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[*GA 27 Ft. Benning, GA. LL I'd say BLACK__ but note more names from Benning*]
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? MAURICE A. BELISLE
What was your unit and division? 26TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, IST INF. DIV
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Approx 1600 hrs. (4 p.m.)
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? CAPTAIN Battalion Operations O.
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 31 yrs
Were you married at that time? NO
What is your wife's name? NA
Did you have any children at that time? NA
What do you do now? LT. COL. U.S. ARMY - U.S. INFANTRY SCHOOL, OFFICE OF DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTION
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? NOVEMBER 1943 - STRICTLY PRESUMPTION WHEN WE SAILED FOR ENGLAND (FROM SICILY)
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? TRIP pleasant, sunny day, sky dotted with Friendly aircraft at Frequent intervals. Clearly marked lanes for landing craft. All aboard were confident, seasoned troops. Every pre-invasion conversation turns to the odds - there is no doubt of success - only individual fear. The conversations were generally optimistic until the approach to the landing site -- it became apparent that not much real estate was secured.
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). NOT AT THE MOMENT
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name BELISLE
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. Company Commander seriously wounded. Bn. Staff officer killed.
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? Yes. was with staff officer when wounded Talked to Co. Commander not too long before wounded (He is a native oF ALBANY, N.Y. JOHN J. KELLY JR. CRUMITIE RD.
Were you wounded? No
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? NA
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? Landing craft unloaded in very deep (for landing) water. First men off were loaded down with equipment - Floating around helplessly. Company Commander (JAMES M. LIBBY QUINCY, MASS. current Residence) jumped in to pull back aboard. Landing craft made another run__ more successfully this time. Kelly's being wounded very seriously upset many of us. He had been through three campaigns and two invasions previously.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name BELISLE
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?
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? AT SEA on way to the landing site - or rendezvous.
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? INLAND ONLY 100 - 200 yds _ preparing for morning attack
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? [*Keep for Benning interviews*] COLONEL JOHN T. CORLEY - 311 LUMPKIN Rd. Ft. BENNING GA. BN. COMDR 26th INF [*have*]
LT. COLONEL ALBERT H. SMITH JR. 502 ZUCKERMAN Rd. " " 16th INF _ LANDING H-HOUR
LT. COLONEL WALTER F. NECHEY 120-B ZUCKERMAN Rd " " 26TH INF
COLONEL MILLARD G. BOWEN 409 LUMPKIN RD. " " 29TH INF DIV
THERE MAY BE MANY OTHERS HERE WHO WOULD RESPOND TO AN ITEM IN OUR DAILY BULLETIN. IF INTERESTED WRITE TO ADJUTANT GENERAL, U.S. ARMY INFANTRY CENTER. HE MAY PUBLISH THE ITEM FOR YOU.
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.
Connelius Ryan
Frances Ward Research, The Reader's Digest
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July 25, 1958
Lt. Col. Maurice Belisle Fort Benning Georgia
Dear Lt. Belisle:
A history of D-Day, June 6, 1944, to coincide with the 15th anniver- sary of the Normandy invasion next year is being prepared by Cornelius Ryan for publication in the Reader's Digest and in book form. It is being written with the complete cooperation and assistance of the De- partment 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 willing, in- vade their memories. Having learned of the part which you played in the invasion, we hope very much that you will be interested in the project and agree to help us.
During the next few months, both in this country and in Europe, Mr. Ryan will be interviewing many of the D-Day participants who agree to contribute to the book. Very probably, he will wish to talk with you during that period. In the meantime, since we are dealing with liter- ally hundreds of people, we have found it necessary to develop an in- dividual file on each person who agrees to help us. Therefore, we hope that if you are interested in the project, you will complete the en- closed record and return it to me at your earliest convenience. We truly believe that these questions will serve you, as well as us, if they can help to crystallize some hazy memories and to indicate the sort of information which we are seeking.
I should be most grateful to know as soon as possible when and if you will be available for interview during the next few months. We want very much to tell the story of your unit, and in order to do that we need your personal account. We look forward eagerly to your reply.
Sincerely yours,
Frances Ward Research Department
FW:LL Enclosure