Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 022, folder 21: Ronald John Northwood

Beach looked like mass of men, little German resistance. Mines blown up - they were scattered along beach, together with obstacles. No return fire from Gerry. Only plane we saw that day was a JU 88, flew low over mast, didn't fire, merely observation job, no time to take pot at him. Didn't use pom-pom all day. "Couldn’t believe that there were no enemy about. Everybody was surprised . Couldn't quite realise what it was all about.” Surprising to find no gerry ships or bombardment. We were on action stations all day, talked about what was going on "over there ”, football, my brother "I've got a brother over in Germany.” "I wonder what is going to happen to us ? ” All day pretty quiet, weren't expecting anything in way of enemy activity by now. In the evening troop transports started coming in, big supplies. About same time petrol dump on beach got hit and went up in flames. Illuminated beach for miles. Burnt all that night and for days later. Felt pretty confident by then. "We can't get pushed back now. We are firmly entrenched." Rum issue came round, I didn't get any - under age - had to be 20 before eligible. I remember saying "Don't drink it too fast, it will choke you.” Vian was on bridge all the time accompanied by two marine escorts. Mum heard it on radio, never slept for days after, she said. Couldn't do her work ( housework ), terrible day she had. I was the youngest of family of three boys, one brother a Chindit, Sydney, five years older, and my other in German P.O.W. She said she listened to radio all day long. POW brother, Ernest, had radio in Stalag. Said German guard heard it on radio, came into men and said "It won't be long now.” He, Ernest, though brother Ronald was too young to be in Second Front. Mother's name was Alice, used to be called "Al." I was called ’’Ron". Before I went into Navy I was working at firm of W. H. Allen, Essex Street, Strand, in Warehouse at first, then in office. Head of office and Secretary of the Company was Mr. H.L. Martin. "Heard SCYLLA mentioned in radio bulletin; we are all proud of you, thinking of you and your mother" she wrote to him on D-Day. I wrote to Mum on a v-mail "Don't expect to hear anything from me yet.” ( I was waiting all day to use my pom-pom ) My father was a great man for the wireless, listened to all news. When Mum heard announcement, she said it was a piercing, penetrating, horrible voice, went right through her. We had an old Cossor set, still have it ... in kitchen, sits on top of gramophone which does't work, didn't then! Father's name William. Family must have told the whole street I was in the Invasion. A neighbour had a relative on the WARSPITE, so there was a bit of competition with her and my Mum. Neighbour was Mrs. Spurdgeon. When wounded came onboard, one of them said "Don't look like that boys, we are going home!" I manned gun from about 6.0 p.m. June 5th right through D-Day, complete "action stations " all day. Chief Petty Officer in charge, sat up above us in Radar Tower; he used to call me ( and others ) "babies", "Shame you've got to leave home, your footmarks haven't worn off doorstep”. Note: Young boy, youngest in family, Mum worried sick about him, people where he worked thinking of him, brother in pow camp, another with Chindits. He didn't fire gun all day - scared himself, although he had seen enemy action when his home was bombed ( twice ) ... more scared when he saw wounded, wished to heaven he could go back to London with them ... wanted something to happen to relieve tension, wanted to fire his gun ..never called upon to do so ...kipped down by side of gun... talked about football and what it was like over there..didn't worry much about mum and dad , only thought he was helping to liberate his brother in Germany. Amen.

17th June, 1958. R. J. Northwood, Esq., 37, York Grove, Peckham, S.E. 15. Dear Mr. Northwood, Further to my letter of the 10th June, Mr. Ryan is now in London and would very much like to meet you in connection with his book 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

1st July, 1958 R. J. Northwood, Esq., 37, York Grove, Peckham, S.E. 15. Dear Mr. Northwood, I really must apologise for the delay in sending you the enclosed postal order to cover the expenses you incurred when you kindly came to see Mr. Ryan last week. Mr. Ryan is busy interviewing D-Day veterans, but he will be writing to you personally in a week or so. Yours sincerely, Joan Ogle Isaacs, Research Editor. Enclosure