Box 023, folder 46: Gilbert Bayliss

BAYLISS, Gilbert R.C.A.F Canadian Box 23, #46

F/o Bayliss Please fill and submit as soon as possible [?JB?] nothing 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? GILBERT BAYLISS What was your squadron, station. unit? 612 Sqdn R.A.F. CHIVENOR COASTAL COMMAND Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? NEVER LANDED THERE What was your rank on June 6, 1944 ? FLYING OFFICER What was your age on June 6, 1944? 22 Were you married at that time? No What is your wife's name? GWENYTH MAY Did you have any children at that time? No What do you do now? STILL FLYING OFFICER When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? ABOUT 6 MONTHS PREVIOUSLY 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? A LITTLE EXCITED. AND MORE THAN USUALLY WARY REGARDING ENEMY AIRCRAFT. 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). WE WERE WELL INFORMED

Your name G. Bayliss Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? Include any impressions from it. NO Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during landing or during the day? NO Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties?: - Were you wounded? No Do you remember what it was like--that is, do you remember whether you felt any pain or were so surprised that you felt nothing? - Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? NO Did you encounter any enemy aircraft or flak? Was your aircraft damaged? SAW UNIDENTIFIED AIRCRAFT, BELIEVED TO BE JU 88 AND ME 10. NO DAMAGE

Your name G. Bayliss 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? NO Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944 ? ILFRACOMBE NORTH DEVON Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944 ? OVER ENGLISH CHANNEL ON U BOAT PATROL 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? (I) REMAINDER OF CREW ALL RAF MEN, (II) RAF KINGSWAY LONDON WC2 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. W.M. Lee Squadron Leader Director of Public Relations (Air) Air Force Headquarters, Ottawa, Ontario.