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V-E NY 36

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 M. Marsden (Redtop)

What was your unit and division? Intell & Redd plat of
8th Regt HQ of 4th Div.

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? UTAH- advance command post; about 7:

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? [insert] 1st [end insert] Lt

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 24

Were you married at that time? Yes

What is your wife's name? ---

Did you have any children at that time? 1 son

What do you do now? Asst State C. Def. Co-Ordinator
for St. of Va.

When did you know that you were going to he part of the invasion?
Around Jan '44 from U.S. spent last night
in New York getting tight.

What was the trip like during the crossing of the Channel?
remember, for example, any conversations you had or how you passed
the time?
Lt. Col. [crossed out] Carl S.[end crossed out] Fred A. STEINER, Exec of 8th Inftry
sat up on back of LCT his arms folded.
"Well he's asking for it.
"I'm going to kill them before they kill me."
On April 21st 1944, Eisenhower told the 8th
Rgt. "when you get to Berlin the Champagne

What were the rumors on "board the boat, ship or plane in which you made
the crossing? (Some people remember scuttle-but to the effect that the
Germans had poured gasoline on the water and planned to set it afire
when the troops came in).
is on me." A sgt standing beside
Mansden sd "That'll be a cheap party
-we'll all be dead."
Biggest fear was mines "one leg
will go one-way; the other one somewhere
else" on D-Day found himself
walking this mine field without noticing
them.