ryan_box024-tld_f02_02

RCA
EXCERPT.

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? FRANCES J. DAVIES

What was your unit and division? 14th FIELD REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY
3RD CANADIAN DIVISION (81ST FIELD BATTERY) (SELF PROPELLED)
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time?
BERNIER-SUR-MER APPROX. 7.50 AM, after supporting the initial landings
from a mile off-shore.
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? LANCE BOMBARDIER

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 22

Were you married at that time? No

What is your wife's name? ROSE DAVIES

Did you have any children at that time? No

What do you do now? STAFF SERGEANT , ARMY HEADQUARTERS . ASSISTANT
SUPERVISOR OF A MACHINE ACCOUNTING SECTION (IBM)

When did you know that you were going to be part of the
invasion? SEE Para 1 OF APPENDIX "A"

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? A Tank Landing Craft is not the ideal
vehicle for rough water. The daylight hours were spent in competition to
see who would be the first to keep down a can of self-heating Oxtail soup.
Darkness brought even rougher water, and we spent the night cat-napping
and tightening cables to stop our tanks and guns from rolling through
the side of the craft. There were a few exchanges of addresses of next of kin,
but noone on our craft seemed too worried about what tomorrow would bring.
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).
SEE PARA 2 OF APPX 'A'