Box 023, folder 43: Robert Arbuckle

Box 23, #43 ARBUCKLE, Robert Canadian 2nd Can.

Nothing For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day 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? Robert Arbuckle What was your unit and division? 19 Canadian Army Field Regt RCA (S.P.) attached to 2 Canadian AGRA Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Arrived in Normandy at St Aubin-Sur-Mer and landed at 0910 HRS What was your rank on June 6, 1944? [?Gnr?] What was your age on June 6, 1944? 29 yrs Were you married at that time? yes What is your wife's name? Ida May Arbuckle Did you have any children at that time? no What do you do now? I am employed as a Sectionman on Canadian National Railways When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? Rumors started flying around some days before as soon as we started to waterproof all vehicles 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? The trip was rather monotonous as we were rather at close quarters on our LCT and when we finally received our invasion money we were deliberating as to how long we would take to get into Paris 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). Rumors on board the LCT were to the fact that the Germans had a very great number of troops stationed along the coast and that once we landed on the coast we had no way to back out of the fight we had to fight for existence as there was no way to turn back.

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Robert Arbuckle In times of great crisis, people generally show either great ingenuity or self-reliance; others do incredibly stupid things. Do you remember any examples of either from D-day? I do not remember any specific examples of any small detail some of us seemed to be in a sort of daze as though we actually didnt believe we had actually arrived at our big moment and a few of us forgot some of our training for a time and maybe done things kind of backwards. Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Someplace of the channel Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? still, aboul 200 yds from St Aubin - Sur mer Do you know of anybody else who landed within the 24 hours of D-day, June 6, as infantry, glider or airborne troops, or who took part in the air and sea operations, whom we should write to? you inquired as to where I would be during the month of August in case of wanting further information I can be reached at my home any time after working hours (8 to 5) just drop a line and I will make a point of being right at home Hoping I have been of some service to you Robert Arbuckle PLEASE LET US HAVE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT WE CAN INCLUDE YOUR EXPERIENCES IN THE BOOK. WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE YOUR STORY ON SEPARATE SHEETS IF WE HAVE NOT LEFT SUFFICIENT ROOM. FULL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT WILL BE GIVEN IN A CHAPTER CALLED "WHERE THEY ARE NOW;" YOUR NAME AND VOCATION OR OCCUPATION WILL BE LISTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. Cornelius Ryan Frances Ward Research, The Reader's Digest

[?Makinak Mase?] July 21st 1958 Miss Frances Ward Research Dept Dear Madam Upon reading the July issue of the "Legionary" I noticed this item regarding the writing of a Book of the landing on June 6 D'day I was one of the 19 Cdn S.P. Artillery Field Regt that landed on the beaches of St Aubin-sur-mer at 0910 hrs on June 6 th. I have a History of the Regt published in Book form written by of our own officers and if it would be any help towards the work you are doing I would not mind lending you the book for this purpose but would want it returned Hoping to hear from you yours truly Robert Arbuckle

July 31, 1958 Mr. Robert Arbukle Makinak Manitoba, Canada Dear Mr. Arbuckle: Thank you very much for your letter of July 21st, and for your willingness to help us with Cornellus Ryan's book about D-day. I hope you will forgive me for not having replied more promptly. We have been especially busy here because Mr. Ryan is presently working on the book in Europe.

As I wrote to Mr. Hundevad at The Legionary. Mr. Ryan wants very much to tell as much as he can of the story of the Canadians who went into Normandy on June 6, 1944. We have been directed to their weighty role in the invasion often and respectfully. However, we are somewhat at a disadvantage in approaching the Canadian story simply because of short time and long distance. In order to provide our Canadian interviewers with a sound basis for interviews there, I need from you the answers to the enclosed questions.

I hope very much that you will bear with us and return the completed question sheet to me as soon as possible. Since our research deadline is the first of September, I should be grateful too if you would let me know if and where you might be interviewed during the month of August.

This will not be a strategic history, but a story of the mental, physical and emotional impact of D-day as men truly knew it. To tell this story we sorely need your help. We particularly look forward to your reply. Sincerely yours, Frances Ward Research Department