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I think we were very lucky to get away
from the beach & if it was not for me or
our other L.C.T. we would have been blown to
pieces, because when the 88mm shell went
into the engine room it smashed the main
engines & we just had enough fuel to
get us off the beach on emergency power
& then the tide started to carry us
back on-to the beach broadside on & then
this other L.C.T. got a line over to us
& managed after a number of try's to get
us clear of danger & tow us & get our
wounded personel on board a hospital
ship. this was a feat on its own as
we had no engines to get us there, after
a number of try's the towing ship
managed to do it but what a job,
then when we were along side the swell
& getting the wounded on board was a
painstaking job. but we managed.
We were then towed back to Southampton
by our ever faithfull comrades on the
other L.C.T. after repeated breakings in
our tow rope & being dragged through
mine fields & this we did not know
till we had got through & a kindley
Destroyer flashed us up & told us
the good news our, relief was teriffic
& all their hapened on my 20th birthday
by the way, quite a time I had.

J. B. H. Cooper