Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 010, folder 22: Donald L. Chance

PHILADELPHIA Rangers CHANCE, Donald L. NJ 17 Box 10, #22

5th RANGERS ON DEBARKING We were handled completely by the English navy including landing craft personnel. We lowered away from the mother ship about 4 a.m, and had 10 miles to shore. It was rough and the Rangers were given puke bags. I was in charge of two machine gun sections. They may have been the first to fire on the Germans in this area. On the way in, my first gunner, Darell Hancock, a Methodist, was sick and leaning over the boat. He lost his helmet and the tripod. My 2nd gunner, Goldberg carried a light 30 air cooled gun with a sling and fired from the hip. He was wounded in the stomach on D-Day. I only point out religion, for I am a Catholic. Father Lacy in his Mass told of Saint Theresa, who was born in France. We wereabout to do battle in her land, and her symbol was the Rose. I remember that when—on D plus 3 or 4—we were pinned down at Grandcamp, my section along with other Ranger co.s received a mission to go behind the Geran lines and attack Grandcamp from the rear. I was assigned the point. One of the first people to greet me—a little girl of abut 10 years—presented me with Roses. I knew then that Saint Teresa was on our side.

ON THE BEAH In our section of Omaha, there was a jam-up on the beach. A 4' seawall with a barbed wire fence and a steep hill seemed to hold every one up. General Cota, a one-star General of 1st Div. was on the beach with us. He shouted "Lead the way, Rangers". This was the spark needed. The wire was blown and we stormed the heights. I believe there is a brief 5th Bn. history entiteled "Lead the way, Rangers."

ON NEAR MISSES S/Sgt. Harvey, a boy from Miss., was leading one section and I another up the hill from the beach to about 400 yds. inland at a road leading into Verville Sur Mar. Although he [crossed out] [illegible] [end crossed out] and I did not receive wounds until a later date, I remember our combined thinking about a sinle bullet. The Germans threw everything our wav--rockets, 88's, mortars, machine guns-all meant for anyone in the way. Sgt. Harvey and I were 10 yds. apart when a sniper bullet nicked up the dirt between us. We were then introduced to a very npersonal war.

RO - TE I will be available for interview and do not plan to be away for any extended time except the 1st week of August. Sincerely Donald Chance Roebling, N.J. Book about D- Day For Cornelius Ryan

THOUSANDS OF MEN, ON LAND AND SEA AND IN THE AIR , PARTICIPATED IN TH! 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? Donald L. Chance

What was your unit and division? U.S 5th Infantry Ranger Bn.

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? June 6th 1944 about H-hour plus 10 minutes Omaha Beach - objectives "Verville Sur Mer" and "Point Due Hoe"

What was your rank on June 6 , 1944? Staff/Sgt

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 20 yrs

Were you married at that time? No

What is your wife's name? Verna

Did you have any children at that time? No -- Now 2 Don Jr age 10 and Chris age 5

What do you do now? Safety Engineer for Yale & Towne Mfg. Co. Materials Handling Division Philadelphia Pa. Head office located at Chyrsler Bldg N.Y. N.Y.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? We guessed about 6 to 8 weeks before while training with Scotch Commandos in Scotland, however were actually notified about 2 weeks before in marshaling area in Southern England.

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 ? Rather uneventful, most everyone was rechecking equipment guns, ammo, gas masks etc. At this point there was some anticipation of what may ly ahead, for we had trained hard for a definit mission -- yet the enemy was still distant and the war not yet a personal affair.

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). We were briefed thoroughly on our mission and what intelligence had found. I recall a division (german) was conducting exercises in our area. This would increase the size and reduce the time of countertack. This worried most of us

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Don Chance

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day ? No- but I can recall the first day vividally.

Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day ? Yes, we were told to expect 33% casualties and the prediction was most accurate.

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties ? S/Sgt Harvey a boy from Miss, was leading one section and I another up the hill from the beach to about 400 yds inland at a road leading into Verville Sur Mer. Alhough he did nor I recive wounds until a later date I remember our combined thinking of a single bullet. The Germans threw everything our way Rockets , 88's, motors machine guns but they all were meant for anyone in the way. Sgt. Harvey and I were 10 yds apart when a sniper bullet kicked up the dirt between us. We were then introduced to a very personal war.

