The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-07
BY HENRY T. GORRELL
UNITED Press War Correspondent
Representing the Combined U. s.

UNITED Press War Correspondent
Representing the Combined U. s.
Press
With the U. s. Invasion Armada
off France, June 6-(UP)-We're
on the way In to the beach now and
the American boys in this Lot are
trying out their assault vehicles.
The colonel commanding the in
fantry is giving q blow-by blow de-
scription Of the fight that's going on
ahead of us as 1t comes in by field
radio. The infantry has been slug
ging 1t out since $50 q. m. and the
first wave Of Allied tanks has just
hit the beach.
There Is no cheering but the boys
seem appreciative. Tanks will be
needed on the beach to hold the
enemy counter attack.
Some Of the troops are playing
with mongrel pup who wandered
aboard the Lot while 1t was load
ing at a British port and has been
named "D-Day."
Most Of the boys are Just finding
their sea legs and have been sea-
sick. This invasion fleet has been
at sea well over 4S hours. The orig
inal invasion date was June but
1t was postponed "a hours In view
of unreasonable weather. Never
theless as we prepare to land for
the assault on Hitler's west wall,
they seem relaxed and ready for
anything.
Now the noise is getting louder
and our small ship Is quivvering
from conclusions as we move in.
AL around us are battleShips, de-
stroyers, cruisers and all manner OF
invasion craft. Allied fighters are
overhead and laying down white
protective smoke screens to SHIELD
US against the enemy batteries. The
enemy is firing just the same and
I can see the splash Of his shells
sending up spray on all sides.
It's bitterly cold. I've experienced
cold in bombers more than 10000
feet high and the result was the
same, to dull my senses. I've been
debating how I will react when I
go over the top with the assault
troops Of famous U. S. formation.
I know it will be all right now.
The coast Of France for miles
has been a dancing myriad OF
red. green and yellow lights and
the paratroopers went into lay the
foundation for the Seaborne in
vasion.
The paratroopers repeatedly went
in a couple of hours ago and al
though there are no reports of
their progress, We are wishing
them luck as otherwise the Ger
mans will be free to fight us on
the beaches and will have plenty of
time to get ready.
/ have now received a report that
the second unit landed successful
ly q few minutes ago. It will soon
be our turn. AS I type, Lots are
getting closer and the noise is in
creasing proportionately.
It's surprising that we have not
been bothered by the enemy from
the air. GunnerS have been stand
ing by for hours. We have a strong
protective screen Of American and
British fighters.
& I barely can see the Allied bomb
ers flying way up high. When their
eggs hit the beaches they throw I'D
great jets Of earth and although
the sound doesn't reach us for q
few seconds. the ships seem to
dance on the water as though
dashed by an under water whip.
Some Of the boys lie huddled in
blankets ON the deck trying TO
shield themselves from salt spray.
Some stand in the galley. Some read
detective stories. Others write last
minute letters. One lieutenant is
playing a favorite jazz record on a
portable gramaphone.
/ listened to one group Of dough-