DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL
HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
CHAPTER V
NAVAL PREPARATIONS FOR CROSS-CHANNEL OPERATIONS
PART 1
U.S. NAVAL PREPARATIONS
A. COMNAVEU Organization and Action
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Command of all Naval Forces in Europe was vested
in Admiral Harold R. Stark, U.S.N., Commander 12th Fleet
and Commander U.S. Naval Forces Europe (COMNAVEU)1
The origins of COMNAVEU run back to the first World War.
Admiral William Sims, U.S.N. then occupied the post of
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces operating in European waters,
Commander Harold R. Stark, served on his staff as
Flag Secretary. Between wars the command went into
abeyance, but a U.S. Naval authority in Europe was revived
in London, in 1940-1941, under the title of "Special Naval
Observer" (SPENAVO). The specific functions to be performed
by Vice Admiral R. L. Ghormley, as SPENAVO, were
defined in orders issued by C.N.O., 5 April 1941, based
on the A.B.C.-1 agreement of 27 March, 1941. The instructions
then issued to Vice Admiral Ghormley envisaged, in
fact, his later designation as "Commander U.S. Naval Forces,
North Europe", in the event of U.S. entry into the war.2
--338--
He occupied the post of SPENAVO, from August 1940 until
17 March 1942, when he was designated "Commander U.S.
Naval Forces in Europe" (COMNAVEU).1
He was relieved
by Admiral H. R. Stark, U.S.N., who assumed this command
29 April, 1942.2
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Preparation of bases ashore in England, to serve
U.S. Naval Forces operating in European Waters, may be
traced back to 1941 - before American entry into the war.
In that year, by arrangement with the British Government,
and under Lend Lease financing, construction of naval and
air bases in the United Kingdom was begun. The two principle
ones were Base I at Londonderry in Northern Ireland
and Base II on the Clyde at Rosneath, Scotland. These
bases were originally intended for R.N. use, but were to
be later used by the U.S. Navy as points from which U.S.
Naval escort forces engaged in defense of the transatlantic and
Russian convoys could be supported. In 1942, when the
ROUNDUP and SLEDGEHAMMER projects for a cross channel
invasion were being considered, direct control of these
two bases was taken over by the U.S. Navy. On July 16
a small amphibious force, the "Advance Group Amphibious
Forces Atlantic Fleet", under the command of Rear Admiral
A. Bennett, U.S.N., was formed and stationed at Base
II.3
This force was transferred, October 1942, to U.S.
Naval Forces in Europe as "U.S. Amphibious Forces, Europe".4
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When it was decided to undertake landings in North
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Africa instead of France, Rear Admiral Bennett and
the greater part of his command was assigned to TORCH,
and in due course went to Oran, Algeria. Effective
10 October 1942, the residue of this force, under the
commander of J. O. Huse, U.S.N. was detached from
the Atlantic Fleet and assigned to COMNAVEU, with the
name Amphibious Forces Europe (PHIBSEU).1
Base II was
later returned to the British (31 January 1943). From
October 1942, until OVERLORD preparations were begun in
earnest, PHIBSEU remained as a small technical organization
associated with the British Combined Operations
Headquarters.
-
During 1943, when plans for OVERLORD were being
developed the status of COMNAVEU in the fleet organization
of the United States Navy went through several changes.
Before 15 March 1943, his status in the U.S. Fleet organization
was that of Commander Task Force 99, of the 9th
Fleet, which was under the direct command of Admiral King.2
On 15 March 1943, TF 99 was redesignated TF 92.3
On 15
August, the 9th Fleet was redesignated 11th Fleet, still
under the direct command of Admiral King, and TF 92 was
redesignated TF 112.4
On 16 September, Vice Chief of
Naval Operations directed COMNAVEU to assume responsibility
for the logistic support of all U.S. Naval Forces in
Europe. He also required all authorities (the Royal Navy,
the U.S. Army and all others) to make demands for U.S.
Naval resources (vessels, equipment, personnel, etc.) for
use in the European Theater on COMNAVEU, who was to screen
all demands, to determine whether there was a real requirement
for them, to arrange to meet requirements from local
U.S. or British resources if possible, and if not, to
submit demands to the Navy Department.5
--340--
B. Twelfth Fleet and Task Force 122
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The Fleet Organization 7th U.S. Navy was revised in
September 1943. The U.S. Twelfth Fleet was established,
from 1 October 1943, to include all U.S. Naval Forces in
Northwest European waters. Admiral Stark, as COMNAVEU,
was designated, Commander Twelfth Fleet1.
