ryan_box023-tld_f48_02

THOUSANDS OF MEN, ON LAND AND SEA AND IN THE AIR,
PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF NORMANDY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT
JUNE 5, 1944 AND MIDNIGHT JUNE 6, 1944. IF YOU WERE
ONE OF THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.
What is your full name? JOHN JOSEPH BLAKE
What was your squadron, station, unit? R.C.N.V.R.
HMCS PRINCE HENRY
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time?
I believe it was about 3 A.M. The entire invasion force had
to be assembled before dawn to provide the best tactical advantage.
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? STEWARD
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 23 YEARS
Were you married at that time? NO
What is your wife's name?
Did you have any children at that time?
Telecommunications
What do you do now? I am in [crossed out] [illegible] [end crossed out] [inserted] GROUND TECHNICIAN [crossed out] [Electronics] [end crossed out]
R.C.A.F.
When did you know that you were going to be part of the
invasion? Several weeks before the actual invasion. Our ship was
known as LCI - LANDING CRAFT INFANTRY - the ship was modified or designed
expressly for this purpose.
What was the trip like during the crossing of the Channel?
Do you remember, for example, any conversations you had
or how you passed the time? During the crossing of the channel the
sea was quite choppy and it was quite foggy at the time. To
the navy boys it was not a rough journey but to the 5000 or
more soldiers it was quite rough, many were seasick.
What were the rumors on board the boat, ship or plane in which
you made the crossing? (Some people remember scuttlebut to the
effect that the Germans had poured gasoline on the water and
planned to set it afire when the troops came in). Some of the rumors
were to the effect that we would have to be wary of the German
E boats which were actually maneovorable, they would employ hit
and run torpedo attacks and they caused great havoc. Another
rumor was to the effect that the Germans would give us a
good pounding with their giant shore batteries. Another rumor
was to the effect that the German Air Force dive bombers
would make a final, tremendous effort on a do or die
principle to sink as many troop carriers as possible.