Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 008, folder 37: Kenneth Russell

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Russell, Kenneth N.Y. 82 A.B. BOX 8, #37

mining [?Worked?] on blocking road outside SME - Horsa glider crash later in day - Gives telephone us, says he can give info about 1st contact with enemy.

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Last edit over 1 year ago by Luigiman85
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For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day

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? KENNETH RUSSELL Address - 2274 GRAND CONCOURSE, N.Y. 57, N.Y. Phone - FO - 4 - 0888

What was your unit and division? E Co. 505th PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT 82nd AIRBORNE DIVISION

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? STE. MERE EGLISE AT APPROXIMATELY 1 AM

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? P.F.C.

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 30

Were you married at that time? YES

What is your wife's name? IRENE

Did you have any children at that time? YES - DAUGHTER

What do you do now? BANKING

When did you know that you were going to he part of the invasion? ABOUT 3 OR 4 DAYS BEFORE D - DAY

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? IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE ANY CONVERSATION AS THE 'JUMP' DOOR OF THE AIRPLANE WAS OPENED AS WE STARTED CROSSING THE CHANNEL. I PASSED THE TIME 'VOMITING' AS I HAD A GOOD CASE OF AIR-SICKNESS. IT CLEARED UP WHEN WE PASSED OVER OUR FIRST CHECK POINT ON THE NORMANDY COAST.

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). NO RUMORS - EVERY ONE IN OUR AIRPLANE WAS QUIET.

Last edit over 1 year ago by Luigiman85
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name KENNETH RUSSELL

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? NO

Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? YES

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? NO

Were you wounded? YES - ABOUT 10 DAYS AFTER D-DAY

Do you remember what it was like--that is, do you remember whether you felt any pain or were so surprised that you felt nothing? THE SHOCK WAS SO GREAT I DID NOT FEEL ANY PAIN EVEN THOUG I HAD A BROKEN LEG AND SHATTERED ELBOW, PLUS SEVERAL SMALL WOUNDS

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? NO

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which, struck you more than anything else? ( SEE ATTACHED SHEET )

Last edit over 1 year ago by Luigiman85
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name KENNETH RUSSELL

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 from D-day? NO

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? AIRBORNE

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? STE. MERE EGLISE

Do you know of anybody else who landed within the 24 hours of D-day, June 6, as infantry, glider or airborne troops, or who took part in the air and sea operations, whom we should write to? CONTACT: DON LASSEN, 15101 HONORE AVE., HARVEY, ILLINOIS, FOR LIST OF FORMER E. Co. MEN

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

Frances Ward Research, The Reader's Digest

Last edit over 1 year ago by Luigiman85
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We had placed mines in a checker board design on a road we were blocking outside of Ste Mere Eglise. There were cows grazing in the fields ajoining the road. However, one cow persisted in walking along the road even though she had been led back to the field several times. Finally it became necessary to destroy her as there was always the possibility that she would cause the mines to explode. Later in the day a huge Horsa glider made a disastrous landing on this road. Because of his very low altitude the glider pilot had little choice as to where he could land. The wings were torn off as they smashed against trees and the fuselage seemed to gather speed as it shot forward about 20 or 30 feet above the ground. Then the fuselage pancaked on the road and there was an explosion. The glider came under immediate mortar and machine gun fire. Most of the occupants were injured, some were moaning and others crying. A few of us crawled up to the glider and removed the wounded men to nearly trenches which were previously occupied by German troops. I also recall seeing a Chaplian with a Bible in his hand giving comfort to the wounded.

If you desire information about our first contact with the enemy, please contact me at HA 2-6000, Ext. 491.

Last edit over 1 year ago by Luigiman85
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