Posted by Dr. Syberlux I had the pleasure of meeting a man... who at age 50, is the same age today, as his alledged Grandfather, Gen. Norman D. Cota, that were made on the spot that fateful day, almost 60 years ago. Dr.S: How did you know, all these years, you were related to Gen. Cota? E.M.: Well, it was very suttle, simple and factual. I was sort of fostered into another part of the family so to speak? Dr.S: You said earlier that The Moch Family knew the Cota Family... E.M.: Yes, that is correct. Shortly before his passing about 1969, my Uncle Alex told me he was a member of the O.S.S. during World War II. The French side of my family had a cousin, who sat at the planning table of what would become D-Day. Jules S. Moch, was a French Statesmen and Engineer, who escaped out of France by way of The French Underground to join The Free French Navy. Dr.S: So... What was his duty in regards to the planning of D-Day? E.M.: Cousin Jules, was knowledgeable not only as a Naval Engineer, but was also knowledgeable of The French Coast. Dr.S: ... and I guess he worked close to Gen. Eisenhower, and Staff... E.M.: Very much so. One of the problems and solutions in the success for what would become D-Day was "Logistics" and "Transport". Finding the right beach head, and equipment to invate Normandy was the key. Dr.S: So... how was Gen. Cota important in all this? E.S.: As it is recorded in history, Gen. Cota suggested to the General Staff in the planning of D-Day, that the troops should land at night or just way before dawns light. Not only did Gen. Cota bring this up, but it is very possible that Jules Moch might have suggested it as well, due to the waters of The English Channel, being calmer at about this timeframe? Dr.S: ... and he was out-voted on the reccomendation... E.M: Yes, that seems to be correct, because days before, it was rainy and cloudy. Even though the suggestion seemed the right move, looking at how many soldiers died, amphibious boats, and small ships that got waterlogged and/or half-sunk and sunk in the process, it was an amazing feat of military genius. Dr.S: Was there another backup plan? E.M.: That I don't know? The key was to get as much troops and equipment out there as possible. They say today, that Gen. Cota (and possibly, Jules Moch) suggestion might have saved lives and equipment. Dr.S: It is mentioned... that the beach landing at "Omaha Beach" was almost skuttled, due to the rush and plan mistakes that happened there? E.M.: I guess, the landing at Omaha Beach would be equaited to a 'rush hour' on the expressway. Because of the 'mass first wave', and being so dis-organized... The German's in their bunkers were just picking-off everyone on the beach, like a shooting gallery, on a crowded day in Coney Island? Dr.S: Interesting way of putting it...? E.M.: By the time the 'Second Wave' came in, for which Gen. Cota was with, you can imagine what a mess it was there? Dr.S.: Going off the subject slightly... it was mentioned that, in the early dawn, that a film crew secretly landed just before the arrival at "Omaha Beach"... is this true? E.M.: According to the story... this too is true. It was reported that the son of Jack Warner, John Jr. of 'The Warner Brothers' was also involved in the filming of D-Day. How much, I don't really fully know? I did become aquainted friends with John Jr.'s son, Matthew Warner, who knew who I was connected indirectly with some cousins in Hollywood. The story has it, the crew was sent to 'Omaha Beach', wanted to film the landing just before it started, it is also runored that their was some pre-filming Recon of the Beaches of Normandy, to discern and confirm the German positions slightly inshore from the beaches? Dr.S.:... So what happened? E.M.: It is not sure to this day, how much film footage was shot, and how much of it got lost at in the process of the taking of Omaha Beach? Dr.S.: Now... what about Gen. Cota, and The 29th.? E.M.: As I mentioned, the mess at Omaha Beach was obvious, incoming troops and equipment had to get off that beach. Gen. Cota had to make choices quickly. As you know, history is the end result. Dr.S.: So how did you collect all of this? E.M.: My original goal was to get my Master's Degree in History, and I found myself doing 'Living History' as well on stage, and Character Acting as well? Dr.S.: You mentioned to me earlier... that you have some other famous people, and cousins as well? What's this about "Wild Bill" Hickok? E.M.: That is true, Both "Wild Bill's" Father, William A. Hickok, and my ancestor, Daniel M. Cota both came from the same area of Vermont, just across the lake from one another. It is somewhere in our family tree, that both my Grandfather(Gen. Cota), and I are related to. Alfreda J. Hickok, first or second cousin to "Wild Bill". Dr.S.:... And what about President Bush? E.M.: There is also a cousin connection as well, even to "Wild Bill" also? Dr.S. Thank you for the interview... E.M.: Anytime .................................................. Ed Moch can be seen in various character roles, and is involved with "Living History"... and has done some 'Historical Intelligence Research Gathering' from time to time. Many of Dr. Syberlux's news articles can be found at "The Rumor Mill News" on the Internet.
on 5/30/2004, 2:40 am
64.80.122.188
Sometimes in the annals of history... events occur that seem almost larger than life itself. This is no different than the various World War II event we hold so dear to our hearts and minds... But D-Day seems to have a life of itself, and the players that were in this historic event... can and will never be duplicated this way again.
Character Actor/Re-Enactment Performer, Ed Moch (aka Alfred Cota) has been involved in front and behind the movie camera and stage for almost 25years. The apparent knowledge of Ed Moch, being related to Gen. Cota... but a personal family secret, from which, he explains.
Message Thread:
« Back to thread