Uncle James said they always kept a little extra distance from the guys carrying the high explosive charges that dangled on lines below the balloons. Though Linda Hervieux wrote that they all returned by the Battle of the Bulge, my Uncle told me about being there as not all got shipped back (and/or were temporarily reassigned to other duties, like searching for snipers). He talked the most about how cold it was (we are from South Carolina, after all), so cold that it sometimes their fingers could not pull the trigger on their guns. Also that they knew they could expect no mercy from the Germans if they were captured. He really hated it if the temperature ever got near freezing and always kept his house really warm in winter!
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There was a little controversy over Saving Private Ryan because one can see the balloons in the background in several scenes, but in an interview Tom Hanks said that there were no Black soldiers in the movie because there were none at Omaha. He apologized after he was told about the 320th! I just left this note for Chewbacca:
Though Linda Hervieux wrote that they all returned by the Battle of the Bulge, my Uncle told me about being there as not all got shipped back (and/or were temporarily reassigned to other duties, like searching for snipers). He talked the most about how cold it was (we are from South Carolina, after all), so cold that it sometimes their fingers could not pull the trigger on their guns. Also that they knew they could expect no mercy from the Germans if they were captured. He really hated it if the temperature ever got near freezing and always kept his house really warm in winter!
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There is a Philippine Diary Program that has a few entries from POWs and one Philippine Constabulary officer in Japan for further studies. I’m restricted to two links but the rest can be followed by just paging through the entries.
Leocadio de Asis
(November 1, 1919 — ?), lawyer. Captured with the Second Regular Division, USAFFE after the fall of Bataan. Selected by the Japanese to enter a training program at the Japanese-established Philippine Constabulary Academy. Assigned to the Academy staff and taught criminal law and government regulations. In May, 1943 was one of ten Philippine Constabulary officers selected by the Japanese for training and study in Japan.
June 7, 1944 (Wednesday; Tokyo)
“News of the long-awaited landing by the Allies on the Western coast of France was published in the newspapers this morning.”
Natalie Crouter
(October 30, 1898 — October 15, 1985). Resident of Vigan and later Baguio in the Philippines. Interned by the Japanese with her family in Baguio, then Bilibid Prison in Manila.
June 11, 1944 (Baguio City?)
“At roll call Bernie whispered to me, “If you hear any good news I think you can believe it this time.” Later I heard of a Cherbourg landing of our forces. The New Guinea advance is carrying them 400 miles ahead. Still later we heard the Tribune of June 7 had admitted landings all the way from Le Havre to Cherbourg. At last, at last, the invasion of France from England –many times rumored too soon.”
Carl E. Rice
(1877 — 1950). Veteran of Spanish-American War; served in Immigration Service; Senior Administrative Assistant in the Manila Base Quartermaster Depot. Married to a Filipina, he was eventually interned in Santo Tomas.
June 11, 1944 (Manila)
The Daily Tribune was prohibited, the news from the Normandy landing was not good for the Japs. We have script which comes over the wall with black market supplies and have some idea of how the war is going.
Natalie Crouter
June 14 (Baguio City)
No newspapers will be allowed to enter camp. “We are not to be concerned with social occurrences outside,” Mr. Yamato said. He feels that we can lead a more peaceful life by ourselves. He again stated that he wishes this to be “an exemplary camp.”
The Tribune tells of landings all along Brittany—40 thousand by sea, 60 thousand by paratroops and gliders after them. Previous to this, 11 thousand planes bombarded. The sea was rough holding up landings which were finally sent by air. Transport planes landed tanks and a big tank battle was in progress. The first phase was completed, the second about to begin. Gen. Dwight Eisenhower was in command on French soil. Rommel commanding Germans on French soil. The two great antagonists meet again, after Africa. Rome declared an Open City and evacuated “to spare its art treasures,” according to the Tribune. The front is now 40 miles north in Italy.
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Sorry about the tangent- but what you are telling me is that the African American contribution to the war was largely hidden, except for a token few that were noted for whatever reason. Hopefully, this entire effort can do a better job at publishing all of the contributions. (I learned of the effort in Bastogne from the book “Seven Roads to Hell”)
The pop culture history we all get is Tuskegee Airmen and the Red Bull Express.
We know the Tuskegee flew in North Africa- but between Torch and D-Day, what are we missing?
Again, sorry about the tangent, all. This should get lost in a massive list of contributions to this specific event.
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Not so much hidden as it’s barely taught, if at all. And when it is taught, it’s often either poorly taught or only being taught the most well-known units (see my posts on TG’s video for proof of that).
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Before Torch, blacks in the Pacific? (End of August 1942)
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Thanks- sorry that I’m not following your America at War thread that closely.
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Same holds true regarding the US Civil War, too.
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Many thanks, I have been to South Caroline multiple times and it is a beautiful state with a very intense history. Actually most people here in Europe my age know it from the North and South miniseries with Patrick Swayze and Morgan Freeman. Well there obviously was a LOT more to it. But many thanks again, I’ve been visiting Omaha since I was 8 (that I know of and keep learning new stuff here 
)
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Thank you, good source. A few lines here and there could be used in the series.
