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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? James Jefferson Hatch
What was your unit and division? 502nd Parachute Infantry, 101st Airborne
Division.
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ? Foncarville Prance (behind
Utah Beach) at 0100 hours.
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Captain
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 28 years of age
Were you married at that time ? Yes
What is your wife ’s name ? Louise Lindley Hatch
Did you have any children at that time? A daughter born while at port of
embarkation prior to leaving for England.
What do you do now? I am the Commanding Officer of the 2d Airborne Battle
Group, 187th Infantry in the 101st Airborne Division.
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? Being a
Battalion S-3, I was briefed on Normandy during the early months of I944 in
order that I could prepare the Battalion plans prior to our departure to the
marshalling area.
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 flight across the channel was proceeding as scheduled as we crossed
over the various ships utilized as markers. Next we passed near the Jersey,
Guernsey Islands where we first observed anti-aircraft fire. Then we commenced
to cross the Cherburg Peninsula. First thing we knew there was fog in front
of us and planes immediately separated. After coming out of the fog the first
indication we had of approaching our DZ was the pilot turned on the green light
without any verbal or red light warning. I stood my parachutists up and made
ready to jump and looked out and noticed the shore line ahead. I figured we
could make it without anyone getting wet. I was wrong the last man in my
stick landed in water up to his knees. We are still looking for the pilot that
falied to give us the proper warning.
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 olanned to set it afire when
the troops came in).
Most everyone slept during the crossing because we didn't know when
we would get any sleep again.