Wright Bryan of Atlanta, first live broadcast report on D-Day
I was at the Atlanta History Center last Friday and bought a copy of their new book, “Atlanta in 100 Objects.” As someone who grew up in Atlanta, there are items in the book I am familiar with and there are plenty where I learned something new. When I came across the page for “Wright Bryan Jacket and Cap,” I was reminded of a story I had seen before while researching Atlanta newspapers for World War II history.
The objects held by AHC representing the story of Bryan are his Tanker Jacker circa 1943 and his service cap circa 1945. The service cap has a patch reading “U.S. War Correspondent.”
Wright Bryan was managing editor for the Atlanta Journal when he went overseas to report on the war. He was a war correspondent for WSB radio in Atlanta as well as for NBC news. He gave the first live broadcast report of D-Day. Before his broadcast, pre-recorded announcements by President Roosevelt and King George VI were aired.
A May 15, 1994 Atlanta Journal article, “The first report on D-Day,” includes an excerpt from his broadcast. “This is Wright Bryan speaking from London. In the first hour of D-Day…the first spearhead of Allied forces for the liberation of Europe landed by parachute in Northern France.”
He told radio listeners, “I watched from the rear door of our plane, named the Snooty, as 17 American parachutists jumped with their arms, ammunition, and equipment.” He was flying with the U.S. 9th Air Forces Troop Carrier Command.
“We were over France only 11 minutes,” added Bryan.
After D-Day, he traveled through France with Ernest Hemingway and Ernie Pyle. They were in Paris when it was liberated. Bryan took a German bullet in the leg, was captured and held in a POW camp in Poland for six months. He did not make it home to his wife Ellen and children in Atlanta until January 1945.
Bryan was originally from Atlanta, attending college at Clemson University and the University of Missouri. He started working at the Atlanta Journal in 1927. By 1940, he was appointed managing editor. In November of 1942 he started a new Monday evening radio series. “Mr. Bryan brings a southerner’s viewpoint and a wide experience in all fields of news editing.” (Atlanta Journal, Nov. 30, 1942, “Wright Bryan begins Journal radio series”)
Not only was Bryan from Atlanta, he liked to tell people he was one of the few people born on Peachtree Street. He was born in 1905 at 402 Peachtree Street, the home of his grandparents. (Atlanta Journal, June 6, 1944, “Bryan has been waiting 9 months for this job”)
As for the book “Atlanta in 100 Objects,” I am thoroughly enjoying my copy and expect to return to it over and over again.