Box 025, folder 27: Gene Velux

VELUX, Gene

Canadian Royal Can. Engineer

Box 25, #27

Possible E

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? Gene Velux

What was your unit and division? 6 Fd Coy RCE 3 Cdn Div Royal Canadian Engineers

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Was a member of Special Assault Platoon No 2 attached to fwd coys of Regina Rifles and Winnipeg Rifles. Landed at Coursuelles-sur-Mer. Went in with first wave at "H" + 5 -- "H" was 0735 hrs on the morning of 6 June 1944.

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Sapper

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 28 years

Were you married at that time? No

What is your wife's name? N/A

Did you have any children at that time? N/A

What do you do now? Cpl electrician in CA(R) No SM 44828 15 Works Coy RCE - Winnipeg

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? Approx 30 May 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? Very rough. Suffered a lot of sea sickness. Most of the fellows were talking about their families at home in Canada and wondered if they would ever see them again.

One soldier (Spr Sawdon JE) was asked what he was thinking about and he told us in his own words "I'll never see home again". He didn't. I saw him being killed as soon as he hit the beach.

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). No rumors heard or talked about.

for Cornelius Ryan 2Your name VELUX G

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No. Our orders were that no records were to be kept.

Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during landing or during the day? Yes. Only three survivors, including myself, were left of the Platoon who went on with the Infantry. One was Spr Cleary, the other I don't remember.

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 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? The only thing that happened that scared me and then was funny was when I landed on the beach. I thought Jerry had hit me, but found that he had hit my water bottle instead. The water was running done my legs and I thought it was blood. I was lucky.

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simple memorable, which struck you more than anything else? No

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name VELUX G

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? On the boat awaiting instructions to proceed across the channel.

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? At 23OO hrs 6 Jun 44 we were at Fresne Camilly.

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? Yes. Mr R C Jackson, now employed as a carpenter with RCAF at Lincoln Park Station, Calgary, Alberta.

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 SEPERATE SHEETS IF WE HAVE NOT LEFT SUFFICIENT ROOM. FULL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT WILL BE GIVEN IN A CHAPTER CALLED "WHERE ARE THEY NOW:" YOUR NAME AND VOCATION OR OCCUPATION WILL BE LISTED.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

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