OMAHA BEACH.

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by Trux, Apr 16, 2017.

  1. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    For those whose knowledge of US infantry organisation is as limited as mine I include a brief listing. Much more can be found online.

    The US Infantry Regiment.

    US infantry was organised in numbered regiments. The regiment had three battalions which were simply numbered, in roman numerals, I, II and III. Companies were lettered straight through all three regiments so that sometimes the company letter is used alone, and without battalion, in accounts. US regiments lacked the traditions which British regiments had. Most US regiments were newly raised whereas even when newly raised a British battalion was part of a traditional regiment. In some respects the British regimental system was admired for the esprit de corps it engendered but it also led to a reluctance to fully cooperate or integrate with other units.

    The US regimental organisation was in fact the norm. The British system was designed to meet the need to police the Empire. In peacetime the organisation was for a regiment to have two battalions, one of which served overseas while the other remained in the UK to recruit and train replacements.

    The basic US platoon was larger than the British and heavy weapons were normally attached from the company heavy weapons platoon. For D Day new groupings were formed which included rifle squads, heavy weapons and engineers. These groupings had trained together for some time. Some writers have commented on the difficulty of fitting the US platoon into LCA or LCVP but while the craft may have been originally designed to carry a platoon this was not the intention on D Day. Both British and US forces formed mixed groups of personnel from platoons, from company or regimental headquarters and from engineer units. Some craft carried personnel from other units as well. It was usual to leave some platoon personnel out of battle. These would land later in the day and rejoin their unit, either as a separate platoon or as reserves.

    From the bottom upwards the organisation was:

    Squad.
    The rifle squad was of twelve men.
    Staff serjeant. Squad leader.
    Serjeant. Assistant squad leader.
    Rifleman, automatic, with a BAR.
    Assistant rifleman, automatic.
    8 riflemen.
    (Note that in the US Army a staff serjeant was not a higher rank than serjeant but was a technical grade, having a particular skill.)

    Platoon.
    3 squads made up a platoon.
    The platoon headquarters consisted of
    1st Lieutenant,
    Serjeant. Second in command,
    Staff serjeant guide
    Two messengers.
    Plus a medic from the Battalion Medical Detachment.
    The officer carried a carbine and the others carried rifles.


    Company.
    A company had three rifle platoons and a weapons platoon which had a mortar section and a machine gun section.

    The mortar section had three squads each with
    Serjeant,
    2 ammunition carriers,
    Mortar gunner and
    Assistant mortar gunner.
    Each squad had a 60mm mortar. Thus there was one mortar per platoon but they could be concentrated if required.

    The machine gun section had only two squads each with
    Serjeant,
    2 ammunition carriers
    machine gun gunner
    assistant machine gun gunner.
    Each squad had a .3” machine gun.


    Battalion.
    Each battalion consisted of three rifle companies, a weapons company plus a headquarters and Headquarters Company. The rifle companies and weapons companies were lettered through all three battalions. Thus
    A, B and C Companies plus D Company (Weapons) were from 1 Battalion.
    E, F and G Companies plus H Company (Weapons) were from 2 Battalion.
    I, K and L Companies plus M Company (Weapons) were from 3 Battalion.
    J was not used.

    Weapons Company.
    The battalion weapons company contained a headquarters, two machine gun platoons and an 81mm mortar platoon.
    Headquarters.
    Captain
    1st Lieutenant
    1st serjeant.
    2 Staff serjeant
    3 Serjeant.
    Corporal clerk
    25 men

    2 X machine gun platoon each
    Headquarters.
    Lieutenant
    Platoon serjeant
    Corporal instrument
    Corporal transportation
    3 messenger
    Jeep


    2 X section each
    Staff serjeant section leader

    2 X squad each
    Serjeant squad leader
    4 ammunition bearer
    Gunner, machine gun
    Gunner, machine gun, assistant
    .3” machine gun
    Jeep and trailer.


    Mortar platoon
    Headquarters.
    1st Lieutenant
    Platoon serjeant
    Corporal instrument
    Corporal transportation
    2 messenger
    Jeep

    3 X section each
    2nd Lieutenant
    Staff serjeant

    2 X squad each
    Staff serjeant squad leader
    5 ammunition bearer
    Corporal gunner, mortar
    Gunner, mortar, assistant
    81mm mortar
    Jeep and trailer.


    Regiment.
    Regimental Headquarters.

    Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon.
    Regimental headquarters had an Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon. This was intended to provide the regimental commander with a readily available reconnaissance component directly under his control.
    Platoon Headquarters had
    1st lieutenant platoon leader.
    Platoon serjeant.
    Driver.
    Topographical draughtsman
    Radio operator.
    Jjeep with .5” machine gun.
    Lieutenant and platoon serjeant had carbines. All others had rifles.

    There were two squads each with
    Serjeant, squad leader,
    Corporal assistant leader,
    radio operator.
    3 drivers.
    3 scouts, observer, intelligence.
    Each squad had three jeeps.
    All were armed with rifles.


    Medical Detachment.
    The medical detachment is attached to the regiment. Personnel are unarmed.

    Headquarters.
    Major, detachment commander.
    2 Captain or 1st Lieutenant. Dental.
    Technical serjeant, medical.
    Serjeant medical.
    Record clerk. Drives Jeep.
    Driver, truck.
    Podiatrist.
    2 dental technician.
    Technician, medical.
    Technician, sanitary.
    10 Technician, surgical.
    11 men.
    Includes
    3 aidmen for anti tank company.
    3 aidmen for cannon company.
    1 aidman for headquarters and headquarters company.
    Jeep and trailer
    2½ ton truck. GMC 6 X 6.

    Each battalion.
    2 Captain or Lieutenant. Medical general duty.
    Staff serjeant, medical.
    Corporal, medical.
    12 litter bearers.
    4 technician, medical. 2 drive Jeeps.
    14 technician, surgical.
    Includes 1 per rifle platoon and one per weapons platoon.
    2 Jeep and trailer.

    Chaplains.
    Three chaplains are attached to the regiment.
    One chaplains assistant/driver is provided from the service company for each chaplain.
    Chaplains are each assigned a jeep by the regiment.


    Anti Tank Company.

    Headquarters.
    Captain.
    Lieutenant, reconnaissance.
    First serjeant.
    3 X Staff serjeant
    2 Serjeant
    Corporal clerk.
    26 men.
    2 X Jeep
    2 X ¾ ton weapons carrier. Dodge.
    2½ ton truck. GMC 6 X 6.

    3 X Anti tank platoon. Each
    Headquarters
    2nd Lieutenant.
    Platoon serjeant
    Messenger
    Jeep

    3 X section. Each
    Serjeant
    Staff serjeant
    Corporal
    3 ammunition bearer
    4 cannoneer
    Driver
    1½ ton truck towing 57mm anti tank gun.

    Mine laying platoon.
    Headquarters
    Lieutenant
    Platoon serjeant
    Draughtsman topographic
    3 driver
    Surveyor
    Jeep
    2 X 1½ ton trucks with 1 ton trailers.

    3 X squad each
    Serjeant
    7 pioneer

    The 57mm anti tank gun was the British 6pdr anti tank gun manufactured in the USA using US standard gauges etc. The only visible difference was the use of US type wheels.

    The mine laying platoon had a topographic draughtsman for mapping the position and layout of mines laid. Mines were seen as an integral part of the anti tank defence of a position. In theory the platoon should recover the mines before moving on.

    1½ ton trucks were Dodge 6 X 6 but were replaced by halftracks for the assault divisions.


    Infantry Cannon Company.
    US Infantry Regiments had a Cannon Company with a headquarters and three cannon platoons, each with two cannon.

    Headquarters.
    Captain.
    Lieutenant, reconnaissance.
    First serjeant.
    3 Staff serjeant.
    2 Serjeant
    Corporal clerk.
    22 men.
    2 Jeep
    ¾ ton weapons carrier. Dodge.
    2½ ton truck. GMC 6 X 6.

    3 Cannon Platoon each
    Headquarters.
    2nd Lieutenant.
    Platoon serjeant.
    Corporal.
    6 men.
    Jeep
    1½ ton truck.

    Two howitzer sections each with
    Serjeant.
    Corporal gunner.
    7 cannoneers.
    Driver.
    105mm howitzer.
    1½ ton 4 X 4 truck. (Chevrolet)

    The 105mm howitzer used in infantry regiments was lighter and had a shorter barrel than that used by Field Artillery Battalion.

    Mike
     
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2017
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  2. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    LCA and LCVP.
    Photograph of models of the two assault craft.

    Just reminding myself how to upload photos.

    LCVP.
    The LCVP was standard equipment for US transports. It had evolved through

    LCP(L) Landing Craft Personnel Large. A good craft but lacking a bow ramp for personnel exit.
    LCP(R) Landing Craft Personnel Ramped. LCP(L) with a ramp.
    LCV Landing Craft Vehicle.

    The LCVP could carry 36 personnel, a jeep or 8,000 tons of supplies. This made it a good general purpose craft. The hull sides and the bow ramp were armoured. The helmsman’s position was alongside the engine, and his forward view was limited. Usually one crew member was stationed near the bow from where he could look forward, signal to the helmsman and be ready to unlock the ramp. The ramp was operated from the helmsman position.

    The LCVP had a single engine, single propeller and single rudder which made it less manoeuvrable than an LCA but it made up for it in power.

    The advantage of a multi purpose craft for operations in the Pacific, or anywhere far from home or bases, are obvious. The US APA carried not only a Battalion Combat Team but also light vehicles and supplies for it. On D Day the transports carried only personnel plus a few light vehicles and left the area as soon as possible. A disadvantage of the LCVP design as shown on Omaha was that once the ramp was lowered the enemy could fire straight into the craft. The LCA had armoured doors inside the ramp. Of course once the troops were off the craft it made little difference on Omaha.

    LCA.
    Each of the British Landing Ships Infantry carried a flotilla of Landing Craft Assault (LCA). The flotilla varied in size to suit the LSI which carried it.

    The Landing Craft Assault was specifically designed to carry assault infantry from ship to shore, unlike the US LCVP which could carry personnel, vehicles and cargo, and act as a general run about. They were designed to carry an infantry platoon and was well designed for its task of landing troops under fire. It had a shallow draught at the bow so that troops could land dry shod. It was manoeuvrable, having twin Ford petrol engines, twin propellers and twin rudders. Construction was of hardwood planking with armour over the personnel and engine areas. The troops had seats down each side under the decking and a row of seats down the centre. There was a ramp at the front and armoured doors protecting the troop area. The ramp had rollers at the top. These rested on the shore when the ramp was lowered and allowed the craft to move forward with the tide without raising the ramp. There were armoured shelters near the bows for the coxswain and Bren gunner.

    The crew was four men, sternsheetsman at the rear to operate the stern release mechanism when the craft was lowered from the mother craft and to operate the kedge anchor when beaching, bowman/gunner in the port side armoured shelter to operate a Lewis gun and to operate the bow release mechanism, stoker/mechanic responsible for the engines and a coxswain who commanded the craft and navigated it from the starboard side armoured shelter.

    In addition to the personnel carrying craft the transports carried Landing Craft Support. In the case of the US APAs and APs these were Landing Craft Support (Small). On the British LSI(L)s they were Landing Craft Support (Medium) although both were much the same size and had the same function. Both were to accompany landing craft all the way to the beach and give fire support. They were even capable of beaching if necessary.

    LCS(S)
    These were 36 foot long and had armour on the pilot house. Armament varied but was usually two .5” machine guns or one .5” and two .3” machine guns. Eight MkIII smoke pots were also fitted at the stern. The crew was six and there was space for four extra personnel. Usually the extra personnel were a Forward Observation Officer and team but these do not seem to have been carried on D Day. After leading the first waves of craft to the beach and standing by to give fire support they reported to the PC control craft and acted as guides or despatch boats.

    Mike
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Apr 23, 2017
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  3. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    The First Small Steps.

    Before listing the engineers and artillery that make up a large part of the scheduled landings for the second hour it would be a good time to give a brief overview of the progress being made, and about to be made, by the assault troops.

    The plan had been to assault enemy strongpoints and clear the beach exits as soon as possible. This proved a difficult task and most troops were pinned down on the beach and sheltering behind the sea wall or shingle bank. Some small units made efforts to move forward and led by officers of any rank from lieutenant to brigadier general they assaulted strongpoints or attempted to penetrate between them.



    It is hoped that there will be posts in the future giving details of the beaches and their defences but a brief introduction is given here.


    The stretch of beach selected for the landing was gently sloping so that at low tide the distance from the water line to the top of the beach was some 300 yards. The tidal area of the beach was firm sand, with none of the underlying peat and clay which caused problems on some British beaches. At the top of the beach was an area of shingle thrown up by strong winds and high tides. Beyond the shingle was an area of poorly drained land, marshy in places since water could not easily drain past the shingle.

    In the late nineteenth century much of this coast had become a resort area for the wealthier citizens of Paris. There had been a number of villas along the coast but most had been demolished and some had been fortified. Some 100 to 200 yards inland of the sea wall the land rose gradually. The slope was some 45% which was sufficient to prevent vehicles climbing it but not enough to seriously prevent them being climbed unaided by personnel.

    There were five points along Omaha where exits from the beach were provided by shallow valleys or draws leading from the beach to the flat level farmland on the higher ground.

    On Omaha West there were two exits, D1 at Vierville sur Mer and D3 at Les Moulins. On Omaha East there were three exits, E1, E3 and F1, although the third was not very good. Defences were concentrated at the entrances to the two draws, with weaker defences along the top of the slopes from the beach.

    German strongpoints were numbered from east to west.
    WN60 covering FI exit.
    WN61 and WN62 covering E3 exit.
    WN64 and WN65 covering E1 exit.
    WN66 and WN67 covering D3 exit
    WN70.
    WN71 and WN72 covering D1 exit.
    Missing numbers are inland.


    H+60 minutes.
    On Omaha West at this time all three battalions of 116 Infantry Regiment should be ashore, together with attached units including the 4.2” mortars of 81 Chemical Weapons Battalion. There remain one LCVP and one LCI(L) to land personnel for Headquarters and Headquarters Company 116 Infantry Regiment. Also ashore are the supporting tanks of 743 Tank Battalion and the forward observation parties from the Field Artillery Battalion and the Naval Fire Support Control Parties.

    On Omaha East two battalions of 16 Infantry Regiment should be ashore and the third should be landing at H+70 minutes. Also ashore should be the 4.2” mortars of 81 Chemical Weapons Battalion, tanks of 741 Tank Battalion and the forward observation parties from the Field Artillery Battalion and Naval Fire Support Control Parties.

    Engineers should be ashore in considerable numbers and should be working on the beach exits and beach lateral roads ready for the vehicles which should soon be landing from LCTs.

    The advance parties of the beach battalion and naval shore parties should be beginning to get the beach control organised.

    In fact although the infantry are ashore they are disorganised and scattered along the top of the beach unable to move forward. Tanks are engaging shore defences but there are too few of them. The gapping teams have been able to open only one gap on Omaha West and five (some say six) on Omaha East and all work on the beach obstacles has been abandoned until the tide goes out again. No work has been possible on the beach exits.

    The situation is unclear to commanders on the ground and even less clear to army and naval commanders offshore.

    Omaha West.
    To the west of the Vierville Draw ‘C’ Company, 2 Rangers plus a boatload of Company ‘B’, 116 Infantry Regiment started to make their way up the bluffs. Starting around 0900 hours they found paths out of the line of fire from the strongpoints and by 1100 (H+270 minutes) had cleared WN73 and forced the enemy to withdraw from WN72.

    As Anderson observed in his ‘Breaching Hitler’s Atlantic Wall, the errors and mishaps began to favour 116 Infantry Regiment. Since Dog White did not contain any strongpoints or beach exits it was not planned to land many troops there. Landing on Dog White were the three LCAs carrying part of Company ‘B’, an almost intact Company ‘C’, and some of the support weapons of Company ‘D’. These were landing just where and when they were needed, although not as planned. Soon they would be joined by Company ‘A’ and ‘B’, 2 Ranger Battalion. This force was ashore between WN 68 by Exit D3 and WN 70 by Exit D1 and although still under observation and fire it was less exposed than troops on the beaches to east and west.

    Brigadier General Cota, Assistant Divisional Commander 29th Division and Colonel Lanham, Commanding Officer 116 Infantry Regiment had both landed around H+30 minutes on Dog White and having assessed the situation set about organising and motivating the men to move forward. Brigadier General Cota had gaps blown in the wire along the sea wall and led a party forward across marshy land to the foot of the bluffs. They found paths that were out of the line of fire of the strongpoints around Exit D1 and reached the top of the bluff. Turning west they took the strongpoint WN 70 from the rear.

    Colonel Lanham led a similar party up the bluffs to the east of Brigadier General Cota’s party and similarly found paths avoiding enemy fire. Reaching the top they continued inland. 5 Ranger Battalion had landed on Dog White relatively intact and also moved up the bluffs, to the west of General Cota’s party. Both parties advanced inland until they were stopped by the enemy. They then turned west and moved along to the top of the draw which was to be Exit D1. The Rangers intended to move along to link with the 2 Rangers at Pointe du Hoc but they were halted by the enemy. 116 Infantry attempted to move inland through Vierville and on to the Chateau de Vaumicel where they were also halted by the enemy. Time now was about 1000 hours (H+210 minutes).

    At this time the enemy shore defence line had been penetrated and a foothold, or at least a toehold, gained on the shore. There remained much to be done but success seemed certain. Landings were still badly behind schedule.

    Brigadier General Cota.
    Brigadier General Cota was Assistant Commanding Officer 29 Infantry Division. Neither the rank nor the position existed in the British Army. The Regiment was the US equivalent of the British Brigade. A Regiment was commanded by a full colonel, which was a staff rather than a command rank to the British. The British did not have an assistant general officer commanding a division. If the divisional commander should be absent his orders and policies were implemented by the General Staff Officer Grade 1, the divisional Chief of Staff. If the divisional commander became a casualty then the senior brigade commander replaced him. The US assistant commander’s place in action was near the front while the divisional commander remained at divisional headquarters. Thus the deputy was in place to give accurate reports and, as here on Omaha, take control of a difficult situation.

    Cota was to be one of the most notable figures on D Day, taking much of the credit for getting the troops moving forward and averting disaster.


    Omaha East.
    On Easy Red just one boatload of Company ‘E’, 16 Infantry Regiment landed together with two boatloads carrying part of Company ‘E’, 116 Infantry Regiment which were a long way from their intended landing point. The twenty survivors of the single boatload of Company ‘E’, 16 Infantry Regiment led by a Lieutenant found shelter amongst demolished beach houses and then started to reconnoitre for ways of getting up the bluffs and approaching enemy positions from behind.

    A staff serjeant used a Bangalore torpedo to blow a gap in the wire at the base of the bluffs. The group then made their way up the bluffs out of sight, and the line of fire, of the defences and captured a machine gun post on the bluff top.

    The survivors of Company ‘F’, 16 Infantry Regiment mounted a frontal attack on WN 68, supported by a single tank. The infantry destroyed a pill box with a bazooka and the tank destroyed an anti tank gun.

    Company ‘G’, 16 Infantry Regiment had landed almost intact and as a coherent unit and now penetrated the wire and climbed the bluffs slightly to the east of the Company ‘E’ party.

