Box 024, folder 48: John C. R. K. MacRae

MacRAE, John C.R. K. Canadian 3rd Div. Box 24, #48

[inserted] EXCERPT [end of inserted] 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? John Chester Roy Kingsboro MacRae M.C.

What was your unit and division? Norht Shore (NB) Regt. 3rd Division (Canadian)

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? near Courselles, 2 pm D Day

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? [crossed out]Lieutanant [end of crossed out] [inserted][?sted/][end of inserted]

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 31

Were you married at that time? Yes

What is your wife's name? Mina Catherine

Did you have any children at that time? yes 3.

What do you do now? Member of Canadian Parliment representing York Sunbury (NB) Also President, Fredricton Business College

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? approximately a month before D Day

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? Quiet crossing, I slept several hours during the night. Some of the boys wrote letters, a few played cards all were quiet, I shared a stateroom with the Ships Surgeon, a most considerat chap. (British)

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). Don't recall any of this, but of course, the rumors were many.

- for Cornelius Ryan 2Your name JCRK MacRae

Did you by any chance a keep a diary of what happened to you that day? Yes, I have a diary for the whole war.

Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during landing or during the day? Yes, many, as our Regt was an assault unit.

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties: no. My biggest thrill was when I first [crossed out] [illegible] [end crossed out] saw the shores of France, at dawn. Then, when we touched down, & waded into shore. Was sure glad to be a part of this "do". I always had complete confedence we would pull it all off successfully.

Were you wounded? [crossed out] Yes, knocked unconscience [end crossed out] Not on "D" Day was a casualty later, at Caen.

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? Some character stole my pistol during the night of June 5so I landed unarmed. Got myself a rifle from the first casualty I saw on the beach.

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? A British Engineer Major, seriously wounded, unable to walk but carrying on his job, directing his men on the beach. A headless Cdn Artillery Captain, in a minefield. (a FOO.) An old lady cheering us, who, when I said to her "Viva la France" said "Oui, et vive la Angleterre, Aussi!"

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 Your name JCRK MacRae

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 Was impressed by the hundreds of ships of all kinds by the firing of the great "battle wagons". & the rocket ships. The coolness of the officers & men under fire. Many seemed to act as if it was just another "Exercise"

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? [crossed out] Banville -sur - [end crossed out] On board ship "Invicta" in the Channel

Where were you at midnight on June 6, I944? Banville-sur-Mer - a few miles inland

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? J. Ernest Anderson D.S.O. Dept of Health Frederiction, NB. Robert Ross, M.C. Ross Shoe Store Woodstock N.B.

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. If I can be of any further help please let me know. John

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