War Diary - 101 Coy RASC (GT)

28 January 1944
21 DUKWs arrived from GLASGOW.

29 January 1944
12 DUKWs arrived from STAFFORD.

1 June 1944
0800 Unit dispersed over various sealed camps awaiting embarkation.

2 – 3 June 1944
[no entry]

4 June 1944
1000 Portions of Unit landing on 1st, 2nd + 3rd tides on ‘D’ Day leave sealed camps+ embark on L.S.T’s.

5 June 1944
[no entry]

6 June 1944
0720 ‘D’ Day ‘H’ Hour. Reccy [sic] party land at H+195 – north coast of France. O.C. & two thirds of unit (approx) land at H+5½. Another third land at H+11. Bulk of remainder land at H+22. DUKWs land at correct times but wheeled vehicles up to 24 hrs late. One DUKW was hit by a shell on landing & another wrecked by a bomb later.

7 June 1944
1000 Low level bombing attack by enemy. 3 bombers shot down over beachhead.
1500 Two M.E. fighters machine gunned beach.
1900 Snipers presence felt. Persistent nuisance bombing raids by enemy aircraft throughout the night. Enemy prisoners taken off beach by Rhino ferry.

8 June 1944
1800 [??] spasmodical [sic] bombing by enemy [??] dawn [??] Ammunition Dump hit. We lose 5 DUKWs in blaze, 4 rescued.

9 June 1944
1100 Enemy shells beach.
1430 [??] shells enemy guns & silences them.

10 June 1944
1600 DUKWs still working day & night.

11 June 1944
[no entry]

12 June 1944
2100 Papers & mail arrive.
2300 DUKWs cease working for first time. Now only do work from 0500 hrs to 2300 hrs daily.

13 June 1944
0100 Enemy planes strive to silence guns next to G.P. park. Persistent bombing in vain.

14 June 1944
0800 Permission to wear caps G.S. instead of Steel Helmets given.
D+5 residue arrives in safely.

15 June 1944
1100 Enemy guns again shell beach.

16 June 1944
0100 Enemy planes overhead. Heavy barrage.
1300 Main residue vehicles + personnel begin to arrive.

17 June 1944
1000 Main residue vehicles & personnel now completely off-loaded & reported in.
1900 1 DUKW wrecked in minefield. Driver unhurt.
2000 Mail arrives. Blue papers. (Latest date of letters June 11th 44).

18 June 1944
1200 Five [?] new replacement DUKWs collected from 9 Coy RASC.
1600 Short Memorial Service held at C.R.A.S.C. H.Q. 7 officers & 97 O.Rs of this unit attended.

19 June 1944
1000 Strong wind & rough sea. All DUKWs unable to operate. A Platoon of 633 Coy RASC (G.T.) DUKWs attached to this Coy.
2100 Rum issue ordered.

20 June 1944
1000 Strong wind & rough sea continues. DUKWs still unable to operate.

21 June 1944
1000 Strong wind & rough seas continues suspension of DUKWs operations.

22 June 1944
0500 DUKWs start to operate again.
1400 DUKWs stop owing to high seas.
1500 DUKWs begin to operate again in small numbers.

23 June 1944
0500 DUKWs operating again.
1100 Enemy shells beaches.
1445 DUKWs operating at full capacity.
1900 Seven DUKWs collected from 50 Coy RASC. Two of them are for 633 Coy RASC.
2300 DUKWs to continue operating all night (2 platoons).

24 June 1944
0500 All DUKWs now operating. Shelling of beach continues.
2200 DUKWs to operate all night again. Transhipment working tried [?] by “C” Pl all night.

25 June 1944
0500 DUKWs still operating. Excellent weather.
0545 1 DUKW sunk with load of Mines. Reason not yet known.
1000 Enemy begins to shell beaches.
1100 Shelling ceases.
1100 Enemy starts to shell beach again. Continues for approx 1 hour. Thirty DUKWs of Coy to operate all night. All DUKW to work now on Transhipment basis.

26 June 1944
0500 All DUKWs operating on transhipment basis.
0900 - Heavy Artillery Barrage heard in distance
1200
1800 Lt. H. Marsh [?] promoted to A/Captain & posted to 299 Coy RASC (G.T.).
Lt. L. [??] absorbed into W.E. of this unit.
2300 DUKWs cease operating for the night.

27 June 1944
0500 Two Platoons of DUKWs operating.
1000 Enemy starts spasmodical [sic] shelling of beach again.
1500 DUKWs paid [??] off owing to shortage of coasters off beaches.
2200 Enemy shells falling behind G.S. park area.

28 June 1944
0100 Heavy artillery barrage heard. This continues all night.
0430 Two platoons of DUKWs begin operating.
0900 All available DUKWs operating.
1200 Spasmodic shelling of anchorage, work continued through Transhipment area.
1800 Some loads sent west to dumps owing to shortage of transport in Tranship. Area.
2300 Work ceased.

29 June 1944
0100 Artillery fire heard in Caen sector.
0500 DUKW operations commenced. 12 Drivers posted from 34 R.H.U.
1400 Sporadic shelling of anchorage. Work continued.
1530 Some DUKWs going west to Dumps; lack of transport in Tranship. Area.
2300 Work ceased.
2330 Shelling of beach area.
Some enemy air activity during the night.