Best,
Wieke
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@zaccaria.tommaso97 hello Tommaso!
Interesting to see what your local news agency comes up with. I do have another question, with which you might be willing to help: I need to know if there are any transcripts / recordings / archives on Radio Londra (The BBC broadcasts to Italy).
I am searching in English, but you might be able to find other sources and angles in Italian.
Let me know if that works for you. And again, many thanks for the input:)
Best,
Wieke
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I don’t have too much detail but the Polish 303 squadron which wrecked havoc on the German formations in 1940 also participated in D-Day itself and beyond. They’re back.
No. 303 Squadron history (polishsquadronsremembered.com)
Here is another site (in Polish but google translate helps) Which contains tons of info including Poles who were assigned to the USAAF e.g 61st and were actively shooting down German planes at the time. I was aware of Poles with the RAF but not that they also had assignments with the USAAF.
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Oh before I forget: Norsk meteorolog utsatte D-dagen – NRK Norge – Oversikt over nyheter fra ulike deler av landet
Norwegian weather reporter delayed D-day by a day
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My Grandfather’s recollections. George Arnold, he was an Electricians Mate in the US Navy, and was aboard the flagship USS Augusta (CA-31)
"U.S.S. Augusta, England
June 3, 1944
To the one who picks up this album: the past week has been quite something, as I will state in the following.
At present, we are getting underway. We are moving out into the English Channel to await our time to start on the way to France. We have been preparing for this for some time and now everything is ready. On board there are admirals, whose names we shall never know; also three generals with a company of eighty-seven soldiers and fourteen English sailors. The ship is very overcrowded. I believe the invasion will take place tomorrow at dawn, Sunday, June the 4th.
On the 24th day of May 1944 King George of England was present to inspect our ship, which was quite an event.
I haven’t heard from home, nor had any mail since March 12th, seventy-one days to date and don’t expect mail until we get back to the states, which is one thing everyone looks forward to.
June 5, 1944
We are headed for France with the ship set for battle and expect to hit the beach at 4 a.m. tomorrow. The news correspondent, who is onboard, speaks to us and said, “This will be the longest battle ever known in history. There will be six thousand planes over us at all times.” So again we wait for the ‘big push’ to begin
June 7, 1944
8:37 a.m.
Things are still quiet. A few unidentified planes have been reported, but nothing has happened. We see packs, food, money belts; gas tanks, etc. go floating by the ship, which are reported to have come from the beach.
Today’s chow was as follows: Breakfast: K rations (a can of ham and eggs) dog biscuit, fruit bar, powder for coffee, four lumps of sugar and two cigarettes. At noon we had hash, coffee, bread and tonight it will be boiled eggs and ham, bread and coffee.
Everyone says the same thing “I wish something would happen!” Last night we were headed for the coast of France and this morning we are laying about one mile off the coast at anchor. Things are very quiet – too dammed quiet. One destroyer has been hit, damage unknown. The men are being picked up. Quite a few of our seagoing jeeps are out control and the landing barges are picking them up. No one can understand why it is so quiet, as the Germans must have a number of gun replacements on the beach, but they aren’t firing on us.
9:37 a.m.
Our news correspondent has just said a few words over the PA. The Germans report we have bombed heavily, landed troops by sea and air and all objectives of our ship have been knocked out. At 6:35 the first troops landed, followed by a second. At 6:36 they established a beachhead, but it remains to be seen whether it can be held. Tonight we expect heavy air attack. So far, one ship is lost and one damaged. Four planes have been shot down. I saw one plane come over in flames. The men got out OK and were picked up, but the plane, a bomber, crashed into the sea.
Our wounded soldiers are being sent back and another wave is to go out at 10:02 – 11:35. The second wave has landed and we are unloading troop ships to send in the third wave. In the distance one can see more landing craft coming up. The enemy has moved 16” guns up to the line, but we are knocking them out. The army is inland six miles.
June 8 5:15 a.m.
We have moved to another beach head and lay at anchor about two miles off shore. All generals, admirals and their staff have left the ship to join General Eisenhower.
No firing has been done since early day before yesterday, as it damages our radio equipment. We have a lot of radio equipment onboard, as we are the flagship of the western branch of the invasion force. It is still very quiet and the word has been passed that we will be at GQ (general quarters) from 11 to 20 days. I hope not, as we cannot sleep!
June 8, 8 a.m.
The day is clear and cool, but it seems to be getting warmer. Last night, we had air raids as expected, but no damage done. This morning we moved in closer, in fact, we can see the men fighting on the beach, that is firing over the hills into France. The German news broadcast from Berlin said, “The Americans have landed and are moving inland, taking no prisoners”.