    By 0845 (H+135) there were some 200 men on top of the bluffs. These came from a number of units including Companies ‘E’, ‘F’ and ‘G’ from 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment and Company ‘E’ from 2 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.

    By 0800 the reserve 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment was ashore almost intact. The companies assembled on the beach and then followed the paths up the bluffs which had been opened by the previous groups. By 0930 the battalion was formed up on the bluff top and prepared to exploit the gap made in the enemy defences.

    At the extreme eastern end of Omaha scattered groups of infantry began to penetrate the F1 Draw and attacked the defensive positions from front and rear. At 0700 Company ‘L’, 16 Infantry Regiment began to work into the F1 exit led by two officers. One officer contacted two Sherman DD tanks of Company ‘B’, 751 Tank Battalion and directed them to engage strongpoints. One tank knocked out two 75mm guns in WN 60 and suppressed fir from the strongpoint by 0745. The other tank knocked out an 88mm anti tank gun in WN 61 at 0720 before being knocked out itself. One officer scrambled up the bluff with Bangalore torpedoes, blew a gap in the wire and led an assault on WN60, taking it by 0900. This was the first strongpoint to be taken and made a significant gap in the enemy defences.

    At 1030 2 Battalion, 18 Infantry Regiment landed on Fox Red in LCVPs to the west of WN65. In a coordinated attack which included the intact 2 Battalion, two tanks from 741 Tank Battalion and some halftrack AA guns from 967 AAA Battalion plus supporting fire from the destroyer USS Frankford, WN 65 was taken and Exit E1 was open about 1200 hours.

    Ten LCI(L) landed the remainder of 18 Infantry Regiment about 1100 hours and there were then sufficient organised troops to move off the beach and secure a small perimeter.
    IMG_20170425_0001.jpg
    The diagrammatic sketch above shows the relative positions of the beach exits, enemy strongpoints and the position of the small gains (in blue) made by 1200 hours.

    Mike
     
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  4. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    OMAHA WEST.

    H + 60 minutes onwards.
    H+60 minutes.
    This wave was timed to depart from the Transport Area at H-78 minutes and from the line of departure at H+36 minutes.

    The Rangers.

    Dog Green
    5 LCA from LSI(S) Prince Charles carrying Company ‘A’ and ‘B’, 2 Ranger Battalion.
    Serial 1147 is an LCA of 501 Flotilla from LSI(S) Prince Charles carrying
    15 men from Headquarters Company, 2 Ranger Battalion.
    5 men from Naval Fire Support Control Party.
    4 men from 29 Reconnaissance.

    Serial 1148 is an LCA of 501 Flotilla from LSI(S) Prince Charles carrying
    35 men from Company ‘A’, 2 Ranger Battalion.

    Serial 1149 is an LCA of 501 Flotilla from LSI(S) Prince Charles carrying
    34 men from Company ‘B’, 2 Ranger Battalion.

    Serial 1150 is an LCA of 501 Flotilla from LSI(S) Prince Charles carrying
    34 men from Company ‘B’, 2 Ranger Battalion.

    Serial 1151 is an LCA of 501 Flotilla from LSI(S) Prince Charles carrying
    35 men from Company ‘A’, 2 Ranger Battalion.

    ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies of 2 Ranger Battalion have been held in reserve in case they are needed to reinforce the assault by ‘D’, ‘E’ and ‘F’ Companies on the Pointe du Hoc batteries. No message has been received from the Pointe du Hoc companies and so it is assumed that the assault has failed. ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ Companies therefor follow the alternate plan of landing on Charlie beach to support 116 Infantry Regiment. In fact the Pointe du Hoc companies were 40 minutes behind schedule in landing and had only reached their objective after the other companies had landed on Charlie.


    The Engineers. (and priority vehicles).
    3 LCT carrying 147 Engineer Combat Battalion and 116 Infantry Regiment priority vehicles.
    Serial 1152 is an LCT(6) carrying
    2½ ton dump truck with 2 crew from Company ‘B’, 147 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    2 Jeeps and one trailer with 3 crew from Headquarters 1 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with 1 crew from Medical Detachment, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    2½ ton dump truck with 4 crew from Company ‘C’, 147 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    2½ ton dump truck with 2 crew from Company ‘B’, 147 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Caterpillar R4 tractor with 2 crew from Company ‘B’, 147 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Caterpillar R4 tractor with 2 crew from 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    42 men from 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.

    Serial 1153 is an LCT(6) carrying
    5 Jeeps and 5 trailers with 7 crew from 1 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    International TD-18 tractor with 2 crew from 3565 Ordnance Company. Recovery.
    Caterpillar D7 tractor with 2 crew from Company ‘B’, 147 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Caterpillar D7 tractor and Athey trailer with 2 crew from Company ‘C’, 147 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    49 men from Company ‘C’, 147 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    10 men from Joint Assault Signal Communication Organisation.

    Serial 1154 is an LCT(6) carrying
    Caterpillar D7 tractor and Athey trailer with 2 crew from Company ‘B’, 147 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Caterpillar R4 tractor with 2 crew from Company ‘C’, 147 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    38 men from Company ‘C’, 147 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Caterpillar D7 tractor with 2 crew from Company ‘C’, 147 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    International TD-18 tractor with 2 crew from 3565 Ordnance Company. Recovery.
    3 Jeeps with 4 crew from 3 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.

    Dog White
    Serial 1155 is an LCVP carrying
    10 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    3 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 29 Division.
    1 man from 121 Engineer Combat Battalion. Liaison Officer.
    5 men from 111 Field Artillery Battalion. Liaison Officer.
    1 man from Service Company, 116 Infantry Regiment. Operations Serjeant.
    5 men and a handcart from Air Support Party.

    Dog Red
    4 LCT and 1 LCVP land.
    Serial 1156 is an LCT(6) carrying
    5 Jeeps and 5 trailers with 10 men from 3 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    International TD-18 tractor with 2 crew from 3565 Ordnance Company. Recovery.
    Caterpillar D7 tractor with 2 crew from Company ‘C’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Caterpillar D7 tractor and Athey trailer with 2 crew from Company ‘A’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    43 men from Company ‘C’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    6 men from Company ‘A’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.

    Serial 1157 is an LCT(6) carrying
    4 Halftracks with 12 crew from Headquarters Company, 3 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeeps and 2 trailers with 2 men from Headquarters Company, 3 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    Tank T2 (M31) Tank Recovery Vehicle with 5 crew from 743 Tank Battalion.
    2 Jeeps and 2 trailers with 2 crew from 3 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    Caterpillar R4 tractor with 2 crew from 112 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    40 men with 2 trailers from 112 Engineer Combat Battalion. Trailers are ¼ ton Jeep trailers.

    Serial 1158 is an LCT(6) carrying
    2 X 2½ ton dump truck with 4 crew from Company ‘C’, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    Caterpillar R4 tractor with 2 crew from Company ‘C’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Caterpillar D7 Tractor and Athey trailer with two crew from Company ‘C’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    34 men from Company ‘C’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    2½ ton Dump Truck with 2 men from Company ‘A’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    3 Jeeps and two trailers with 5 men from 1 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 1159 is an LCT(6) carrying
    Jeep and trailer with 8 men from 2 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    International TD-18 tractor with 2 men from 3565 Ordnance Company. Recovery.
    Caterpillar D7 tractor with 2 crew from Company ‘A’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Caterpillar D7 tractor and Athey trailer with 2 crew from Company ‘C’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    39 men from Company ‘C’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    10 men from 293 Joint Assault Signals Communication Organisation. To coordinate fire support control.

    Serial 1160 is an LCVP carrying
    30 men from 112 Engineer Combat Battalion.

    Easy Green
    Serial 1161 is an LCT(6) carrying
    Caterpillar R4 with 4 men from 112 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    42 men and a ¼ ton trailer from 112 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Caterpillar D7 tractor with 2 men from 112 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Jeep and trailer with 5 men from 2 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    4 Halftrack with 16 men from Cannon Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    2 men from Service Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.

    Engineers should now be ashore with equipment to start clearing exits from the beach. In fact the beaches are not yet secured and no work on the exits is possible.

    Mike
     
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  5. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    OMAHA WEST.

    H+70 minutes
    Rangers.
    Dog Green
    15 LCA carrying 5 Ranger Battalion.
    These landed in two waves five minutes apart from LSI(S).

    Serial 1162 was an LCA of 504 Flotilla from LSI(S) Prince Leopold carrying
    35 men from Company ‘B’, 5 Rangers.

    Serial 1163 was an LCA of 504 Flotilla from LSI(S) Prince Leopold carrying
    35 men from Company ‘B’, 5 Rangers.

    Serial 1164 was an LCA of 504 Flotilla from LSI(S) Prince Leopold carrying
    37 men from Company ‘A’, 5 Rangers.

    Serial 1165 was an LCA of 504 Flotilla from LSI(S) Prince Leopold carrying
    20 men from Headquarters Company, 5 Rangers.
    4 men from 58 Field Artillery Battalion. Forward Observers party.
    4 men from Air Support Party.

    Serial 1166 was an LCA of 504 Flotilla from LSI(S) Prince Leopold carrying
    37 men from Company ‘A’, 5 Rangers.

    Serial 1167 was an LCA of 504 Flotilla from LSI(S) Prince Leopold carrying
    36 men from Company ‘E’, 5 Rangers.

    Serial 1168 was an LCA of 504 Flotilla from LSI(S) Prince Leopold carrying
    36 men from Company ‘E’, 5 Rangers.

    Serial 1169 was an LCA of 501 Flotilla from LSI(S) Prince Charles carrying
    20 men from Headquarters and Staff, Ranger Group.
    4 men from 58 Field Artillery Battalion. Forward Observation Party.
    7 men from Naval Fire Support Control Party.

    Serial 1170 was an LCA of 507 Flotilla from LSI(S) Prince Baudouin carrying
    35 men from Company ‘F’, 5 Rangers.

    Serial 1171 was an LCA of 507 Flotilla from LSI(S) Prince Baudouin carrying
    35 men from Company ‘F’, 5 Rangers.

    Serial 1172 was an LCA of 507 Flotilla from LSI(S) Prince Baudouin carrying
    37 men from Company ‘C’, 5 Rangers.

    Serial 1173 was an LCA of 507 Flotilla from LSI(S) Prince Baudouin carrying
    26 men from Headquarters Company, 5 Rangers.
    4 men from 58 Field Artillery Battalion. Forward Observers party.

    Serial 1174 was an LCA of 507 Flotilla from LSI(S) Prince Baudouin carrying
    37 men from Company ‘C’, 5 Rangers.

    Serial 1175 was an LCA of 507 Flotilla from LSI(S) Prince Baudouin carrying
    37 men from Company ‘D’, 5 Rangers.

    Serial 1176 was an LCA of 507 Flotilla from LSI(S) Prince Baudouin carrying
    37 men from Company ‘D’, 5 Rangers.

    Vehicles.
    2 LCT and 1 LCM carrying 121 Engineer Battalion.
    Serial 1177 is an LCT(6) carrying
    4 X halftrack with 17 crew from Ammunition and Pioneer Platoon, 1 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment
    1½ ton truck and 1ton trailer with two crew from Ammunition and Pioneer Platoon, 1 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    6 men from Ammunition and Pioneer Platoon, 1 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment
    2½ ton truck with 12 men from 2 Ranger Battalion.
    4 X Jeep with 8 men from 743 Tank Battalion.

    Serial 1178 is an LCT(6) carrying
    4 halftracks with 12 men from 2 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    2 X Jeep and trailer with 2 men from 2 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with one man from 3 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    Tank M4 with 5 crew from 743 Tank Battalion.
    Caterpillar D7 tractor with 2 men from 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    43 men with a ¼ ton trailer from 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.

    Serial 1179 is a LCM from APA 28 Charles Carroll carrying.
    Command Post, 116 Infantry Regiment Combat Team.
    41 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company 116 Infantry Regiment.
    22 men from Medical Detachment, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    9 men from Service Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    2 men Casualty Reporter from 116 Infantry Regiment.
    3 men from 1 Signal Company. 1 Division.
    2 men from 29 Signal Company, 29 Division.
    3 men from Prisoner of War Interrogation Unit, 29 Division.
    2 men from ‘M’ Service, 1 Division.
    2 men from 16 Infantry Regiment. Liaison Officer to 116 Infantry Regiment.
    2 men from 29 Division. Liaison Officer to 116 Infantry Regiment.
    2 men from 743 Tank Battalion. Liaison Officer to 116 Infantry Regiment.

    Dog White
    Serial 1180 is an LCI(L) carrying.
    Alternate Command Post, 116 Infantry Regiment Combat Team.
    40 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    3 men from service Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    10 men from 293 Joint Assault Signals Company. Attached to 6 Engineer Special Brigade.
    22 men from Company ‘A’, 7 Naval Beach Battalion.
    6 men Medical Detachment, 147 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    94 men from Company ‘B’, 147 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    26 men from 112 Engineer Combat Battalion.

    Dog Red.
    Serial 1181 is an LCI(L) carrying
    36 men from 29 MP Platoon.
    42 men from Company ‘B’, 104 Medical Battalion. 29 Division.
    101 men from 112 Engineer Combat Battalion.

    Easy Green.
    Serial 1182 is an LCI(L) carrying
    13 men from 234 MP Company. V Corps.
    10 men from 293 Joint Assault Signals Company. Attached to 6 Engineer Special Brigade.
    6 men from Medical Detachment, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    119 men from Company ‘A’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    30 men from Company ‘B’, 7 Naval Beach Battalion.

    Mike
     
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  6. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Omaha West.
    The Self Propelled Artillery lands.


    H+90 Minutes
    Dog White.
    Serial 1183 is an LCT(5) carrying
    4 X M7 Self Propelled 105mm towing 4 M10 ammunition trailers from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Jeep from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    3 X Halftrack from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    57 men from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.

    Serial 1184 is an LCT(5) carrying
    4 X M7 Self Propelled 105mm towing 4 M10 ammunition trailers from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Jeep from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    3 X Halftrack from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    57 men from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.

    Serial 1185 is an LCT(5) carrying
    4 X M7 Self Propelled 105mm towing 4 M10 ammunition trailers from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Jeep from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    3 X Halftrack from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    57 men from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    5 men from 111 Field Artillery Battalion. Liaison Officer’s team.

    Serial 1186 is an LCT(5) carrying
    4 X M7 Self Propelled 105mm towing 4 M10 ammunition trailers from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Jeep from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    3 X Halftrack from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    57 men from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.

    Serial 1187 is an LCT(5) carrying
    2 X M7 Self Propelled 105mm towing 2 M10 ammunition trailers from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Halftrack from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    20 men from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2 X 2½ dump truck with 4 crew from 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    2 X 2½ dump truck with 4 crew from 147 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    22 men from 500 Medical Collecting Company.

    On Omaha West 58 Armoured Field Artillery Battalion had self propelled 105mm guns carried in LCTs but there were not sufficient craft to carry 111 Field Artillery Battalion. This battalion had towed 105mm guns carried in DUKWs.

    An armoured field artillery battalion had three batteries each with six self propelled 105mm guns. Thus a battalion had eighteen guns. A towed field artillery battalion had four batteries, one of four 155 howitzers and three each with four 105mm. Thus this battalion had only twelve 105mm guns.

    58 Armoured Field Artillery Battalion lost five landing craft to mines or artillery fire. Seven M7 105mm managed to land late in the afternoon.


    The US Field Artillery Battery did not lend itself to fitting into the LCT as did the British battery. The British divided the battery into troops of four self propelled guns so that a troop fitted conveniently into one craft, together with other battery vehicles. The US battery had six guns so that some craft had four guns from the same battery, some had two guns from each of two different batteries and there were two left over.

    The Self Propelled M7 105mm howitzers had a fire support role on the approach to the beaches. They were to fire from the LCTs from a point 8,000 yards from shore to a point 3,000 yards from shore. This support was timed to end just before H Hour. There were problems with this bombarding role.

    The first problem was the opposition of naval commanders to having the guns fire at all while at sea. They felt that the bombardment role was for the navy. It was eventually allowed since there was a lack of fire support on Omaha but the report of the naval commander recommended that this method should not be adopted in future. A similar suggestion that mortars should fire from LCVP out to sea was not adopted.

    The second problem stemmed from the first problem. Artillery fire is very accurate when the guns are in a surveyed position and the fall of shot can be observed. In this case navigation was not always accurate and therefor the exact relative positions of target and firing battery was not accurately known. The navy did not provide craft close inshore so that observers could spot the fall of shot and correct it when necessary. British beaches had observers in LCS(M) offshore.

    As with many aspects of the approach to shore the weather and sea conditions posed problems for accurate firing. Firstly the current was carrying craft to the east. To counter this the craft helmsman had to steer to the west. This meant that the craft was not pointing in the direction of fire, towards the shore. The guns had to correct this themselves, without observers to help. Secondly the waves tended to force even LCTs off course. A skilled helmsman could counter this by steering into each wave just before it hit, otherwise the craft would be veering right and left with every wave. Finally the waves caused pitch and roll. The roll was not much of a problem but the pitch affected the elevation of the guns and thus the range.

    In ideal conditions the LCT would head straight for the shore and the guns would keep up a steady rate of fire, adjusting the range at carefully timed intervals.

    Ammunition for the shoot while at sea was stowed in the LCT. The ammunition carried on the gun, in the trailer and in the ammunition halftracks was not to be touched until after the guns had landed. Normal fire command and fire control methods were used. The radio net allowed communication between headquarters and batteries but special arrangements were required within batteries since they were dispersed.

    When the craft were 3,000 yards from shore they pulled out of the stream of waves of craft. They headed out to the flanks where they were not an obstruction to following craft and then retired to a position further out. They then circled until it was time to rejoin the flow and head to shore, this time to land and discharge their guns.

    An Armoured Field Artillery Battery, self propelled.
    Headquarters.
    Captain
    1st Lieutenant
    Communications serjeant
    Corporal, liaison
    Bugler
    Driver
    Operator, instrument
    2 X Operator, radio
    Operator, telephone.
    ½ track M3A2 with winch. SCR 506 and SCR 508.
    Jeep.

    Maintenance.
    2nd Lieutenant.
    Staff serjeant, motor
    Armourer
    Mechanic, artillery
    Mechanic, auto
    2 X Mechanic, tank
    ½ track M3A2 with winch.
    Trailer 1 ton
    Jeep

    Administration, Mess and Supply
    1st Serjeant
    Staff serjeant, mess
    Staff serjeant, supply
    Corporal clerk
    2 X cook
    Cooks helper
    Driver
    5 X men.
    2 ½ ton truck


    The Firing Battery with 6 X Carriage, Motor, 105mm Howitzer M7

    Fire Control Section.
    1st Lieutenant
    Signals corporal
    Corporal
    2 X driver
    Gunner, machine gun
    Operator instrument
    Recorder
    2 X scout
    2 X ½ track M3A2 with winch. SCR 528.

    6 X Howitzer Section each:
    Staff serjeant
    5 X serjeant
    6 X gunner corporal
    24 X cannoneer
    6 X driver, tank.
    6 X Carriage, Motor, 105mm howitzer M7.
    6 X M10 ammunition trailer.

