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McGECHIE, William
Canadian 298 Sq. R.C.A.F.
BOX 24, #56
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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? McGechie, William
What was your squadron, station, unit? 298 Squadron - Blandford
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? At the coast[inserted] , [end inserted]North of Caen, approximately 8:30 P.M., June 6, 1944
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? F/O
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 23
Were you married at that time? No
What is your wife's name? Betty
Did you have any children at that time? No
What do you do now? I am a member of 418 City of Edmonton Squadron, R.C.A.F and an Assessor for the Department of Mines and Minerals of the Provincial Government of Alberta.
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? Approximately 2 weeks prior to D-day when we were confined to station. Aircraft had 3 white rings painted on the wings for identification purposes.
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? Crossing the channel was very quiet. Halifax aircraft pulling Hamilcar gliders in follow the leader style. Unable to remember position in the line-up. Spent time keeping in line with other aircraft and watching the mile upon mile of boats crossing the channel.
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). Unable to recall any rumors.
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Your name W. McGechie
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, but two aircraft from our squadron had to ditch after pulling glider over channel. Both crews were picked up by Air-Sea Rescue and returned to England.
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties?: No
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? N/A
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? No
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 demaged? No enemy aircraft or flak were encountered. Small arms fire or machine-gun bullets struck our aircraft as we passed over Caen. I believe it was nine in total. One of the bullets came through the perspex nose and caused a short in the navigational aid (Gee) which immediately caught on fire. Set was turned off and fire put out with extinguisher. No controls were damaged by the bullets and no panic amongst the crew members.
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Your name W. McGechie
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? Confined to the station, but spent time wishing other crews the best of luck that were taking off at 2:00 A.M., June 6, 1944
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Just back from the trip over the beachhead
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, as I am unable to give address of other crew members.
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.