30 June 1944
0500 DUKWs commenced operating.
0800 Lt. Tanner transferred to “C” pl from HQ.
Lt. Cunliffe to “D” Pl from “C” Pl. (Duty on “Drake”)
Lt. Marvirage [sic] from “D” Pl to HQ.
1100 Enemy shelling anchorage. Coasters moving. CRASC ordered all DUKWs ashore temporarily.
1200 DUKWs resumed operations.
1600 Enemy shelling anchorage.
2000 Spasmodic shelling of anchorage & beach.
2040 Enemy shells falling inland, S. & S.E. of this location.
2100 Still shelling occasionally.
2130 DUKWs ceasing operations.
2230 Enemy shelling beach.
2245 All night patrols & sentries wared to exercise special vigilance in view of possibility of saboteurs being dropped by parachute.
2315 Enemy shells falling inland S.E. of this location.
2330 Heavy artillery fire heard from direction of Tilly.
2335 Enemy air activity. A.A. defences in action.

The unit has carried out its work during the first period of the invasion and notwithstanding persistent shelling the DUKWs have operated and the goods have been brought ashore. The health and morale of the unit is high and all ranks are in excellent spirits. Our battle casualties have so far numbered – 12 wounded. Losses in vehicles – 9 DUKWs, 1 water-truck and 3 – 3 Tonners. The DUKWs were lost through enemy action – while the other vehicles were lost at sea on Motor ship 3211 but all the drivers were rescued.

 

1 July 1944
0030 Occasional A.A. fire. Heavy artillery fire heard inland. Naval Guns also in action.
Enemy shelling ceased.
0200 Enemy air activity.
0250 Enemy shells falling in Beach area.
Artillery fire in forward areas to be heard almost continuously. Sporadic fire from batteries close to this location.
1500 CRASC issued warning order to move to new location. All equipment packed & unit to be ready to move at short notice.
2000 Informed not moving tonight. Ready to move except for dismantling billets.
2130 DUKWs ceased operating.
2200 “Stand To” (on Pl basis) at dusk.
2330 Some enemy air activity. A.A. guns in action.
2359 Very occasionally enemy shelling.
Intermittent artillery & A.A. fire during the night.

2 July 1944
0500 DUKWs commenced operating. (2 Pls – 1 in reserve). New beach (Petit Enfer) now in use.
1400 Advance parties moved to new location.
1600 Enemy shelling increased in beach areas.
1630 Main bodies moving to new location.
1900 Move completed. Weather very bad. Bivouacs being dug under difficulties.
2130 DUKWs ceased operating.

3 July 1944
0800 DUKWs commenced operating. Weather still very bad.
0900 Heavy artillery fire heard from Caen sector.
1200 Heavy A.A. fire in Ouistreham area. No beach incidents.
1730 Sea rough; DUKWs still operating but having some difficulty in getting cargoes aboard owing to waves.
2130 Last loads on DUKWs. Sea moderating.
Desultory shelling of beach & anchorage.
2330 Enemy air activity & heavy AA fire locally.

4 July 1944
0130 More air activity & A.A. fire.
0500 DUKWs commenced operating.
1130 Air activity & A.A. fire.
1200 Heavy gun fire heard from Eastern sectors.
1600 Carrier pigeon found in G.T. Park. Rings sent to CRASC for examination. No messages found on bird.
1930 Air activity. 1 Plane shot down in trans/m [??] area.
2150 Enemy shelling. Heavier than usual & apparently striking well inland in B.M.A.
2330 Enemy shelling continued.
Heavy firing inland also heard.
2359 Air activity. A.A. defences in action locally.

5 July 1944
0500 Quiet night’ DUKWs commenced operating.
New Transhipment Area comes into use today.
1030 Carrier pigeon seen in G.T. Park. Unable to catch & examine.
1400 Intermittent artillery fire; no enemy activity in this area.
2130 DUKWs ceased operating as usual.
2315 Enemy shelling in Beach Area. Shells reported falling on ‘Gooseberry’.

6 July 1944
0110 Shells now falling inland. Firing very systematic at regular intervals of 3 minutes. Some air activity in early morning.
0500 DUKW operations commenced.
1200 Some occasional enemy shelling from time to time. Mainly in Hermanville area.
2100 Enemy shelling Hermanville area.
2200 Shells now falling south of this location.
2350 Firing continuing, apparently striking in Beach area & inland.

7 July 1944
0500 DUKW operations commenced.
1200 Situation very quiet. No shelling today.
1500 DUKWs ceased operating on being relieved by 299 Coy RASC.
1700 Enemy shelling beach areas & inland.
2150 Heavy air raid in Caen area. Intense enemy A/A fire.
2230 Artillery fire in Caen area; continued through the night.

8 July 1944
0500 Barrage still continuing.
DUKWs commenced operations.
0715 Resumed air activity over Caen.
2130 Last loads on DUKWs.
2300 All DUKWs in Park. Enemy shelling nearby. One fell in adjacent Unit location.
2315 Shelling intensified. Shells at 5 – 10 seconds intervals.
2330 Shelling ceased. All quiet.

9 July 1944
0105 Sentries reported all quiet but some artillery fire in Caen area. Allied troops reported ½ mile from centre of Caen today.
Activity at sea also. Flares & gunfire. Presumed attacks by R.N. on E-boats or midget submarines. (Intelligence stated these latter had been used & some 50 enemy personnel landed from them in the beach-head).
0115 Enemy aircraft overhead. Many flares dropped & sea-mines dropped in anchorage.
0200 All clear.

