ryan_box018-tld_f44_03

Cornelius Ryan (2) Romeo F. Pompei
Attest to the good training we received -

11. I remember hearing about the Germans setting the waters
on fire and also about their Peller mines placed on stumps
just like the water line which would detonate as the
attack craft came in
On my way over the net a sailor near me tapped me
on the shoulder and impressed me that the first wave had
taken the lead by surprise
12. No Diary
13. One friend crushed his foot between the landing craft and
transport - Another was killed on the beach by artillery fire -
14. When we landed undiscovered the beach was not sand
as assumed but fine pebbles which made it difficult
to move or dig in - This {illegible} had to remain in
the lead to direct others to our gun positions - he told
me he had trouble digging in and I yelled as I moved
off the beach for him to stay low and keep digging -
Later I was ordered to send a runner to bring him up
and he was dead killed by an 88 mar.
15. I was wounded 19th of June -
16. I was surprised that I felt nothing - just a few jabs
in the back and a shock wave - I concentrated on
moving my limbs to make sure they were all right. I was
only slightly wounded by shrapnel power 88 {illegible} shell -