Page 2

[*BR-E
Further to the second question: Having been born in
Vienna, Austria, I came to England, as a refugee from Nazi
persecution. I was interned for 2 months
in England (at one time guarded by the Regiment whose badge I
wore on D-Day!) I volunteered for service as soon as I was old enough. At first I was in the Pioneer Corps (a labor unit) and volunteered for whatever came along, finally being accepted by the
commandos; there was a newly
formed, highly secret troop of Germans & Austrians.

WASH., DC
WASH DC16

Brit.
Commando--
Mr. Ryan
will
have to
decide
this on
basis of
Brit.
material
he has.
RED
I'd said -
note woonderful
story p. 2
& back p. 2*]

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? PETER FERDINAND MASTERS (changed from
Peter Ferdinand
ARANY , by
British War Office Order
on joining the Commandos)

What was your unit and division? No. 3 Troop, 10 COMMANDO, (British)
specialist individually attached to 1 Troop, No. 6 COMMANDO,
(a bicycle-equipped troop) 1 COMMANDO BRIGADE, att. 6 Airborne Division

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time?
On 'Queen Red' Beach, near Ouistreham at the estuary of the Orne River &
canal, in the department of Eure. The time H+75 minutes, which was
7.15 AM

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Lance - Corporal

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 22 yrs.

Were you married at that time? no

What is your wife's name? ---

Did you have any children at that time ? no

[*CR - Unless
you've covered this
stuff - it's a natural
for Br. Com. He
can be interviewed*]

What do you do now? I am the Art Director of WTOP - Television, in Washington, D. C.
I design settings and graphic Arts (Titles, etc.) for local and CBS-
Network Television shows, Public Affairs & news shows (including several Presidential
Broadcasts to date, and a weekly one-hour network musical)
I also teach Art at the Corcoran School of Art, & am a Consultant for graphics for the
U. S. Public Health Service

[*about
2 months
before*]
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion?
Some time in the fall or winter of 1943/44 speculation began in that
direction; definite knowledge came with our troops reorganization* into detachments
of 5-6 men, to one of each of the 8 Commando units and two Brigade HQs in Nos 1 & 4 Bde.
I was 2nd in command of the small detachment to No 6 Commando, and joined them only
2 weeks prior
to 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?
The trip was rough - the sea choppy. After the 24 hr. postponement
it still seemed pretty rough going to us. We embarked into our Landing
craft, Infantry, Light, at 8 p.m. on June the 5th, [inserted] in Southampton [end inserted], waving at neighboring
craft, singing and cheering, with music playing over the P.A. system.
The assembly and crossing took a very long time, it seemed. the captain
of the craft would not have us on deck when we were getting close, except
once to go to the forward hold for a meal (some nondescript stew). I read
a pocket size book "Cold Comfort Farm" I think, with no interest or recollection.
I had a headache, and many people were seasick in the "head" of the craft, and
with questionable aim. Had the channel been wider, I would have been also. I rested in
a sailor's hammock, & someone said "Get out - that man is coming off watch, and he's
the Navy's boxing
champion, he'll knock you out !"
I said, "So?"
and stayed.

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 had no communications with anyone outside-
hardly with the people in the forward hold - so there
weren't any real rumours. There was some speculation about
the alleged concept that we were to land, get inland, and
stay for 7 days or so. We had some veterans of the African
campaign with us, who said we would be lucky to be out of
it in 7 weeks, in spite of the fact that we were primarily equipped
for short, sharp engagements.