point that still stays with me was, we had our Sq. Intelligence Officer with us, on his first mission to see what was like with a passion to see a Flak barrage. well the only Flak we saw was about a three shot burst way off to the left side and he was watching something else at the time, so he didn't even get to see that.

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

sorry but I don't

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 -

Your name Stanley Polezoes

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? no, I'm afraid our missions were so easy that day that they were plain milk runs with no chance for ingenuity or self-reliance

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? sleeping Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? sleeping- we had to fly again early the next day

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? sorry, I lost contact with all I was stationed with in those days and although I'm sure there are many on this base who participated on "D" Day, we're all getting a little old to tell war stories that far back. If Mr. Ryan is down this way, I would be most happy to talk with him and also try to make arrangements for him to meet others who did fly on "D" Day. I shall be here untill 1 Aug 58 and then depart for Maxwell ARB, AC Sincerely yours, Maj. Stanley Polezoes 569 Chinganpin Dr. Eglin ARB, Fla

PLEASE LET US HAVE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT "WE CAN INCLUDE YOUR EXPERIENCES IN THE BOOK. TO HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE YOUR STORY ON SEPARATE SHEETS IF TO 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

5 May 1958 Dear Mr. Ryan, In regards to the write up in the May issue of Air Force Magazine stating your desired information from crew members who flew on June 6, 1944, I submit the following. I flew two missions that day as pilot in a B-17. I was assigned to the 360th Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, know as the "Hells Angels" outfit. Facts are a bit hazy now, but I do recall our groups was to hit a town in Normandy, can't recall the name of the target, but we were to cut communications and hit targets in support of the British Forces. Target time was to be prior to 08:00 because the British were to have advanced into town shortly after 08:00 We did hit our designated targets but apparently the ground troops didn't make their objective because we went back and hit the same town that afternoon with different impact areas. If there are any specific questions you have that I can possibly answer, please feel free to write me at the below address. Sincerely yours Stanley Polezoes Maj. Stanley Polezoes 569 Chinquapin Dr. Capehart area Eglin A.F.B., Fla /#2