The commander was made responsible for:
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Making the preparations in England for the reception
and maintenance of the enormous U.S. Naval Forces
which were to be sent over;
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Providing for the vast logistic and administration
support which these forces would require while in
England;
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Organizing and training U.S. Naval Forces in a
manner which would meet the requirements of the
Operational Plan;
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Supervising the formulation of the operational plan,
to be drawn up by a combined British and U.S. Army,
Navy and Air planning organization, to exploit to
the full the capabilities of the U.S. Navy and to
preserve the essentials of the standard organization
and methods of the U.S. Navy, without which its full
capabilities could not be realized;
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Delivering the U.S. Naval forces fit and ready to the
Supreme Commander on the eve of D-day;
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Providing for the upkeep and maintenance and for
their logistic and administrative support, during
and after the operation, and
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Determining when they could be withdrawn from OVERLORD
service to the other theaters where they were
urgently required.
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COMINCH provided, in establishing the Twelfth Fleet,
that all U.S. naval Forces, assigned to OVERLORD operations,
should constitute a Task Force of this Fleet.
This Task Force would be under the command of one officer
who would serve, during the operation, under the command
of the Allied Commander-in-Chief. In this way,
COMNAVEU as Commander Twelfth Fleet, with all his navy
functions as representative of COMINCH and the Navy
Department (logistics, administration, naval mission in
the U.K., area Naval Commander, etc.) would not be subordinated
to a Combined Allied Operational Command. This
was specified in the COMINCH order of 29 October 1943,
directing the Commander, U.S. Twelfth Fleet to establish
such a Task Force under Rear Admiral A.G. Kirk, U.S.N.1
This Task Force was to include all U.S. Naval OVERLORD
Forces and its commander was to serve under the operational
control of ANCXF.
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Prior to his appointment as CTF 122, Rear Admiral Kirk
had been Commander of Amphibious Forces Atlantic Fleet and
in this capacity he had served briefly in the Mediterranean
as Commander of an Assault Force in the invasion of Sicily,
under Commander 8th Fleet.2
Rear Admiral Kirk assumed
duty as Commander Task Force 122 on 10 November 1943.
During the pre assault period, he and his staff, with headquarters
in London, were engaged in developing the U.S.
Naval part of the NEPTUNE plan and operation orders. In
accordance with the broad plans of COMINCH3
and COM 12th
Fleet the responsibility of preparing U.S. Forces was
delegated to Commander 11th Amphibious Force,4
subject to
this broad supervision by CTF 122 of the organization,
preparation and training these Forces, in accordance with
the ANCXF plan. He assumed direct command on the eve of
the invasion, May 27, 1944.
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C. Establishment of Eleventh Amphibious Forces
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During the Mediterranean interlude the assembly of
U.S. Naval invasion forces in the United Kingdom has
come almost to a standstill. In May 1943, preparations
for a cross channel operation were again set in motion,
the CCS having agreed, at the Washington Conference,
that the build-up of U.S. Amphibious Forces in England
should be begun. In order to provide the Amphibious
Forces required for the cross Channel assault, COMINCH,
on 15 July, revived the moribund Amphibious Forces
Europe,1
redesignated it on 12 August 1943 the 11th
Amphibious Force,2
and assigned it to the command of the
12th Fleet. At that time the 11th Amphibious Force was
little more than a name. The bases and shore organization
to support the sea going forces were yet to be provided,
as forces became available they were sent to England to
be organized, prepared and maintained by the Amphibious
Force Commander. COMINCH selected Rear Admiral John L
Hall3
for the task of building up the U.S.N. Amphibious
Force and to command it during Operation NEPTUNE.
