Interview with Kenneth R. Ryley, July 9th, 1986

Partial Transcript: We're in Versailles, Ky.

Synopsis: Col. Arthur Kelly introduces WWII veteran Kenneth R. Ryley. Ryley served with the 75th Infantry Division in the European Theatre.

Keywords: 75th Infantry Division;European Theatre;Normandy(France);Versailles(KY.)

Subjects: Versailles (Ky.).

Partial Transcript: Let's start out then with your joining the 101st...

Synopsis: Kenneth Ryley talks about his basic training and how he ended up serving with the 101st Airborne and 75th Infantry Division.

Keywords: Basic Training;Fort Bragg(NC.);Fort Walters(TX.);Ft. Bennett(SD.)

Subjects: Military service, Voluntary;Recruiting and enlistment.

Partial Transcript: Specifically, the dates I don't remember, but around the middle of December what was known as the Battle of the Bulge...

Synopsis: He talks about the Battle of the Bulge: its beginnings and details concerning where he was located during the battle.

Keywords: Battle of the Bulge;Normandy(France)

Subjects: Ardennes, Battle of the, 1944-1945.

Partial Transcript: What were you doing while this artillery was coming in?

Synopsis: He describes his positions in the foxhole while waiting for the artillery to come through during the Battle of the Bulge.

Keywords: Artillery;Battle of the Bulge

Subjects: Ardennes, Battle of the, 1944-1945.;Intrenchments.

Partial Transcript: Talking about your experience here now, you're going to get this intense, long enduration of incoming artillery...

Synopsis: He describes what was going on with his body and his feelings while in the foxhole while the rounds of artillery were going off. He also talks about his experiences with the artillery.

Keywords: Artillery;Battle of the Bulge;Defenses

Subjects: Ardennes, Battle of the, 1944-1945.;Artillery.;Intrenchments.

Partial Transcript: As, as best you can remember now, as the Germans started withdrawing, can you remember seeing them pulling back?

Synopsis: He talks about the Germans withdrawing from the battle field and how he felt when the German troops left.

Keywords: Battle of the Bulge;Belgium;German Troops

Subjects: Ardennes, Battle of the, 1944-1945.;Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter-Partei. Schutzstaffel.;Soldiers--German.

Partial Transcript: Alright, what happens to you now?

Synopsis: Ryley discusses what was going on with the Infantry unit after the Germans withdrew, and his unit's pulling back and regrouping.

Keywords: Battle of the Bulge;German Soldiers;Surrenders

Subjects: Soldiers--German.

Partial Transcript: If you will start from the line of departure, or in the assembly behind the line of departure and just...tell me what they told you.

Synopsis: Ryley talks about going to the front line to fight the Germans and a fellow soldier who shot himself in the foot to keep from going into battle. Other measures people took to get off the front line are discussed.

Keywords: Battle of the Bulge;Belgium;War injuries

Subjects: Ardennes, Battle of the, 1944-1945., War wounds.

Partial Transcript: It was about two weeks after we got to the original combat zone...

Synopsis: He describes attacking the Germans in the forest again after retreating.

Keywords: Artillery Attacks;Battle of the Bulge;German Soldiers

Subjects: Ardennes, Battle of the, 1944-1945.;Soldiers--German.

Partial Transcript: ...Arthur L. Kelly and we're in Versailles continuing this story of the Battle of the Bulge here.

Synopsis: He continues to give details about the penetration and mentions his feet becoming gangrenous, staying warm in the cold and preparing for duty.

Keywords: Battle of the Bulge;Christmas

Subjects: Ardennes, Battle of the, 1944-1945.;Christmas.

Partial Transcript: Do you think you're getting any smarter on how to fight and survive?

Synopsis: Kenneth discusses how far experience can get in a battle like the Bulge,and how prayer and faith got him through. He also talks about the second counterattack by the Germans.

Keywords: counterattacks;Religious faith

Subjects: Ardennes, Battle of the, 1944-1945.;Christianity.;Religion.;Soldiers--German.

Partial Transcript: The next day it's going to snow and they're going to be partially covered up...

Synopsis: He discusses the penetration, moving out from the penetration, the capture of artillerymen at another location and other battalions that had soldiers captured.

Keywords: Capture;Prisoners of War (POW)

Subjects: Ardennes, Battle of the, 1944-1945.;Prisoners of War.

Partial Transcript: After Christmas, this big battle as you start pushing southeast-- what is your next big action or next big event that occurs?

Synopsis: He recalls when he was wounded in the battle and briefly talks about contact with the Germans and counter attacks.

Keywords: Christmas;counterattacks;German Soldiers;war injuries

Subjects: Ardennes, Battle of the, 1944-1945.;Christmas;Soldiers--Germany;War wounds

Partial Transcript: Are seeing any of the civilians? Did you get to talk to any of them?

Synopsis: He describes what the local Belgian people were like, as well as the soldiers' behavior towards civilians. Furthermore, he goes into detail about how he was wounded in the Bulge.

Keywords: Civilians;Friendliness of communities;War Injuries

Subjects: Ardennes, Battle of the, 1944-1945.;Civilians in war.;War wounds.

Partial Transcript: I was sent back to the unit, 75th division, and we were up there guarding German prisoners, and guarding utility companies...

Synopsis: Kenneth Ryley talks about protecting electrical plants from the German resistance and being on detail. He also gives his family history. Interview is concluded.

Keywords: Camp Pittsburg(France);Children;Family History;France;Germany

Subjects: Family history.;Germans.;Resistance movements, War