Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 008, folder 02: Jack Leslie Francis

FRANCIS, Jack Leslie Cal 3 [illegible] Box 8, #2

505th Claims he ran into Gavin and Ridgeway right on landing

CAL AB-E Sacramento For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-Day CAL-3

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? Jack Leslie Francis

Vilhat was your unit and division? Co E 505th Para Regt 82nd

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? St Mere Eglise 1 AM D Day 4 hours before the beachhead

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Cpl What was your age on June 6, 1944? 28 yrs Were you married at that time? Widower Vrfhat is your wife's name? Did you have any children at that time? 1 son What do you do now? Roofer

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? when we left Italy for England. to a closer date I would say when they kicked me out of the hospital June 1st or 2nd 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? I'm not good at putting on paper what I remember. I could talk better. Our plane was over loaded, I being #22 -- last man to jump. We had mines with detenators in them in the para-rocks. In the moon lit nite (I think) I watched the plane run off the concrete run-way on to dirt. The plane just missed going thru a fence. This was my 3rd combat jump and the first time I didn't get air sick.

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).

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Jack L Francis

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? yes I kept three note books full on events from Leaving -- the states to returning on H. S. "Dogwood"

Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? yes but details are not clear

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? not in particular

Were you wounded? In Sicily. just a nick in hand. Didn't know about it until later

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?

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? A few minutes after I got out of my chute which had hung in a tree, I run into Gen Gavin and Gen Ridgeway. They wanted to know "what outfit soldier?" I said E Co but I think I'm lost. They said they were too but keep looking.

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable which struck you more than anything else? yes. They are in my diary. I keep forgetting you are speaking of the first 24 hours

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Jack L Francis

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?

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? airport in England

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? St Mere Eglise, France

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? yes. But you have the names from a great guy Don Lassen

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 5/1/58 Frances Ward Research, The Reader ’s Digest

FRANCIS, Jack Leslie Cal 3 82nd Airborne Division Questionnaire sent to Miss Frances Ward for interview at convention, July 3—5, by Mr. David Kerr.