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Approx 4 AM as we neared the coast our planes were bombing &
the navy was shelling as a "softening up" process.
Many of our navy crews were young & inexperienced, the landing
craft drew about 3'6" of water & although each crew had
sounding rods I think their one [crossed out][illegiable][end crossed out] ambition was to get
unloaded & get away. I saw a number of pals have to
go off in anything up to 6' to 7' of water, consequently what
with kit & equipment & wireless sets etc, no need to know
or ask the result -- DROWNED.
We reached shore approx 6-7 oclock AM. Beach strewn with
dead Frogmen who had been there all previous night doing
Mine clearance.

I was BN D.R. with my Bike on a Bren Carrier. I cannot
remember who the driver was but anyhow he was scared to
drive ashore so naturely I drove it for him ups the beach
& through the Wire until we reached a road that [crossed out][illegiable][end crossed out]
run parralel with the beach - maybe 100 yds inland.
After unloading my M/C our Carrier driver was more Confident
& happy & away he went.
My first job was to pump up Tyre before getting under way.
There was a number of houses between the Road & beach &
after going about 40 yds there was a sniper having a go
at a Sherman Tant.?
This tank fired a shell & knocked the house down next door
-- back came a single shot.
Shell two richocheyed 1/2 way between Tank & Sniper - back
came a single shot.
It took that Tank 3 Shells & a direct Hit before that
Sniper was quietened.
I thought that tank would make good cover for me by
these houses. so I keeped on the near side of him for
about 200 yds until a sharp Left Turn loomed in front.
As I thought it was fairly quiet & did not want to be