GLIDER PILOT INTERROGATION

We landed at 307-982 with three other gliders in the same field at about 0400. There were German machine guns on two sides of us. We were strafed in the air and on the ground. We had an ammunition trailer in the glider, but the gun was in the glider which landed in the middle of a swamp, so the ammunition was of no value. The six airborne enlisted men in the glider were okay.

We dispersed and hid around the area all morning, then went to the railroads bridge over Merderet. We had to wade through water up to our shoulders to get there. We met the 507th Airborne coming down the tracks toward their regimental CP at 319-962. The 507th were to take Granville but it was too hot for them. Snipers got a few of the airborne on the way down.

At the CP we went on guard duty (J. P. Smith, co-pilot in another plane, and I). We were relieved and went back to the CP at about 1600 on D Day and dug in. Here we met the airborne and went out on patrols until 2300 and got back in our holes and guarded the area. We turned in all but two clips as the Airborne needed the ammunition. We watched Horsas coning in being strafed and they had poor fields to get into.

We circled some snipers in LZ O. We drew fire so that the airborne could get them and they did. In the afternoon the taks came in and fired on 88mm guns to the northwest, anbout a mile. We laid low all evening (Wednesday) from dark on. The next morning we came back with Capt. Evans and 350 prisoners to the beach.

RECOMMENTATIONS:

Need a good compass, map -- no M1--want a Thompson or a carbine. Gas mask hampers us--want on like the paratroopers have. Need Jump clothes with pockets and there would be no need for packs in that case, or a little pack just for rations.

Our load was well-secured and the Griswold nose saved our lives. Impress upon power pilots not to cut because other planes cut. Our mission saved the day. Need an oil silk pancho for a raincoat.