-
In October, 1943, Rear Admiral Hall was designated
COM 11th Phib. He was then commander of the 8th Amphibious
Force (all amphibious forces in the Mediterranean),
under Vice Admiral Hewitt, U.S.N. Commander 8th Fleet,
and COMNAVNAW. In that capacity, Rear Admiral Hall had
organized the U.S. Amphibious Forces engaged in the
invasion of Sicily and Italy, had commanded the Central
Assault Force during the Sicilian invasion, and had also
commanded the U.S Assault Force at Salerno. In October,
1943, when he was designated to Command the 11th Amphibious
Force, under Rear Admiral Hall was still engaged in the
final stages of the Italian Assault. He departed the
Mediterranean in November, arrived in Plymouth, England,
on November 27th and assumed command the same day.4
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Before the arrival of the Amphibious Force Commander
and the bulk of the U.S. Naval sea going invasion forces,
a vast amount of preparatory work was required, particularly
in the matter of building bases and caring for the first
trickle of landing craft arrivals. In early June, COMINCH
directed that bases in Southwestern England should be
acquired, where U.S. Naval Forces could be assembled,
trained and prepared for the operation.1
He required that
while "command of U.S. Naval Bases for landing craft in the
United Kingdom" was to be exercised by a U.S. Naval
authority, "full use of existing (viz. British) facilities
must be made in order that critical material may be
conserved, and shipping space used to the best advantage.
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COMNAVEU had already conducted a survey of possible
bases in Southwestern England, and by 28 July, 1943, had
ear marked nearly all the locations which the U.S. Navy
was to use.2
On receiving instructions from COMINCH to
go ahead with actual preparations, he soon completed
negotiations with the British. In addition to agreeing
on sites for U.S. bases, COMNAVEU obtained British agreement
to a basic plan governing Anglo-American naval
relations.
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The Royal Navy was to be the sole British authority
with which the U.S. Navy would be required to deal.
The U.S. Navy would state its requirements, the Royal
Navy would take the necessary steps to provide them.
The Royal Navy would requisition land or buildings,
negotiate for the supply of labor or materials, let
contracts and so on. In this way the U.S. Navy was
saved an immense amount of trouble and frustration.
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In order to assure that U.S.N. assault and support
forces would be required to deal with only one R.N.
authority, ComNavEu secured an agreement from the
Admiralty to enlarge C-in-C Plymouth's command area
--344--
to include all the major U.S.N. bases.1
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The C-in-C Portsmouth arranged that the bases
acquired would be subject to U.S.N. command even
though the R.N. provided them and a large part of
their equipment and facilities.
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COMNAVEU had arranged that, while the R.N. Home
Commands would initiate and control the movements
of ships in their waters, they would do so as
required by the U.S. Naval Command.
-
These arrangements gave the U.S. Navy full freedom
of action in the command, organization, training and
support of their own forces, while at the same time they
assured that local British resources would be employed to
the maximum. On 28 July, Admiral Stark informed COMINCH
that "the British (were to make) available to us (the U.S.
Navy) nearly all the housing, office and ship facilities
that we (would) need in Appledore, Falmouth, Fowey,
Dartmouth, Salcombe, Teignmouth and Plymouth ----- (In
addition) the Royal Navy (would) supply ----- about 65%
of naval stores, port machinery, boats, moorings, etc.,
which we (would) require. The requests on the United
States for material (would be) kept to an absolute
minimum".2
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In order to man the bases being prepared, and to
provide care and maintenance for the craft which were
beginning to arrive, COMNAVEU requested COMINCH to provide
him with a suitable base maintenance organization. In
response COMINCH established the Craft and Bases Component
of the Amphibious force and sent it to England in advance
of the arrival of the sea going forces and of the Task
Force Commander. COMINCH outlined the functions which he
intended this organization to serve as follows:3
--345--
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"------ [omitted]
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As a first step in the build up for operations and
prior to the later appointment of a U.S. Naval
Commander for a future operations afloat, a new
command is established of "Landing Craft and Bases,
Europe". (Short title - LANCRABEU)
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For the present this command will be under your
(COMNAVEU's) general administrative control and
support. The officer appointed to command will
perform additional duty as Commander, Amphibious
Forces, Europe, until such time as relieved of
this duty. -----
-
[omitted]
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The subject command will be established about 1
September 1943, with a flag officer in command. -----
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It is expected that a Captain or Commander under
Commander, Landing Craft and Bases, Europe (will
act as officer-in-charge of each training establishment
or base with a minimum of such other officers
as required. -----
-
[omitted]
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It is contemplated that the Commander, Landing Craft
and Bases, Europe, (short title - COMLANCRABEU) will
perform the following tasks: (a) Command U.S. Naval
Bases for landing craft in the United Kingdom.
