Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 008, folder 16: Henry Emile LeFebvre

I wanted to get away from the parachute so I crawled away as quietly as I could toward the shadow cast by a tree. I then heard the pop of a ’’very" pistol being fired so I remained motionless and waited for the flare. The whole area was then lit up and the group proceeded to shoot up my parachute, but they still didn’t come out to investigate. When the flare went out I breathed a sigh of relief and then, of all things, a cow was standing looking down at me. This wasn’t too bad except for the bell around her neck. Every time she moved it would ring. With all of the other sounds I guess it could not be heard, but to me I was sure it would give my position away. I prayed for that old cow to walk away which it finally did. I was then able to make my way over to the side of the field. Here I ran into one other American soldier, a member of the pathfinder team from the 504th Parachute Infantry, which was to set up our electronic homing devices for the planes. We proceeded down a field and at dawn ran into a group of Germans so we ducked into the ditch by the hedgerow and unfortunately for us, it appeared to be right where this group was going to set up a defensive position, for just on the other side of the hedgerow a cart stopped and they unloaded something that must have been a machine gun. We stayed in that cramped area for 3 days and nights. We were apparently in the middle of a squad defensive position - for on our side of the hedge they changed a sentry each four or so hours because we could see his feet go by.

I had never been faced with a situation like this and I thought of the possibilities of throwing a grenade over the hedge if it got through the bushes, but I reasoned it wouldn ’t get everyone and the people on our side of the hedge would be able to get us. I wanted to rejoin our unit so I thought we could wait till night and sneak out, but every time we attempted this, the bushes which were dry and brittle would start snapping and we would hear the fellow who was on duty next to us, say something in German, so we would Immediately freeze. From what I knew of the plans, I was sure that they would have to leave any minute because we were supposed to link up with the beach forces. We lived during this period, on the 3 meals of K rations I carried and my canteen of water.

The morning of the fourth day the Germans took off and we listened to them packing up when we were sure they had left, we examined the area and I headed us east where later in the morning we ran into members of the 90th Division, who returned us to our parent units.

I was mentioned briefly in the "History of the 508th" Parachute Infantry" as having spent several days in a hedgerow. A hedgerow looks about like this (drawing) Sincerely, Henry E LeFebvre Henry LeFebvre

Major Henry LeFebvre,036358 Box 119, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland

82nd - good man. No questionnaire returned yet

May 22, 1958

Dear Major LeFebvre:

Thank you for writing to us concerning Cornelius Ryan's forthcoming book about D-Day. Since Mr. Ryan is now away, and has been away from New York for the major part of the last month, he has asked me to write you ex- pressing our mutual thanks and our mutual hopes that you will continue in your willingness to help us.

As your source of information may not have clearly indicated, this book will not be another strategic history of the invasion operation, but a story of the twenty-four hours of D-Day as men lived them and remembered them. For such a story, we can only go to the men who were there, and if they are will- ing, invade their memories. Thus Mr. Ryan hopes ultimately to interview many of the people who agree to help us, and so I should be grateful if you would let me know whether or not you would be available for interview at your pres- ent address during the period between now and the end of July of this year. I should be grateful also if you would be willing to complete the enclosed record and return it to me at your earliest convenience. We have assembled these questions in the hope that they may serve you as well as us, by help- ing to recall some long-forgotten incidents and indicate the sort of material which we are seeking. We need the answers to them as a basic file of vital statistics on each of our informants, and also, as a means of preparing for interviews for Mr. Ryan, these sheets will serve as a reminder of salient facts and references which he will wish to pick up later on.

We know that the story of D-Day is the story of many men and many units. Mr. Ryan wants very much to do justice to your outfit, and in order to do so he needs your help and the help of any others to whom you can direct us. We shall look forward very eagerly to your reply. Thank you so very much for any help that you can give us.

Sincerely yours, Frances Ward Research Department

Major Henry LeFebvre, 036358 Box 119 Aberdeen Proving Ground Maryland