Читать книгу Remembering D-day: Personal Histories of Everyday Heroes - Martin Bowman - Страница 55

B-17 gunner, 94th Bomb Group.

‘Invasion fever was abound. In May all flight crewmen were ordered to carry their .45s at all times. Ground crews were issued carbines to have at the ready, in case enemy paratroops would attempt to foul up any suspected plans. With double summer time in effect, darkness came very late and the nights were much shorter than I was used to, growing up in Long Beach, California. So in order to get some sleep, before the usual crack-of-dawn (or earlier) briefing for a bombing mission, it was necessary to close the blackout curtains to darken the room by shutting out the later evening light. But on the evening of 4 June we were called out to get ready just before darkness was fully upon us. Unusual. The rumours circulated once more. After some night formation flying and speculating, we headed for our target along the French coast sometime after dawn. It was a long day, and again it didn’t happen. Just a rumour. Little did we know. Must wait again. It was an even longer day for those in the intelligence unit. About six or seven of them were placed under guard, food sent in, etc., until the dawn of the big day. Next evening, 5 June, we started early again, same as the night before. So, we felt this must be it for sure.

‘At briefing, this was it. What a contrast when it was usually groans when we learned of the target. What animated talk and yippie! The weather was better for the Channel crossing. It was a go! The pilots gave a few more details as we repeated last night’s run and then to the shoreline targets at dawn before the landings were to begin in about an hour.’

Wilbur Richardson.