Box 024, folder 65: Albert Basil Mosher

MOSHER, Albert Basil

Canadian North Noca Scotia Highlanders

Box 24, #65

[inserted] [crossed out] Note last para. - might be worth sending an interviewer down. [end crossed out] too late [underligned] Can Ext. Army [end underligned] [end inserted]

Sgt. Mosher- Ground Defense

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? 203841 Sgt. Albert Basil Mosher.

What was your squadron, station, unit? North Nova Scotia Highlanders.

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Bernieres-Sur-Mer.

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Pte.

What was your age on June 6, 1944? - 22 YRS.

Were you married at that time? NO

What is your wife's name? LOIS GRACE (CARD)

Did you have any children at that time? NO

What do you do now? GROUND DEFENCE INSTRUCTOR (RCAF)

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? APPROX 1 JUNE 1944

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? The open channel was fairly choppy on the night of June 5th. But was calmer the next morning. Time was spent mostly in briefings remimiscing past experiences, etc. and everyone was expressing their own verison of what the next few day would be like.

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). Various rumors were circulated as [crossed out] it [end crossed out] is always the case on any operation [crossed out] s [end crossed out] Minefields. 88s and Moaning Minnies and Hilters S.S. troops were the most prominent of the rumors. And of which I later learned were not to be under-estimated at any time.

Your name [underlined] Albert B. Mosher [end underlined]

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? yes.

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? The time element is too great to remember with accuracy any conversations, one may have had with personnel whom became casualties in relation to one particular day.

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? -

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? There were humerous [crossed out][illegible][end crossed out] occasions which seemed quite comical during the first few hours. chiefly due to the fact, everything seemed like a large scheme and most of us did not have the respect or even might say fear of enemy shells, mortars, Bombs, etc. that the next few days learntd us to have.

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable. which struck you more than anything else? Throughout the campaign many individual heroic deeds can be recalled. But within the first 24 hours. it is hard to pinpoint anything outstanding.

Did you encounter any enemy aircraft or flak? Was your aircraft demaged? scattered straffing & Bombing was encinntered during the first day. But if no particular importance to our particular section.

Your name [underlined] A.B. Mosher [end underlined]

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? as I remember there was nothing outstanding in the actions of any particular individual during [crossed out] the [end crossed out] "D" Day as we had not incountered the main opposition and things progressed more or less according to plan on the first day.

Where were at midnight on June 5, 1944? on the English channel.

Where were at midnight on June 6, 1944? somewhere between the coast of France and Beny-sur-Mer.

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? I know a considirable number of North Nova's and could prehaps get you considerable information as we are holding a Battalion reunion in amherst N.S. on Aug 16/58. [inserted] 39186 Sgt M.R. Ward, Greenwood (Para troop) [end inserted]

PLEASE LST 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 "WHHRE THBY 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.