ryan_box024-tld_f02_04

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 -
Your name FRANCIS J. DAVIES

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 remember that while I was down in the tank thanking
my stars I had ducked in time, the driver risked his life
to climb into the co-driver's seatand let go with the
30 calibre Browning mounted there. i don't know if it was
heroism or devotion to duty, but I do know it's impossble to
climb from the ground into the driver's hatch of a
Sherman tank without exposing yourself completely to
whatever may be in front. I'm sorry I can't remember his name,
but he made it, without a scratch.
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944?
Somewhere between the Southampton docks and the
middle of the English Channel.
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944?
Not many miles from "Benny"-Sur-Mer - in the middle of a wheat
field, receiving wireless fire orders from our Troup Captain, who
was at a Foreward Observation post not too far away.
Do you Know or anybody else who landed wlthin 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'm sorry. I have completely lost touch with
my old regiment and all it's members,but I believe
the 66th/81st Association still exists in Montreal.

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
IP 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.A. Milroy Lt.-Col.
Director of Public Relations(Army)
Cartier Square,
Ottawa, Ontario