(b) Provide for the reception and effective maintenance
of U.S. Landing Craft in the United Kingdom.
(c) Establish facilities as required for use of
landing craft during the training phase, for the
mounting of any operation, and for the follow-up.
(d) Act in liaison with British authorities in
charge of British bases used by U.S. Landing Craft
in the care and operation of such craft. (e) Act as
Commander Amphibious Forces, Europe, until relieved.
(f) During combat operations, it is not expected
that Commander, Landing Craft Bases, Europe, will
have a tactical command afloat. It is considered
that the development of maximum efficiency of landing
craft and bases will require the full employment of
his time on the tasks involved".
D. Landing Craft and Bases (LANCRABEU)
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COMINCH, in approving COMNAVEU recommendations for
the establishment of an amphibious base maintenance
--346--
organization in England, had designated Rear Admiral
John Wilkes, U.S.N. as Commander Landing Craft and Bases,
(COMLANCRABEU) under COMNAVEU.1
In August 1943, Rear
Admiral Wilkes formed a nucleus staff and, after consultations
in the Navy Department, reported to COMNAVEU in
London for duty 1 September 1943. He was immediately
directed to assume control of existing craft, port
organization and bases and to proceed with the establishment
and commissioning of such new bases, and with preparations
for such logistic support of amphibious forces as
might be required. Admiral Wilkes established his headquarters
at Falmouth, on 13 October 1943 - in view of the
special relationships established with C-in-C Plymouth,
Admiral Wilkes transferred this headquarters to Plymouth on
3 January, 1944.
--347--
PART 2
PREPARATIONS OF BASES FOR AMPHIBIOUS FORCES
A. Naval Bases and Training Areas In Southwest England: Relations With C-in-C Plymouth
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The decision to mount the U.S. invasion forces in
Southwestern England meant that the task of making British
resources available for U.S. Naval use fell principally on
the Plymouth Home Command.1
C-in-C Plymouth began preparation
for mounting a cross-channel invasion in 1942. This
early beginning was the result of Admiral Ramsay's
survey and report,2
which indicated that Naval shore
facilities in Southern England were utterly inadequate to
mount an invasion. Until July 1943, when plans became
sufficiently firm for Admiral Stark to begin listing specific
requirements, C-in-C Plymouth's preparations were of a
general nature and followed closely the lines laid down
by Admiral Ramsay. With the arrival of ComLandCrab in
the substantial beginnings made by C-in-C Plymouth were
augmented to vast preparations through the joint efforts
of the Plymouth Home Command and the LandCrabEu organization.3
--348--
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Facilities prepared were of all types, including:
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Bases,
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Docking, lighterage, and other facilities for loading
and unloading ships and craft
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Anchorages and berthing facilities
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Protections of ships and ship movements in the area
from enemy air and naval action
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Repair and maintenance facilities
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Shore accommodation including housing, office space,
depot and storage facilities
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Experimental stations and training areas.
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C-in-C Plymouth had under his control all sailings
and movements of ships and crafts in the area under his
command. In general ship movements were planned to meet
the desires of the U.S. Naval Commands while at the same
time coordinating all such movements with operations of
vessels engaged in routine movements in the area.
Similarly, the C-in-C Plymouth, within whose command were
stationed the bulk of all U.S. Naval Forces, was recognized
as the authority to negotiate the acquisition of sites and
property for use of U.S. Naval Bases. The appropriate
U.S. Naval authority, usually COMLANDCRABEU, would inform
C-in-C Plymouth of U.S.N. requirements, C-in-C Plymouth
would make the arrangements, and the U.S. Navy would take
possession and assume command. British labor and materials,
so far as available, would be applied as directed by U.S.N.
authorities. Labor and material not available in Britain
were supplied from U.S. sources. During the sojourn of the
U.S. Navy in the Plymouth Command, C-in-C Plymouth thus
provided and COMLANDCRAB established and organized some 19
U.S. Navy bases and establishments of varying sizes.1
--349--
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Outside the Plymouth Command some 14 U.S. Naval
Bases and authorities were established.1
British resources, so far as they were employed, were made
available through the C-in-C of the local home command
on the same basis in the Plymouth Command.
