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Major Francis David Goode
D Co of the 2nd Glosters 56 Ind Brig
follow up brigade of 50 Div
went in behind the Hampshires at
Le Hamel on Gold- 120 men Inftry
soliders carrying 70 lbs apiece
because they didn't expect transport
until D + 3 mostly ammo in packs
Pulled in H + 2
~~~
Traveled over LCI (L) from Southhampton
which held about 200 men average
age of Co D was 21 Gave them
leave before hand + had only one
deserter "We knew he would anyway"
says Goode
~~~
Goode was 25. "7,000 ships" "1000
aircraft " in support of operation he
told troops. Had a scare of mines during
night. Was on bridge "heard dull thud
my God we've hit a mine" What
had happened was a sailor had
exploded a pressurized tin of cocoa.
Place was covered with cocoa
~~
Everyone very sick. Postponement
"It was rather like being pushed
into the operating theatre only
to be told that the surgeon couldn't
make it"
~~~
Goode knew that they could expect
60% casualties. Lot of Welsh miners,