    Ammunition Section.
    Serjeant
    2 X driver
    12 X ammunition handler.
    2 X ½ track M3A2 with winch.

    Reconnaissance Section
    Staff serjeant
    Communications serjeant.
    Corporal
    Driver
    Gunner, machine gun
    Operator, instrument
    Operator telephone.
    ½ track M3A2 with winch. SCR 528.
    Jeep. SCR 510.

    L5 Piper Cub aircraft.
    A feature of US Field Artillery Battalions was that they had L5 observation post aircraft as an integral component. Normally these aircraft would fly to new locations but they could be readily transported on standard 2½ ton trucks. It was only necessary to remove the wings and stow them alongside the fuselage. On D Day the L5 aircraft were carried across the Channel on APAs and then transferred to LCT(6). They were landed on the beach, with wings removed. It was planned that they should be assembled and flown off the beach on D Day but this could not be done. Later the L5 were carried on the 2½ ton truck, in turn carried on an LCT or LST.

    The British had similar vehicles for carrying Auster AOP aircraft. These were redundant anti tank portees which had the benefit of a winch mounted in the body. On D Day the British opted to fly Austers across the Channel, although this was postponed because of the weather and lack of landing strips. Until only days before D Day it had been planned to carry Austers across the Channel on an escort aircraft carrier. This was cancelled, much to the relief of the navy who did not like the idea of having such valuable and vulnerable ships placed at risk.

    Mike
     
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  7. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Omaha West.
    H+110 minutes.
    DUKWs discharged from three LSTs offshore. These do not have landing table numbers.

    Dog Green.
    7 DUKW carrying Cannon Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carrying 105 mm cannon and 14 men from Cannon Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carrying 105 mm cannon and 14 men from Cannon Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carrying 105 mm cannon and 14 men from Cannon Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carrying 105 mm cannon and 14 men from Cannon Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carrying 105 mm cannon and 14 men from Cannon Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carrying 105 mm cannon and 14 men from Cannon Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carrying men from headquarters and fire control from Cannon Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.

    3 DUKW carrying Anti Tank Platoon, 1 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carrying 57mm anti tank gun and 9 men from Anti tank Platoon, 1 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carrying 57mm anti tank gun and 9 men from Anti tank Platoon, 1 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carrying 57mm anti tank gun and 9 men from Anti tank Platoon, 1 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.

    Dog Red.
    3 DUKW carrying Anti Tank Platoon, 3 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carrying 57mm anti tank gun and 11 men from Anti tank Platoon, 3 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carrying 57mm anti tank gun and 10 men from Anti tank Platoon, 3 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carrying 57mm anti tank gun and 10 men from Anti tank Platoon, 3 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.

    3 DUKW carrying Anti Tank Platoon, 2 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carrying 57mm anti tank gun and 11 men from Anti tank Platoon, 2 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carrying 57mm anti tank gun and 10 men from Anti tank Platoon, 2 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carrying 57mm anti tank gun and 10 men from Anti tank Platoon, 2 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carrying 12 men from 29 Signal Company.

    Easy Green.
    13 DUKW carrying 111 Field Artillery Battalion.

    DUKW carrying 9 men from Headquarters, 111 Field Artillery Battalion.

    4 DUKW carrying ‘A’ Battery, 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carrying 105mm and 11 men from ‘A’ Battery, 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carrying 105mm and 10 men from ‘A’ Battery, 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carrying 105mm and 10 men from ‘A’ Battery, 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carrying 105mm and 10 men from ‘A’ Battery, 111 Field Artillery Battalion.

    4 DUKW carrying ‘B’ Battery, 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carrying 105mm and 11 men from ‘B’ Battery, 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carrying 105mm and 10 men from ‘B’ Battery, 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carrying 105mm and 10 men from ‘B’ Battery, 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carrying 105mm and 10 men from ‘B’ Battery, 111 Field Artillery Battalion.

    4 DUKW carrying ‘C’ Battery, 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carrying 105mm and 11 men from ‘C’ Battery, 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carrying 105mm and 10 men from ‘C’ Battery, 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carrying 105mm and 10 men from ‘C’ Battery, 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carrying 105mm and 10 men from ‘C’ Battery, 111 Field Artillery Battalion.

    Secondary sources give 25 or 14 men per gun but this number is clearly wrong. The photo below shows that there was simply no space for such numbers. The actual gun crew is given in T/O & E as nine men. The loading tables for 16 Regimental Combat Team give 10 men as normal with one extra man on the lead vehicle of each battery.

    111 Field Artillery Battalion was a towed battalion. It had four batteries, one with 155mm howitzers which would land later and three with 105mm howitzers which were carried on DUKWs. Each DUKW carried a howitzer, gun crew, ammunition, sandbags and gun equipment. One extra DUKW carried a Headquarters and Fire Control Group. DUKWs were carried across the Channel on LSTs. The guns were ready loaded onto the DUKWs so that on arrival at the launching point they could drive straight off the LST ramp and into the water.

    It was intended that the twelve 105mm howitzers should land when the beach was secure and the beach obstacles cleared. They would come into action from the beach area and move inland when their towing vehicles landed. If necessary it was thought that the DUKWs could tow the guns forward to the positions.

    They were launched from the LSTs at 0400, some four and a half hours before they were due to land. The first DUKW to be launched almost sank as the uplift of a wave caught it as it left the ramp. This was to be a problem. In calm water the launching process was simple but in a swell the launch had to be timed. A complication was that the DUKWs propellers and rudders were still out of the water when most of the vehicle was in it and afloat. Thus the DUKW driver had no control over his vehicle at this point.

    Once launched the DUKWs had to circle until it was time to form up for the run in to shore. Ten miles off shore the waves were not only high but two sets of waves met and caused very choppy conditions. The standard counter to this would be to point the bows into the waves but with two sets of waves this was difficult and while circling it as impossible. Slowly the DUKWs took in more water than the pumps could handle and they began to sink. Most of the men were rescued by other craft but the guns were lost. Only four DUKWs survived to start the run in and one of those sank before it arrived at the shore. One more was destroyed by enemy fire. Only two reached the shore intact but could not find a way through the obstacles. One more was destroyed by artillery fire and the last remaining DUKW, in danger of sinking, moored alongside a Rhino Ferry which used its crane to recover the gun. Thus only one gun survived and it joined 7 Field Artillery Battalion in support of 16 Regimental Combat Team. Some of the personnel of the battalion did see action acting as infantry.

    DUKW A frame 2.jpg

    Unloading a 105mm using an A Frame. One in four US DUKWs were normally fitted with A Frames. A DUKW with A Frame positions itself and gun carrying DUKWs drive up and park at right angles to it. The A Frame is positioned over the gun, a rope is fastened to slings on the gun and then the DUKW winch is used to lift the gun clear. The now empty DUKWs then drives off and the gun is lowered to the ground. The gun may then be positioned by manpower or vehicle and ammunition stacked near by. Further gun carrying DUKWs then repeat the operation. In ideal conditions a battery can be off loaded in seven minutes it would be rather slower and more hazardous under fire. When required the gun can be hitched to its towing vehicle, a 1½ ton 4 X 4, the ammunition and equipment loaded up, the gun crew board the truck and it can move inland.


    vehicle_dukw25.jpg

    This looks hazardous in calm water never mind the sea conditions on D Day.

    Later the DUKW would have simple modifications for carrying guns. This simply involved making recesses in the sides of the cargo hold to match the wheel hubs on the gun. On D Day the gun rested on timber chocks which raised the wheel hubs above the combing of the hold. This naturally made the whole vehicle unstable.

    The Cannon Company, 116 Infantry Regiment, also lost its 105mm howitzers. These were also being carried on DUKWs which sank before reaching the shore. The infantry M3 Howitzers had shorter barrels than the M2 version and were somewhat lighter than those of the Field Artillery but they were still a difficult load and met with the same difficulties as the 111 Field Regiment.

    For the time being the troops of 116 RCT would be lacking artillery support. However there were few targets that they could have engaged from the beach area until troops had moved further inland.




    A Field Artillery Battery.
    From the Table of Organisation and Equipment..

    Battery HQ.
    Captain
    1st Serjeant
    Corporal clerk
    5 men
    2 X Jeeps and trailers.
    3 X ¾ton Weapons Carrier with winch. Dodge.

    Battery Service Detail.
    Lieutenant
    Staff serjeant
    Corporal agent
    Corporal instrument
    Corporal machine gunner
    2 X scout
    Wireman
    Driver, light truck/phone operator.
    Driver, light truck/switchboard operator
    3 X operator radio
    Operator switchboard
    Repairman, radio
    8 X wireman/telephone operator.
    4 X SCR 619.
    2 X switchboard
    9 X telephone EE-8
    Jeep and trailer

    Firing Battery.
    Headquarters.
    1st Lieutenant/executive officer.
    Mechanic, artillery/driver for exec.
    Instrument operator.
    Jeep and trailer

    Howitzer section.
    Staff serjeant
    3 X serjeant
    4 X corporal gunner
    28 X cannoneer
    4 X driver
    4 X 2½ ton Short Wheel Base. GMC 6 X 6
    4 X 105mm Howitzer M2A2.

    Service section
    Serjeant
    Corporal machine gunner
    2 X cook
    Cooks helper
    2 X driver
    2 X gunner machine gunner
    4 ammunition handler.
    2 X 2½ ton Short Wheel Base. GMC 6 X 6.
    2 X M10 ammunition trailer.





    H+100 minutes.
    Dog White.

    Serial 1188 is an LCI(L), acting as Landing Craft Headquarters, landing.
    22 men from Company ‘C’, 147 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    7 men from H and S, 147 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    21 men from Company ‘B’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    20 men from 3 Battalion Team, Joint Assault Signals Company.
    40 men from Company ‘A’, 7 Naval Beach Battalion.
    13 men from Headquarters Engineer Special Brigade.
    2 men from Company ‘C’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    9 men from Company ‘A’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    2 men from H and S, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    10 men from 500 Medical Collecting Company.
    13 men from Joint Assault Signals Company. Three teams.
    25 men from 214 MP Company.

    Mike.
     
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  8. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    OMAHA EAST.
    By H+60 minutes all of 2 and 3 Battalions, 16 Infantry Regiment, with their supporting troops, should be ashore. At H+70 2 Battalion will start to land. In the mean time engineers will land from LCTs to begin clearing the beach exits. In fact this work cannot be carried out since the exits have not yet been secured.

    H+60 minutes.
    5 Engineer Special Brigade lands.

    Easy Red.
    5 LCT(6) land vehicles for 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2103 is an LCT(6) carrying
    Jeep and trailer with two men from Company ‘A’, 1 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    R4 Tractor with one man from Company ‘A’, 1 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    33 men from Company ‘A’, 1 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    4 Halftracks with eight men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    2 D7 Tractors and Athey trailers with two men from Company ‘C’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade. Athey trailers carry trackway material.
    2 jeeps and one trailer with four men from Company ‘H’ (Weapons), 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Return to LST 375.

    Serial 2104 is an LCT(6) carrying
    4 Halftracks with eight men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeeps and two trailers with two men from Company ‘E’, 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeeps and two trailers with two men from Company ‘F’, 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeeps and two trailers with two men from Company ‘G’, 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    R4 Tractor and two men from Company ‘C’, 1 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    34 men from Company ‘A’, 1 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    D7 Tractor and Athey trailer with two men from Company ‘C’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade. Athey trailer carries trackway material.
    Return to LST 375.

    Serial 2105 is an LCT(6) carrying
    3 Halftracks M2 with 7 men from Cannon Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    D7 Tractor and Athey trailer with 2 men from Company ‘B’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade. Athey trailer carries trackway material.
    39 men from Company ‘C’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    12 men from 97 Quartermaster Railhead Company, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    D7 Tractor with 2 men from Company ‘C’, 6 Beach Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    2 Jeep with 6 men from V Corps Headquarters.
    Jeep with 2 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Return to LST 374.

    Serial 2106 is an LCT(6) carrying
    D7 Tractor and Athey trailer with 1 man from Company ‘B’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade. Athey trailer carries trackway material.
    TD18 Tractor and Athey trailer with 1 man from Company ‘B’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade. Athey trailer carries trackway material.
    Jeep with 2 men from Company ‘B’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    40 men from Company ‘B’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    7 Jeep and trailer with 15 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer from Medical Detachment, 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Return to LST 374.

    Serial 2107 is an LCT(6) carrying
    4 Halftracks M2 with 8 men from Cannon Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    D7 Tractor and Athey trailer with 2 men from Company ‘C’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade. Athey trailer carries trackway material.
    41 men from Company ‘C’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    D7 Tractor with 2 men from Company ‘C’, 6 Beach Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    5 men from Company ‘B’, 348 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    5 men from Company ‘C’, 348 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    Jeep and trailer with 6 men from Air Support Party.
    Return to LST 374.


    Fox Green.
    3 LCT(6) land vehicles for 15 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2108 is an LCT(6) carrying
    4 Halftrack M2 with 8 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    R4 Tractor with 1 man from Company ‘A’, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Jeep and trailer with 2 men from Company ‘A’, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    27 men from Company ‘A’, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    T5 (M32) Recovery with 4 men from Company ‘A’, 741 Tank Battalion.
    2 Jeep and one trailer with 4 men from Company ‘M’ (Weapons), 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with 2 men from Company ‘L’, 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with 2 men from Company ‘K’, 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with 2 men from Company ‘I’, 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    8 men from Service Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Return to LST 376.

    Serial 2109 is an LCT(6) carrying
    26 men from Company ‘A’, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    D7 Tractor with 1 man from Company ‘A’, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Jeep with 1 man from Company ‘A’, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    T2 (M31) Tank Recovery Vehicle with 4 crew from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 741 Tank Battalion.
    D7 Tractor and Athey trailer with 2 men from Company ‘A’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade. Athey trailer carries trackway material.
    Jeep with 2 men from Company ‘A’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    11 men from Company ‘A’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    Jeep with 2 men from Company ‘C’, 6 Beach Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    Jeep with 2 men from 294 Joint Assault Signals Organisation, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier with 2 men from Joint Assault Signals Organisation, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    Jeep with 2 men from Company ‘C’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Battalion.
    8 men from Service Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Return to LST 376.

    Serial 2110 is an LCT(6) carrying
    7 Jeep and trailer with 15 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with 2 men from Medical Detachment, 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    D7 Tractor and Athey trailer with 2 men from Company ‘A’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade. Athey trailer carries trackway material.
    TD18 Tractor and Athey trailer with 2 men from Company ‘A’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade. Athey trailer carries trackway material.
    41 men from Company ‘A’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    Return to LST 376.

    All LCT(6) of this wave return to LSTs to collect vehicles.

    LCT(6) were designed to load vehicles from an LST. Their straight through deck allowed them to reverse up to the LST ramp and make fast. Vehicles could then drive straight onto the LCT(6). On arriving at the shore the vehicles could drive straight off. This was not possible with other marks of LCT.

    In the choppy waters off the Normandy coast on D Day the LCT(6) had difficulty in docking with the LST, and remaining docked. The connection held in the long Pacific swells but was not so successful in the shorter waves.


    H+65 minutes.
    Easy Red.

    Serial 2111 is an LCI(L) carrying
    26 men from Company ‘B’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    45 men from Company ‘C’, 6 Beach Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    16 men from 210 MP Company. 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    10 men from 294 Signal Company. 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    4 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    39 men from 30 Chemical Decontamination Company. For smoke screen.

    Serial 2112 is an LCI(L) carrying
    65 men from Company ‘A’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    45 men from Company ‘C’, 6 Beach Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    16 men from 210 MP Company.
    9 men from 294 Signal Company.
    4 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    45 men from Headquarters, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    21 men from Headquarters, 29 Signal Company.
    2 men from Headquarters 6 Beach battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.


    H+65 Minutes.
    A wave of DUKWs launched from three LSTs carry engineer supplies for 5 Engineer Special Brigade and personnel and equipment for Headquarters V Corps (thought to be the Forward Information Detachment).

    DUKWs rendezvous at LST 376. They are led in by a LCVP from LST 374 which will return to LST 376 on completion of the task.

    Easy Red.
    6 DUKW from 459 Amphibious Truck Company, 5 Engineer Special Brigade land. Carry trackway material.
    These are launched from LST 374 and have no serial number.
    DUKW from LST 374 carrying trackway material.
    DUKW from LST 374 carrying trackway material.
    DUKW from LST 374 carrying trackway material.
    DUKW from LST 374 carrying trackway material.
    DUKW from LST 374 carrying trackway material.
    DUKW from LST 374 carrying trackway material.

    DUKW from 459 Amphibious Truck Company, 5 Engineer Special Brigade lands with headquarters personnel from V Corps.
    Thought to be from the V Corps Forward Information Detachment.

    Serial 4001 is a DUKW from LST 365 carrying
    Personnel from 56 Signal Battalion to provide communications ashore for V Corps headquarters.
    Thought to be a DUKW carrying a standard HO 17A radio shelter containing a SCR 399 long range speech radio and two receivers. For communication with V Corps headquarters afloat and with UK.

    One LCVP from LST 374 was to guide the DUKWs to the beach and then return.

    Fox Green.
    6 DUKW from 459 Amphibious Truck Company, 5 Engineer Special Brigade land. Carry trackway material.
    These are launched from LST 376 and have no serial number.
    DUKW from LST 376 carrying trackway material.
    DUKW from LST 376 carrying trackway material.
    DUKW from LST 376 carrying trackway material.
    DUKW from LST 376 carrying trackway material.
    DUKW from LST 376 carrying trackway material.
    DUKW from LST 376 carrying trackway material.

    DUKW122_zps860fff5b.jpg
    DUKW with radio shelter.

    DUKW trackway.jpg
    DUKW loaded with trackway material driving into an LST. The DUKW will then be able to reverse out of the LST and into the water without damaging rudders and propellers, and be able to control the vehicle immediately.

    Mike
     
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  9. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Omaha East.
    1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment lands.

    H+70 minutes.
    Easy Red.
    12 LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase land Company ‘A’ and Company ‘C’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2113 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    31 men from Company ‘A’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    1 man from Medical Detachment, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2114 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    31 men from Company ‘A’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    1 man from Medical Detachment, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2115 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    27 men from Company ‘A’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    1 man from Medical Detachment, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    5 men from Naval Shore Fire Control Party.

    Serial 2116 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    31 men from Company ‘A’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    1 man from Medical Detachment, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2117 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    31 men from Company ‘A’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    1 man from Medical Detachment, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2118 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    31 men from Company ‘A’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    1 man from Medical Detachment, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2119 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    31 men from Company ‘C’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    1 man from Medical Detachment, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2120 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    31 men from Company ‘C’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    1 man from Medical Detachment, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2121 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    29 men from Company ‘A’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    1 man from Medical Detachment, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2122 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    31 men from Company ‘C’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment
    1 man from Medical Detachment, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2123 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    31 men from Company ‘C’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    1 man from Medical Detachment, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2124 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    31 men from Company ‘C’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    1 man from Medical Detachment, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    After landing the infantry the above LCVP return to the Transport Area as follows:
    4 LCVP report to AP 76 Anne Arundel.
    2 LCVP report to AP 67 Dorothea L Dix
    6 LCVP return to AP 26 Samuel Chase.

