Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 007, folder 46: William Cable

Release - Amer Int

CABLE, Sgt William

320th Glider FA Bn, Btry A Box 7, #46

320 Glider Field Artillery 101st

Description of [illegible] Horsa glider crash

William Cable Sgt. 320 Glider Field Artillery Battalion (by DK) Battery A

18001 Blackmore Detroit

He took off about 2400 - about 2 to 4 waves of troopers had gone before. Bill was an Ahorsa glider with a jeep trailer load of ammo staff sergeants 2 privates. They met AA's as they approached the coast and were hit by small arms fire. They had a smooth ride and they got a red alert the pilot called "we're landing" and cut loose from the tow plane. They went between two trees, lost both wings and plunged straight down into the ground. Everybody got out - co-pilot [crossed out]lascerated[end crossed out] [inserted]lacerated[end inserted] a broked arm - [crossed out][illegible][end crossed out] The load broke loose and came forward and pinned Bill under the steel loading plates. It was pitch black Sgt.Altz helped Bill loose. Cable's knees were sore and lamed as he was pinned under the plates. They couldn't find the other two men - they were buried under the tail - they dug them out - they were okay - they only lost their vest pocket pistols and a few tools. While they were unloading their gear a CG 4 A crash landed. They went back to get the other two guys again - it was all very quiet - they found the other two guys under the tail section - one was out cold and the other was just coming out - 4th man had broken hip and leg - the guy wrapped his arms around Cables neck and Cable dragged him 35 yards to the ditch - they left the 2 wounded men there and Cable went back with a group - a little later artillery fire from the Navy began hitting the field next to them where there was a German position - as day broke the glider pilots started to get [inserted]and[end inserted] about 50 yards the snipers were after them. They decided to split up and try to get out of there both the Navy fire and the enemy fire had stopped by this time -they took off and Bill stayed with the 2 wounded men waiting for help - they needed a jeep or truck to get them out - but the other guys didn’t come back so Bill told the two wounded men to stay in the ditch and take no chances and he started out to look - he had no compass - he headed in the wrong direction - had

William Cable -2-

no idea where he was - he went down a narrow trail which landed in a large field - he walked across the field in order to save his legs which had been hurt by the floor plates. About a quarter way out a sniper opened up on him - it was about 5 shots before he found the sniper wrapped in a camouflaged chute up in the tree. He shot the sniper who fell at the base of the tree. In the meantime a tank came into the field.

Bill Cable, sgt 8001 Blackmoor, Detroit [ ?] 320 Glider FA Rts, Battery A 1 st Near 2400 take off (1 jump officer 2 troops) Daylight on runway 2-4 wave of troops beforehand. (Horsa glider) jeep & trailer load of ammo (4 men & crew) staff sgt, Bill, 2 lower rank Hit AA as approached coast, hit by small arms fire smooth ride, red light flashed - red alert PO'd, pilot called wire landing and set down hit two trees, lost wing, dropped straight down. Everybody got out. Co pilot [lacerated ?], broken arm. Load broke loose, [?] forward Bill pinned under steel loading plates. Pitch black. Sgt Alez (Ahly) helped Bill loose, knees sore. ( not where landed or quiet) Couldn't find 2 other men buried under tail. (Lost only v pocket pistol & few tools) Dove for ditches in hedgerows. Carrying full pack. While unloading gear GC4 crash landed, nobody hurt, [but bailed with special equipment. ?] Made sure men were OK then went back to dig for [?]. All quiet. While looking broke plywood, turned white with MG fire. Other guys dove for ditch, found guys under tail section

Cable-- one out, one just coming to. Bruised but OK. No 4 man had broken hip & leg. Wrapped arm around neck, dragged him 35 yds to ditch. No 1 man stayed with No 2 man. Cable went back with group. After a while, artillery fire from Navy hitting field alongside gun artillery in opp. field. As day broke, glider pilots (0400) tried to get out in 50 yds, snipers were after them. Decided to split in groups. Other sgt took back way out. Naval fire & [heavy?] fire has stopped. (10 men total) 1 guy went front way. Guessed he gone 1/2 mile, no sign where he was. Bill stayed with wounded (2, one bad) Waited for help. Needed jeep or truck. Guys didn't come back, told 2 guys to stay in ditch, take no chances. Bill, the company, headed in wrong direction, no idea where he was. Went down narrow trail, ended in large field. Walked across field to save legs (hurt by floor plates) 1/4 way out tangled with snipers. About 5 shots before we found snipers, wrapped in camoflaged sheets up in tree. Shot snipers who fell at base of tree. In the meantime, tank came into field