ryan_box024-tld_f37_02

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? Louis Langell

What was your unit and division?

The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders
3rd Canadian Division

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time?

On the shores of a town by the name of BERNIERES, at
approx 1030 AM, 6 June 1944.

What was vour rank on June 6, 1944?

PRIVATE

What was your age on June 6, 1944?

I was 38 years old.

Were you married at that time?

I was not married.

What was your wife's name?

N/A

Did you have any children at that time?

N/A

What do you do now?

I am still serving in the Canadian Army Regular, stationed at
Currie Barracks, Calgary, Alberta, with the QUEEN'S OWN
RIFLES of CANADA DEPOT.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the
invasion?

The spring of 1944, our training became more rugged, out on
manoeuvres every week, long route marches, we did combined
operation work, also went to sea in Landing Craft with the
Navy doing assualt landing. The last three or four week in
England we had our leaves cancelled, we were kept in barracks
could not even go to our nearest town to buy cigarette or to
one of the PUBS. We were kept under guard at all time so that
we could not talk to the civilaian or our friend that came to see us.

What was the trip like during the crossing of the Channel? Do
you remember, for example, any conversation you had or how you
passed the time?

It was a terribe night for the crossing. The sea was very
rough, there w[inserted]as[end of inserted] spray and rain lashing the Landing Craft
which was bobbing around like a cork in water, most of us were
wet from the sprays that came into the Landing Craft.

The usual conversation was mostly about our homes, our loved
ones, our friend that we made in England, but the big question
was D-Day. How many of us would be landing safely, so our