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Balto Md
MD 21 LL
For Cornelius Ryan
Book about D-day GREEN
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 0F THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.
What is your full name ?
John Polyniak
What was your unit and division?
Co. C. 116th Inf 29th Div.
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ?
Omaha Beach, about 7:30 AM
What was your rank on June 6, 1944?
Sgt.
What was your age on June 6, 1944?
23
Were you married at that time?
No
What is your wife's name?
Cleo R.
Did you have any children at that time ?
No
What do you do now?
Accountant
When did you know that you were going to he part of the invasion?
A few weeks before the invasion. As we were well guarded in a
marshalling area, all we did is study maps and sand landscapes
of the beach we were to enter.
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 beginning of the trip was peaceful. While we were on
the larger ship I didnt pay too much attention of what was in
store for us. With all the training and expectations we all sort of
felt proud of the job we were to do. My thoughts were back home
thinking of the past and what the folks back home were doing and
how they would take this occassion. We didn't know at the time
?that it would play such a big part But I + the rest of the squad
were very proud to be a part of the event
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).
We heard all sorts of rumors on what to expect some said fire
on the water others gas on land but we were prepared for anything.
While we were on the ship we didnt care too much but once we
were placed into LCVP's then we realized what a
difference it made The rumors seemed to come true as the water
was rough and being seasick I + the others didnt seem to care
what happened But upon the approach of the land we seemed
to realize that the rumors were false