    H+80 minutes.
    Easy Red.
    6 LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase land Company ‘B’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2125 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    31 men from Company ‘B’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2126 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    31 men from Company ‘B’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2127 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    27 men from Company ‘B’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    3 men from Medical Detachment, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2128 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    31 men from Company ‘B’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2129 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    31 men from Company ‘B’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2130 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    31 men from Company ‘B’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2131 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2132 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2133 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2134 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2135 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2136 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    After landing personnel all the above LCVP return to APA 26 Samuel Chase.


    H+90 minutes
    Easy Red.
    8 LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase land Company ‘D’ (Weapons), 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2137 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    32 men from Company ‘D’ (Weapons), 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2138 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    32 men from Company ‘D’ (Weapons), 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2139 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    32 men from Company ‘D’ (Weapons), 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2140 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    32 men from Company ‘D’ (Weapons), 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2141 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    12 men from Company ‘D’ (Weapons), 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    3 men from Medical Detachment, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    6 men from Cannon Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    6 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    1 man from Language Interpretation Team, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2142 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    32 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2143 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    22 men from Medical Detachment, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    7 men from Battery ‘A’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    3 men from Prisoner of War Interrogation Team, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2144 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    13 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    6 men from Company ‘C’, 6 Beach Battalion.
    9 men from Anti Tank Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 4002 is an LCVP assigned to APA 26 Samuel Chase from an LST 420 carrying
    30 men from 1 MP Platoon.

    All above LCVP return to parent ship.

    Mike
     
    Aixman likes this.
  10. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Omaha East.
    The artillery lands.


    Fox Green.
    5 LCT land 62 Field Artillery Regiment Self Propelled.

    Serial 2145 is an LCT(5) carrying
    4 X M7 Self Propelled 105mm towing 4 M10 ammunition trailers from Battery ‘A’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Halftrack M2 from Battery ‘A’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2 Jeeps from Battery ‘A’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    42 men from Battery ‘A’, 62 Field Battalion.
    Halftrack M2 from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Jeep from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    6 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2 men from Medical Detachment, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.

    Serial 2146 is an LCT(5) carrying
    3 X M7 Self Propelled 105mm towing 3 M10 ammunition trailers from Battery ‘B’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Halftrack M2 from Battery ‘B’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2 Jeeps from Battery ‘B’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    34 men from Battery ‘B’, 62 Field Battalion.
    Halftrack M2 from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2 X Jeep from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    6 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.

    Serial 2147 is an LCT(5) carrying
    3 X M7 Self Propelled 105mm towing 3 M10 ammunition trailers from Battery ‘B’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Halftrack M2 from Battery ‘B’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Jeep from Battery ‘B’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    32 men from Battery ‘B’, 62 Field Battalion.
    Halftrack M2 from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    3 X Jeep from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    9 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2 men from Medical Detachment, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.

    Serial 2148 is an LCT(5) carrying
    4 X M7 Self Propelled 105mm towing 4 M10 ammunition trailers from Battery ‘C’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Halftrack M2 from Battery ‘C’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2 Jeeps from Battery ‘C’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    42 men from Battery ‘C’, 62 Field Battalion.
    Halftrack M2 from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Jeep from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    8 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.

    Serial 2149 is an LCT(5) carrying
    2 X M7 Self Propelled 105mm towing 2 M10 ammunition trailers from Battery ‘C’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Halftrack M2 from Battery ‘C’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Jeep from Battery ‘C’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    24 men from Battery ‘C’, 62 Field Battalion.
    2 X M7 Self Propelled 105mm towing 2 M10 ammunition trailers from Battery ‘A’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Halftrack M2 from Battery ‘A’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Jeep from Battery ‘A’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    24 men from Battery ‘A’, 62 Field Battalion.
    Jeep from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    1 man from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    1 man from Medical Detachment, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.




    62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    The LCTs carrying 62 Field Artillery Battalion arrived in the Transport Area on time in the early hours of D Day. The firing batteries on the LCTs then started the approach to the coast in order to be ready for their task of off shore firing on pre assigned beach targets in support of 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment. Firing began at H-30 minutes when the craft were 8,000 yards off shore. A total of 349 rounds of High Explosive were fired. The craft then cleared the boat lanes and proceeded back to a point 10,000 yards off shore where they would circle until they rejoined the flow of craft and land at H+90 minutes.

    An advanced party consisting of the Battalion Commander, Executive Officer, three Forward Observation Officers, Lieutenant jg. (junior grade, equivalent to a RN sub lieutenant) from Naval Shore Fire Support Party and twelve men landed with the second wave of infantry between H+30 minutes and H+40 minutes. They were to establish observation posts with the infantry and select positions for the firing batteries scheduled to land at H+90 minutes. They were forced to wait on the beach as the infantry had not yet advanced. The Lieutenant jg. from Naval Shore Fire Support Party and two men were seriously wounded and several slightly wounded but not evacuated.

    The LCTs attempted to land on schedule at H+90 minutes but were forced to stand off by enemy artillery, mortar and small arms fire. At this time there was no communication established between the craft and the party on the beach. By H+160 minutes communications were established and the craft were ordered to land as soon as possible. The Battalion Commander and Executive Officer set off along the beach towards the Colleville and St. Laurent exits to find a place to beach. Several attempts were made to beach but were not successful until later in the day.

    The Reconnaissance Officer and the Liaison Officer for 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment should have landed at H+45 minutes but found landing impossible. They did not land until 1600 hours. The Commanding Officer 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment was on this craft and communications were established with infantry and artillery commanders ashore.

    The first LCT landed at 1530 hours with three M7 SP 105mm of Battery ‘B’. One hit a mine and was abandoned and swamped. One jeep was destroyed and one halftrack disabled but recovered. The guns were placed at the waters edge and contact made with forward observers.

    The second craft landed at 1545 hours and discharged two M7 SP 105mm of Battery ‘A’ and a halftrack before it was forced to withdraw by enemy artillery fire. The two guns were positioned alongside Battery ‘B’ to form a composite battery of four guns. As soon as the beach exits were open and it was safe to do so the composite battery moved 200 yards inland and was in firing position by 1800 hours. Officers went along the beach searching for personnel or equipment, and for the Naval Shore Fire Support Party which had become separated.

    The third craft landed at 1800 with two M7 SP 105mm, a halftrack and four jeeps. One M7 and trailer were lost while still at sea. They joined the composite battery but no rounds were fired.

    At 2000 hours the divisional artillery commander ordered the composite battery to move to a position 500 yards North East of St. Laurent. The move was made after dark.

    A Piper Cub aircraft landed at 1950 but was destroyed by floating debris.

    Two craft landed at 2200 hours with eight M7 SP 105mm, six from Battery ‘C’ and two from Battery ‘A’. These were placed in position 1000 yards North East of Colleville.

    The remaining vehicles on one LCT and a Rhino Ferry did not land on D Day.


    H+95 minutes.
    Easy Red.
    Serial 2150 is an LCM(3) from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    57 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 16 Infantry Regiment. Includes MPs for Traffic Control and Prisoners of War.
    3 men from 231 Brigade, 50 Division. Liaison Officer.
    1 man from 18 Infantry Regiment. Liaison Officer.
    15 men from Service Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    9 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    3 men from Naval Shore Fire Control Party.
    3 men from Battery ‘C’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion (Self Propelled).
    5 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 741 Tank Battalion.
    I man, Press Correspondent.
    1 man, Press Photographer.

    Serial 2151 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    3 men from Detachment 1 Signal Company.
    14 men from Regimental Medical Section, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    4 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 1 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    4 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.

    Both the above craft return to APA 26 Samuel Chase.


    H+105 minutes.
    Easy Red.
    12 DUKW from four LSTs land 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carries a 105mm Howitzer and 11 men from Battery ‘A’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carries a 105mm Howitzer and 10 men from Battery ‘A’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carries a 105mm Howitzer and 11 men from Battery ‘A’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carries a 105mm Howitzer and 10 men from Battery ‘A’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.

    DUKW carries a 105mm Howitzer and 11 men from Battery ‘B’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carries a 105mm Howitzer and 10 men from Battery ‘B’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carries a 105mm Howitzer and 10 men from Battery ‘B’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carries a 105mm Howitzer and 10 men from Battery ‘B’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.

    DUKW carries a 105mm Howitzer and 11 men from Battery ‘C’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carries a 105mm Howitzer and 10 men from Battery ‘C’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carries a 105mm Howitzer and 10 men from Battery ‘C’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    DUKW carries a 105mm Howitzer and 10 men from Battery ‘C’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.

    Six of the DUKWs and their guns were lost on the way to the beach. The remaining six could not land until late in the day because of congestion on the beach.


    Fox Green.
    9 DUKW land Headquarters for the three Battalions of 16 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carries 10 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carries 10 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carries 10 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carries 10 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carries 10 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carries 10 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carries 10 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carries 10 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carries 10 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    All the DUKWs of this wave rendezvous at LST 376. They are marshalled and guided by an LCVP from this LST. The LCVP returns to the LST.


    H+110 minutes.
    Two groups of DUKWs carrying support weapons land immediately behind each other. Both groups have sailed with the previous group as far as the Line of Departure.

    8 DUKW from LST (376N) carry Cannon Company 16 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW and 2 men from 1 Signal Company.
    DUKW and 2 men from 1 Signal Company.

    DUKW carries 105mm Howitzer and 12 men from Cannon Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carries 105mm Howitzer and 11 men from Cannon Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carries 105mm Howitzer and 12 men from Cannon Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carries 105mm Howitzer and 12 men from Cannon Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carries 105mm Howitzer and 11 men from Cannon Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    DUKW carries 105mm Howitzer and 12 men from Cannon Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.


    2 LCM and a LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carry Advanced Command Post 1 Division.

    Serial 2152 is an LCM(3) from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    25 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Division.
    35 men from 1 Signal Company.
    2 men from Detachment ‘L’, 165 Signal Photographic Company.
    1 man Press Correspondent.
    1 man Press Photographer.
    3 men from 29 Division. Liaison Officer.
    3 men OB ?, 1 Division.

    Serial 2153 is an LCVP from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    30 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Division.

    Serial 2154 is an LCM(3) from APA 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    11 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Division.
    25 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1 Divisional Artillery.
    35 men from 1 Signal Company.
    6 men from 32 Field Artillery Battalion.
    6 men from 5 Field Artillery Battalion.
    4 men from 50 Division. Liaison Officer.
    11 men from 18 Infantry Regiment.
    14 men from Service Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    1 man from headquarters and Headquarters Battery V Corps Artillery.

    Craft return to APA 26 Samuel Chase except for one LCM which reports to AP 77 Thurston.

    Mike
     
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  11. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Omaha East.

    H+120 minutes.
    Easy Red.

    7 LCT, 2 LCI and 2 LCVP land.
    Serial 4003 is an LCVP from LST 420 carrying
    30 men from V Corps Headquarters and Headquarters Company.

    Serial 4004 is an LCVP from LST 420 carrying
    30 men from V Corps Headquarters and Headquarters Company.

    Serial 2155 is an LCI(L) carrying
    26 men from Company ‘C’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion. 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    40 men from Company ‘C’, 6 Beach Battalion.
    13 men from 210 MP Company.
    10 men from 294 Signal Company.
    4 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion. 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    7 men from Company ‘B’, 7 Beach Battalion.
    89 men from Company ?, 1 Medical Battalion.

    Serial 2156 is an LCI(L) carrying
    37 men from 1 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    106 men from Company ‘C’, 1 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    33 men from 203 Quartermaster Supply Company.

    Serial 2157 is an LCT(5) carrying
    6 Halftrack M2 and 6 57mm Anti Tank gun from Anti Tank Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    3 Jeep from Anti Tank Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    60 men from Anti Tank Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2158 is an LCT(6) carrying
    2 X 2 ½ ton Dump truck with 4 men from Company ‘A’, 1 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    4 Halftrack M2 and 3 57mm Anti Tank gun from Anti Tank Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    3 Jeep from Anti Tank Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    ¾ ton Weapon Carrier from Anti Tank Company 16 Infantry Regiment.
    45 men from Anti Tank Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2159 is an LCT(5) carrying
    4 X Halftrack M15A1 from Battery 'A', 197 AAA Battalion.
    4 X Halftrack M16 from Battery 'A', 197 AAA Battalion.
    Halftrack M2 from Battery 'A', 197 AAA Battalion.
    2 X Jeep from Battery 'A', 197 AAA Battalion.
    58 men from Battery 'A', 197 AAA Battalion.
    2½ ton Dump Truck with 2 men from Company ‘B’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2160 is an LCT(5) carrying
    4 X Halftrack M15A1 from Battery 'A', 197 AAA Battalion.
    4 X Halftrack M16 from Battery 'A', 197 AAA Battalion.
    2 X Halftrack M2 from Battery 'A', 197 AAA Battalion.
    Jeep from Battery 'A', 197 AAA Battalion.
    59 men from Battery 'A', 197 AAA Battalion.
    2½ ton Dump Truck with 2 men from Company ‘B’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2161 is an LCT(5) carrying
    4 X Halftrack M15A1 from Battery 'B', 197 AAA Battalion.
    4 X Halftrack M16 from Battery 'B', 197 AAA Battalion.
    2 X Halftrack M2 from Battery 'B', 197 AAA Battalion.
    Jeep from Battery 'B', 197 AAA Battalion.
    59 men from Battery 'B', 197 AAA Battalion.
    2½ ton Dump Truck with 2 men from Company ‘B’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2162 is an LCT(5) carrying
    4 X Halftrack M15A1 from Battery 'B', 197 AAA Battalion.
    4 X Halftrack M16 from Battery 'B', 197 AAA Battalion.
    Halftrack M2 from Battery 'B', 197 AAA Battalion.
    2 X Jeep from Battery 'B', 197 AAA Battalion.
    58 men from Battery 'B', 197 AAA Battalion.
    2½ ton Dump Truck with 2 men from Company ‘B’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2163 is an LCT(6) carrying
    4 X Halftrack M3 from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 197 AAA Battalion.
    2 X Jeep from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 197 AAA Battalion.
    33 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 197 AAA Battalion.
    6 X Jeep and one trailer with 13 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with 2 men from Medical Detachment, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Air compressor truck with 2 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    LCTs report to Rendezvous Area 1.


    Fox Green.
    Serial 2164 is an LCT(5) carrying
    4 X Halftrack M15A1 from Battery 'C', 197 AAA Battalion.
    4 X Halftrack M16 from Battery 'C', 197 AAA Battalion.
    Halftrack M2 from Battery 'C', 197 AAA Battalion.
    2 X Jeep from Battery 'C', 197 AAA Battalion.
    58 men from Battery 'C', 197 AAA Battalion.
    2½ ton Dump Truck with 2 men from Company ‘A’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    Jeep with 1 man from 16 AAA Group.

    Serial 2165 is an LCT carrying
    4 X Halftrack M15A1 from Battery 'C', 197 AAA Battalion.
    4 X Halftrack M16 from Battery 'C', 197 AAA Battalion.
    2 X Halftrack M2 from Battery 'C', 197 AAA Battalion.
    Jeep from Battery 'C', 197 AAA Battalion.
    59 men from Battery 'C', 197 AAA Battalion.
    2½ ton Dump Truck with 2 men from Company ‘A’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    Jeep with 2 men from 16 AAA Group.

    Serial 2166 is an LCT carrying
    4 X Halftrack M15A1 from Battery 'D', 197 AAA Battalion.
    4 X Halftrack M16 from Battery 'D', 197 AAA Battalion.
    Halftrack M2 from Battery 'D', 197 AAA Battalion.
    2 X Jeep from Battery 'D', 197 AAA Battalion.
    58 men from Battery 'D', 197 AAA Battalion.
    2½ ton Dump Truck with 2 men from Company ‘A’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2167 is an LCT carrying
    4 X Halftrack M15A1 from Battery 'D', 197 AAA Battalion.
    4 X Halftrack M16 from Battery 'D', 197 AAA Battalion.
    2 X Halftrack M2 from Battery 'D', 197 AAA Battalion.
    Jeep from Battery 'D', 197 AAA Battalion.
    59 men from Battery 'D', 197 AAA Battalion.
    2½ ton Dump Truck with 2 men from Company ‘A’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    LCTs report to Rendezvous Area 1.

    Mike
     
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2017
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  12. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    We are now up to H+120 minutes. At this time the infantry Regimental Combat Teams should have captured or neutralised the enemy beach defences, the engineers should have cleared and marked paths through the beach obstacles and be improving beach exits. The beach control organisation should be in place and vehicles should be moving inland to assembly areas. Very little of this had been achieved and the troops already shore were still largely held up on the beach.

    Up to H+120 minutes there should have been a steady flow of craft arriving at the beach. Waves of craft were formed up at the Line of Departure and despatched by control craft. In general the smaller LCVP, LCA and LCM had managed to beach but many larger craft had not succeeded in beaching and were milling around offshore either looking for a place to beach or waiting for instructions.

    At H+120 there was an option to cease the flow of craft. In fact the beachmasters decided to close the beaches to craft carrying vehicles since the beaches were already congested and vehicles could not use the beach exits. This gave the naval commanders the problem of sorting out the craft which were circling on the seaward side of the Line of Departure and deciding which should proceed and which should be sent back out to sea to wait to be called.

    Both on shore and at sea the situation appeared to be chaotic but slowly order was restored. This is another story.


    Now would be a good time for anyone to offer corrections or additional information relevant to the story so far.

    Mike
     
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  13. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    I cannot add or correct but would like to say I admire the amount of work and detail you have put into this

    TD
     
    Roy Martin likes this.
  14. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    The Provisional Ranger Assault Group.
    The Provisional Ranger Assault Group consisted of 2 Ranger Battalion and 5 Ranger Battalion plus a small headquarters.

    All the Rangers landed from British LSI(H) using LCA.

    2 Ranger Battalion.
    Companies ‘D’, ‘E’ and ‘F’ were to land at Pointe du Hoc and capture the gun battery there. According to V Corps orders ‘Rangers will destroy the batteries at Point du Hoc by assaulting the cliffs and by flanking action from Omaha. They will then move to capture the batteries at Grand Camp and Maisy before working further along the coast towards Isigny’.

    Companies ‘A’ and ‘B’ were held in reserve. They would reinforce the Pointe du Hoc force if the latter were successful, otherwise they would land on Omaha West.

    ‘C’ Company would land on Charlie to cover the western flank of 116 Infantry Regiment. It would then move westwards to make contact with the Pointe du Hoc force.


    5 Ranger Battalion.
    All six companies would land on Omaha West.




    Ranger Battalion.
    A Ranger Battalion was a small, lightly armed unit which in theory could carry out special missions of short duration.

    A Battalion consisted of a Headquarters and six rifle companies.
    Headquarters had small sub units for the usual administrative and command tasks. Not all would take part in an operation but those left behind would join later.

    Headquarters Company.
    Headquarters.
    7 officers
    Staff Platoon.
    Officer
    28 men
    Intelligence Section.
    7 men
    Supply and transport platoon
    22 men
    Communications Platoon.
    22 men


    Rifle Company
    Headquarters.
    Officer
    Serjeant
    2 Runners

    2 X Platoon each
    Officer
    Serjeant
    Runner.
    Sniper

    2 X Assault Sections each
    Leader
    5 man assault section
    5 man weapons section with Browning machine gun

    Weapons section
    6 men with 60 mm mortar and bazooka if required.