10 July 1944
0430 First DUKWs operating. Enemy shelling beach area from time to time.
1600 Enemy shells striking G.1098 dump about 800 yds from this location.
2100 Intelligence reported North part of Caen in our hands but enemy still holding suburbs on South side of river.
2130 DUKWs last loads.

11 July 1944
0500 Quiet night. Some gunfire early a.m.
DUKWs commenced operating.
1630 1 Coaster completely discharged, another ceased working due to rough weather. All DUKWs ashore for maintenance.
1800 This Coy ceased to come under comd. 21 Tpt Col. & came under comd. CRASC 30 Tpt Col.
2345 Aerial activity – flares dropped in Beach Area.

12 July 1944
0800 Quiet night except for occasional gunfire & some activity at sea; presumed “E”-boats.
DUKWs operating one coaster only. Sea calmer.
1000 Spasmodic enemy shelling near G.1098 dump.
1500 Coaster completed. DUKWs ceased operating.
1630 Enemy again shelling near 1098 dump.
2010 Enemy shelling in Peter Red Beach area. Rate of fire much more intense than usual but many “duds” apparent.
2030 Shelling ceased.

13 July 1944
0500 Quiet night. DUKWs commenced operating.
1500 Enemy shelling “Gooseberry”.
2130 Last loads in DUKWs.
No news of any developments on any part of the front today.
2335 Heavy gunfire heard apparently in Caen area.

14 July 1944
0500 DUKWS commenced operations.
All quiet overnight.
1135 Enemy aircraft over Beachheads. Four reported shot down.
1520 Enemy air activity.
2000 Unit Concert organised to celebrate “14 Juillet” – French National Fete day.
2330 Enemy shelling “Gooseberry”.

15 July 1944
0500 Slight enemy air activity during night. Spasmodic shelling of anchorage early morning. DUKWs commenced operating 0500 hrs.
1925 Enemy shelling beach area.
2230 Heavy artillery fire heard from South.

16 July 1944
0210 Unidentified machine - ? radio controlled held in searchlights over Beach area.
Artillery barrage continued all night.
0500 DUKWs commenced operating.
1415 Enemy aircraft. Heavy A/A barrage.
1730 All DUKWs ashore – Coaster completely cleared.
1805 Enemy shells heard in Anchorage.
1820 Heavy artillery fire heard from South.
2015 Enemy shelling anchorage. Naval guns replying.
2305 Enemy aircraft overhead. Intense A.A. fire.

17 July 1944
0330 Heavy barrage heard from Caen area.
0500 DUKWs commenced operating. Weather bad.
0620 DUKWs ordered ashore owing to sea mist; visibility 30 yards only.
0705 All DUKWs ashore. 12 lying on beach to operate as soon as required. Remainder all in vehicle Park.
0900 Weather improved. DUKWs now operating.
1400 Artillery fire heard in distance; all quiet locally.
2000 DUKWs to work till 2230 hrs to compensate for time lost owing to mist this a.m.
2210 Large projectile, presumed “P-Plane” heard travelling over Beach Area.
2300 DUKWs finished work. Total tonnage carried today exceeds 1200 Tons and is a “record” for this Unit since “D” Day.

18 July 1944
0330 Very heavy artillery fire heard from Caen area.
0500 DUKWs commenced work. Barrage still continuing.
0715 Very heavy air attack in direction of Caen.
1500 Barrage still going on; Naval guns firing intermittently also.
2130 DUKWs completed last loads.
2305 Enemy air activity especially in Ouistreham area. Intense AA fire.

19 July 1944
0500 DUKWs commenced work.
1115 C.O. advised this Coy under Comd CRASC 31 Tpt Col w.e.f. 17 Jul. Attended conference with new CRASC 1415.
2200 All DUKWs ashore.

20 July 1944
0115 Enemy air activity. Heavy AA fire.
0145 All quiet.
0500 DUKWs commenced operating.
1610 Heavy thunderstorm & rain.
1700 All DUKWs ashore due to weather.

21 July 1944
1200 Quiet night but weather still bad. No DUKWs operating.
1500 Weather improving. Gunfire heard in N.E. direction.
1800 Medical Inspection of all personnel completed. M.O. reported 100% F.F.I. and general cleanliness & hygiene “excellent”.
2000 DUKW B.1 (attached 940 I.W.T. Coy) damaged by mine (or unexploded bomb) on beach. Dvr injured.
2215 Enemy plane over this area. Some A.A. fire.

22 July 1944
0040 Enemy aircraft active again. Heavy A.A. fire.
0105 All quiet.
0500 DUKWs operating normally. Sea moderated.
0920 Ceased operating; owing to heavy swell. Coasters not able to discharge.
2250 Enemy air activity. Two bombs dropped in this vicinity.

23 July 1944
0125 More air activity. Intense A.A. fire.
0500 DUKWs commenced operating.
1200 DUKWs working full pressure. 3 coasters discharging to this Coy & NAAFI stores also on “Oboe” Beach.
1500 Open-air Service held in location. To be repeated every Sunday.
2130 DUKWs ceased operating.
2240 Enemy aircraft overhead. Heavy A.A. fire. Explosion (? u/x A.A. shell) in H.Q. vehicle line.

