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WHITE, Wm. Benjamin
Canadian 1st Can. Div.
BOX 25, #32
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Canad. AB EXCERPT 1st Can/3rd Bgde
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? William Benjamin White
What was your unit and division? 1st Cdn Para - Bn 6 AIB [?Div?]
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Drop zone north of the Orne River at approx. 0045 hrs 6 Jun 44
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Pte
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 20
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? Investigating NCO with "Tactical and Technical Investigating Section" C[?g?]ATC Rivers Camp. (Sgt). Rivers, Manitoba
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? About 10 Days before "D" Day.
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? Crowded in the Aircraft and for some reason I went to sleep. Probably due to nervous tension.
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). None that I recall. Our morale was extremely high and we were all very confident.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name WB White
Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No
Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during landing or during the day? None of my immediate friends.
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties: No.
Were you wounded? Yes - 60 days later.
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? It didn't hurt and I was very surprised to find so much blood could come from such a little wound.
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? One of our M.G. personnel walking with a sack on his foot because he had sprained his ankle and could not get his boot on.
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? A french man volunteered to lead a group of us to the [?"Le Mesreil"?] crossroads. As far as we could make out his wife did not want him to go. He was a young man and seemed to think that it was his duty. Shortly after [crossed out] his [end crossed out] our group was jumped by an enemy patrol. He was killd instantly and none of us ever learned his name. We had to leave him there and continue.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name WB White 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? One of our people went over to a British Air craft on the ?audrome? in England and told the Officer in charge that his plane was loaded and requested space in the A/C. Whe told it was OK he scrounged a parachute from some where and went AWOL to France. He was supposed to be in the rear party. On landing he [crossed out] was [end of crossed out] reported to a Canadian Officer and was put [crossed out] on[end of crossed out] under Open Arrest to save him pay. Ingenious??" Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? [crossed out]illegible[end of crossed out] Flying over the Channel.
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? AT the "Le Mesnil" cross roads.
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? Sgt B.C. Robinson now serving with 1 Bn. R.C.R.
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.A. Milroy Lt.-Col. Director of Public Relations(Army) Cartier Square, Ottawa, Ontario