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O-TE Niagra Falls, N.Y. NY 65 LL Interview if possible good things here

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? Gerald H Burt

What was your unit and division? 299th Engr C Bn Co A Attchd to the Fifth Corps for the invasion, First Army -Jewett's outfit

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? We landed on Omaha
beach in the vicinity of Colleville -sur-Mer, France. 0633 we landed
on the beach,some of us were the first American men on the beach.

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Cpl
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 20 yrs
Were you married at that time? Yes
What is your wife's name? Doris B Burt
Did you have any children at that time? she was born a month later
What do you do how? I am A Pipe-fitter
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? We were
notified May 7 by the Deputy chief of staff of the fifth corps.
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?
Our day started early at 0100 we had breakfast , we were all pretty
tired to start with. The channel was choppy. Most of the men were
to nervous to talk much but those that did were talking about the
trip so far. As we started towards the beach the tention grow,most
of us were sea sick from being nervous. We smoked and talked about
home and tired to comfort each other. We had one fellow who was
looking forward to the landing and wished he had brought a camera. He did devert our attention, We all thought he was a little off.

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).
Rumor had it that the germans had renforced the beach with
men and that we would be slaughtered. They had a few surprizes
for us. They would drive us back in the channel to drowned.