I have just listened to reels three and four of the IWM interview with Maurice Franklyn 98 LAA RA http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80025973 He served in 305 battery of 98 Light AA and claims to have landed on Omaha Beach. In Reel three her explains that his detachment served a 40mm AA Gun mounted on the front of a US tank Landing Craft. he then claims in reel 4 to have followed a Sherman tank on foot and joined the assault. I have never heard the story before. If this is historically accurate then the Light AA on Omaha Beach is a great story. But is this history, fantasy or muddled memory?
Can you find out any other details about him ?? an attestation for example - I also note that his surname could be Franklin. Its possible hes written memoirs or is mentioned in books/articles, but would be good to start off with the right details TD
With a 40mm gun at the front it sounds more like an LST rather than an LCT, and they would have come in after the actual assault. Do we know what 98 LAA were supposed to be doing?
It is Franklin not Franklyn. 98 Light AA are not Listed in the index to Routledge's history of AA. Maybe I need to contact Peter Hart. He was the interviewer.
I know Peter Hart. Good man. The 98 LAA did exist, and it did have a 305 Battery. There is a reference from this war cemetery, a gunner named King: http://manchestersalfordfamilyhisto...lips_park_cemetery._15th_aug_update_2013..pdf
This is what I have on the 98th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA. I am not sure of where it was until joining 308th Infantry Brigade, so it may have been involved in Normandy. 98th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, R.A. (T.A.) RHQ, 304th, 305th, 306th (From 16 December 1941) Raised: 2 December 1941 at Albrighton, Staffordshire 481st Battery was added on 19 February 1942. The regiment was converted to 627th Regiment, R.A. (T.A.) with āAā to āEā Batteries on 28 January 1945. This regiment served under 308th Infantry Brigade from 28 January to 31 August 1945. It was located in the United Kingdom until 28 April 1945 and from then in North-West Europe.