Page 3

- 2 -

When did you get to the ETO and what previous combat had you seen?
1) December 1943 (North Ireland)
2) Participated in the invasion of Sicily July 9,1943, and
the invasion of Italy Sept 1943.
3) Participated in invasion of Normandy June 6, 1944.

When did you know you were going to be part of the Holland operation?
Late August 1944 or early Sept. Memory poor on this.
There were several airborne operations set up for our division
prior to the Sept 17th Invasion of Holland. However these were
cancelled due to rapid advance of Patton's army thru France & Belgium.

What was your reaction? Were you anxious, resigned or relieved, for example,
to return to action?
Both relieved and anxious to get on with the war.
Morale was high and from Jim Gavin on down we
wanted to regain the momentum and [crossed out]rejoin[end crossed out] [?reassume?] the
initiative [crossed out]as[end crossed out] we had [crossed out]been [illegible][end crossed out] gained in Normandy.

What was the trip like into Holland? Do you remember seeing anything unusual
or any conversations you had or how you passed the time?
Like nothing before or since. We felt like sitting ducks for the German AA battery. During
flight over Channel and into the lowlands several tow planes and gliders were
shot down. Riding as Co-pilot I was kept busy checking our route into the D.Z.
Also kept in touch with Col Walter Winton G-2 via Walky-Talky radio. Col Winton was
flying in a glider in formation with mine. We encountered heavy flak over 'OS'
which was only minutes from our D.Z. However, landed on target and reached our rendezvous point
intact.

How did you feel about a daylight operation? Do you recall any conversations
with your friends about it? What was said?
The daylight operation came as bit of a surprise to most of us. However, after
thorough briefing and analysis of our mission we felt that our chances
for success were excellent. It was generally agreed that with the
element of surprise going for us [crossed out]we[end crossed out] our mission could be accomplished.

What were the rumours on board the plane or glider in which you flew to Holland?
Had you heard, for example, that if the Holland invasion was successful, the war
would be over by winter?
There was some talk that with a well-coordinated effort (between U.S. & British
Airborne troops as well as British ground elements) we might make a run
at Berlin and wind things up by Christmas. The "Krauts" had other
ideas.

Did you by any chance keep a diary or notebook of what happened to you during
the period just prior to September 17, 1944 through September 26, 1944? Do you
still have it?
I maintained the G-1 Journal for the Division. Also
kept personal activity schedule during days leading up to
the invasion.