The Valour and the Horror

While American troops were pumped for victory with these words: "The eyes of the world are upon you," the Canadian airmen at Tangmere received more conversational hype:

"The invasion of the Continent is a vast undertaking, requiring organisation of the most intricate detail. Yours may be a very small job, but if it is not done smoothly and accurately the machine will creak, and too many creaks might cause a disaster. This information is given to help you do your part towards making a success of the biggest military operation the World has ever known."

A few introductory remarks followed then the following:

"You will go to a large and very comfortable camp called the CONCENTRATION AREA. There your vehicles will be waterproofed so that you can successfully drive ashore on the other side. After about two days, you will go to a similar but smaller camp called the MARSHALLING AREA, where you will be formed up in parties ready for shipment and a spot more waterproofing will be done. A day or so later, you will go to the "HARDS" [stretches of open beach paved with concrete or stone to permit tanks and vehicles to back straight into landing craft], where you will do a little more waterproofing and embark. Next your ship or craft will join others to form a convoy. Then off you go to do your stuff." ....

More available in Invasions Without Tears :29-38

Valour and Horror, Second World War, Canadian history, World War II, W.W.II