    Battalion Headquarters held a pool of weapons for issue as required.
    6 X 81mm mortars
    6 X 60mm mortars
    10 X bazookas
    20 X sub machine gun.



    The Assault on Pointe du Hoc.
    Companies ‘D’, ‘E’ and ‘F’ of 2 Ranger Battalion crossed the Channel in the two LSI(H), Amsterdam and Ben My Chree. Each of these carried six LCA. On arrival at the Transport Area the Rangers embarked in the LCAs for the long journey to Pointe du Hoc which was to the west of the Omaha beaches. The LCAs were to be led by a Motor Launch fitted as navigation leader and accompanied by two LCS(S) for fire support.

    The twelve LCA were deployed as follows, three craft per company plus a headquarters craft and two carrying supplies.

    Serial 1001 was a LCA of 522 Flotilla from LSI(H) Amsterdam carrying
    34 men from Company ‘D’, 2 Ranger Battalion.

    Serial 1002 was a LCA of 522 Flotilla from LSI(H) Amsterdam carrying
    34 men from Company ‘D’, 2 Ranger Battalion.

    Serial 1003 was a LCA of 522 Flotilla from LSI(H) Amsterdam carrying
    35 men from Company ‘D’, 2 Ranger Battalion.

    Serial 1004 was a LCA of 522 Flotilla from LSI(H) Amsterdam carrying
    Supplies.

    Serial 1005 was a LCA of 522 Flotilla from LSI(H) Amsterdam carrying
    34 men from Company ‘E’, 2 Ranger Battalion.

    Serial 1006 was a LCA of 522 Flotilla from LSI(H) Amsterdam carrying
    34 men from Company ‘E’, 2 Ranger Battalion.

    Serial 1007 was a LCA of 520 Flotilla from LSI(H) Ben My Chree carrying
    Supplies.

    Serial 1008 was a LCA of 520 Flotilla from LSI(H) Ben my Chree carrying
    ? men from Headquarters, 2 Ranger Battalion and Provisional Ranger Force.

    Serial 1009 was a LCA of 520 Flotilla from LSI(H) Ben My Chree carrying
    34 men from Company ‘E’, 2 Ranger Battalion.

    Serial 1010 was a LCA of 520 Flotilla from LSI(H) Ben My Chree carrying
    35 men from Company ‘F’, 2 Ranger Battalion.

    Serial 1011 was a LCA of 520 Flotilla from LSI(H) Ben My Chree carrying
    34 men from Company ‘F’, 2 Ranger Battalion.

    Serial 1012 was a LCA of 520 Flotilla from LSI(H) Ben My Chree carrying
    34 men from Company ‘F’, 2 Ranger Battalion.


    A LCT(A) (LCT413) accompanied the group and carried four DUKWs fitted with Merryweather extending fire escape ladders from the London Fire Brigade. These were to enable the Rangers to scale the cliffs.

    The gun battery at Pointe du Hoc had been subjected to aerial bombardment in the days before D Day and again on the early morning of D Day. From H-40 minutes until H Hour the battery was to be bombarded by the battleship USS Texas.

    The plan was that the three Ranger companies would beach at the base of the cliffs under the battery position. The four fire escape ladders mounted on DUKWs would beach and extend their ladders to the top of the cliff. These would allow fire to be brought onto any defenders on the cliff top and allow Rangers to reach and hold positions on the cliff top so as to cover the ascent of the remaining troops. The majority of the Rangers were to scale the cliffs using light weight ladders and ropes with grappling irons fired from rocket launchers. It was expected that the defenders would be dazed and under cover as a result of the bombardment. Some fire support was available from the LCS(S) and destroyers were standing by off shore to answer calls for heavier support.

    As elsewhere on Omaha things did not go according to plan. Even before the operation began there was a change of command when the major who was to have led the force was relieved and replaced by the Commander Provisional Ranger Force. On learning during a briefing on board LSI(H) Ben My Chree that the guns had probably been moved the officer expressed the opinion that the assault was unnecessary and suicidal.

    The ML Navigation Leader confused Pointe et Raz de la Percee with Point de Hoc and led the flotilla towards the former. Presumably they looked much alike on the radar screen although they were visually different. It was some time before the error was noticed. By the time the craft had changed course and headed west, into the wind and waves, they were some forty minutes late. Thus they were landing about 0710 instead of 0630. By this time USS Texas had ceased firing and the defenders had had time to recover.

    The Ranger force had lost an LCA in the Transport Area when it was swamped with the loss of all but one man, including the commander of Company ‘D’. The two supply LCAs also suffered, one sinking and one avoiding being swamped by dumping its supplies overboard. A LCS and a DUKW were lost as they moved west along the coast. Thus nine LCA and three DUKW actually arrived. An unexpected bonus was that the shelling by USS Texas had caused a section of cliff to collapse and make a mound of debris reaching half way up the cliff. This eased the task of scaling. However it also meant that there was nowhere for the DUKWs and their ladders to beach and so they were not used. It was reported that the ladders were not in fact long enough to reach the clifftops.

    As the Rangers began to climb up the cliffs defenders appeared at the cliff edge and starting firing small arms. The destroyer USS Satterlee and the Hunt class HMS Talybont came close in shore and swept the cliff tops clear. By the time Rangers reached the top of the cliffs the defenders had withdrawn into bunkers. The gun positions were found to be abandoned, the guns having being moved a short distance inland to avoid air and sea bombardment. The Rangers sent a message at 0725 to say that they had scaled the cliffs, and another message at 0745 to say that point had been secured. However the delay in landing meant that it was assumed that the assault had failed and the remainder of the Rangers were landed on Easy Beach at 0730. The survivors of the three companies would now have to hold on until support could reach them overland. This could not be soon.

    In fact the army and naval commanders afloat remained unaware that the Rangers had succeeded in their assault or that they were in need of reinforcement. The Rangers wireless sets proved ineffective and only in mid afternoon was a message passed via USS Satterlee.

    The operation proved not only to be successful but probably necessary. The guns had been moved from the emplacements but they were some 600 yards inland and could still pose a threat to shipping off Utah beach and to troops on the beach.

    Around 2100 hours a 23 man patrol from 5 Rangers arrived at Pointe du Hoc and joined the remnants of 2 Rangers. This patrol had landed on Easy Beach and reached Vierville earlier in the day before making its way westwards to Pointe du Hoc. There were now some 85 effectives from the two units and they succeeded in holding off several night attacks and then held on throughout D+1 before being relieved on D+2.

    Point du hoc air.jpg

    Pointe du Hoc. Most features obliterated by air bombardment.

    Thumbnails.
    1. The landslide caused by shelling.
    2. DUKW with ladder.
    3. Ranger Command Post.
     

    Attached Files:

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  15. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    H+2 Hours to H+4 hours.

    Omaha West.
    Closing the beach to craft carrying vehicles did not immediately make great deal of difference on Omaha West. According to the Landing Plan there was only one craft due to beach between H+120 minutes and H+180 minutes and this was not carrying vehicles. Of course there were craft which had already passed the Line of Departure but had either not been able to land or not yet arrived at the beach.

    H+150 minutes.
    Dog White.
    Serial 1201 is an LCI(L) Carrying
    26 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company 116 Infantry Regiment.
    61 men from 104 Medical Battalion. 29 Division.
    4 men from 27 Bomb Disposal Squad.
    6 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 147 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    10 men from Company ‘B’, 147 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    34 men from 214 MP Company. Engineer Special Brigade.
    23 men from Company ‘A’, 7 Naval Beach Battalion.

    214 MP Company was originally a Corps MP Company. It was trained in amphibious operations and assigned to Engineer Special Brigade. It was responsible for Traffic control in the beach area.

    27 Bomb Disposal Squad was assigned to Engineer Special Brigade to assist with clearing unexploded bombs and shells. It also dealt with enemy ammunition.

    It is believed that this LCI(L) did in fact land. It was not subject to the ban on vehicles since it carried only personnel, and the personnel were needed to work on the beach. When it proved impossible for the engineers to perform their tasks it was decided not to land any more until the situation improved.


    The following craft loads did not land at the times shown. No vehicles were landed because of congestion on the beach. Some LCI(L)s carrying infantry were allowed to land. There was considerable confusion at sea and it is not clear when the various groups of craft were called in to beach.

    There were several changes to the order in which groups of craft were to land between H+180 minutes and H+215 minutes. The latest amendment moved the time at which the LST(6)s which had launched/landed DD tanks would be ready to beach from H+180 minutes to H+215 minutes. It is not clear if this applied to other craft of the same wave.

    H+180 minutes to H+215 minutes.
    Dog Green.
    Serial 1202 was an LCT(6) carrying
    Recovery Tank with 5 crew from 743 Tank Battalion.
    4 Jeeps from 2 Ranger Battalion.
    1½ ton truck from 2 Ranger Battalion.
    ¾ ton ambulance from 2 Ranger Battalion.
    2½ ton truck from 2 Ranger Battalion.
    Jeep and trailer from 2 Ranger Battalion.
    19 men from 2 Ranger Battalion.
    2 X 2½ ton trucks and 12 men from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.

    Serial 1203 was an LCT(6) carrying
    3 X ¾ ton Weapons Carriers with 9 men from 2 Ranger Battalion.
    4 Jeeps and 4 trailers from 5 Ranger Battalion.
    ¾ ton Ambulance from 5 Ranger Battalion.
    1½ ton truck from 5 Ranger Battalion.
    ¾ ton Command Reconnaissance from 5 Ranger Battalion.
    16 men from 5 Ranger Battalion.
    3 Jeeps with 6 men from Naval Shore Fire Control Party. For parties already ashore.

    Serial 1204 was an LCT(5) carrying
    2 Jeeps and 2 trailers with two men from Ranger Air Support.
    Halftrack with 1 ton trailer with two men from Ranger Air Support.
    1½ ton truck with four men from 2 Ranger Battalion.
    2½ ton truck with 2 men from 5 Ranger Battalion.
    4 X 2½ ton trucks and 4 1 ton trailers with 24 men from 467 Anti Aircraft Automatic Weapon Battalion.

    Serial 1205 is an LCT(6) carrying
    This craft carried DD tanks across the Channel. After landing them it collected personnel and vehicles from APA 30 Thomas Jefferson.
    Loaded in UK.
    4 Jeeps and 4 trailers with 10 men from Company ‘B’, 81 Chemical Weapons Battalion.
    4 men from 320 Barrage Balloon Battalion.
    From APA 30.
    2 Jeeps with 3 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeeps with 4 men from Cannon Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    4 Jeeps with 5 men from 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    1 Jeep with 2 men from Prisoner of War Interrogation Team.
    53 men from 2 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment. Over strength.

    Serial 1206 is an LCT(6) carrying
    This craft carried DD tanks across the Channel. After landing them it collected personnel from LSI(L) Empire Javelin.
    Loaded in UK.
    4 Jeeps and 4 trailers with 6 men from Company ‘B’, 81 Chemical Weapons Battalion.
    4 men from 320 Barrage Balloon Battalion.
    Loaded from LSI(L).
    17 men from Company ‘B’, 104 Medical Battalion. Over strength.
    78 men from 111 Field Artillery Battalion. Over strength.
    90 men from 1 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment. Over strength.
    16 men from Medical Detachment, 116 Infantry Regiment. Over strength.


    Dog White.
    Serial 1207 is an LCT(6) carrying
    2 M4 Sherman tank with 10 men from 743 Tank Battalion.
    Recovery tank with 5 men from 743 Tank Battalion.
    2 X 2½ ton truck with 4 men from 743 Tank Battalion.
    2 Jeep with 4 men from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2 X 2½ ton truck with 20 men from 58 Field Artillery battalion.

    Serial 1208 is an LCT(6) carrying
    This craft carried DD tanks across the Channel. After landing them it collected personnel and vehicles from APA 28 Charles Carrol.
    Loaded in UK.
    4 Jeep with 4 men from 29 MP Company.
    2 Jeep with 4 men from 112 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Loaded from APA 28.
    6 Jeep with 14 men from 2 Ranger Battalion.
    Jeep with 3 men from Civil Affairs.
    51 men from 3 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment. Over strength.

    Serial 1209 is an LCT(6) carrying
    This craft carried DD tanks across the Channel. After landing them it collected personnel and vehicles from APA 28 Charles Carrol.
    Loaded in UK.
    3 Jeeps and 2 trailers with 5 men from 1 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeeps with 3 men from 126 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Loaded from APA 28.
    6 Jeeps and 9 men from 5 Ranger Battalion.
    Jeep and trailer with 4 men, Liaison Officer from 1 Division to V Corps.

    Dog Red.
    Serial 1210 is an LCT(6) carrying
    Crane truck with 2 men from Company ‘A’, 149 Engineer Combat battalion.
    2 Jeeps and 4 men from Naval Shore Fire Control Party.
    3 X 2½ ton cargo truck with 27men from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2 Jeeps and 2 Trailers with 2 men from Air Support Party, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    Halftrack and 1 ton trailer with 1 man from Air Support Party, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    4 men and a balloon from 320 Barrage Balloon Battalion.

    Serial 1211 is an LCT(6) carrying
    This craft carried DD tanks across the Channel. After landing them it collected personnel and vehicles from APA 28 Charles Carrol. Mainly 29 Division Headquarters.
    Loaded in UK.
    3 Jeeps with 3 crew from Medical Detachment, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeeps with 2 crew from 112 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Loaded from APA 28.
    15 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 29 Division.
    11 men from 29 Signals Company, 29 Division.
    3 men from 29 Reconnaissance Troops.
    Jeep with 4 men from 29 Quartermaster Company. Lieutenant and 3 men reconnaissance party.
    Jeep with 1 man from 729 Ordnance Company.
    Jeep and trailer with 4 men. Liaison Officer from 4 Division Artillery to 29 Division.
    Jeep and trailer with 4 men. Liaison Officer from 1 Division to 29 Division.

    Serial 1212 is an LCT(6) carrying
    This craft carried DD tanks across the Channel. After landing them it collected personnel and vehicles from APA 28 Charles Carrol.
    Loaded in UK.
    2 Jeeps and 1 trailer with 3 men from 2 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeeps with 2 men from 29 MP Platoon.
    2 Jeeps with 3 men from 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.

    Loaded from APA 28 Charles Carroll.
    Jeep with 1 man from 27 Bomb Disposal Squad.
    Jeep with 1 man from Headquarters and Service Company, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    5 Jeeps with 5 men from 320 Barrage Balloon Battalion.
    Jeep with 1 man from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1 Division Artillery.
    23 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1 Division Artillery.

    Serial 1213 is an LCT(6) carrying
    This craft carried DD tanks across the Channel. After landing them it collected personnel and vehicles from APA 30 Thomas Jefferson.
    Loaded in UK.
    4 Jeeps and 4 trailers with 6 men from Company ‘D’, 81 Chemical Weapons Battalion.
    Loaded from APA 30.
    8 Jeeps and 8 men from 112 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    4 men with a barrage balloon from 320 Barrage Balloon Battalion.

    Serial 1214 is an LCT(6) carrying
    This craft carried DD tanks across the Channel. After landing them it collected personnel and vehicles from APA 30 Thomas Jefferson.
    Loaded in UK.
    4 Jeeps and 4 trailers with 6 men from Company ‘D’, 81 Chemical Weapons Battalion.
    Loaded from APA 30.
    4 Jeeps and 4 men from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2 Cub Planes with 8 men from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.

    The Cub Planes were Piper L4 air observation aircraft which were on the establishment of all Field Artillery Battalions. These were normally carried disassembled on 2½ ton trucks. They could however be carried in LCT with the wings removed. They could then be pushed ashore or towed by jeeps. In theory they could be assembled on the beach and flown off. Narrative Report dated 10 June by Commanding Officer Thomas Jefferson. Landed by LCT 49 troops, 21 Jeeps, 2 Piper Cubs.

    Over strength.
    All assault units had additional personnel who had trained with the unit and landed as first reinforcements. There were also personnel from the assault companies who had not been included in the assault boat teams.

    Naval Salvage Units.
    Apart from the LCTs listed above there were Naval Salvage Units landing on Dog White and Dog Red at this time. They have no army personnel and so have no serial number. Each Unit had three LCM(3) which were fitted with pumps, towing bits and towing gear. Two out of each three LCM(3) also carried a bulldozer. These units were to keep the beaches clear and recover damaged craft.

    Dog Red.
    DUKWs are launched from two LSTs.
    12 X DUKW from 461 Amphibious Truck Company.
    These are preloaded with ammunition.

    Easy Green.
    DUKWs are launched from one LST.
    18 X DUKW from 461 Amphibious Truck Company.
    These are preloaded with ammunition.


    H+225 minutes.

    Dog White.
    Serial 1215 is a LCT(6) carrying.
    2½ ton truck and trailer with 2 men from 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    4 Jeeps with 4 men from 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    3 X 2½ ton trucks from 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    4 X ¾ ton Weapons Carriers from 5 Ranger Battalion.
    Jeep from 5 Ranger Battalion.
    11 men from 5 Ranger Battalion.
    4 men and a barrage balloon from 320 Barrage Balloon Battalion.

    Serial 1216 is a LCT(6) carrying
    Quickway truck mounted crane with 2 men from Company ‘B’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    TD 18 tractor with 2 men from Recovery Platoon, 3565 Ordnance Company.
    5 X 2½ ton trucks with 2 men from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    35 men from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    4 men with a barrage balloon from 320 Barrage Balloon Battalion.

    Dog Red.
    Serial 1217 is a LCT(6) carrying
    Quickway truck mounted crane with 2 men from Company ‘B’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    2 Jeeps with 2 men from 293 Joint Assault Signals Communications Organisation.
    Tank Recovery Vehicle from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2½ ton truck from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2 X Jeep from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    22 men from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2 X 2½ ton truck from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Halftrack from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    24 men from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.


    Serial 1218 is a LCT(5) carrying
    4 X DUKW and 33 men from 2 Ranger Battalion.

    It is thought that this serial is a late addition and out of sequence. The DUKWs are those carrying Merryweather fire escape ladders to assist the Rangers in scaling cliffs. They were launched in time for the DUKWs to reach the shore at Pointe du Hoc at H Hour.

    Mike
     
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  16. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Omaha East.

    More craft were due to land on Omaha East than on Omaha West between H+2 hours and H+4 hours. There were also more gaps in the beach obstacles on Omaha East than on Omaha West but until the beach defences were neutralised by the infantry and the beach exits were cleared by engineers there was no point in landing more vehicles. Some engineers would be allowed to land but many of the craft listed below would be held offshore for many hours.

    H+130 minutes
    Serial 2168 is an LCI(L) carrying
    35 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    136 men from Company ‘B’, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.

    Serial 2169 is an LCT(5) carrying
    5 X Jeep from 1 Signal Company.
    2 X ¾ ton Weapon Carrier from 1 Signal Company.
    2 X ¾ ton Command Reconnaissance from 1 Signal Company.
    10 men from 1 Signal Company.
    ¾ ton Weapon Carrier with 2 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2 X 2½ ton Dump truck with two men from Company ‘A’, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    2 X 2½ ton Dump truck with two men from Company ‘A’, 1 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Jeep with 2 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 1 Engineer Combat battalion.

