- Contributed by听
- Terryvardy
- People in story:听
- Alfred Francis
- Location of story:听
- Holland
- Background to story:听
- Army
- Article ID:听
- A2059166
- Contributed on:听
- 18 November 2003
Story by Alfred Francis.
On August 21 1944 the battle of Normandy ended after 77 days and we went forward through France into Holland.
During the fighting Lt Col James landed in the same shell hole that I was in and very soon after, when the shelling stopped, we went our different ways. Later I went down to the field ambulance and found Lt Col James dead.
In Holland we received a great welcome from the Dutch people.
Near Nijmegan I got to know that the RAs (my brother's regiment) were in the area and also my friend Bill Wood, who I hadn't seen for quite a while. I set out to find them - and eventually discovered them both. They were surprised to see me.
A Dutch girl made me a pair of pyjamas from a blue parachute - dropped at Arnhem (I've still got them).
At Grammont,whilst driving the padre's car we were hit by a British tank, luckily wth little damage.
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