William Newman personal narrative
Collection — Folder: S1014
Identifier: S1014
Scope and Contents
This collection includes the manuscript, "The Experiences of Lt. William Newman as Told by Himself, Sunday Evening, August 6, 1944." The typewritten narrative was sent to Eli Lilly in September, 1944 by Lt. Newman's father, Henry L. Newman, and describes the Army Ranger's experiences in World War II after being taken prisoner by German forces during the Battle of Cisterna (January 30-February 2, 1944). After 8 or 9 days, William Newman was able to escape and traveled more than 200 kilometers by foot to Rome. The lieutenant's narrative describes the Italian countryside and local residents who helped him, other escaped prisoners he met along the way, the difficulties and perils he faced while traveling through territory controlled by the Nazis, and his experiences in Rome up until the Allied Forces arrived in June, 1944. Newman also relates the story of another Army Ranger's escape in "The Story of Perlmutter" and offers some additional "little stories" about the people he met and places he went while in Rome.
Dates
- 1944
Creator
- Newman, William L. (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
Lieutenant William L. Newman enlisted in the army in 1942. He became an Army Ranger and served during the Italian Campaign during World War II. He was taken prisoner during the Battle of Cisterna in 1944. After 8 or 9 days as a captive, Newman escaped and crossed Italy on foot to arrive in Rome. He was born October 22, 1917 to Henry and Margaret Newnan and was a graduate of the University of Michigan. Newman died on May 31, 2009.
Sources:
Information found within collection
Ancestry.com. "William Newnan." U.S. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014. Accessed June 8, 2016. http://search.ancestrylibrary.com.
Sources:
Information found within collection
Ancestry.com. "William Newnan." U.S. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014. Accessed June 8, 2016. http://search.ancestrylibrary.com.
Historical Note
Battle of Anzio was part of the Italian Campaign during World War II and began January 22, 1944 as an amphibious landing by the United States Fifth Army on the Italian beach. The goal of the mission, code-named Operation SHINGLE, was to cut the German lines of communication and open a way to take Rome. On January 30th, the 1st and 3rd Ranger Battalions attempted to take the city of Cisterna. Due to the German's superior arms and numbers, the attack on the town failed and resulted in 740 of the 767 Rangers either killed or captured.
Sources:
"Anzio 1944." U.S. Army Center for Military History. Accessed June 10, 2016. http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/anzio/72-19.htm.
Stewart, Jeff R. "The Ranger Force at the Battle of Cisterna,"2004, thesis, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Leavenworth, KS. Accessed June 10, 2016. http://www.dtic.mil/get-tr-doc/pdf?AD=ADA428671.
Sources:
"Anzio 1944." U.S. Army Center for Military History. Accessed June 10, 2016. http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/anzio/72-19.htm.
Stewart, Jeff R. "The Ranger Force at the Battle of Cisterna,"2004, thesis, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Leavenworth, KS. Accessed June 10, 2016. http://www.dtic.mil/get-tr-doc/pdf?AD=ADA428671.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Eli Lilly on 1944/09/29.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2016/06/10 by Laura Eliason. EAD finding aid created 2016/06/10 by Laura Eliason.
Creator
- Newman, William L. (Person)
- Title
- William Newman personal narrative
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
