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For Cornelius Ryan
Book about D-Day
MO-1
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? Charles D. W. Canham, Major General

What was your unit and division? 116 th R. C. T. , 29 th Inf Div , attached
to 1 st Inf Div for Invasion .

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Omaha Beach
0730 hrs, June 6, 1944

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Colonel, Infantry

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 43 yrs.

Were you married at that time? Yes

What is your wife's name? Alma B. Canham

Did you have any children at that time? Yes - 3 sons

What do you do now? Command XI U. S. Army Corps (Reserve)

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? Late January '44

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?
Smooth crossing. Everyone was watching air cover and Naval Escort . After
dinner everybody went to bed early.

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).
No special rumors . Everyone was anxious to get ashore and get the job done.