We arrived in Gourock-on-Clyde (near Glasgow) on the liner Empress of Scotland on the morning of June 4,1944.
We were anxious to put our feet on solid ground again after six days on the ocean blue. To our disappointment we were advised that we would not disembark until the next morning, reason undisclosed.
As we marched down the gangway a band was playing and a large group of British ladies were serving hot tea and crumpets. Then on to a train which took us through central England to Gloucester and Cheltenham to await assignment to squadrons. By approximately 10 p.m. while settling into our barracks we began to hear a tremendous drone of aircraft engines in the sky. We wondered what in heaven's name was going on. The noise went on for about two hours.
The next morning, June 6, the local newspapers had one-word headlines "INVASION." What we had heard the night before was the aircraft taking the brave guys of the 82nd and 101st airborne divisions and the British glider battalions deep into France. What a surprise the Axis troops were going to get! I can't believe that was 60 years ago.
My youngest grandson, Tim Ojeda, of Minden, is presently serving in the Air Force at Fort Warren in Cheyenne, Wyo.
A.J. Tovey
R.C.A.F. 1943-1945
Gardnerville