ryan_box024-tld_f02_05

APPENDIX "A" TO
(1) "FOR CORNELIUS RYAN"
FRANCIS J.DAVIES

1. When did we know we were going to be part of the invasion?

(a) From the time of the North African Invasion, the
grapevine had the 3rd Divisionpositively slated for the
next invasion.
(b) When they took away our 25 -pounders and re-equipped
us as a self-propelled regiment in March of 44, we knew
the time was getting close. This knowledge was [crossed out] a [end crossed out]
strenghtened by numerous waterproofing and "wet landing"
exercises, one right after the other.
(c) All remaining doubt was removed when they
moved us into a concentration area not far from
Southhampton after oe of the "wet" exercises. This time
the waterproofing was left n the vehicles. The normal
order at the [crossed out] end [end crossed out] [inserted] conclusion [end inserted] of an exercise had so far been: "OK you guys,
de-waterproof and shine up!" This time it was: "Check
your gear. If there were any leaks patch them up [crossed out] and [end crosed out] good!"
What were the rumors?
2. We were fairly isolated as a regiment for some time, and even
up to the moment of sailing there was no reassurance
that any more than our own division was taking
part. Scuttlebut had it that Jerry already knew.
and probably had everything ready for us. Memories
of Dieppe were renewed, and the conjecture was that
if Jerry knew where; if the coast was anything like