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Newhaven, CONNECTICUT

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 BEVAN WILLIAMS

What was your unit and division? 116TH INF. DIV.
(COMPANY B) of the 29th div A/A report

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? D-DAY JUNE 6, 1944
H+30 - SUPPOSED 6:30 A.M., ACTUALLY ABOUT 7:00 A.M.

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? 1ST LT.

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 27

Were you married at that time? YES

What is your wife's name? CORA HELEN BENNER WILLIAMS

Did you have any children at that time? NO

What do you do now? SEC.- TREAS.- THE ACME WIRE CO.
HAMDEN, CONN.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? HARD TO
RECALL EXACTLY- PROBABLY FALL OF 1953.

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?
RELATIVELY UNEVENTFUL- IT SEEMED STRANGE THAT GERMAN PLANES
WEREN'T ATTACKING THE CONVOY WITH THE OTHER SIDE OF
THE CHANNEL SO CLOSE, AND SO MUCH ACTIVITY THAT THEY
MUST HAVE SURMISED WHAT WAS HAPPENING. SLEEPING THAT
NIGHT WAS DIFFICULT WUTH THE INVASION ON MY MIND, AND WITH
CLOTHING ON AND EQUIPMENT PILED ABOUT. WE ALL CARRIED SO
MUCH EQUIPMENT THAT WE DIDN'T SEE HOW WE COULD DO MUCH
FIGHTING.

What wrere 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 HEARD THAT SEVERAL OF THE AIR CORPS SATURATION
BOMBING MISSIONS SCHEDULED FOR OUR LANDING AREA HAD
BEEN [crossed out] SO [end crossed out] CANCELLED- AND NATURALLY RESENTED IT.