Box 024, folder 50: Robert F. Manning

[crossed out] [?SWORD EXTRAS?] [end crossed out]

Box 24, #50

MANNING, Robt F. CANADIAN NAVY

Box 24, #50

Material Recieved 6/29/59 see special folder

Extract

Brandon, MANITOBA

[inserted] Return attached photographs [end 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? Robert Francis Manning

What was your unit and division? Royal Canadian Navy, Minesweeping Flotilla

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Arrived at "Omaha" Beach, prior to dawn, between 4:30 and 5:00 A.M.

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Chief Petty Officer (Engine Room)

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 25 yrs. of age.

Were you married at that time? Yes. What is your wife's name? Willa Ann Manning )nee Osolin

Did you have any children at that time? No.

What do you do now? Maintenance Superintendent at the Manitoba Hydro Electric Board's new steam plant in BRANDON

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? We had an idea something "big" was brewing in May when we cleaned the ships boilers very frequently, and at training landings. Knew definately June 4, as it was postphoned 24hrs.

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? Please read attached sheet (1)

What were the rumors on board the boat, ship or plane in which you made the crossing? (Some people remember scut tie-but to the effect that the Germans had poured gasoline on the water and planned to set it afire when the troops came in). Please read attached sheet (2)

- for Cornelius Ryan 2-

Your name R.F. Manning

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? Sorry to say, I did not.

Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? No.

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? Nil.

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? Nil.

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? Please see attached sheet (3)

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Yes. Early in the morning when naval ships were bombarding the Nazi pillboxes, an American destroyer moved in a [illegible] and get a direct hit; in doing so it was blasted out of the water in a geyser of water and smoke. And in less than two minutes the only trace was a [illegible] and a few bodies; it was tragic! Insert (D-day?)

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 -

Your name R.F. Manning

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? Crossing the Channel.

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Lying off the landing beaches.

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? No.

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.

Connelius Ryan

Frances Ward Research, The Reader*s Digest

Suite 22, Upton Apts., Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.

July 15 1958.

Miss Frances Ward, Research Dept., The Reader's Digest, 230 Park Ave, New York 17.

Dear Miss Ward, In the July issue of the Legionary I read your article to the Editor, that Cornelius Ryan was writing a book on D-Day to be published next spring, and that Canadians who participated in that event were to contact you.

During the spring of 1944 I was serving on H.M.C.S. Caraquette, a Canadian Minesweeper, and for D-Day operation we were detailed a sweep Omaha beach for the American forces. The Caraquette was the flagship or senior ship of the flotilla with Commander Anthony Storrs in charge (I just read where his is to be the new head off Kingston Military College with the rank of Rear Admiral at Kingston, Ontario.) and later he was decorated three times in one month by the American, British and Canadian Governments. Actually, events started for us on June 4/44