24 July 1944
0120 More air activity & A.A. fire.
0500 DUKWs commenced work.
1200 Weather improving. Spasmodic artillery fire from forward areas & some enemy aircraft about.
1845 Heavy explosions S.E. of this location.
2130 DUKWs ceased operating.
2245 Enemy aircraft. Intense A.A. fir. Bombs dropped near this location. 1 Plane shot down on beach.
2250 British bombers passing inland flying very high. Artillery fire in Caen area.

25 July 1944
0020 More enemy air activity & heavy A.A. fire.
0115 Enemy planes dropping flares and bombs in Oistreham direction & also further SOUTH. Very heavy A.A. fire. Large fire burning S.E. of here.
0230 All quiet except for desultory firing. Fire still burning.
0245 Heavy artillery fire heard from CAEN area.
0500 DUKWs commenced operating. Artillery barrage has been continuous since 0245 hrs & is still going on. Allied planes returning.
1600 Enemy shelling beach & anchorage.
2130 DUKWs ceased operating.
2340 Enemy air activity. Heavy AA fire.
Artillery barrage continuing.

26 July 1944
0120 Further air activity.
0230 enemy air activity & heavy AA fire.
0500 DUKWs commenced operating.
1015 Enemy shelling anchorage.
1310 Enemy shelling again.
1600 Shells striking on Petit Enfer beach & in anchorage.
1750 Coasters moving out of range. DUKWs to cease work temporarily.
1930 DUKWs operating again. Shelling ceased.
2130 DUKWs ceased operating.
2350 Enemy air activity. No local incidents.

27 July 1944
0115 More air activity. Heavy A.A. fire.
0500 DUKWs commenced operating.
1130 Enemy shelling beach & anchorage.
1635 Enemy shelling Ouistreham area.
2130 DUKWs ceased operating.

28 July 1944
0500 Quiet night. DUKWs commenced operations.
2130 DUKWs ceased operating. Only occasional shelling today.

29 July 1944
0500 Quiet night. DUKWs commenced operating.
0950 Allied aircraft overhead in large formations.
1215 Enemy shelling anchorage.
1630 Shelling again. Petit Enfer area. More intense than usual.
2130 DUKWs ceased operating.

30 July 1944
0500 DUKWs commenced operating after quiet night.
1230 Enemy shelling. No local incidents.
1640 Shelling again. L.C.G. in anchorage now replying.
1830 Unidentified plane passed over. Unusual engine noise. ? Pilotless Plane.
2130 Ceased operating. Quiet day except for sporadic shelling in the evening – still going on.

31 July 1944
0500 DUKWs commenced operating.
2130 DUKWs finished operating. Very occasional shelling during the day. No local incidents.
2359 All quiet.

 

1 August 1944
0330 Enemy shelling beach & anchorage. Rather high rate of fire.
0500 DUKWs commenced operating.
1630 L.C.G. in anchorage shelling enemy gun positions. Enemy shelling ceased.
1800 All coasters completed. DUKWs ceased operating.
1910 Heavy artillery fire heard from forward areas; aircraft overhead at high altitude.
2330 Artillery fire. Caen area.

2 August 1944
0015 Enemy shelling beach area. Sporadic gunfire inland. Enemy aircraft over; heavy A.A. fire.
0700 Reveille. No coasters to work today. All DUKWs ashore.
1530 DUKWs commenced operating; 1 Coaster to work.
1815 All DUKWs ceased operating owing to rough sea.
Capt. C. Clapham S.O.S. this Unit and attached to 2 Army (Rear).
Capt. Lewis attached to this Unit from 2 Army (Rear).

3 August 1944
0500 DUKWs unable to operate owing to rough sea.
2230 Enemy air activity. A.A. fire locally.

4 August 1944
0115 Intense A.A. fire. Some bombs dropped apparently in beach area.
0230 Heavy gunfire from Eastern sector.
0500 DUKWs commenced operating.
1715 DUKWs ceased operating owing to heavy seas.

5 August 1944
0500 Sea too rough for DUKW operations.
1000 Weather improved. DUKWs commenced operating.
2130 DUKWs ceased work.

6 August 1944
0700 Late reveille. Company “standing down” for maintenance & rest on orders of CRASC 31 Tpt Coln.

7 August 1944
0700 Still “standing down”, as above.

8 August 1944
0700 Coy still “standing down”. Maintenance on all vehs. Availability today 100%.
On instructions of CRASC 31 Tpt Coln unit prepared to move at short notice.

9 August 1944
1300 Coy moved to new location. Comes under comd 21 Tpt Coln on arrival.
2000 Move completed & reported to C.R.A.S.C. 21 Tpt Coln & 31 Tpt Coln.

10 August 1944
1000 Visit from Col. Barker U.S. Army. We are attached to 6 Engineer Special Brigade.
Required to commence work 0600 hrs tomorrow & work 75 DUKWs 24-hours per day. All loads to Transhipment. Own unit DUKW Control organisation.
Company organised accordingly to work 3 shifts, as in previous location.

11 August 1944
0600 Commenced operating. 72 DUKWs working. Beaches dangerous owing to wreckage.
0900 Reported that DUKW 5477133 had sunk following collision with L.C.T. in darkness. Driver saved. Second driver missing presumed drowned.
1600 DUKW P.5477316 sunk owing to heavy load & hitting obstacle. Crew saved. DUKW not recovered.

