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[inserted] GA-32
Marietta, GA AB-E
BLUE- from
[illegible]
a suburb) [end inserted]

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 MIDNGIHT JUNE 6,
1944. IF YOU WERE ONE OF THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

What is your full name?
Bartley Edward Hale
What was your unit and division?
507th Parachute Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division
Where do you arrive in Normandy, and at what time?
Between St. Mere Eglise and Volognes. About 0200.
What was your rank on June 6, 1944?
2nd Lt.
What was your age on June 6, 1944?
31
Were you married at that time?
No
What is your wife's name?
Anneil Jones Hale
Did you have any children at that time?
No

What do you do now?
I retired from the army in 1956 and am now a student at the Univeristy
of Georgia.
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion?
My unit went to a marshalling area in England six days before D day
and started briefing for the invasion.
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?
Our flight of C 47's got airborne about 2230 hours. I don't know any-
thing about the route but I do Know they flew us on a round about course
and flew over the Guernsey and Jersey Islands where some anti aircraft
fire was encountered. When they got on true course they flew only about
100 feet above the channel.
There was little conversation in flight. Everyone was loaded with
equipment that it was impossible to move around in the plane and, too,
all the men had taken motion sickness pills and were drowsy. I do
remember St. McCarroll saying just before we hit the French Coast,
that if he were home now his favorite "hot spot" would be infull
swing.

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).
Of course there was no time on the plane for rumors to start but in
the marshalling area "Axis Sally" was talking to the boys over the
radio telling them what a "warm reception" awaited them.
It had no effect at all except it was food for a laugh and she played
good music.