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The establishment of American bases with large staffs
necessitated the provision of adequate living and office
accommodation. Accommodation was also required for the
crews of numerous Minor Landing Craft, and at a later
date for the planning staffs of Forces "U" and "B". This
was met by the requisitioning of houses and sites and the
building of huts by the U.S.N. Construction Battalions
(SEABEES). By the 1st June, over 22,000 U.S.N. officers
and men were accommodated ashore in England. Of these
15,000 were stationed at ports in the Plymouth Command,
about 8,000 were at Plymouth, 3,000 at Falmouth and
2,000 at Dartmouth). In addition some 2,700 were accommodated
in the U.S. Naval Supply Depot at Exeter.2
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In order to give the invading forces an opportunity to
train for the real assault, suitable areas in Southwestern
England were required of such a nature that realistic dress
rehearsals including bombardment could be carried out.
COMNAVUE, having surveyed a great many possible locations,
requested an area in the vicinity of Appledore. The
--350--
flatness of the beaches and the other geographical
features of this area closely approximated the characteristics
of the designated points of assault on
Normandy coast. After C-in-C Plymouth made the necessary
arrangements, a training base was established and
training begun in September 1943.
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The Cabinet also authorized the Admiralty, in
November 1943, to requisition an Amphibious Assault
Training area at Slapton Sands for the use of American
Forces. This area, about five miles square situated
in Torbay on the Devon Coast was to be employed for the
use of live ammunition, including heavy bombardment.
It was a rich agricultural district containing many
villages and a large number of farms. The evacuation
of the people, arranged by the Regional Commission was
accepted in good spirit by the inhabitants. They left
their homes and means of livelihood realizing that their
sacrifice was a necessary contribution to the success of
the cross channel operation. The Admiralty delegated
the Administration of the area to the Commander-in-Chief,
Plymouth. A U.S. Army Colonel, as Range Commandant, was
installed in the area with a Range Party. To work with
him, a British Naval Liaison Officer was appointed. The
area was under the direct control of the Commanding
General, 1st U.S. Army, who delegated his authority to
the Corps Commander of whatever Corps happened to be
training in the area at any given time. It was the
latter's responsibility to coordinate Army and Navy
practice programs. The first assault landing was made
on Slapton Sands on the 2nd January.
B. Repair and Port Facilities
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The ports of Southwest England were very inadequately
provided with docks and wharves suitable for
loading and accommodating the numerous landing craft
which were to sail from them for the invasion. To make
good this deficiency Hards were constructed in sheltered
--351--
water in all ports.1
Construction was substantially
completed by the end of November 1943. In order to
provide berthing requirements for the many U.S. assault
craft (on the eve of D-day there were some 2,500 U.S.
invasion vessels in the Plymouth Command) approximately
1100 moorings and the same number of anchor berths and
berths alongside quays and wharves were specially
--352--
provided.1
--353--
In order to repair vessels which would return from
France with damage or defects beyond the capacity of the
light maintenance facilities at the Hards, four special
maintenance bases for major landing vessels, five sets
of landing craft grids and four maintenance bases for
minor landing craft were constructed.1
--354--
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The Plymouth command, acting in accordance with the
stated requirement of U.S. naval forces, carried out
the normal duties of port director in arranging the
movement, protection, escort, berthing, etc. of U.S.
naval vessels within the command. He followed the
principle always of using the establishment facilities
of his command to give effect to the wishes of the
commander 11th Amphibious Force.1
C. Arrival and Organization of Amphibious Forces
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On 27 November, 1943, Rear-Admiral Hall assumed command
of the 11th Amphibious Force relieving Rear-Admiral Wilkes
who had served temporarily pending the arrival of the
permanent commander. At that time the 11th Amphibious Force
consisted of:
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The Landing Craft and Bases Organization.
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235 Landing vessels, and
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A few miscellaneous special units (Shore Fire
Control Parties, elements of beach battalions,
and others).
Although COMINCH had drawn up tables of planned arrivals
of landing ships and craft in June, they were not scheduled
to arrive in quantity until the bases for their reception
and maintenance were ready and until the force commander was
present to organize them for future duty. In December the
amphibious forces commenced to arrive in quantity. By the
first of June there were 2458 ships and craft in the 11th
Amphibious Force, plus 35 temporarily associated destroyers,
cruisers, and battleships of the Atlantic fleet.
