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NY-3
LL NY-3
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 ? Benjamin Branche Talley.

What was your unit and division? Headquarters, V Corps. (Deputy COS for plans
for V Corps) (Commanding Officer, V Corps Information Team.)

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ?
Approx 0730 6 June 1944

What was your rank on June 6, 1944?
Colonel

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 41.

Were you married at that time ? Yes.

What is your wife's name ? Manila Davis Talley.

Did you have any children at that time ? Yes.

What do you do now? Vice President, Raymond International Inc., Construction
140 Cedar Street, New York City.
Tel: CO 7-7070

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? June 1943.
I transferred from Alaska especially to take part in 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 ?
As quiet and as normal as such a trip could be. Everybody were calm and went
about their business. In the afternoon of 4 June, and of 5 June- since we returned
to [crossed out] Portland Harbor [end crossed out] Portland Harbor, on 5 June for a fresh start- we stood on deck
watching the convoy and the escort of planes overhead.Some reported they saw a
floating mine. I did not. Many of us were tired and lay in our bunks much of the time.
I read and slept. I slept well during the evening and was scheduled for a wakening at
0030 since I was to be first to disembark. They called me at 0030 5 June and told me
we returning to England because of weather. I went back to sleep and slept until
about 0700 on 5 June, got up, was called to the Headquarters Ship for conference with
the CG V Corps; requested authority to land at 0700 rather than 0900 as originally
planned. The CG asked, "And, what shall I tell Mrs. Talley?" I replied, "Tell her I
did just what I wanted to do." He said, “Remember, it is the equipment we are worrying
about, not you". To this I answered in the same manner, "I understand". I returned to
my ship, and we set out again.
[inserted] [?Gerow?] - he told him
that he should follow
2nd wave. [end inserted]
What were the rumors on board the boat, ship or plane in which you made
the crossing ? (Some people remember scuttlebut to the affect that the
Germans had poured gasoline on the water and planned, to set it afire when
the troops came in ).
There were no rumors aboard our ship. Having seen what the British did to
protect their own shores, and knowing the terrain where we were to land, we apprec-
iated it was a “natural" for the use of incendiaries on the water, and we were fearful
or[f] it, but there were no rumors. Also, our intelligence told us there were large rocket
launcher positions back of the beach, and we were apprehensive, since we “heard" they
were 11" diameter. Everyone was remarkably calm. It seemed so then, and does now,
after 14 years.