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CAL AB-E Sacramento
For Cornelius Ryan
Book about D-Day CAL-3

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? Jack Leslie Francis

Vilhat was your unit and division? Co E 505th Para Regt 82nd

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time?
St Mere Eglise 1 AM D Day 4 hours before the beachhead

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Cpl
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 28 yrs
Were you married at that time? Widower
Vrfhat is your wife's name?
Did you have any children at that time? 1 son
What do you do now? Roofer

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion?
when we left Italy for England. to a closer date I would say when they kicked me out of the hospital June 1st or 2nd
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?
I'm not good at putting on paper what I remember. I could
talk better. Our plane was over loaded, I being #22 -- last
man to jump. We had mines with detenators in them in the
para-rocks. In the moon lit nite (I think) I watched the plane run
off the concrete run-way on to dirt. The plane just missed going thru
a fence. This was my 3rd combat jump and the first time
I didn't get air sick.

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).