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Cleveland, Ohio O - I [illegible] Why? Just for 3 buddies?
3 buddies from [illegible] in Cleveland [illegible] O - 20
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? James John Bruen
What was your unit and division? 112th Eng'r Bn. (C) attached to the 116th R.C.T. (29th Div.)
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Omaha Beach, June 6th, 7:00 A.M. ( "H" plus 30 )
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Sergeant
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 26
Were you married at that time? No
What is your wife's name? Single
Did you have any children at that time?
What do you do now? City Policeman - Cleveland, Ohio
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? At the time of the briefing - about a week before the landing
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? Pulled out of Weymouth aboard an [crossed out] Army [end crossed out] [inserted] Navy [end inserted] Transport after being aboard three or four days. All had a serious, "this is it”, attitude. Played cards and checked and re-checked equipment. Most everyone agreed that if and when an assault on the Continent would be made there ware would be some diversionary landings. We all speculated on just what part our outfit would play in the big plan. After leaving the transport and going in on the LCVP the sea was a little rough. Although we landed at low tide and the underwater obstacles were exposed, the Navy personnel did not see fit to beach the craft and when the gate went down we started drifting out. Rather than take a chance on the water getting deeper and with the enemy automatic weapons fire pretty hot, we had to swim for it and a number did not make it.
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). The briefing for this landing was perfect, which we learned later, with the exception of the number of enemy troops that were supposed to be defending this section of their coast. Everyone was confident. The Navy personnel spread the story and some of our fellows stated that they also were listening to "Axis Sally" when she urged the fellows not to come over because they were waiting for us. She was supposed to have directed her remarks to the boys who were getting ready to embark from Weymouth harbor. Whether rumor or fact it didn't have too much effect because we always [inserted] felt [end inserted] that such a large undertaking could hardly be kept completely under wraps.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 -
Your name James J. Bruen
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
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? Nothing in particular. Conversations were generally limited to the progress being made and quick mention of this one or that one getting hit.
Were you wounded ? No
Do you remember what it was like -- that is, do you remember whether you felt any pain or were so surprised that you felt nothing? Because I wasn't hit I can't give a personal reaction but after we talked about [crossed out] wh [end crossed out] how quietly the guys went down. All day I heard only one scream and that was when the fellow became aware that his arm was off above the elbow.
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? With the exception of the casualties, everything is a laugh when we talk about it now.
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else?
These incidents were so numerous they were the rule. A rifleman doing his job and getting hit is expected. Even the Medics under these conditions will get hit but to see the Medics leave a sheltered position to go to the aid of one of the boys somehow seemed to me to be more heroic. One of our Medics was killed crawling into an anti-personnel minefield in an attempt to help two fellows that had tripped mines. Another, well marked with Red Cross', went back into the edge of the water tried to pick up a fellow. Two deliberate bursts of machine gun fire left the both of them floating in the water. Same medic as mentioned in another [illegible]?
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name James Bruen
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 from D-day? Our primary mission was to take care of any mines on the Beach and open up the beach exit for the vehicles and tanks. Because of this we had to stay on the beach until this mission was accomplished. Other troops landing seemed to freeze or at least remain on the beach although the best chance for survival was continuing on in and doing their job. Some of the Officers and NCO’s and even men without even one stripe did an outstanding job in attempting to rally the men together and move in.
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Aboard the Navy Transport in the Channel.
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? About a mile in off the beach.
Do you know of anybody else who landed within the 24 hours of D-day, June 6, as infantry, glider or airborne troops, or who took part in the air and sea operations, whom we should write to? Joseph P. Medved Lee B. Pozek Ray F. Belle Old Plan Lane 8539 Fair Ave. 1750 Canterbury Rd Chagrin Falls, Ohio Berea, Ohio Westlake. Ohio
All of the above addresses are suburbs of Cleveland. Medved was Sgt. Major of the Battalion and still has many of the records of the outfit. Pozek has compilied a list of the addresses of most of men of the outfit.
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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AMERICAN LEGION CLEVELAND POLICE POST NO. 438 CLEVELAND, OHIO
June 3, 1958
Miss. Frances Ward c/o Reader's Digest 230 Park Ave. New York, New York
Dear Miss. Ryan:
This is in reference to Cornelius Ryan's search for Normandy Beach "D" Day veterans. The current issue of "The American Legion Magazine" carries an item requesting these individuals to contact you.
I was a member of the 112th Engineers Bn. ( C ) that was attached to the 116th Regimental Combat Team. Elements of our battalion started landing on Omaha Beach at "H" minus 30. There were probably more men from Cleveland, Ohio on the beach at "H" hour than from any other city in the country. The 112th was originally a part of the 37th Division and was made up of Cleveland National Guardsmen. They were brought up to full strength, after being called into Federal service in October 1940, with the addition of draftees who were also from Cleveland.
There are many men still living in this area that might be helpful in filling in on the activities that took place on our section of the beach. I presume Mr. Ryan is more interested in the tactical aspects of the Normandy opeeration but it is too bad he is not writing fiction. Each year since 1946 we have had a reunion on the Sunday Closest to June 6th. The reunion this year is on Sunday, June 8th, in Cleveland. After a few drinks the stories of the fellows get pretty good.
I'm sure these fellows will be happy to assist Mr. Ryan in any way.
Sincerely, James J. Bruen, Adj. 9829 Gambier Ave. Cleveland 2, Ohio #2