ryan_box024-tld_f24_02
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45065 CWR Haines Sgt
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THOUSANDS OF MEN, ON LAND AND SEA AND IN THE AIR,
PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF NORMANDY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT
JUNE 5, I944 AND MIDNIGHT JUNE 6, 1944. IF YOU WERE
ONE OF THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.
What is your full name?
Charles William Ryan HAINES
What was your squadron, station, unit?
Signals Platoon - HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY OF CANADA
Where did you arrive in Hormandy, and at what time?
Landed on "WHITE" Beach at Berniere - sur-Mer at 1100 Hrs 6 June 1944.
What was your rank on June 6, 1944?
Private.
What was your age on June 6,1944?
I had my 25th birthday on 4 June 1944, the day I boarded the LCI for
the invasion.
Were you married at that tine?
Yes.
What is your wife's name?
Blanche Mildred HAINES.
Did you have any children at that time?
1 Child - Donna, aged 5 years.
What do you do now?
I am a member of the RCAF - Air Force Police.
When did you know that you were going to be part of the
invasion?
As a member of the 3rd Can. Div. we had been training for a seaborne
assault for a long time, however when we were confinedto camp approx.
May 10 '44 we felt
sure it was the
real thing.
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?
We sailed for France at 1630 hrs on 5 June, and the entire crossing
was very rough. I became very seasick (as did everyone else) and
spent a very uncomfortable night sitting on the deck in a small hold
with about 50 others. I managed to sneak on deck for several hours
during the dark hours, as the smell of fuel oil etc. below deck was
grim. I do not recall any conversations, and most of the boys
who were nottoo sick were readying equipment for the landing.
What were the rumours 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 tropps came in).
I cannot recall anything in particular in this regard.
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