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IA 14
Woodburn
IOWA
LL

For Cornelius Ryan
Book about D-Day

Green

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?
WILBERT LeROY SMITH

What was your unit and division?
Co. F. 116th INF. 29th DIV.

Where did you arrive in Normandy and at what time?
OMAHA Beach 6A.M. JUNE 6

What was your rank on June 6, 1944?
PFC

What was your age on June 6, 1944?
NINETEEN

Were you married at that time? No

What is your wife's name?
ROSALIE FRANCIS SMITH

Did you have any children at that time?
NO

What do you do now?
FARMER

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion?
March or April of 44

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 weather was very bad we were in
the Channel an extra day because of it.
We read, slept, played poker. We also
had boat [illegible] + we had formations,
+ inspection

Were there any rumours aboard 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.)
I don't remember to much. We
were supposed to have an easy time.
Element of surprise + a light (If any)
concentration of German troops