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KAN 8
Plainville, KANSAS

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.
BLACK

What is your full name?
Edwin Everett Gardner

What was your unit and division?
116th Infantry Regiment; 29th Division

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ?
Omaha Beachhead; Dog White Section ; 7:00 A.M.

What was you rank on June 6, 1944?
P.f.c.
What was your age on June 6, 1944?
23 years

Were you married at that time ? no

What is your wife ’s name ? Helen

Did you have any children at that time? no

What do you do now? U.S. Rural Mail Carrier

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion?
Early Spring of 1944. We were firmly breafed
in May 1944 At Camp above Weymoth Harbor

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?
Had nice trip accross Channel, Everyone
was serious and was sure of going into
combat. However some thought it was
just another dry run on Slapton Sands
Some of the men said That night it might
be last time they would have to shove and
it was.

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).
We were hoping to establish
beachhead and then returning back to States.
Wishful thinking.