Were you wounded? Yes, but at later date Dec 3rd, 1944 This was better than [?pat?] for the course

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 ? I was completely surprised- it felt like being hit with a baseball bat in the leg, and then no pain. I had played a great deal of Goseball including a fling at minor league class "B"

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not , of course , seem amusing at the time ? We were handled completely by the English Navy including Landing Craft Personnel. We lowered away from mother ship about 4 AM and had 10 miles to shore. It was rough and Rangers were given pewk bags. I was in charge of two machine gun sections. They may have been the first to fire on the Germans in this area. (on way in my 1st gunner Darell Hancock Methodist was sick and leaning over boat lost helmet and Tripod. My 2nd gunner Goldberg Jewish carried light 30 air cocked gun with a sling and fired from hip. He was wounded in stomach on D-day. I only point out religion for I am a Catholic) At that time no one gave it a 2nd thought.

Do you recall any incident , sad or heroic, or simply meinorable, which struck you more then anything else? Yes, the night of June 6 aboard the English ship former channel runner, those of us who were Catholic attended mass offered by Father Lacey , our chaplin. In his sermon he told of Saint Theresa who was born in France- we were about to do battle in her land, and her symbol was the Rose. Approximately D plus 3 or 4 one part of the Rangers were pinned down at "Grand Camp" (after the war a ship in Texas port blew up and killed 400 people this too was named the Grand Camp) My section along with other companies of Rangers recived a mission to go behind the German lines and attack Grand Camp from the rear. On this mission, a good part of it I was assigned the point. It was strange to be greeted by French man in small villages- however very heart warming for one of The first girls to greet me, about 10 yrs old presented me with Roses. I knew then that Saint Theresa was on our side

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Don Chance

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 ? There appeared to be a jam up on the beach at least our section of Omaha. A 4-foot sea wall barb-wire fence and a steep hill. No one seemed to be moving. General Cota a one star general of 1st Division was on beach with us. He shouted "Lead the way Rangers", this was the spark needed. The wire was blown up and we stormed the heights. I belive there is a brief 5th Bn History written entitled "Lead the way Rangers"

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944 ? Lying 10 miles off shore at objection on British ship, standing on deck watching air corp bomb beach. Where were you at midnight on June 6 , 1944? A few hundred yds pass Verville Sur Mer waiting for counter attack. The order for first night was to "shoot anything that moves"

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 ? My Co. Commander was Capt. John Gowler who I believe is now the Monmouth County Detective of New Jersey with headquarters in Freehold N.J. His home is somewhere in Atlantic Highlands N.J. He was former N.J. State Trooper stationed 6 miles from my home town and was stationed with my uncle also a Trooper- small world. Capt. Gowler and I had many mutual friends. Please forgive the penmanship and spelling . I have attempted to complete this questionnaire at various periods and the competition of our two children is very formidable. As you may have guesses I am very proud of my outfit. I have had the pleasure of being a guest speaker at several large cities thoughout this country, and each time my background------------

PLEASE LET US HAVE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT WE CANINCLUDE YOUR EXPERIENCES IN THE BOOK. WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE YOUR FULL STORY ON SEPARATE SHEETS IF WE HAVE NOT LEFT SUFFICIENT ROOM. 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. -----------is given which includes Military I am reminded of fond experiences. My subject is some phase of Safety- my name is Chance a kind of pun and the Ranger relationship projects danger, somwhow it has all worked out rather well.

Cornelius Ryan Frances Ward Research, The Reader's Digest

May 29, 1958

Miss Frances Ward Readers' Digest 230 Park Avenue New York, New York

Dear Miss Ward:

I have read the recent issue of "The American Legion Magazine” that author Cornelius Ryan will write an article dealing with the D-Day Normandy Invasion.

I may be able to contribute something for this article. I was an original member of the U.S. 5th Ranger Infantry Bn. holding the rank of S/Sgt. My assignment was to lead a section consisting of two machine gun squads onto the beaches of Omaha. Landing time was approximately H-hour plus 10 minutes.

Sincerely,

Donald L. Chance

Home Address Mr. Donald L. Chance 23 Seventh Ave. Roebling, New Jersey

Business Address Mr. Donald L. Chance, Safety and Plant Protection Engineer The Yale & Towne Mfg. Co Yale Materials Handling Division 11,000 Roosevelt Boulevard Philadelphia 15, Pa.