Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 022, folder 16: John Murphy

Irishman from Belfast Hit June 6.40 Later in day pioneers collected all bodies to put them in mass graves but Padre with Canadian "Regina Rifles" stopped it; insisted on bodies being buried separately.

First two men (Canadian) out of boat were killed - one by standing on mine; the 2nd by rifle bullet.

He wondered during air raid that night whether his balloons would bring anything down.

One-eyed, Airman Arthur Tipton (see questionnaire re bombing) was dug out of slit trench which had caved in by bomb blast. When they finally dug down found him calmly smoking cigarette "Harry" he said to Corporal Harry Barnes, "took you a long time to get down here."

43 Swaffield Road Wandsworth, S. W. 18 Stamped: 14 May 1958, QS 14/5 Dear Sir, Re - your column in New - of - World I have no doubt you have had many statements that another one may be superflous. However, when I landed on the morning of the 6th, I was an Aircraftsman First Class and part of the "Balloon" squadrons trained to protect the landing craft and supply dumps on the beaches from low flying enemy aircraft. We had years of intensive training and eventually became part of combined operations with many exercises behind us in co-operation with the Navy and the Army. Our

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squadron eventually landed about 6.30 AM on the 6th June with the 3rd Canadian division.

I should be pleased to give you any more detailed information to help you in any way with your account.

Yours Sincerely John Murphy

17th June, 1958. J. Murphy, Esq., 43, Swaffield Road, S.W. 18. Dear Mr. Murphy, Further to my letter of the 27th May, Mr. Ryan is now in London and would very much like to meet you in connection with his hook on D-Day. I wonder, therefore, if you would very kindly telephone me at the above address so that we could arrange a mutually convenient meeting. Yours sincerely, (Joan Ogle Isaacs) Research Editor