ryan_box024-tld_f12_02

RC Navy
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? Carl Leonard Fitzpatrick

What was your unit and divison? HMCS Blairmore
31st Minesweeping Flotilla
RCNVR
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time?
In area of Pointe de Barfleur on Cherbourg Peninsula
at approximately 0300 hrs 6 Jun 44. Ship had been off
shore since approximately 2000 hrs 5 Jun 44.
What was your rank on June 6, 1944
Able Seaman
What was your age on June 6, 191+4? 17 years, 7 months

Were you married at that time? No

What is your wife's name?

Did you have any children at that time?

What do you do now?
Lieutenant - Canadian Army
Directorate of Public Relations, Ottawa, Ont.
When did you know that you were going to be part of the
invasion?
Suspected it for about four or five weeks
prior to event. Almost sure three or four days
before, certain of it on 3 Jun 44.
What was the trip like during the crossing or the Channel?
Do you remember, for example, any conversations you had
or how you passed the time?
Flotilla actually sailed 4 Jun 44 but recalled.
Weather 5-6 Jun 44 considered comparatively smooth
by ship' s crew, but those unaccustomed to sea may
have found it choppy. Conversations, generally,
dealt with expected opposition from German shore
batteries, aircraft and E-boats, Most expected we
would be hit, if not blown to hell.

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).

Rumour was that we had a very secret, recently-
installed radar device aboard to jam German radar
and escape discovery. Later, we learned this was
true.