ryan_box024-tld_f42_02

[inserted] 1 Can / 3rd Brig Excerpt [end of inserted]

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? EDWARD THOMAS LITTLE

What was your unit and division? 1 CANADIAN PARACHUTE BATTALION
BRITISH 6 AIRBORNE DIVISION

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time?
APPROX AT 0130 HRS ON 6 JUN 44 [crossed out] at [end of crossed out] NEAR RANVILLE
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? LANCE CORPORAL

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 21

Were you married at that time? No

What is your wife's name? NORA MARGARET LITTLE

Did you have any children at that time? No

What do you do now? STILL SERVING
EFFECTIVE OCT 58 CSM 56 CDN TPT COY HNEF MIDDLE EAST.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the
invasion?
I think we always knew we would be in on
the invasion. Definitely when we were paid French invasion money
and saw the air photos.

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?
Channel crossing was uneventful, rather noisy and
no lights were allowed. We smoked and conversation
was limited to man next to you. We passed over part
of the seaborne force off the coast of England.

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).
We hoped the Germans would think our air armada was a
large bomber force. Since I was no 1 in my aircraft I
released bombs shortly after the coast of France was reached.