    Serial 2170 is an LCT carrying
    D8 Tractor and Athey Trailer with 2 men from Company ‘B’, 348 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    33 men from Company ‘B’, 348 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    8 Jeep with 14 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    9 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Air Compressor Truck with 2 men from Company ‘A’, 1 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    2 X M4 Sherman tank with 9 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 741 Tank Battalion.

    Serial 2171 is an LCT(6) carrying
    D8 Tractor and Athey Trailer with 2 men from Company ‘C’, 348 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    32 men from Company ‘B’, 348 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    7 Jeep with 12 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    3 X D7 Tractor from Headquarters and Service Company, 1 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    ¾ ton Weapon Carrier from Headquarters and Service Company, 1 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Jeep from Headquarters and Service Company, 1 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    6 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 1 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Jeep with 2 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier with 2 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.

    Serial 2172 is an LCT(6) carrying
    8 Jeeps from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    4 X ¾ ton Weapons Carrier from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    35 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    ¾ ton Command Reconnaissance with one man from Service Battery, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Jeep with one man from Service Battery, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2 X 2½ ton Dump truck with four men from Company ‘A’, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.

    Serial 2173 is an LCT(6) carrying
    2 Jeep with 2 men from Battery ‘A’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    ¾ ton Command Reconnaissance with one man from Battery ‘A’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    3 X ¾ ton Weapons Carrier with three men from Battery ‘A’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    32 men from Battery ‘A’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    4 Jeeps with 8 men from Canon Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with two men from Medical Detachment, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with two men from Naval Shore Fire Control Party.
    T5 (M32) Tank Recovery Vehicle from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 741 Tank Battalion.
    Halftrack M2 from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 741 Tank Battalion.
    7 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 741 Tank Battalion.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier with one man from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Division.

    Serial 2174 is an LCT(6) carrying
    2 Jeep with 2 men from Battery ‘B’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    ¾ ton Command Reconnaissance with one man from Battery ‘B’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    3 X ¾ ton Weapons Carrier with three men from Battery ‘B’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    32 men from Battery ‘B’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Jeep and trailer with two men from Naval Shore Fire Control Party.
    M4 Sherman Tank with 5 men from Company ‘B’, 741 Tank Battalion.
    M4 Sherman Tank with 5 men from Company ‘C’, 741 Tank Battalion.
    Jeep from 1 Signal Company
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier from 1 Signal Company
    ¾ ton Command Reconnaissance from 1 Signal Company
    7 men from 1 Signal Company from 1 Signal Company

    Serial 2175 is a LCT(6) carrying
    D8 Tractor and Athey Trailer with 2 men from Company ‘B’, 348 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    Air Compressor Truck with 2 men from Company ‘A’, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Jeep and trailer with 2 men from Naval Shore Fire Support Party.
    2 Jeep with 2 men from Battery ‘C’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    ¾ ton Command Reconnaissance with one man from Battery ‘C’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    3 X ¾ ton Weapons Carrier with three men from Battery ‘C’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    33 men from Battery ‘C’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.

    LCTs report to Rendezvous Area 1.

    20 Combat Engineer Battalion was a unit of V Corps attached to 1 Division to land with 16 Infantry Regiment and start to clear exits from the beaches. They would move inland with the division.

    5 Engineer Special Brigade was the unit which would operate the beach once the combat division troops had moved inland.


    H+135 minutes.
    Serial 2176 was an LCVP from LSI(L) Empire Anvil carrying
    32 men from Company ‘C’, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.

    Serial 2177 was an LCVP from LSI(L) Empire Anvil carrying
    32 men from Company ‘C’, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.

    Serial 2178 was an LCVP from LSI(L) Empire Anvil carrying
    32 men from Company ‘C’, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.

    Serial 2179 was an LCVP from LSI(L) Empire Anvil carrying
    32 men from Company ‘C’, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.


    H+180 minutes.
    Easy Red.
    Serial 4005 is a Rhino Ferry from LST (403A) carrying
    2 Crawler Cranes with 4 men from Company ‘A’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    Jeep with 2 men from Company ‘B’, 6 Beach Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    10 ton wrecker with 2 men from 3466 Medium Automobile Maintenance Company, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    2 X 2 ½ ton trucks from Company ‘A’, 61 Medical Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    3 Jeep from Company ‘A’, 61 Medical Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    10 men from Company ‘A’, 61 Medical Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    2½ ton truck from Bomb Disposal Squad, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    Jeep from Bomb Disposal Squad, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    7 men from Bomb Disposal Squad, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    2 Jeep and 1 trailer from Headquarters Battery, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2 X ¾ ton Command Reconnaissance from Headquarters Battery, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2 X ¾ ton Weapons Carrier from Headquarters Battery, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    49 men from Headquarters Battery, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    6 X 2½ ton truck with 17 men from Battery ‘B’, 7 Field artillery Battalion.
    2 X 2½ ton truck and 1 X 1ton trailer with 2 men from Headquarters Battery, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Jeep and trailer with 1 man from Headquarters Battery, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier with 1 man from Headquarters Battery, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2½ ton truck with 3 men from Service Battery, 62 Field Artillery Battalion (Self Propelled).
    2 Halftrack M2 with 12 men from Headquarters Battery, 62 Field Artillery Battalion (Self Propelled).
    17 men from Headquarters Battery, 62 Field Artillery Battalion (Self Propelled).
    Halftrack M2 with 5 men from Battery ‘A’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion (Self Propelled).
    17 men from Battery ‘A’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion (Self Propelled).
    Halftrack M2 with 5 men from Battery ‘B’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion (Self Propelled).
    9 men from Battery ‘B’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion (Self Propelled).
    Halftrack M2 with 6 men from Battery ‘C’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion (Self Propelled).
    16 men from Battery ‘C’, 62 Field Artillery Battalion (Self Propelled).
    Halftrack M2 with 4 men from Medical Detachment, 62 Field Artillery Battalion (Self Propelled).


    Serial 4006 is an LCVP from LST (403A) carrying
    30 men from V Corps Headquarters and Headquarters Company.

    Serial 4006A is an LCVP from LST (403A) carrying
    30 men from V Corps Headquarters and Headquarters Company.



    Fox Green.
    Serial 2180 is a Rhino Ferry from LST (404A) carrying
    2 Crawler Crane with 4 men from Company ‘B’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    4 X 2½ ton Dump truck with 8 men from Company ‘C’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    10 men from Company ‘C’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    4 X 2½ ton truck with 8 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    Jeep with 2 men from 459 Amphibious Truck Company.
    Universal Carrier with 2 men from Headquarters 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    2 men from Headquarters 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    6 X 2½ ton truck with 14 men from Battery ‘C’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    3 X 2½ ton truck with 9 men from Headquarters Company, 741 Tank Battalion.
    1 man from Company ‘A’, 741 Tank Battalion. Carried in above trucks.
    2 men from Company ‘C’, 741 Tank Battalion. Carried in above trucks.
    4 X 2½ ton trucks and 4 X 1ton trailer with 24 men from Headquarters Battery, 197 AAA Battalion.
    2 X ¾ ton Ambulance with 4 men from Company ‘A’. 1 Medical Battalion.

    ‘Universal Carrier’ is not a normal designation. Since it apparently can only carry two men it may be a Weasel.

    Serial 2181 is a Rhino Ferry carrying
    62 Field Artillery Battalion.

    The Rhino Ferries are from the three LSTs which launched DUKWs. The LSTs moved closer to shore, moved the Rhino Ferry from its position astern and loaded it with vehicles lowered from the upper deck.

    Rhino Ferries are guided by LCVP carried on the LSTs



    H+185 minutes.
    Three LCM(3) carrying naval salvage teams land, two on Easy Red and one on Fox Green. They do not have Serial numbers.


    H+220 minutes.
    The LCT(6) which launched DD tanks returned to the Transport Area to collect vehicles. The vehicles are Jeeps and trailers which have been carried in the holds of the APAs. Some Jeeps and trailers were embarked on the LCT(6) in the UK and were stowed along the sides of the tank deck.

    Vehicles embarked in the UK had to have at least one man per vehicles embarked with them.

    Serial 2182 is an LCT(6) (55A) from APA 45 Henrico carrying
    Embarked in UK.
    2 Jeeps with 2 men from 32 Field Artillery Battalion.
    4 Jeeps with 4 men from 18 Infantry Regiment.
    From APA 45 Henrico.
    7 Jeeps and 7 trailers with 11 men from Company ‘A’, 81 Chemical Weapons Battalion.

    Serial 2183 is an LCT(6) (56A) from APA 45 Henrico.
    Embarked in the UK.
    Jeep and trailer with 2 men from Company ‘A’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with 2 men from Company ‘B’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeep with 2 men from 5 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Jeep with 1 man from Prisoner of War Interrogation Team.
    Jeep with 1 man from Company ‘B’, 741 Tank Battalion.
    From APA 45 Henrico.
    Jeep and trailer with 2 men from Company ‘A’, 81 Chemical Weapons Battalion.
    3 Jeeps with 6 men from Company ‘H’ (Weapons), 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep with 1 man from Headquarters 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with 3 men from Photographic Interpretation Team. 1 Division.

    Serial 2184 is an LCT(6) (57A) from APA 45 Henrico.
    Embarked in the UK.
    Jeep and trailer with 2 men from Company ‘C’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeep and 1 trailer with 3 men from Company ‘D’ (Weapons), 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeep with 7 men from Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment, 1 Division.
    Jeep with 1 man from Language Interpretation Team.
    From APA 45 Henrico.
    Piper Cub plane with 2 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Jeep with 4 men from Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment, 1 Division.
    Jeep with 4 men from Prisoner of War Interrogation Team, 1 Division.
    Jeep with 4 men from Civil Affairs, 1 Division.
    Jeep with 3 men from Civil Affairs, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2185 is an LCT(6) (58A) from APA 45 Henrico.
    Embarked in the UK.
    Jeep and trailer with 2 men from Company ‘E’, 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with 2 men from Company ‘F’, 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with 2 men from Company ‘G’, 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep with 2 men from Headquarters and service Company, 1 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Jeep with 2 men from 210 MP Company, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    From APA 45 Henrico.
    Piper Cub plane with 2 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Piper Cub plane with 2 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    16 men overstrength 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    23 men overstrength Service Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2186 is an LCT(6) (59A) from AP 26 Samuel Chase.
    Embarked in the UK.
    2 Jeeps and 1 trailer with 4 men from Company ‘H’ (Weapons), 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with 2 men from Company ‘I’, 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with 1 man from Company ‘A’, 1 Medical Battalion.
    From AP 26 Samuel Chase.
    Jeep with 1 man from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with 1 man from Company ‘A’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with 1 man from Company ‘B’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with 1 man from Company ‘C’, 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    3 Jeeps and 3 trailers with 5 men from Company ‘C’, 81 Chemical Weapons Battalion.
    Jeep and 1 man from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Division.

    Serial 2187 is an LCT(6) (60A) from AP 26 Samuel Chase.
    Embarked in the UK.
    Jeep and trailer with 2 men from Company ‘K’, 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with 2 men from Company ‘L’, 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeeps with 4 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    From AP 26 Samuel Chase.
    5 Jeeps and 5 trailers with 8 men from Company ‘C’, 81 Chemical Weapons Battalion.
    3 Jeeps with 3 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Division.

    Serial 2188 is an LCT(6) (61A) from AP 26 Samuel Chase.
    Embarked in the UK.
    2 Jeeps and 1 trailer with 1 man from Company ‘M’ (Weapons), 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry regiment.
    Jeep with 1 man from Company ‘C’, 741 Tank Battalion.
    Jeep with 1 man from Headquarters Company, 741 Tank Battalion.
    Jeep with 1 man from Service Battery, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    From AP 26 Samuel Chase.
    3 Jeeps with 3 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Division.
    Jeep with 1 man from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Division Artillery.
    Jeep with 1 man from 1 Battery, Provisional 397 AAA Battalion.
    Jeep and trailer with 1 man from 50 (British) Division. Liaison Party to 1 Division.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier with 1 man from 50 (British)Division. Liaison Party to 1 Division.
    Piper Club plane with 4 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.

    Serial 2189 is an LCT(6) (62A) from AP 26 Samuel Chase.
    Embarked in the UK.
    Jeep and trailer with 1 man from Battery ‘A’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Jeep and trailer with 1 man from Battery ‘B’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Jeep and trailer with 1 man from Battery ‘C’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Jeep with 1 man from Company ‘A’, 741 Tank Battalion.
    From AP 26 Samuel Chase.
    Piper Club plane with 2 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Piper Club plane with 4 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 62 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Jeep and trailer with 1 man from 231 (British) Brigade. Liaison Party to 16 Infantry.
    Jeep and trailer with 1 man from 29 Division. Liaison Party to 1 Division.

    Landing at the same time as the above LCT(6)s are two further LCT(6) which did not carry DD tanks.

    Serial 2190 is an LCT(6) carrying
    3 Jeeps with 9 men from Headquarters 81 Chemical Weapons Battalion.
    Jeep with 1 man from Company ‘A’, 1 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    2 X 2½ ton Dump truck with 4 men from Company ‘C’, 1 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Air Compressor Truck with 2 men from Company ‘C’, 1 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    ¾ ton Command Reconnaissance with 1 man from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    M4 Sherman tank with 4 men from Headquarters Company, 741 Tank Battalion.
    2 X ¾ ton Weapons Carrier with 9 men from 320 Barrage Balloon Battalion (VLA)
    38 men from Company ‘E’, 16 Infantry Regiment. Overstrength.

    Serial 2191 is an LCT(6) carrying
    Jeep with 2 men from Company ‘A’, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    2 X 2½ ton Dump truck with 4 men from Company ‘B’, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Air Compressor Truck with 2 men from Company ‘B’, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    2 X 2½ ton Dump truck with 4 men from Company ‘C’, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Halftrack M2 and 1 ton trailer with 1 man from Air Support Party.
    Jeep and trailer with 1 man from Air Support Party.
    4 men and a balloon from 320 Barrage Balloon Battalion (VLA)
    38 men from Company ‘F’, 16 Infantry Regiment. Overstrength.



    H+230 minutes.
    Fox Green.
    14 LCVP from APA 45 Henrico and 5 LCA from LSI(L) Empire Anvil land 5 Engineer Special Brigade and 6 Beach Battalion.

    Serial 2192 is an LCVP from APA 45 Henrico
    4 men from Headquarters 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    2 men from Headquarters 210 MP Company, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    6 men from Headquarters 6 Beach Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    10 men from 97 Railhead Company, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2193 is an LCVP from APA 45 Henrico
    32 men from 97 Railhead Company, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2194 is an LCVP from APA 45 Henrico
    19 men from 97 Railhead Company, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    13 men from Company ‘B’, 348 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2195 is an LCVP from APA 45 Henrico
    20 men from Company ‘B’, 348 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    12 men from 210 MP Company, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2196 is an LCVP from APA 45 Henrico
    32 men from Company ‘B’, 348 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2197 is an LCVP from APA 45 Henrico
    10 men from Company ‘B’, 348 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    17 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 348 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    5 men from 162 Photographic Unit, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2198 is an LCVP from APA 45 Henrico
    10 men from Company ‘C’, 348 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    18 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 348 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2199 is an LCVP from APA 45 Henrico
    20 men from Company ‘C’, 348 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    12 men from 210 MP Company, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2200 is an LCVP from APA 45 Henrico
    32 men from Company ‘C’, 348 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2201 is an LCVP from APA 45 Henrico
    17 men from Company ‘C’, 348 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    15 men from Company ‘B’, 6 Beach Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2202 is an LCVP from APA 45 Henrico
    33 men from Company ‘B’, 6 Beach Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2203 is an LCVP from APA 45 Henrico
    33 men from Company ‘B’, 6 Beach Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2204 is an LCVP from APA 45 Henrico
    24 men from Company ‘B’, 6 Beach Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    10 men from 294 Joint Assault Signals Company

    Serial 2205 is an LCVP from APA 45 Henrico
    13 men from Company ‘B’, 6 Beach Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    10 men from 294 Joint Assault Signals Company
    2 men from 97 Railhead Company.
    3 men Headquarters, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.


    Five LCA from LSI(L) Empire Anvil land Company ‘A’, 61 Medical Battalion.
    Serial 2206 is an LCA from LSI(L) Empire Anvil.
    30 men from Company ‘A’, 61 Medical Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2207 is an LCA from LSI(L) Empire Anvil.
    30 men from Company ‘A’, 61 Medical Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2208 is an LCA from LSI(L) Empire Anvil.
    30 men from Company ‘A’, 61 Medical Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2209 is an LCA from LSI(L) Empire Anvil.
    16 men from Company ‘A’, 61 Medical Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Serial 2210 is an LCA from LSI(L) Empire Anvil.
    32 men from 4 Surgical Team, 3 Auxiliary Surgical Group.


    Two Rhino Ferries land vehicles for 16 Infantry Regiment.
    The LSTs from which the Rhino Ferries come have already launched DUKWs from the Tank Deck.

    Fox Green.
    2211 is a Rhino Ferry from LST 376 carrying
    2½ ton truck with 1 man from Service Section, 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    2½ ton truck with 1 man from Headquarters Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    2½ ton truck with 1 man from Medical Detachment, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep with 1 man from Service Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier from Service Company, 16 Infantry Regiment
    2 Jeeps from Cannon Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    2½ ton truck from Cannon Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    11 men from Cannon Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    1½ ton 6X6 truck and 1 ton trailer from Headquarters Company, 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeeps and 1 trailer from Headquarters Company, 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier from Headquarters Company, 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    7 men from Headquarters Company, 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeeps and 2 trailers with 2 men from Company ‘D’ (Weapons), 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    5 X 2½ ton trucks from 1 Signals Company.
    2 X 1½ ton 6 X 6 trucks from 1 Signals Company.
    Jeep from 1 Signals Company.
    10 men from 1 Signals Company.
    4 X ¾ ton Ambulance from Company ‘A’, 1 Medical Battalion.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier and 250 gallon water trailer from Company ‘A’, 1 Medical Battalion.
    21 men from Company ‘A’, 1 Medical Battalion.
    2 Jeeps and 1 trailer with 3 men from Company ‘H’ (Weapons), 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    2½ ton truck with 1 man from Service Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    58 men from 616 Ordnance Ammunition Company, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    24 men from 3466 Ordnance Medium Automobile Maintenance Company.

