Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 008, folder 01: William E. Ekman

Question 11 -- Trip Crossing the Channel (Continued)

Just prior to take-off, at least three of our planes exploded on the ground with loss of personnel and equipment. It was later determined that the explosion was caused initially by gammon grenades going off in the pocket of one of the troopers. Sympathy detonation then set off grenades in the pockets of other troopers, the mines which were in bundles under the plane and the mines under adjacent planes. It was quite an indoctrination to combat. The investigation was turned over to the ground personnel, and we took off on schedule about two minutes later.

May 9, 1958

[inserted] 508 Col. Regiment 82 AB UB [end inserted]

Dear Colonel Ekamn:

A book about D-Day, June 6, 1944, is being prepared by Cornelius Ryan for publication in The Reader's Digest in book form on the 15th anniversary of the Normandy invasion in the spring of 1959. It is being written with the complete cooperation and assistance of the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense. This will not be another strategic history of invasion day, but a story of the twenty-four hours of D-Day as people lived them and remembered them. For this, we can only go to the men who were there and, if they are killing, invade their memories. Having learned from the Department of the Army, of the part which you played in the invasion, we hope very much that you'll be interested in the project and will be willing to help us.

Mr. Ryans is presently in Europe trying to get the project under way there. He will be back in this country very shortly, and during the late spring and early summer of this year, both in this country and in Europe, he will be interviewing many of the people who agree to contribute to the book. Very probably, he will wish to talke with you during that period, if you are willing and able to seem him. In the menatime, since we are literally dealing with hundred of people, we are finding it necessary to keep an individual file on each person who agrees to help us. Therefore we hope that if you are willing to help with the book, you will completel the enclosed record and return it to me at your earliest convenience. We truly believe that these questions wills erve you as well as us, if they can help to crystallize some haxy memories and do indicate the sort of information which we are seeking.

In Mr. Ryan's absence, I should be most grateful to know as soon as possible when and if you will be available for interview during the next two or three moths. We will look forward vert eagerly to your reply. We want very much to tell your story and the story of your unit, and in order to do that we need you. Thank you so very much for any help which you can give us.

Sincerely yours,

Frances Ward Research Department

Colonel William E. Ekman, 021190 Infantry School Detachment Fort Benning, Georgia

AIRBORNE-AIR MOBILITY DEPARTMENT UNITED STATES ARMY INFANTRY SCHOOL FORT BENNING, GEORGIA

2 July 1958

Miss Frances Ward Research Department The Reader's Digest Pleasantville, New York

Dear Miss Ward:

I hope you will pardon the delay in answering your letter of 9 May 1958 concerning submission of a questionnaire which will assist Cornelius Ryan in the writing of his book on the Normandy Invasion. I am sure that his plan to make the book a story of D-Day as the participants live it and remembered it will give the American public a better idea of what went on than would a strategic, broad brush history of the invasion.

Time has clouded some of the incidents, names and faces since D-day is sort of lost in memories of other combat action; these latter actions resulting in the loss of individuals who living through Normandy and were involved in memoriala incidents at a later date. To recall all the incidents would be impossible -- to recall more than a few would require quite abit of research of letters, documents and after action reports, of which I have a few, but for which I do not currently have the time. I am certain, though, that Mr. Ryan will receive a wealth of worthwhile material if he follows through on his current procedure.

By writing to the Secratary of the 82nd Airborne Division Association and to Mr. Lassen, whose addresses I have included in the questionsnaire, I am certain that you will be able to locate many individuals who can give you the type of information desired. As a result, you should be able to get complete coverage from the lowest ranking Private to the highest ranking General.

In view of the fact that it is impossible fo me to project too far ahead, I cannot specify any definite time when I would be available for interview. However, if you drop me a line to let me know approximately when Mr. Ryan will be at Fort Benning, I shall make every effort to be available during that period.

I wish Mr. Ryan highest success in his enterprise.

Most sincerely, [inserted] William E. Ekman [end inserted] WILLIAM E. EKMAN Colonel, Infantry Director

[inserted] PS. The 82nd Abn Div will hold its annual convention at the Hotel Stotler on 3 4, +5, July ( in A. Y.) THis [end isnerted]

July 11, 1958

Colonel William E. Ekman Airborne-Aire Mobility Department United States Army Infantry School Fort Benning, Georgia

Dear Colonel Ekman:

Thank you for your letter of July the second, and for the accompaning questionnaire. It was good of you to take the trouble to answer our queries so completely. I was very grateful, too, for your having informed Lt. Colonel Piper of our efforts. Especially with yours, his comments will be invaluable to us. I hope that both of you will forgive me for not having thanked you before this for you help and interest in the book. Mr. Ryan is back in Europe, finishing his most intencive work there, and so I have been especially busy trying to keep up the pace on this end.

Since the Eurpean work in proving to be more lughty then anticipated, Mr. Ryan will not be interviewing veterns exclusively here until the beginning of August. Until he returns and we are able to set up a definite itinerary, it [inserted] would [end inserted] be futile to try to establish even a tentative schedule for his visit at Benning. I am sure, however, that he will be there sometime next month. We will check with you on his return concerning the time of his visit-- but if you have any preference at this early date concerning the time of month or week when you might see him, I should be glad to hear of it.

In the meantime, it would be wonderful if you could, as you suggested in your questionnaire, direct the enclosed questionnaires and return envelopes to the members of your command who were involved in D-day. If you can enlist their help for ys, I know that Benning will soon become one of our prize source points. Thank you for this and past assistance. It is heartening indeed ot know that you are in sympathy with our work.

Sincerely yours,

Frances Ward

April 2, 1959

Colonel William E. Ekman Infantry School Detachment Fort Benning Georgia

Dear Colonel Ekman:

We last wrote you in May asking you to fill out a questionnaire in connection with abook on D-Day which is being prepared by Mr. Ryan for publication in the Reader's Digest in book form.

Due to the overwhelming response to this request, we have been deluged with material and have not had a chance to write to each and everyone as yet. However, we do want to thank you for being patient with us and to tell you how deeply grateful we are for your cooperation in sending us your questionnaire.

In order for us to edit your material for use in the book, it will be necessary for us to have your signature on the attached release, which we would thank you to return in the enclosed self-addressed envelope.

Again many thanks for your help.

Sincerely,

aw encl.

for Cornelius Ryan