ryan_box024-tld_f32_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? ALEXAND JOHNSTON

What was your unit and division? 18TH CANADIAN FIELD COY RCE 3rd DIV

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? GRAYE-FUR-MER
FRANCE RED BEACH
0815-hrs 6 JUNE 44

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? SAPPER

What was your age June 6, 1944? 25

What is wife's name? MRS FUJI JOHNSTON (JAPENESE WAR BRIDE)

Did you have any children at that time? No

What do you do now? SERVING WITH THE ROYAL CANADIAN
ORDNANCE CORPS #8 AREA ORDNANCE DEPOT
NORTH VANCOUVER. B.C.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? WHEN OUR
UNIT WAS MOVED INTO CAMP OUTSIDE OF EASTLEY ENGLAND
THERE WERE STRONG RUMORS WE WERE GOING SOMPLACE BUT NO
ONE REALLY WAS SURE UNILL OUR O.C. BRIEFED US ON BOARD SHIP

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 WATER WAS VERY ROUGHT THE NIGHT OF JUNE
5. 1944. MY OWN THOUGHTS WERE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN
WHEN WE HIT THE BEACH. A PERSON IS TO KEYED UP
TO REMEMBER VERY [crossed out] MUCH [end crossed out] LITTLE THEY TALKED ABOUT
WE HAD A DETACHMENT OF THE FAMOUS LORD
LOUAT SCOUTS ON OUR BOAT.

What were the rumors on board the boat, ship or plane in which you made
the corsssing? (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).
ONE RUMOR I DO REMEMBER THAT NIGHT 4 JUNE 1944
THERE WAS PLANES WENT OVER US AND BOMBED THE
CITY OF PORTSMOUTH. SOME SAID THAT THE BOMBERS
HAD HIT SEVERAL OF OUR SHIPS LOADING TROOPS
THERE. AND ALSO A RUMOR THAT THE WATER WAS TO ROUGHT
(OVER)