ryan_box024-tld_f62_02

[ inserted] Major F.A. McTavish [end inserted]

[inserted] EXCERPT [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?
FRANK ALEXANDER McTAVISH

What was your unit and division?
5 Field Company, R.C.E. [inserted] Royal Canadian Engineers [end inserted] attached to 3rd Cdn Inf Div

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time?
On the extreme left beach (I forget its code name)
Approximately H Hour.

What was your rank on June 6, 1944?
Major

What was your age on June 6, 1944?
34

Were you married at that time? Yes

What is your wife's name? Mary Elizabeth Mc Tavish

Did you have any children at that time?
Yes, one.

What do you do now?
Still in army

When did you know that you were going to be part of the
invasion?
Several months prior to invasion

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 rough and the seasick pills were not of much
help. The navy on the LCT which took us over kindly
offered a tot of rum shortly before landing which was
largely declined because of great queasiness. Men were
eager to get ashore - whether to engage the enemy or
escape the rolling motion I'm not sure.

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).
There were no rumours on our little LCT. Everyone was
well briefed and messages read to them from Montgomery
and Eisenhower were well received.