    2212 Rhino Ferry from LST 374
    Lands vehicles from 16 Infantry Regiment.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier with 2 men from Headquarters Company, 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    2 X Jeep and 1 trailer with 2 men from Headquarters Company, 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    1½ ton cargo with 2 men from Headquarters Company, 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier with 2 men from Headquarters Company, 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and 1 trailer 1 men from Headquarters Company, 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    1½ ton cargo with 2 men from Headquarters Company, 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    5 Jeeps and 4 trailers with 5 men from Company ‘M’ (Weapons), 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    2 X 1½ ton cargo and 2 X 1ton trailer with 25 men from Anti Tank Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    2 X 2½ ton cargo and 2 X 1 ton trailer with 1 man from Company ‘D’, 1 Medical Battalion.
    1 ½ ton cargo and 250 gallon water trailer with 1 man from Company ‘D’, 1 Medical Battalion.
    54 men from Company ‘D’, 1 Medical Battalion.
    2 X ¾ ton Ambulance from Company ‘A’, 1 Medical Battalion.
    Jeep and trailer from Company ‘A’, 1 Medical Battalion.
    17 men from Company ‘A’, 1 Medical Battalion.
    6 X 2 ½ ton cargo with 14 men from Battery ‘A’, 7 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Jeep with 1 man from Company ‘B’, 20 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    2 Jeeps with 4 men from Company ‘C’, 1 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    5 Jeeps and 3 trailers with 8 men from Company ‘D’ (Weapons), 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    2½ ton cargo with 6 men from Service Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    60 men from 294 Joint Assault Signals Company, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    40 men from Headquarters, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.

    Mike
     
    Last edited: May 7, 2017
    Aixman, Tricky Dicky and Roy Martin like this.
  17. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    AFTER H+240 MINUTES.

    At H+240 minutes there is a change in the planning. All times from here onwards are the time at which craft should be prepared to beach. They will wait in the Transport Area until ordered in. They will then wait outside the Line of Departure until the beachmaster calls them in. Usually the waves would be called in in sequence but by this time on D Day such planning was largely abandoned.

    OMAHA WEST.
    H+240 minutes.
    Four LSTs have each towed a Rhino Ferry across the Channel. Vehicles from the LSTs have been transferred to the Rhinos and are now timed to land.

    Dog Green
    Serial 1219 is a Rhino Ferry carrying
    2 X Quickway truck mounted crane with 4 men from Company ‘B’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    3 X ¾ ton Ambulance with 6 men from 104 Medical Detachment.
    2 X Jeep with 2 men from 104 Medical Detachment.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier and 1ton trailer with 6 men from 104 Medical Detachment.
    3 X 2½ ton trucks and 3 1ton trailers with 6 men from 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    4 X 2½ ton trucks with 8 men from 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    2½ ton Dump Truck with 2 men from 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    91 men from 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    3 X 2½ ton truck with 6 men from Service Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    ¾ ton Command Reconnaissance with 2 men from 111 Field Artillery Battalion
    4 X ¾ ton Weapons Carrier with 8 men from 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    5 X Jeep with 5 men from 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    5 X 2½ ton truck with 10 men from 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2 X M10 trailers from 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Cub Plane from 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2½ ton truck with 2 men from 27 Bomb Disposal Squadron.
    2½ ton truck with 2 men from 634 Clearance Company, 60 Medical Battalion.
    87 men from 397 Anti Aircraft Automatic Weapons Battalion.
    9 men from Headquarters Engineer Special Brigade.
    8 men from 618 Ordnance Company.
    3 men from 88 Quartermaster Railhead Company.
    6 men from 500 Medical Collecting Company.

    Dog White.
    Serial 1220 is a Rhino Ferry carrying
    1½ ton truck and 1 ton trailer with 2 men from 2 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    25 men from 2 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    1½ ton truck and 1 ton trailer with 2 men from 3 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    25 men from 3 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    3 X 2½ ton truck from Service Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    2 X Jeep with 2 men from 29 Signal Company.
    1½ ton truck with 2 men from 29 Signal Company.
    2 X ¾ton Command Reconnaissance with 6 men from 29 Signal Company.
    Jeep with 2 men from Company ‘A’, 7 Naval Beach Battalion.
    5 X Jeep with 5 men from 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    3 X ¾ ton Weapons Carriers with 6 men from 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    7 X 2½ ton truck and 4 trailers with 14 men from 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier with 2men from 1 Signal Company.
    2 X 2½ ton truck with 4 men from 3704 Quartermaster Truck Company.
    2 X Jeep with 3 men from 500 Medical Collecting Company.
    Jeep with 3 men from 214 MP Company.
    Jeep with 3 men from 461 Amphibious Truck Company.
    2½ ton truck with 2 men from 834 Engineer Aviation Battalion.
    2 X Tractor D7 with 2 men from 834 Engineer Aviation Battalion.
    Halftrack with 7 men from 834 Engineer Aviation Battalion. Reconnaissance Party.
    Jeep with 2 men from 834 Engineer Aviation Battalion. Reconnaissance Party.
    2 X Grader with 2 men from 834 Engineer Aviation Battalion.
    44 men from 834 Engineer Aviation Battalion.
    Halftrack with 7 men from 820 Engineer Battalion. Reconnaissance Party.
    Jeep with 2 men from 820 Engineer Battalion. Reconnaissance Party.
    32 men from 3 Auxiliary Surgical Group.
    8 men from 634 Medical Collecting Company.


    834 Engineer Aviation Battalion were to survey a site pre selected for a landing strip for artillery observation planes. If suitable they were to prepare the strip for use on D+1. No work could be done on D Day since the area was still in enemy hands.

    Dog Red.
    Serial 1221 is a Rhino Ferry carrying
    4 X ¾ ton Weapons Carrier with 8 men from 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    5 X 2½ ton truck and 2 X 1 ton trailer with 10 men from 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    5 X Jeep with 5 men from 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    ¾ ton Command Reconnaissance from 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Piper L4 from 111 Field Artillery Battalion. Carried on 2½ ton truck.
    Jeep and 10 men from 500 Medical Collecting Company.
    2½ ton truck and 1 ton trailer with 2 men from 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    7 X Jeep with 7 men from 111 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2½ ton truck and 1 ton trailer with 2 men from 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    3 X 2½ ton truck and 3 X 2½ ton pole trailer from 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    10 X 2½ ton truck with 20 men from 3704 Quartermaster Truck Company.
    9 men from Headquarters Engineer Special Battalion.
    21 men from Company ‘B’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.


    Easy Green.
    Serial 1222 is a Rhino Ferry carrying
    15 X 2½ ton Dump Truck with 30 men from 112 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    117 men from 112 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    2 Jeeps and two trailers with 2 men from Medical Detachment 116 Infantry Regiment.
    ¾ ton Command Reconnaissance with 5 men from Headquarters 29 Division.
    7 X Jeeps with 8 men from Headquarters 29 Division.
    2 X ¾ ton Weapons Carrier and a 1 ton trailer with 6 men from 29 Signal Company.
    2 X Jeep with four men from 29 Signal Company.
    2 X Crawler crane with 4 men from Company ‘C’, Engineer Combat battalion.
    2 X 2½ ton truck with 4 men from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    5 men with a barrage balloon from 320 Barrage Balloon Battalion.
    10 men from 618 Ordnance Company.
    11 men from Reconnaissance Platoon 3565 Ordnance Company.
    28 men from Headquarters and Service Company 149 Engineer Combat battalion.
    23 men from Company ‘B’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    8 men from 88 Quartermaster Railhead Company.
    14 men from 3820 Quartermaster Gas Company.
    27 men from 500 Medical Collecting Company.


    H+330 minutes.
    Easy Green.
    Three LCT(6) land, with identical loads which include bulk supplies, mainly ammunition. The craft will remain beached and serve as a supply dump until their cargo is transported to a dump on shore.

    Serial 1223 is a LCT(6) carrying
    2 X 2½ ton trucks with 4 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    36 men from 967 Quartermaster Service Company.
    4 men and a barrage balloon from 320 Barrage Balloon Battalion.
    150 tons of supplies.

    Serial 1224 is a LCT(6) carrying
    2 X 2½ ton trucks with 4 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    36 men from 967 Quartermaster Service Company.
    4 men and a barrage balloon from 320 Barrage Balloon Battalion.
    150 tons of supplies.

    Serial 1225 is a LCT(6) carrying
    2 X 2½ ton trucks with 4 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    36 men from 967 Quartermaster Service Company.
    4 men and a barrage balloon from 320 Barrage Balloon Battalion.
    150 tons of supplies.

    There now remain vehicles on two LSTs. The remaining vehicles will be transferred to the Rhino Ferry when it returns from its first trip. This would be much delayed.

    Serial 1226 is an LST carrying
    3 X 2½ ton trucks with 17 men and a barrage balloon from 320 Barrage Balloon Battalion.
    3 X ¾ ton Weapons Carriers with 6 men from 320 Barrage balloon Battalion.
    2½ ton truck with 2 men from Medical Detachment, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    2 X 2½ ton trucks with 4 men from Cannon Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    3 X 2½ ton truck and 3 X 1ton trailer with 23 men from Cannon Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    2½ ton truck with two men from 3 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    2½ ton truck with two men from 1 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    2½ ton truck with two men from 2 Battalion, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    2½ ton truck with 13 men from Anti Tank Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with 2 men from Service Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    2½ ton wrecker with two men from Service Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    2½ ton truck with two men from Service Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    ¾ ton truck with 4 men from Service Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    3 X 2½ ton truck and 3 X 1ton trailer with 12 men from 2 Ranger Battalion.
    2 X ¾ ton Weapons Carrier with 4 men from 2 Ranger Battalion.
    6 X Jeeps with 9 men from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2 X 2½ ton truck with 6 men from 58 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2 X Crawler Crane with 4 men from Company ‘A’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    D7 Tractor and Athey Trailer with 3 men from Company ‘A’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    D7 Tractor and Athey Trailer with 4 men from Company ‘B’, 147 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    4 ton Wrecker with 2 men from 729 Ordnance Company.
    3 X 2½ ton truck and three trailers with 6 men from 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    3 men from 149 Engineer Combat Battalion. Medical personnel.
    28 men from Company ‘A’, 147 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    20 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 147 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    17 men from 618 Ordnance Ammunition Company.
    47 men from Company ‘B’, 149 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    32 men from 88 Quartermaster Railhead Company.
    12 men from 3820 Quartermaster Gas Company.

    Serial 1227 is an LST carrying
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier with 3 men from 5 Ranger Battalion.
    1½ ton truck and 1ton trailer with 2 men from 5 Ranger Battalion.
    10 X 2½ ton Dump Trucks with 20 men from 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    13 X 2½ ton Dump Trucks with 26 men from 112 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    2½ ton truck and 250 Gallon Water Trailer with 2 men from 104 Medical Battalion.
    3 X ¾ ton Ambulance with 6 men from 104 Medical Battalion.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier and ¼ ton trailer and 12 men from 104 Medical Battalion.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier with 6 men from 606 Quartermaster Company. Graves Registration.
    2 X 1½ ton trucks and 2 X 1ton trailers with 30 men from Anti Tank Company, 116 Infantry Regiment.
    15 men from 3820 Quartermaster Gas Company.
    19 men from 618 Ordnance Company.
    3 men from Company ‘A’, 7 Naval Beach Battalion.
    10 men from 214 MP Platoon.
    40 men from Company ‘B’, 7 Naval Beach Battalion.
    6 men from 31 Chemical Decontamination Company.
    5 men with a barrage balloon from 320 Barrage Balloon Battalion.
    9 X DUKW with 20 men from 461 Amphibious Truck Company.


    This completes the landing of vehicles under the orders of 116 Regimental Combat Team. Vehicles and personnel for the units of 116 RCT will continue to arrive for the next three weeks but under the orders of first 29 Division and then the Ferry Service.

    Mike.
     
    Aixman and Tricky Dicky like this.
  18. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    OMAHA EAST.

    H+250 minutes.
    Fox Green
    6 LCVP from AP 26 Samuel Chase carry 1 Battalion and Company ‘G’ over strength, 16 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 2213 is an LCVP from AP 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    29 men from 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment. Overstrength.

    Serial 2214 is an LCVP from AP 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    29 men from 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment. Overstrength.

    Serial 2215 is an LCVP from AP 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    29 men from 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment. Overstrength.

    Serial 2216 is an LCVP from AP 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    29 men from 1 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment. Overstrength.

    Serial 2217 is an LCVP from AP 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    34 men from Company ‘G’, 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment. Overstrength.

    Serial 2218 is an LCVP from AP 26 Samuel Chase carrying
    3 men from Company ‘G’, 2 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment. Overstrength.
    16 men from Cannon Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.
    12 men from Anti Tank Company, 16 Infantry Regiment.


    H+300 minutes Fox Green.
    Supply LCTs beach.

    Serial 2219 is an LCT(6) carrying
    2½ ton Dump truck with 4 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    2½ ton Dump truck with 2 men from Company ‘A’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    54 men from 4142 Quartermaster Service Company, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    4 men from 320 Barrage Balloon Company.
    150 tons of Supplies.

    Serial 2220 is an LCT(6) carrying
    2½ ton Dump truck with 2 men from Company ‘B’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    2½ ton Dump truck with 2 men from Company ‘C’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    54 men from 4142 Quartermaster Service Company, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    4 men from 320 Barrage Balloon Company.
    150 tons of Supplies.

    Serial 2221 is an LCT(6) carrying
    2½ ton Dump truck with 4 men from Company ‘A’, 348 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    2½ ton Dump truck with 4 men from Headquarters and Service Company, 348 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    150 tons of Supplies.

    Serial 2222 is an LCT(6) carrying
    2½ ton Dump truck with 4 men from Company ‘B’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    2½ ton Dump truck with 2 men from Company ‘C’, 37 Engineer Combat Battalion, 5 Engineer Special Brigade.
    54 men from 4142 Quartermaster Service Company, 5 Engineer Special Brigade
    150 tons of Supplies.

    Mike
     
    Aixman and Tricky Dicky like this.
  19. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Follow Up Force ‘B’ arrived carrying, amongst others, 18 Regimental Combat Team of 1 Division and 115 Regimental Combat Team of 29 Division. Although the tables show the infantry and their vehicles plus artillery and engineers only the infantry would be allowed to land at this time.

    By the time that Force ‘B’ arrives the area between the Transport Area and the Line of Departure has been swept clear of mines. Since no enemy batteries have threatened the transports it was decided that the transports and LSTs of Force ‘B’ should anchor closer to the shore and thus shorten the journey from ship to shore. It would have been possible to move the transports already in the Transport Area as well but it was thought that the time taken to carry out the move would cancel any advantage to be gained from unloading closer to the shore.



    115 Regimental Combat Team

    115 Regimental Combat Team was to land 2649 personnel and 407 vehicles. Serial numbers for craft landing under the orders of 115 Regimental Combat Team have three digits starting with 2**.

    12 LCI(L) carry the marching personnel of all twelve companies of 115 Infantry Regiment. They should all land at the same time and proceed to their assembly area where they should meet up with their tactical transport. This regiment has been allocated a considerable number of tracked Weasels to allow them to deploy rapidly inland before the engineers had the opportunity to improve beaches, exits and roads. There is a good sequence of photographs showing the Weasels embarking.


    Dog Red.

    Serial 201 is an LCI(L) carrying
    140 men from Company ‘G’, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    3 men from Medical Detachment 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    34 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    5 men from Medical Detachment, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    4 men from Service Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    5 men from 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    1 man Liaison Officer from 29 Division Headquarters.

    Serial 202 is an LCI(L) carrying
    127 men from Company ‘H’, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    44 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    5 men from Medical Detachment, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    3 men from Service Company, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    15 men from Forward Observation team, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    1 man Chaplain.

    Serial 203 is an LCI(L) carrying
    180 men from Company ‘E’, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    6 men from Medical Detachment, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    12 men from Naval Shore Fire Control Party.

    Serial 204 is an LCI(L) carrying
    180 men from Company ‘F’, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    16 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    6 men from Medical Detachment, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.


    Easy Green.

    Serial 205 is an LCI(L) carrying
    180 men from Company ‘A’, 1 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    16 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    6 men from Medical Detachment, 1 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 206 is an LCI(L) carrying
    180 men from Company ‘B’, 1 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    9 men from Medical Detachment, 1 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    3 men from Communications Party 110 Field Artillery Battalion.

    Serial 207 is an LCI(L) carrying
    127 men from Company ‘D’, 1 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    44 men from Headquarters, 1 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    10 men from Medical Detachment, 1 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    3 men from Service Company 115 Infantry Regiment.
    15 men from 110 Field Artillery Battalion. Liaison.
    1 man Chaplain.

    Serial 208 is an LCI(L) carrying
    180 men from Company ‘C’, 1 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    8 men from Medical Detachment, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    12 men from Naval Shore Fire Support Party.


    Dog Red. 30 minutes after the above.

    Serial 209 is an LCI(L) carrying
    180 men from Company ‘I’, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    13 men from Medical Detachment, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 210 is an LCI(L) carrying
    180 men from Company ‘K’, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    6 men from Medical Detachment, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    1 man from Service Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    1 man Chaplain.
    12 men from Naval Shore Fire Support Party.

    Serial 211 is an LCI(L) carrying
    141 men from Company ‘L’, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment. A further 41 men are on an LST.
    3 men from Medical Detachment, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    1 man from Service Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    16 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    38 men from Company ‘A’, 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.

    Serial 212 is an LCI(L) carrying
    126 men from Company ‘M’, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    3 men from Medical Detachment, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    58 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    4 men from 110 Field Artillery Battalion.

    There is some confusion about the landing of the Follow Up units carried by Force ‘B’. Some writers have said that they were late in landing but it seems that the Commanding General V Corps had ordered that they should be landed at H+4 hours. This would be 1030, exactly when they did land. Originally it had been planned that the follow up units would be held in reserve and ordered in when the Commanding General considered that the time was right. In some of the landing tables the time is not given in terms of H Hour but as Q, with the first battalions landing at Q 00 and the reserve at Q+30 minutes. What seems unusual is that the Commanding General ordered the time of landing in advance rather than wait for events to unfold. This would seem to negate the idea of a reserve which is normally held until it is needed and then deployed at the critical time and at the critical point. Once reserves are deployed a commander can have little influence on the battle.

    When 115 Regimental Combat Team was called in to beach it was directed to Easy Red so that it could take advantage of the advance that was being made in that sector, and the gap that had been made in the beach obstacles there. Landing near the E1 Draw, some 1000 yards east of the planned spot, at 1025 hours it advanced to the area of St Laurent sur Mer but could not make more progress before the end of the day. The landing was less chaotic than the earlier waves but the planned assembly areas had not been secured and the units went straight into action.

    1 Battalion and 2 Battalion landed first with 1 Battalion on the left and 2 Battalion on the right. 1 Battalion advanced inland and reached St Laurent about dark. This was some twelve hours after landing and represented an advance of about a mile. 2 Battalion crossed the beach and climbed the cliffs but was slowed down by mines. It attempted to take St Laurent but was unsuccessful. It then moved further inland, by passing St Laurent and occupied woods half a mile to the west.

    Regimental Headquarters landed with the leading battalions but remained on the beach under shell fire until 1600 hours. At 1630 it moved inland and established a command post east of St Laurent.

    3 Battalion landed on Easy Red, climbed the cliffs further east than the other battalions and occupied positions 1000 yards to the east of St Laurent.


    The following tables for LSTs show only those vehicles for 115 Regimental Combat Team. They will land from Rhino Ferry or LCT as available.