Chow this morning consisted of rice, powdered mild, prunes, and coffee. We had had heavy air raids tonight and lost one destroyer, but all the crew were saved. Shrapnel fell on deck like rain, but did nothing, except chip our paint. We are lying close to the beach and army supplies and men are pouring over the beachhead. We hear the boys are doing a swell job on the beach and have a few hundred prisoners. Our news correspondent went over and talked to the boys and said the Germans don’t look like supermen. They are think, dirty, and ill bred. The prisoners say Hitler has his main army and they will defeat us. Our army has built roads up the embankment and are headed inland. Two beachheads were started and have been joined and our boys are moving inland at a good rate. Our losses are light, compared to what was expected, but many men are wounded. The Seabees have landed and are running liberty ships on the beach.
We do very little all day and now we can get from two to four hours sleep every night, which is a lot when you haven’t slept for a week.
June 9th
It is quiet today, but early this evening the Germans came over and did a little bombing. All told, they made three raids, but no damage was done. Soon they will realize they can’t win, as every time they come over they loose three or four planes.
We got the report from the beach at 8:30. One report was that the Germans have French girls from 13 to 17 years, who are snipers, but can’t shoo t worth a damn and our soldiers just pick them off like duck. We manage to get a little sleep now, as we stand watch 8 on and 4 off. I am on watch at present. The watch is not bad, as we read, play cards, and listen to the old salts tell sea stories.
Sunday, June 10th
Today has been like every day for the past week. The army is advancing steadily, with a beachhead 60 miles long and 8 miles inland. The losses are few and our Red Cross ships came in yesterday, three of them in all, to take the wounded.
Tonight we had heavy raids with no damage. About 20 minutes ago, we were put back in a battle with every man on his station, but so far nothing has happened. Everyone seems to think we are going to fire main battery. The talk has been that we will be going back to Plymouth, England Tuesday and that we will get mail there. I’ll believe when we reach there have our mail in our hands.
June 20th
Still off the coast of France in one hell of a storm. We have been on our battle stations for 14 days, 24 hours a day. The boys are getting restless, s during the day everything is quiet. At night the Jerrys come over and bomb hell out of things. So far, we haven’t been hit. We have lost one man. Yesterday, a seaman was washed over the side. We have news and mail from home. The news is just a big build up, as half of it isn’t true.
July 5th 2400
We left Plymouth at 0500 today and are now off the coast of Spain headed for the Mediterranean and probably Algeriers. This past month, we on the Augusta, broke the worlds record with 28 days at GQ (our battle stations). It was not exactly as home newspapers stated, but there were German air raids every night, which naturally kept us awake and during the day, we got very little sleep. We slept on the cold steel deck.
Just before we left France, over 800 planes went over and we watched them drop bombs on an inland city. It took them just 27 minutes to fly over and return.
We have no idea what we will do in the Mediterranean, but tomorrow we are to meet three battle ships.
July 14th
The last notes I made, was when we were on our way to the Mediterranean. After five and a half days we stopped in Oran, French West Africa. Here we spent three days, which was the best liberty town we have hit. The people were French, Spanish and Arabic. They are very dirty and can’t speak a word of English. There is no water fit to drink in Oran, but plenty of American beer. One soldier I spoke with said the only time they get a drink of water is when a ship comes in. The rest of the time they drink beer, which is two cents a glass. It is very hot, in fact I’ve seen it at 130 degrees at 12 noon. The sun comes up at 4:40 and doesn’t set until 12 or 12:30 at night. W had to be very careful of the Arabs, as they still kill an American every chance they get. (Americans kill them in their spare time).
We are in Sicily and will get under way for Naples at 7 tonight. I hope to see Frank (George’s brother) soon."
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The BBC did a people’s history in around 2000, still online
They have 600+ personal accounts recorded about D-Day
https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/categories/c54665/
They have some audio accounts here
https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/dday_audio.shtml
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For the 50th anniversary in Portsmouth they put up a trail for veterans and their families to walk in around the city with plaques highlighting buildings role. I can’t seem to find the original website but this has some of the places.
The D-Day museum in Portsmouth has alot of material
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The Portsmouth library and local paper I know have lots of archived photos aswell Also I thought this was a nice story
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Awesome and a very hearty Welcome to the forum Captain. Let me/ us know should you have any queries. I must revisit Portsmouth some time soon! I really only went for the HMS Victory last time and went on to Tangmere and other RAF places. As for the other D-Day museum, I was in Duxford for the 75th Anniversary and booked an escort/training flight of the DAKS on a Harvard/T6 Texan, that was awesome. I hopped on a boat to Normandy straight after to see the paratroopers land from C-47s in Sannerville Normandy. Some of those were there on D-Day as well and the DAKS were allowed to fly in formation with Air Force One. :-). Dux is not just a museum but a real Airport with flight schools. The UK has tons of these great museums. (ok rambling on a bit!) but please share as much as you can.
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Here’s a fun little linkage to the modern day: the American tank landing ship USS LST-510 used during the D-Day invasion is still in service, now known as the MV Cape Henlopen, a commercial vehicle ferry between New London, Connecticut and Long Island.
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