12 August 1944
0600 Still working. Air raid during night. Sea calm but misty early morning.
0900 US Army authorities stated first 24 hours tonnage lift was double that of equivalent number of US Army DUKWs.
1030 Col. Hopcroft & Maj. Taylor (21 Tpt Coln) called.
1500 P.5544864 sank owing to excessive load badly trimmed. Dvr unable to shift in time. DUKW not recovered. Dvr saved.

13 August 1944
0600 Still working 72 DUKWs.
0900 US Army require 2 men on each DUKW day & night. All DUKWs & personnel therefore placed on a “Company” basis. Two shifts to work 12 hours each. Feeding on beach for working shift.
1030 Now informed we are to work 60 DUKWs instead of 72.
Arranged W/S “Pool” of VORs constantly turning over to replace VORs & casualties.
1140 Ceased work owing to heavy seas.

14 August 1944
1000 Working 8 DUKWs only to 1 ship inside breakwater. Sea too rough for full operations.
1100 P.5477321 sunk under heavy load of amn badly stowed on stern. Personnel safe. DUKW not recovered.

15 August 1944
0600 8 DUKWs working beached coasters all night. Sea too rough for other operations.

16 August 1944
0500 10 DUKWs required for hatch-crews.
0600 60 DUKWs in operation, on 4 ships at sea & 1 Coaster beached on D3 beach.
1700 P.5575818 holed on striking sunken obstacle. Sank on tide rising. Not recovered. Drivers safe.
2200 Working very slowly to 5 ships in all. Much delay at Transhipment area.
2359 Some air activity. Large fire seen EAST of this sector.

17 August 1944
0200 Turn-round very slow, due to delay in Transhipment area. Ammn (mixed categories) being loaded by hand DUKW-wagons for forward areas.
0600 Resumed normal working & position getting easier in Transhipment bays.
1500 Steady flow. Good turn-round.
2 Dvrs injured today by loads falling.
2300 Ceased working on D3 beach & all DUKWs now on one beach.

18 August 1944
0600 60 DUKWs working 4 ships.
0800 Advance control stated record turnround & tonnage lift since 0630.
0954 Additional ships to work making 5 in all (22 hatches).
2359 Still working 60 DUKWs. Nothing unusual to report.

19 August 1944
0600 Drivers changed for an 18-hr shift to enable day & night shifts to be interchangeable.
0830 First hours work a record turnover.
2359 Nothing to report.

20 August 1944
0600 Still working normally after some air activity during the night.
1800 DUKW C.1 sunk by overloading but refloated on tide rising.

21 August 1944
0100 DUKWs ceased work owing to heavy seas.
0800 Heavy rain & wind, DUKWs returned to location for maintenance.
2000 Weather still rough for operations.

22 August 1944
0800 DUKWs still standing down. Maintenance all day.
1530 Weather better. DUKWs standing by ready to work; awaiting decision from Able 3.
1830 Naval authorities stated stormy weather brewing. DUKWs stood down again until further orders.

23 August 1944
0900 Still awaiting instructions after rough night with heavy rain.
0915 DUKWs commenced operations. 4 Ships. 60 DUKWs employed. Maintenance on cushion pool.
2359 Normal working. Sea calm. No incidents.

24 August 1944
0600 Still working 60 DUKWs. 5 ships in all.
1930 DUKW B32 sunk by striking underwater obstacle.

25 August 1944
0900 Normal working. 5 ships. 60 DUKWs. Weather improving steadily.

26 August 1944
0600 Weather calm & settled. 60 DUKWs still operating normally. No incidents.
1330 30 DUKWs sent to cushion pool for maintenance as only 4 hatches to work.
1600 All DUKWs at work again. 12 sent to Baker Beach, & remainder working on increased number of hatches.

27 August 1944
0600 Working normally. Weather very good & settled.
1 DUKW (P.5575609) sunk during night – heavy load badly placed causing list. Crew saved.
2359 Working normally.

28 August 1944
1200 Working normally. No incidents to report.

29 August 1944
0600 Weather deteriorating. Only 2 ships working.
0900 4 ships now working to 50 DUKWs.
2100 13 hatches now working. DUKWs in constant demand.

30 August 1944
0600 Still working 50 DUKWs. Weather improved. No incidents.

31 August 1944
0600 Still working normally. 1 DUKW (A23) sunk during night owing to overloading with ammn (Bombs) ex S/S 222.
0900 Port authorities agreed to working 50 instead of 60 DUKWs. Pls informed accordingly – Cpls to cease driving & concentrate on maintenance/ Each Pl to provide 18 DUKWs daily, making 50 for work & 4 “reserve” on cushion park ready for immediate use.
2000 DUKWS ceased operating owing to rough sea.
2130 Recommenced work with 20 DUKWs on 1 coaster inside breakwater. Weather improving.
2200 Commenced operating with remaining 30 DUKWs on 3 ships at sea. Working hatches on lee side only.
2359 Weather settled. Normal operation.

Total Tonnage lifted since “D” Day = 66394 Tons.
Total Tonnage lifted since “D” Day = 897.2 Tons per day.

