Remembering D day 6 June 1944

The 3rd Division had been for 2 years trainng on combined operations in Scotland in all weathers. In the summer of 1943-1944 we did a lot of landings up and down the Moray Firth in very cold conditions, the sea water was very cold, but we survived.

In late April, 1944 the assault forces started moving South to concentrated areas in woods at Rowlands Castle and other woods near to Portsmouth. The weather was kind and we had very few parades so we kept occupied with cricket and football. One thing I do recall was the smell of bacon from the Field Kitchen in the woods - tray upon tray of bacon and fried eggs - they certainly fed us well for the hard times ahead!

In mid May the assault forces had the Final Exercise called "Carter Paterson" - so called because of Carter Paterson's name as a very well known carrier of all types of goods. The excersise was timing of loading onto ships and also for getting off the assault craft for beach landings. We landed at Littlehampton and made our way to Arundel where we built a small bridge on the river Arun - similar to the river Orne in Normandy - a tidal river.

D day was coming nearer. A few days before we embarked for the invasion, my company, 246 Field Co RE were taken to South Lancs Regt (with whom we had trained for several years) to see a large sand model of the beaches and various enemy positions - one being "Hillman." Of course we didn't know it was to be Normandy, but one of our lads guessed right, having seen the sand model.

Finaly the day came for us to leave the concentrated area and on Saturday June 3rd we were taken by escorted transport to the naval barracks near where Gosport Ferry came in and we were ferried out by the Navy to our Landing Ship - Infantry named "Empire Battleaxe". We haad to climb an iron stairway to the decks above and I was very pleased that a rope was lowered for my 75lbs of TNT to be hoisted up, otherwise I could have fallen backwards.

We settled into our alloted areas below deck and were given our serial number for orders to follow. Our Section's serial number was 16 - port side for getting into the assault craft. When your meal turn came round, serial 16 would be called - all very well organised.

Sunday 4th June all the boats (assault) were loaded with assault troops and did a spin around the Solent. The Solent was crammed with all sorts of craft, some were very queer- looking in shape which turned out to be sections of the Mulberry Harbour. The day finally came when we were told the invasion would be Normandy. Monday, late afternoon, we leaned against the rails and watched the great armada slowly move out going through the Boom that came out from the Isle of Wight. It was very late evening on 5th June that our Empire Battleaxe moved out. Eddie Wood, a fellow Sapper and myself leaned out and waved to the 2 men on the Boom - it seemed so strange - just 2 men waving us off! Then Eddie said "We shall be remembered on 11th November every year". Eddie was killed the next day - D Day and its a remark I have never forgotten.

Now for the actual landings: Serial 16 was called for breakfast at about 3 am. We had porridge, bacon and eggs and pieces of very white bread which most of us kept and put in our "dixies" for later on in Normandy. At about 6.30 am all the lights below deck were "Red" and Serial 16 was ordered to Boat Stations Port-side now. Every man had to hang onto the belt of the man in front of him and so, crocodile fashion, we made our way to the boat stations. Our assault craft were lowered into the water.

Before we set off for the beaches (about 5 miles) the Captain of Empire Battleaxe wished us good luck and God speed and said it was an honour to be involved with us all. Then off we went to "Sword Beach". The noise was terrific and there was a smell of cordite in the air. We could see the coast and buildings. As we got nearer shells started coming over. I was next to an Artillary Officer who gave a running commentary "This one's going over - so is this one" - all very comforting! Within a few hundred yards of the beach we all kept our heads down until we touched the beach. Down went the ramp and out we poured. The first two lads were shot down on the ramp and we had to step over them and go forward. Within a few minutes lads we had known and trained with for a number of years were on their backs, wounded and being covered with the incoming sea. It was all absolute madness as war is! The officer who should haave led us off the beach was wounded and looked dead but about 40 years later, at a reunion, we found he had survived.

We finally got off the beach and made our way to our rendezvous, a farm at the crossroads at Hermenvillle and met up with the rest of our Company. We dried our kit in the sunshine, opened our 24 hr packs and had a meal feeling very exhausted. We then awaited further orders.

"Hillman" enemy position above Hermenville had still not been taken and it finally fell at about 8pm with some of 246 Field Co RE being very active in the action. But before all that happened, at about 5.30pm and it seemed they came out of the sea, a huge RAF force dropped supplies to 6th Airborn. The sky was full of parachutes and a fantastic sight! Despite all the noise of gunfire and bombing we managed to get a little rest ready for the next day.

In the weeks to come we were involved in various actions - laying minefields, picking up minefields and an attack on Chateau la Rhonde. We were under mortar fire for a long period, then moved into attack in the dark against German machine guns firing on fixed lines which was very eerie. We had to withdraw with one of our lads wounded and three others taken prisoner.

A few weeks later I was wounded, ending my Normandy action and luckily came home. I still have my tin hat with a hole in it.

Hope you can get some idea of what it was like on D day 1944 - 6th June.

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