    Serial 213 is an LST carrying
    2 jeeps and two trailers from Company ‘A’, 104 Medical Battalion.
    3 jeeps from Company ‘A’, 104 Medical Battalion.
    4 X 3/4 ton ambulances from Company ‘A’, 104 Medical Battalion.
    87 men from Company ‘A’, 104 Medical Battalion.
    2 X 2½ ton truck and 2 X 1 ton trailer from Service Company 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeeps with 4 men from 110 Field Artillery Battalion. Liaison Officer.
    3 Jeeps and 3 trailers with 6 men from Naval Shore Fire Control Party.
    3 M29 Weasel with 6 men from Headquarters 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    3 M29 Weasel with 6 men from Company ‘I’, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    5 M29 Weasel with 10 men from Company ‘K’, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    5 M29 Weasel with 10 men from Company ‘L’, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    8 M29 Weasel with 16 men from Company ‘M’, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 214 is an LST carrying
    33 men from Headquarters 115 Infantry Regiment.
    3 Jeeps and 2 trailers from Headquarters Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    3 X 1½ ton trucks and 3 X 57mm anti tank guns from Headquarters Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeep from Headquarters Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2½ ton truck and 1 ton trailer from Headquarters Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    55 men from Headquarters Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with 2 men from Medical Detachment, 1 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeeps and 2 trailers with 4 men from Company ‘A’, 1 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeeps and 2 trailers with 4 men from Company ‘B’, 1 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeeps and 2 trailers with 4 men from Company ‘C’, 1 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    13 Jeeps and 13 trailers with 26 men from Company ‘D’, 1 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 215 is an LST carrying
    3 Jeeps and 2 trailers from Headquarters Company, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    3 X 1½ ton trucks and 3 X 57mm anti tank guns from Headquarters Company, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeep from Headquarters Company, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2½ ton truck and 1 ton trailer from Headquarters Company, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    55 men from Headquarters Company, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeeps and 2 trailers with 4 men from Medical Detachment, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    4 men from Medical Detachment, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeeps and 2 trailers with 4 men from Company ‘E’, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeeps and 2 trailers with 4 men from Company ‘F’, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with 2 men from Company ‘G’, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    41 men from Company ‘G’, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    13 Jeeps and 13 trailers with 26 men from Company ‘H’, 2 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2 Jeeps with 4 men from 110 Field Artillery Battalion. Liaison Officer.
    10 men from 110 Field Artillery Battalion. Liaison Officer.

    Serial 216 is an LST carrying
    4 X ¾ ton Ambulances with 8 men from Company ‘A’, 704 Medical Battalion.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier with 3 men from Company ‘A’, 704 Medical Battalion.
    2 X 2½ ton trucks and 2 X 1ton trailer with 4 men from Service Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 219 is an LST carrying
    26 men from Service Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    4 ton Wrecker with 3 men from 729 Ordnance Company.
    Jeep with 2 men from 729 Ordnance Company.
    14 Jeeps with 28 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep from Anti Tank Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    3 X 1½ ton truck and 57mm anti tank gun from Anti Tank Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep from Anti Tank Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    3 X 1½ ton truck and 57mm anti tank gun from Anti Tank Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep from Anti Tank Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    3 X 1½ ton truck and 57mm anti tank gun from Anti Tank Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep from Anti Tank Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2 X 1½ ton truck and 1 ton trailer from Anti Tank Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    155 men from Anti Tank Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep from Cannon Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2 X 1½ ton truck and 105mm gun from Cannon Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2½ ton truck and 1 ton trailer from Cannon Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep from Cannon Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2 X 1½ ton truck and 105mm gun from Cannon Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2½ ton truck and 1 ton trailer from Cannon Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep from Cannon Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2 X 1½ ton truck and 105mm gun from Cannon Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2½ ton truck and 1 ton trailer from Cannon Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    107 men from Cannon Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    Jeep and trailer with 2 men from Medical Detachment, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    8 men from Medical Detachment, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    ¾ ton Command Reconnaissance with 2 men from 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Jeep from 29 Division Signal Company.
    ¾ ton Command Reconnaissance from 29 Division Signal Company.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier from 29 Division Signal Company.
    11 men from 29 Division Signal Company.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier with 4 men from 29 Division Quartermaster Company.
    ¾ ton Command Reconnaissance with 2 men from 29 Division Headquarters.
    Jeep with 2 men from Civil Affairs Detachment.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier with 7 men from Quartermaster Graves Registration Section.
    Jeep with 4 men from Prisoner of War Interrogation Section.
    Jeep with 2 men from 165 Signals Photographic Company.

    Serial 220 is an LST carrying
    5 M29 Weasels and 3 X ¼ ton trailers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    3 X 1½ ton truck and 3 X 57mm anti tank guns from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    1½ ton truck from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    41 men from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2 M29 Weasels and 2 X ¼ ton trailers with 4 men from Company ‘I’, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2 M29 Weasels and 2 X ¼ ton trailers with 4 men from Company ‘K’, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2 M29 Weasels and 2 X ¼ ton trailers with 4 men from Company ‘L’, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    41 men from Company ‘L’, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    13 M29 Weasels and 13 X ¼ ton trailers with 27 men from Company ‘M’, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    M29 Weasel and ¼ ton trailer with 2 men from Medical Detachment, 3 Battalion, 115 Infantry Regiment.
    2 X 2½ ton truck and 2 X 1ton trailers with 4 men from Service Company, 115 Infantry Regiment.



    110 Field Artillery Battalion lands from five LCT(4).
    The LCT(4) are British and are considerably larger than the US LCT(5) and LCT(6).

    In the event 110 Field Artillery was unable to land its guns as planned on D Day. There was nowhere on shore for them to deploy and the towed guns could not fire while afloat. The observation and communications teams that had landed with infantry units were reorganised to work with artillery units that were ashore, and the attached Naval Shore Fire Control Parties were able to call on fire from ships afloat.

    Serial 217 is an LCT(4) carrying
    5 Jeeps from Headquarters Battery, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    5 X ¾ ton Weapons Carrier from Headquarters Battery, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    ¾ ton Command Reconnaissance from Headquarters Battery, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2½ ton truck and 1 ton trailer from Headquarters Battery, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2 X 2½ ton truck and 2 X M10 trailers from Headquarters Battery, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    78 men from Headquarters Battery, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    Jeep with 2 men from Naval Shore Fire Control Party.

    Serial 218 is an LCT(4) carrying
    ¾ ton Command Reconnaissance from ‘A’ Battery, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2 Jeep from ‘A’ Battery, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier from ‘A’ Battery, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2½ ton truck and M10 trailer from ‘A’ Battery, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    4 X 2½ ton Short Wheel Base truck and 4 X 105mm gun from ‘A’ Battery, 110 Field Artillery Battalion
    2½ ton Short Wheel Base truck and 1 ton trailer from ‘A’ Battery, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    74 men from ‘A’ Battery, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.

    Serial 221 was an LCT(4) carrying
    2 Jeeps from Battery ‘B’, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    ¾ ton Command Reconnaissance from Battery ‘B’, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier from Battery ‘B’, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2½ ton SWB and M10 trailer from Battery ‘B’, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    4 X 2½ ton SWB and 4 X 105mm howitzer from Battery ‘B’, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2½ ton SWB and ¼ ton trailer from Battery ‘B’, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    75 men from Battery ‘B’, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.

    Serial 222 was an LCT(4) carrying
    2 Jeeps from Battery ‘C’, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    ¾ ton Command Reconnaissance from Battery ‘C’, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier from Battery ‘C’, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2½ ton SWB and M10 trailer from Battery ‘C’, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    4 X 2½ ton SWB and 4 X 105mm howitzer from Battery ‘C’, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2½ ton SWB and ¼ ton trailer from Battery ‘C’, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    75 men from Battery ‘C’, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.

    Serial 223 was an LCT(4) carrying
    Jeep from Service Battery, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    3 X 2½ ton LWB and 3 M10 trailers from Service Battery, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    5 X 2½ ton SWB from Service Battery, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    41 men from Service Battery, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier from Headquarters Battery, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    2½ ton SWB from Headquarters Battery, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    13 men from Headquarters Battery, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    ¾ ton Ambulance from Medical Detachment, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    ¾ ton Weapons Carrier from Medical Detachment, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.
    4 men from Medical Detachment, 110 Field Artillery Battalion.

    Serial 224 was an LCT(4) carrying
    2 Jeeps from Company ‘A’, 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    5 X 2½ ton Dump from Company ‘A’, 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    3 X 2½ ton SWB from Company ‘A’, 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Pole trailer from Company ‘A’, 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    37 men from Company ‘A’, 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.

    Serial 225 was an LCT(4) carrying
    Bulldozer from Company ‘A’, 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    2 Jeeps from Company ‘A’, 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    5 X 2½ ton Dump from Company ‘A’, 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    2 Pole trailer from Company ‘A’, 121 Engineer Combat Battalion
    36 men from Company ‘A’, 121 Engineer Combat Battalion.

    Mike
     
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  20. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    18 Regimental Combat Team.


    At present very little information has been found on the precise loadings of the craft carrying 18 Regimental Combat Team. If more complete loading and landing tables come to light the information will be added here. I the meantime it is likely that the organisation will be very similar to that of 115 Regimental Combat Team as both were landing under the orders of 1 Division and the tables would be made by the same staffs.


    H+195 minutes.
    18 Infantry Regiment begins to land. They have the luxury and convenience of landing in complete battalions. The battalion will have a normal platoon and company organisation rather than the special craft teams of the assault units.

    Craft landing under the orders of 18 Infantry Regiment have serials beginning with 3***. The first units of 18 Infantry Regiment will be landing before 16 Infantry Regiment landings are complete but are scheduled to land on Easy Red as far as possible.

    Ideally 16 Regimental Combat Team should have secured the beach and an area sufficiently far inland to prevent the enemy employing observed fire against the beach. 18 Regimental Combat Team should pass through the perimeter held by 16 Regimental Combat Team and advance to occupy the final objective of the day. Neither objective was reached on D day.


    H+195 minutes.
    Easy Red.
    20 LCVP from AP 76 Anne Arundel carry 2 Battalion, 18 Infantry Regiment.

    Serial 3001 is a LCVP from AP 76 Anne Arundel
    Serial 3002 is a LCVP from AP 76 Anne Arundel
    Serial 3003 is a LCVP from AP 76 Anne Arundel
    Serial 3004 is a LCVP from AP 76 Anne Arundel
    Serial 3005 is a LCVP from AP 76 Anne Arundel
    Serial 3006 is a LCVP from AP 76 Anne Arundel
    Serial 3007 is a LCVP from AP 76 Anne Arundel
    Serial 3008 is a LCVP from AP 76 Anne Arundel
    Serial 3009 is a LCVP from AP 76 Anne Arundel
    Serial 3010 is a LCVP from AP 76 Anne Arundel
    Serial 3011 is an LCI(L) carrying
    Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2 Battalion, 18 Infantry Regiment.
    This is an LCI(L) equipped as Battalion Headquarters Craft. This involved very little modification apart from a map board and army radio. It enabled the Battalion Commander to maintain contact with his Regimental Headquarters while afloat. It will land in the centre of the battalion wave of craft and the Battalion Headquarters will be established ashore
    Serial 3012 is a LCVP from AP 76 Anne Arundel
    Serial 3013 is a LCVP from AP 76 Anne Arundel
    Serial 3014 is a LCVP from AP 76 Anne Arundel
    Serial 3015 is a LCVP from AP 76 Anne Arundel
    Serial 3016 is a LCVP from AP 76 Anne Arundel
    Serial 3017 is a LCVP from AP 76 Anne Arundel
    Serial 3018 is a LCVP from AP 76 Anne Arundel
    Serial 3019 is a LCVP from AP 76 Anne Arundel
    Serial 3020 is a LCVP from AP 76 Anne Arundel
    Serial 3021 is a LCVP from AP 76 Anne Arundel

    After landing troops and retracting from the beach LCI(L) will return to AP 76 Anne Arundel.

    The LCVPs will remain off the beach and stand by to unload LCI(L)s of wave 21. They will then return to AP 76 Anne Arundel.


    H+210 minutes.
    Easy Red.
    The remainder of 18 Infantry Regiment personnel will land from 9 LCI(L). These LCI(L) will not beach but will unload personnel into LCVPs from APA 76 Anne Arundel.
    Serial 3022 is an LCI(L)
    Serial 3023 is an LCI(L)
    Serial 3024 is an LCI(L)
    Serial 3025 is an LCI(L)
    Serial 3026 is an LCI(L) carrying
    Headquarters and Service Company, 18 Infantry Regiment.
    This LCI(L) is equipped as a Regimental Headquarters Craft with army radio for communications to battalion headquarters and to division headquarters.
    Serial 3027 is an LCI(L)
    Serial 3028 is an LCI(L)
    Serial 3029 is an LCI(L)
    Serial 3030 is an LCI(L)

    The LCI(L) will return to the Transport Area.
    One LCI(L) will return to APA 76 Anne Arundel.
    Four LCI(L) will return to APA 67 Dorothea L Dix.
    Four LCI(L) will return to APA 77 Thurston.

    One LCI(L) per battalion will be equipped as a Battalion Headquarters Craft with army radio.


    H+220 minutes.
    Five LCT land Anti Tank Company, 18 Infantry Regiment and elements of 348 Engineer Combat Battalion and Company ‘B’, 1 Engineer Battalion.
    Serial 3031 is an LCT.
    Serial 3032 is an LCT.
    Serial 3033 is an LCT.
    Serial 3034 is an LCT.
    Serial 3035 is an LCT.

    The LCTs will return to Rendezvous Area 1.


    H+240 minutes.
    Easy Red.
    3 LCT carry Anti Tank Company and Cannon Company from 18 Infantry Regiment.
    Serial 3036 is an LCT
    Serial 3037 is an LCT
    Serial 3038 is an LCT



    H+250 minutes
    Easy Red.
    3 X LCT carry vehicles and personnel landing under 1 Division orders. Craft with serials starting with 4*** are landing under the orders of 1 Division and will land near the boundary between Omaha East and Omaha west.

    Details of individual craft loads are not available but the total for the three craft is 172 men and 57 vehicles. This suggests that vehicles are Jeeps and trailers.

    Serial 4007 is an LCT(5) carrying
    1 Signal Company.

    Serial 4008 is an LCT(6) carrying
    1 MP Platoon.

    Serial 4009 is an LCT(6) carrying
    1 Division Headquarters and Headquarters Company.

    Return to Rendezvous Area 3.
    16 DUKW and a LCVP guide from LST 6.
    LCVP returns to LST 6.


    H+260.
    32 DUKWs are launched from four LSTs.
    14 X DUKW from LST with 44 men from 459 Amphibious Truck Company. Carry ammunition.
    10 X DUKW from LST with 36 men from 459 Amphibious Truck Company. Carry ammunition.
    4 X DUKW from LST with 12 men from 459 Amphibious Truck Company. Carry ammunition.
    4 X DUKW from LST with 12 men from 459 Amphibious Truck Company. Carry ammunition.



    H+265 minutes
    Easy Red
    Two LCT carry vehicles for 18 Infantry Regiment and 348 Engineer Combat Battalion.
    Serial 3039 is an LCT carrying
    Vehicles for 18 Infantry Regiment and 348 Engineer Combat Battalion.

    Serial 3040 is an LCT carrying
    Vehicles for 18 Infantry Regiment and 348 Engineer Combat Battalion.

    LCT return to Rendezvous Area 3.



    H+270 minutes.
    Easy Red.
    Four LCT carry vehicles for 1 Division Headquarters.
    Serial 4010 is an LCT(5) carrying
    1 Signals Company.

    Serial 4011 is an LCT(6) carrying
    1 Division Headquarters and Headquarters Company.

    Serial 4012 is an LCT(6) carrying
    56 Signals Battalion for 1 Division Headquarters.

    LCT Return to Rendezvous Area 3

    Serial 4013 is an LCI(L) carrying
    1 Division Headquarters and Headquarters Company.
    Return to Rendezvous Area 2



    H+300 minutes
    Easy Red
    Five LCT carry 170 men and 48 vehicles from 85 Group RAF. Ground Controlled Interception and Group Control Centre.
    Serial 4014 is an LCT(4)
    Serial 4015 is an LCT(4)
    Serial 4016 is an LCT(6)
    Serial 4017 is an LCT(6)
    Serial 4018 is an LCT(6)

    Return to Rendezvous Area 3



    H+310 minutes
    Easy Red.
    Serial 3041 is an LCT
    Serial 3042 is an LCT
    Serial 3043 is an LCT
    Serial 3044 is an LCT
    Serial 3045 is an LCI(L) carrying
    Headquarters Company, 18 Infantry Regiment.
    Serial 3046 is an LCT
    Serial 3047 is an LCT
    Serial 3048 is an LCT


    H+360 minutes.
    Fox Green.
    Three LCT have landed one load of vehicles and then returned to the Transport Area and collected small vehicles from AP 76 Anne Arundel.


    Company ‘B’ 745 Tank Battalion.
    Landing Ship Dock, Oceanway carried 20 LCM across the Channel. Each of these carries a M4 Sherman tank from Company ‘B’, 745 Tank Battalion and Battalion Headquarters, including the Commanding Officer.

    Serial 3219 is an LCM from LSD Oceanway
    Serial 3220 is an LCM from LSD Oceanway
    Serial 3221 is an LCM from LSD Oceanway
    Serial 3222 is an LCM from LSD Oceanway
    Serial 3223 is an LCM from LSD Oceanway
    Serial 3224 is an LCM from LSD Oceanway
    Serial 3225 is an LCM from LSD Oceanway
    Serial 3226 is an LCM from LSD Oceanway
    Serial 3227 is an LCM from LSD Oceanway
    Serial 3228 is an LCM from LSD Oceanway
    Serial 3229 is an LCM from LSD Oceanway
    Serial 3230 is an LCM from LSD Oceanway
    Serial 3231 is an LCM from LSD Oceanway
    Serial 3232 is an LCM from LSD Oceanway
    Serial 3233 is an LCM from LSD Oceanway
    Serial 3234 is an LCM from LSD Oceanway
    Serial 3235 is an LCM from LSD Oceanway
    Serial 3236 is an LCM from LSD Oceanway
    Serial 3237 is an LCM from LSD Oceanway
    Serial 3238 is an LCM from LSD Oceanway

    According to official reports the Commander Force ‘B’ with Convoy B2, which included LSD Oceanway, arrived in the assault area at 1430 hours (H+480 minutes). Since the area between the Transport Area and the Line of Departure had been swept for mines, and no enemy shore batteries had fired on the area, Convoy B2 was assigned anchorages close to the beaches. At 1540 hours (H+550 minutes) Oceanway was ordered to close Fox Green beach and discharge her 20 LCM and 20 M4 Sherman tanks. The tanks were to be attached to 16 Regimental Combat Team. The landing was complete by 1715 hours.

    When the tanks landed no exits were open and beach obstacles had not been fully cleared. The Commanding Officer enlisted the assistance of the Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon of 3 Battalion, 16 Infantry Regiment to navigate a route across the beach. Three tanks were lost to mines. The company exited the beach and supported an attack on Coleville before taking up defensive positions for the night.

    Two other sub units of 745 Tank Battalion landed at 1220. A reconnaissance squad of an officer and fourteen men with five ¾ ton Command Reconnaissance landed from AP 26 Samuel Chase. Two vehicles were drowned on landing and the remaining three were stuck on the beach until exits were opened. An Air Support team of an officer, ten men and four ¾ ton Command Reconnaissance landed from APA 28 Charles Carroll.


    Mike.
     
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