 

1 September 1944
0600 Sea rough. 20 DUKWs working to 1 ship only inside breakwater.
0900 Weather improved. 50 DUKWs now working normally.
1600 Number of DUKWs at work reduced to 20 working inside breakwater owing to weather.
1830 All DUKWs ashore.
2300 Resumed work. Weather much improved on falling tide.

2 September 1944
0600 Working normally. 50 DUKWs. No incidents during night.
0900 Wind increasing. Bad weather expected.
1100 Ceased operating owing to weather.
2 DUKWs standing by for emergencies.
Remainder returned to location.
1700 75 drivers required for U.S. Army waggons [??] operating inland.
2000 Took over 75 wagons to work as above. No signatures or check on equipment, etc.
2300 Col. Woolf phoned. 60 Drivers instead of 75 required…[??]…on changeover at 0600 hrs.

3 September 1944
0915 Col. Woolf phoned. To resume DUKW operations instead of trucks by 1200 hrs. Trucks to be parked in Cushion Park.
1100 Drivers returning & taking over DUKWs. Sea calmer & weather improving.
1930 49 DUKWs working 4 ships. Conditions good.

4 September 1944
1000 Only 47 DUKWs working owing to VORs but W/S expecting to put remainder on road shortly.

5 September 1944
0600 46 DUKWs operating. Remainder VOR but expected majority to be available during the day.
1130 45 DUKWs working to 3 ships.
1630 DUKW C11 sank. Not recovered. Loaded with bridging material, placed too far astern. Shipped water & engine stopped. Drivers rescued.

6 September 1944
0600 40 DUKWs working 2 ships.
0900 37 DUKWs only.
1800 35 DUKWs working. “C” Pl availability reduced to 2.

7 September 1944
0100 Very heavy rain; conditions bad.
0300 DUKWs ceased work owing to weather. Heavy rain still & sea getting rough.
1530 4 DKWs required to convey hatch-crews to ships at 1630 hrs. Sea much calmer & weather improved.
1630 Resumed work on 1 ship only – 16 DUKWs at work. 14 remaining on beach pending opening-up on a further ship. Weather still unsettled but sea fairly quiet.
1915 10 more DUKWs put into operation. Now working 2 ships, 8 hatches.

8 September 1944
0100 Working normally. No incidents during night in spite of unsettled weather.
0200 Weather deteriorating. Ceasing operations.
0300 All DUKWs ashore.
0900 Working normally. Weather improving.
1300 Weather squally. 49 DUKWs operating to ships inside breakwater only.
2100 49 DUKWs available. Sea moderating. Weather much improved. Working 2 ships only.

9 September 1944
0100 Turn-round slow. Some hatches now closed down. Some DUKWs being held in reserve pending opening up on 1 more ship.
1200 Weather settled. 50 DUKWs operating. Working 3 ships.

10 September 1944
0500 38 DUKWs working. Remainder VOR mainly due to minor faults & water in Petrol.
0900 Steady flow; 3 ships working 34 DUKWs. 6 having Dvr’s attention.
1400 50 DUKWs now in operation. Weather fair. Working 3 ships.
1600 DUKW B20 sank. On tow; loaded with amn. Not recovered. Drivers safe.
1900 Ceased work owing to rough sea.
2030 All DUKWs ashore.

11 September 1944
0900 Resumed work. Hatch-crews being despatched to ships.
1030 50 DUKWs at work. Weather improving.
1500 Reduced to 20 DUKWs working inside breakwater. Sea getting rough.
1630 All DUKWs ceased work. US Navy stated weather too bad for operations.
1800 Capt. G. Clapham reported to H.Q. L of C for attachment.

12 September 1944
0600 Weather still too rough to operate. All available personnel employed on maintenance.
1800 Still too rough for operating.
Lt. Poole & Lt. Steele reported this unit from 37 R.H.U. T.O.S. wef 9 Sep in accordance with Posting Order & held in excess of W.E.

13 September 1944
0600 Weather improving. Wind dropping.
0800 Hatch-crews despatched to ships.
0900 50 DUKWs operating. Total of 78 DUKWs now available.
2100 46 DUKWs still working to 3 ships.

14 September 1944
0900 Still working normally. 216 trips during night period.
1000 45 DUKWs working, 1 in reserve. Remainder V.O.Rs.
1200 Capt. C. Clapham attached to H.Q. L of C wef 11 Sep.
1900 50 DUKWs working to 2 ships – 10 hatches.

15 September 1944
0600 47 DUKWs now working. Quiet night. No incidents.
Capt. Lewis ceased to be attached to this Company.
1200 25 DUKWs working 1 ship; remainder called off while ships unload to barges.
1700 All DUKWs laid off temporarily – barges & rhinos having worked. Expected to resume about 2100 hrs. Weather deteriorating.
2100 Commenced operating 20 DUKWs. 1 ship only.

16 September 1944
0100 Only 8 DUKWs now working – ship being worked mainly to ferry-craft.
0600 Resumed work 30 DUKWs in all on 2 ships.
1100 Increased to 50 DUKWs on 2 ships (6 hatches).
2230 15 DUKWs sent to Baker Beach to work 1 ship. Remainder working normally on Able Beach.

