Page 2

pp 1,2 AF-TE Metaire, La LL LA3

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 WHERE ONE OF THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

What is your full name ? PATRICK H. RAFTERY JR.

What was your unit and division? 97th TROOP CARRIER SQD 440th TROOP CARRIER GROUP
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ?
01:45 JUNE 6TH 1944
OVER CARENTAN, CHERBOURG- DROPPED 19 PARATROOPERS I WAS RETURNED
WITH A BULLET CREASE IN HEAD
how got? describe
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? 2nd Lt
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 22
Were you married at that time ? I WAS MARRIED JULY 19, 1945
What is your wife's name ? IN ORLEANS, FRANCE TO A FRENCH GIRL
Did you have any children at that time ?
What do you do now? SELF EMPLOYED- ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTION CO
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion?
SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE JUNE 6TH
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 ?
THERE WERE MORE THAN 10,000 AIRCRAFT AIRBORNE THAT NIGHT- 1100 TROOP
CARRIER AIRCRAFT ALONE- SEVERAL HUNDRED WERE BEFORE ME- THE UPPER
FORMATION LIGHTS (GREEN) WERE VISBLE TO THE HORIZON- WE PICKED UP
SOME ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE FROM THE ISLES OF GURNSEY AND JERSY-
CONVERSATION WAS MOSTLY CUSSING OUT THE #2 MAN IN LEAD FORMATON
FOR LAGGING BEHIND -ALSO CUSSING THE TURBULENCE
/more info on trip over
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).
THE LATTER WAS NO RUMOR- THEY JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
THE ENGLISH HAD IN 1942