Box 025, folder 28: Douglas Ross Vidler

VIDLER, Douglas Ross Canadian 3rd Div.

Box 25, #28

Dear Sir. It's nice to know we are not forgotten. Thank you for this opportunity as I feel Canadians are quite often left out of the accounts of the War. Not for our own selves but for our fallen buddies I would like to see more credit for their efforts. Please excuse writing as I don't write much since the war. My mind is clear but I just can't write it they way I remember it. Yours Sincirely Doug Vidler

For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day

Possible EXCERPT - [illegible] [illegible] he was in on 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? Douglas Ross Vidler

What was your unit and division? Stormount, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders - 3rd Division

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Berniere-Sur-Mer- about 830 AM.

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Private

What was your age on June 6, 1944? Nineteen

Were you married at that time? No

What is your wife's name? -

Did you have any children at that time? No!

What do you do now? I am a film tester for Canadian Kodak Co.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? As soon as I joined my Regiment in Nov. 1943 I [crossed out]know[end crossed out] knew they where considered assault troops.

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 weather did not seem very calm but because we were on a L.C.T. it did not ride the waves [inserted]like[end inserted] any cabin cruiser. We boarded about midnight of the 5th, I remember it was a very dark night. We were pretty keyed up and we were pretty sure this was the real thing now and not just another practice exersize.

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 received a letter from Gen. D. Eisenhower + French money. Which confirmed the invasion of France to us. The mention of "Dieppe" in his letter didn't give me the assurance "of a well learned lesson" but rather I remember the failure of [?some?]. I still have many things such as money + letter mentioned.

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Douglas R. Vidler

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No! Just a small calendar I checked the days off. The thought of keeping a diary seemed rediculious as I would never live to read it.

Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? [inserted] not on D-day?[end inserted] Yes! Several but as we were the second wave we got the worst [crossed out]more[end crossed out] of it on the second day.

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties: Not on the actually "D" Day but I do remember when my best pal was killed in Holland some months after. He was a guy who showed no fear until the day he was to be killed. I feel sure he knew his number was up. One thing we all used to argue about - was would you heard the shell that got you in the end. I had a armour piercing shell land not six away, had it been an H.E. I wouldn't be here now.

Were you wounded? No!

Do you remember what it was like -- that is, do you remember where you felt any pain or were so surprised that you felt nothing? From several fellows I spoke with after they were hit. Many didn't know they were hit + felt no pain only a warm spot. Especially a fellow I know who lost a leg, he didn't know of his loss.

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? I never forget how anxious the Navy was for us to unload so they could get out of there in a hurry. The first "Jerries" I saw where [?three?] who had be holding a machine gun position for several hours. They where marching along with their long gray coats on, with their hands over their head. They looked like giants to me and I began to think maybe they are all this big and are really "the Super Race".

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simple memorable, which struck you more than anything else? I remember that the quiet fellow around the camp was the best soldier, seemed to know he had to do as he was told and had the courage, nerves + guts to stand up to alot more that the [crossed out]big[end crossed out] so called big mouths of the camp. While we waited our turn to land we just circled around out in the channel and every time we came along broadside to a battleship they seemed to always start firing their big 15" guns and the noise + concussion was terrific.

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Douglas R. Vidler

In times of great crisis, people generally show either great ingenuity or self-reliance; others do incredibly stupid things. Do you remember any examples of either from D-Day? The area designated for our landing was a mass of flames when we were supposed to land. also [crossed out][?my?][end crossed out] many barges were hit and half sunk blocked [crossed out]out[end crossed out] our way. So we had to land at another area which caused much confusion and congestion on beach and small roads. This caused tempers to flare and strong words between those directing operation and say a guy whose tanker carrier was stalled. But with it all a deep feeling of togetherness, brotherly love, fairness, and understand of your fellow man's feelings.

Where were you at midnight on June 5th, 1944? Boarding the L.C.T in bren gun carriers at Gosport near [crossed out][illegible][crossed out] Portsmouth England.

Where were you at midnight on June 6th, 1944? "Villons Les Buisson" about five miles inland.

Do you know of anybody else who landed within the 24 hours of D-day, June 6, as infantry, glider or airborne troops, or who took part in the air and sea operations, whom we should write to? G.V. GILPIN Mr. [crossed out]J[end crossed out] Gilpin 125 Estelle Ave. Willowdale Ontario + Mr. Jack Ramsden C/O Cdn. Kodak Store Calgary Alberta

PLEASE LET US HAVE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT WE CAN INCLUDE YOUR EXPERIENCES IN THE BOOK. WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE YOUR STORY ON SEPARATE SHEETS IP WE HAVE NOT LEFT SUFFICIENT ROOM. FULL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT WILL BE GIVEN IN A CHAPTER CALLED "WHERE THEY ARE NOW;" YOUR NAME AND VOCATION OR OCCUPATION WILL BE LISTED.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

W.A. Milroy Lt.-Col. Director of Public Relations(Army) Cartier Square, Ottawa, Ontario