17 September 1944
0600 Working 48 DUKWs. 30 Able Beach, 18 Baker Beach.
0830 Working normally. 3 ships Able Beach, 1 ship Baker Beach. Conditions good. Total 245 trips overnight shift.
1330 20 DUKWs working Baker Beach. Remainder withdrawn to C.P. for maintenance as ships working to ferry-craft.
1900 Resumed normal working. 50 DUKWs despatched.

18 September 1944
0300 P.58151812 (DUKW A.22) loaded 2 reels telephone cable. Total weight 8800 lbs. While alongside ship, wave rolled DUKW + cargo shifted; shipped water + sank rapidly. Pumps working but water came in too suddenly for pumps to be effective. DUKW NOT recovered. Crew safe.
0900 48 DUKWs working on 3 ships.
1200 Ceased work on Able Beach & transferred DUKW Control Post to Charlie Beach (Baker Beach continues).
1400 Working 25 DUKWs Charlie beach, & 25 Baker Beach.
1630 At request of Col. Woolf supplied 40 drivers for trucks – transhipment to dumps – to speed up urgent delivery of Air Force bombs.
2230 All truck drivers completed details.

19 September 1944
0600 No incidents during night. 48 DUKWs working.
0800 Supplied 20 drivers for U.S. Army trucks.
1000 Instructed (Col. Woolf) to cease operating on Baker Beach. All DUKWs now working through Charlie Beach.
1200 C.O. visited HQ L of C. & was informed the Coy now under comd CRASC 39 Tpt Coln.
O.C. visited 39 Tpt Coln HQ on return journey & informed to be ready to move to British Sector on 26 Sep.
1900 48 DUKWs working 3 ships.

20 September 1944
0600 43 DUKWs working 3 ships; no incidents during night.
0900 Increased to 4 ships. 46 DUKWs at work.
2130 Delays in Transhipment area causing slow turnaround; cranes moved to forward areas causing delay.

21 September 1944
0800 31 Drivers employed today driving trucks.
0900 10 US Army DUKWs commenced work on Charlie Beach, in addition to our 45 DUKWs.
2100 Normal working. 46 DUKWs.

22 September 1944
1000 47 DUKWs working 3 ships. Conditions good & rapid turn-round.
1530 CRASC 39 Tpt Col called. Arranged Coy to ceased operations 2359 hrs tonight & stand down for rest & maintenance, to be ready to move on 26 Sep.
1800 Working normally. 42 DUKWs. Considerable delays in Transhipment Area. 2 ships only – remainder working to ferry-craft.
2359 Ceased operating on Charlie Beach.

23 September 1944
1200 All personnel engaged on maintenance.

24 September 1944
1200 Maintenance & inspection. Availability 100%.

25 September 1944
All installations packed ready to move.

26 September 1944
1030 H.Q. moved to new location. Pls following at 30 mins intervals.
1200 H.Q. established in new location. Advised CRASC 39 Tpt Coln.

27 September 1944
1500 Instructed by CRASC 39 Tpt Coln 30 DUKWs required to work until 2000 hrs tonight.
1530 Capt. C. Clapham returned to Unit from detachment to H.Q. L of C.
1600 M.O. (39 Tpt Coln) conducted Skin inspection of Unit.

28 September 1944
0800 Working transport details Port-en-Bessin and inland. Details issued at daily conference of Tpt. Offrs at 1800 hrs.

29 September 1944
1200 Still working transport details.
1400 Dental Inspection of Unit by Dental Offr 39 Tpt Coln.

30 September 1944
1200 Transport details as above.
2359 Nothing to report.
Sea operation with DUKWs apparently now ended for this Company.

Total Tonnage carried since D Day: 83826 Tons.
Total casualties: 1 Drowned, 1 Died of Wounds.

 

1 October 1944
62 DUKWs working mainly in Port area. Others on sundry transport details inland.
Details commencing 0700 hrs. Last DUKW home 2230 hrs.

2 October 1944
62 DUKWs employed but Port operation now ceased.
1 x 15 cwt domestic also detailed.
1 Austin Utility detailed to convey Dental Offr to Amiens.

3 October 1944
58 DUKWs employed on details. Also 15 cwt.

4 October 1944
58 DUKWs employed. Also 1 x 15 cwt domestic.

5 October 1944
58 DUKWs employed. All on land operations.

6 October 1944
56 DUKWs employed on details.
M.O. (39 Tpt Coln) made hygiene inspection of H.Q. area.

7 October 1944
56 DUKWs working – 16 on permanent daily details, remainder on call to 36 Brick.
TAB & TET inoculations (all ranks) brought up to date today.

8 October 1944
56 DUKWs working including 6 on sea operation.
Commenced Anti-Typhus (4th done) inoculations – 100 personnel daily.

9 October 1944
57 DUKWs working as before. Land operation only. 1 x 15 cwt working for 13 DID.
100 inoculations completed.

10 October 1944
54 DUKWs employed. No sea operations.
1 x 15 cwt domestic attached 13 DID.
100 more inoculations completed.
8 surplus artificer personnel attached 14 Veh. Coy.

11 October 1944
54 DUKWs employed on details. Commenced sea operation on 1 ship in harbour with 20 DUKWs only.
Inoculations (Typhus “booster”) continued.

