ryan_box023-tld_f44_02

NOTHING
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? Douglas Stanley AXFORD
What was your unit and division? HQ RCA 3 CDN Infantry Division
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time?
Berniers-sur-mer - approximately 6 o'clock in the evening of 6 Jun 44
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Sergeant
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 23
Were you married at that time? Yes
What is your wife's name? Joyce Kathleen AXFORD
Did you have any children at that time? No
What do you do now? Warrant Officer in the Canadian Army at Army HQ,
Ottawa
When did you know that you were going to be part of the
invasion?
I was one of the planning group for Operation Overlord
and planning was started, insofar as I was concerned,
in the spring of 1944 - March/April
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 channel was very rough and skies
were overcast. I was on a LST and there were several seasick. Conversation
was kept to a minimum, everyone with his own thoughts. The general topic
of course was where were we landing, when and what would it be like when
we got there. A great many of the men played cards or tried to read
books. I myself was doing a lot of thinking, wondering and worrying. No
unusual conversations are outstanding in my mind.
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).
Rumors ran from wild. The likely places of landing, for instance - anywhere
from the lowlands to the south of France, what the infantry would be up
against etc.