On 5 Jun 44 I was the Anti- Tank Platoon Commander having a Platoon HQ and three sections each of two 6-pdr A/tk guns towed by carriers. After a 24-hour delay I embarked on 5 Jun with the CO's 'R' Group on a LCI at Portsmouth. My platoon embarked with the battalion transport on, I think, a LCT. At 1800 hrs, as we set sail, we opened sealed envelopes containing maps of the landing area which gave identities to the detailed briefing we had received a few days earlier in camp.

The crossing was reasonably uneventful. As dawn broke we saw around us the immensity of the armada, and noticed the R.A.F. aircraft with broad black and white bands under wings and fuselages for identification. Later on, as we approached the landing beaches, we could see the smoke and hear the sounds of the battle being fought by the Commandos and the two assault brigades ahead of us as they secured the beaches and moved inland. We landed, I think, at about 1130 a little to the East of our intended beach because it was being shelled.

After a fairly dry landing we crossed the beach on which were a number of dead from the assaulting units, and I particularly noticed a German slumped over his MG34. We made for our assembly area: a field just inland. There we dug shell scrapes or slit trenches.

Later I returned to our landing area and awaited the arrival of my platoon with the A/tk guns. While waiting I consumed a tin of self-heating soup and observed what was going on. Nearby a Bofors AA gunner was hit in the arm by a sniper from one of the seafront houses.

At about 1430 I met Bn HQ headed by the Adjutant, Captain Dick Chambers, followed by the transport from the beach. At the same time three JU88 light bombers flew over, one being hit by a Bofors. I picked up my platoon and led it to the assembly area where I posted the three sections. Later I went over to our right to liase with our supporting squadron from the East Riding Yeomanry with their Sherman tanks. Coming back I met the CO and we experienced a few mortar bombs.

During the evening we watched the arrival of gliders towed by Stirlings bringing reinforcements to 6 Airborne Division across the Orne Canal and river. A welcome and impressive sight although one or two of the Stirlings were hit by enemy MGs as they wheeled round to return home. For the A/Tk Platoon I think the night was fairly uneventful though by no means peaceful.

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