12 October 1944
21 DUKWs only on details.
Inoculations continued.

13 October 1944
Company warned to move to new location with total 200 DUKWs. Vehs to make up to this number of seaworthy DUKWs to be drawn from 14 Veh Coy. To be preloaded with amn & move by Platoons when ready, reporting to CRASC 31 Tpt Coln on arrival in new location. Coy organised on basis of 4 Pls x 50 DUKWs.
Advance party to move today 1200 hrs.

14 October 1944
Advance party moved 1000 hrs.
“A” + “B” Plns loading amn.
No. of DUKWs in convoy increased to 240 at request of CRASC 27 Tpt Coln owing to urgency of sending vehs + amn forward. Platoons to take 60 loaded DUKWs each.

15 October 1944
0630 A Pln moved off according to plan.
0800 B Pln convoy moved off.
0930 “C” + “D” Pls commenced loading amn.

16 October 1944
0800 C + D Platoons leave for Ath. O.C. + Capt. Clapham leave to join Recce Party. H.Q. + W/S remain.

17 October 1944
0800 H.Q. + W/S leave for Ath.
1500 O.C. joins Capt. Horrocks who has now arranged accommodation at Lenze [?].
1600 Platoons start to arrive at Lenze [?] and have now to proceed to Langerzeel [??] for offloading.

18 October 1944
0900 Unit under command of 40 Tpt Coln R.A.S.C. Ath.

19 October 1944
0900 O.C. and Capt. Horrocks proceeded to Langazeel [??] to contact Platoons, offloading delayed through issues.
99 x 3 Ton lorries await collection at No.2 Park 15 Vehicle Coy.
33 x 3 Ton lorries await collection at No.1 Park 15 Vehicle Coy.
1900 Reported present position to CRASC 40 Tpt Coln RASC.

20 October 1944
1000 33 x 3 Ton lorries collected from No.1 Park.
Offloading of DUKWs now in progress.

21 October 1944
1000 Capt. Horrocks proceeded to Langerzeel [??] to arrange collection of vehicles.
33 x 3 ton drawn from No.2 Park.
1700 H.Q. arrive at Lenze.

22 October 1944
0500 W/S arrive at Lenze.
0900 Capt. Cooke proceeded to Langerzeel [??] to supervise offloading and changeover of vehicles.
33 x 3 Ton drawn from No.2 Park.
1600 33 x 3 Ton lorries drawn from No.2 Park.

23 October 1944
1600 Visit from D.D.S.T. H.Q. L of C and CRASC 40 Tpt Coln RASC.
O.C. visited 21 Army Group Rear re transport.

24 October 1944
1400 Rear Party arrive Lenze with lt. [??].

25 October 1944
1400 Lt. Steele posted to 838 Coy RASC.

26 October 1944
0930 1 Platoon left for Dieppe on detail – Lt. Cunliffe [??].

27 October 1944
1400 Lt. [??] posted to 3 Coy RASC (G.T.).

28 October 1944
0900 Capt. Clapham + Lt. Homan [??] left to clear up O/S matters in Brussels area.

29 October 1944
0900 1 Sgt + 4 ORs detached to CRASC 40 Tpt Coln.
1200 48 hours leave commenced. Unit allocation 2 Officers, 20 ORs.
1700 Lt. Cunliffe [?] and 1 Platoon returned from detail.
1745 Lt Poole and 1 Platoon detailed for Amiens and Rouen.

30 October 1944
0730 Lt Tanner and 1 Platoon detailed for Dieppe.
0900 All DUKWs now accounted for and handed in to 15 Veh Coy.

31 October 1944
0730 Lt Cunliffe [?] and 35 vehicles detailed to Dieppe.

 

Sadly that's all I've got for 101 Coy RASC other than the following notes:

Note: WO171/245 – 2 Army ST Branch – recorded on 26 Jun 44 that 101 Coy (GT) required replacement of 1 Austin 4 x 2 K5 [sic] and 2 Austin 4 x 4 GS, and 1 DUKW, and 1 Bedford 15 cwt 200 gall Water tank.

Note: Veh Serial Nos 534 according to WO171/2245 – 39 Tpt Coln

Regards

Tom

 

Hi Owen,

It looks like they were on SWORD beach according to this Op Order for No 21 L of C Tpt Column:

Source: WO171/2232 – No. 21 L of C Transport Column, RASC

Operation OVERLORD.

OVERLORD

TOP SECRET.

CRASC 21 Tpt Coln RASC.

O.O. No.1

25 MAY 44.

Maps: To be issued on Craft.


INFM

1. Enemy - As per 101 Beach Sub-Area Int Summary, Appendix ‘A’.

2. Own Tps - As per 101 Beach Sub-Area Int Summary, Appendix ‘B’


INTENTION

3. 21 Tpt Coln will:-

(a) Provide

(i) Amphibian and Wheeled tpt and

(ii) Two DIDs and two Pet Depots to maintain 3 Br Inf Div and supporting tps in the Assault phase and such part of the invading Force to which 101 Beach Sub-Area is allotted.

(b) Destroy the enemy in whatever circumstances arise.


METHOD

4. Units under comd etc.

Under comd (incl landing) 39 Coy RASC (Gen Tpt).

Under comd (after landing) 101 Coy RASC (Gen Tpt), (under comd 5 Beach Gp for landing).

299 Coy RASC (Gen Tpt), (under comd 6 Beach Gp for landing).

1 Pl Army Med DUKW Coy (633 Coy RASC (Gen Tpt)).

Regards

Tom