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These many vessels did not come to England as an organized
amphibious force. They arrived as they became
available, a single vessel or division, group or flotilla
at a time. They were organized into an invasion force
by the Commander, Eleventh Amphibious Force.
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COMINCH had laid down an organizational framework
into which the vessels to be supplied were to be fitted.
This followed the standard U.S. Naval organization of
Amphibious forces - 6 vessels to a division, 2 divisions
to a group, 3 groups to a flotilla. The COMINCH directive
also laid down the designation of flotillas, groups
and divisions (viz L.S.T. Flotilla II, or L.C.I. Group
29, or L.C.T. Division 21), With a very few exceptions,
no vessels were assigned in advance either to divisions,
groups and flotillas or to the 11th Amphibious Force.
Vessels to be sent to England direct from the United
States were assigned their place in the organization by
Vice Chief of Naval Operations, those sent from the
Mediterranean or elsewhere were assigned their place by
Commander 11th Amphibious Force.1
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Vessels arrived in the United Kindom, under orders
to report to Com 12th Fleet for duty in the 11th Amphibious
Force. On arrival, Com 11th Phib designated their
position in the force organization, and assigned them to
COMLANDCRABEU 11th Phib for assignment to bases and for
logistics and administrative support. The latter, Commander
in coordination with C-in-C Plymouth, provided berths,
anchorages, shore headquarters, shore accommodation, repair
and maintenance, and controlled their day to day movements.
In addition LANDCRABEU supplied food, pay, medical treatment,
spare parts, and all the other innumerable items involved
in adminstrative and logistic support. He in turn drew
his requirements direct from COM 12th Fleet.
--356--
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In addition to the strictly amphibious forces (viz
LST's, LCI's, LCT's, etc), nearly all other ships
and special parties required for an amphibious assault
were turned over to the 11th Amphibious Force to be
organized, trained and supported. Included among these
were the transports, most of the destroyers, the minesweepers,
PT's, SC's, and various far shore groups, and in
fact everything except the Battleships, cruisers and
some of the destroyers. Even the latter were supported,
so far as they required support in the U.K., by LANDCRAB,
and their movements scheduled by him. By 1 June, there
were 2458 ships and craft in the 11th Amphibious Force and
35 associated destroyers, cruisers and battleships, a
total of 2493 vessels.1
--357--
PART 3
ORGANIZATION AND TRAINING OF U.S. NAVAL FORCES
A. U.S. Naval Amphibious Force
-
The task of organizing the U.S. assault forces
into battle array was carried out by the Commander 11th
Amphibious Force. In December, when he began this work,
OVERLORD had not yet been expanded to a five-divisional
basis, and the U.S. Navy was expected to supply only one
assault force with a follow-up component. During the
assault phase, it was intended that Admiral Hall would
command the amphibious assault,1
while one of his subordinates would command the follow-up component until
its arrival in the assault area, and another of his subordinates,
COMLANDCRABEU, would provide support and maintenance.
In order to supply a follow-up force commander and
additional assault or follow-up lift, CominCh assigned
Commodore Edgar with three divisions of combat loading
transports to the 11th Amphibious Force. Commodore Edgar2
had had wide experience as a follow-up force commander,
having served in that capacity in the invasions of North
Africa, Sicily, and Italy.
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The organizing and training of U.S. Naval forces
was carried out as one process. Since the duty of naval
amphibious forces is to deliver the army in order of battle
at the assault beaches, the organization and training of
naval amphibious forces centers primarily on meeting army
requirements. The basic organization of a U.S. naval
amphibious force is designed to meet the "standard"
requirements of the army when it assault in a "normal"
manner. Since the enemy situation, the terrain and other
essential factors are different in every assault, it is
expected that the "normal" system will be varied in each
invasion to meet the special requirements of the case.
--358--
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The 11th Amphibious Force was organized as it
arrived, along basically standard lines, with variations
designed to meet the special requirements of NEPTUNE as
stated:
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By Commanders of Army Formations to be embarked;
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by ANCXF when he found it necessary to do
so to meet the requirements of the overall
plan, and
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by the Task Force and Assault Force
Commanders when it was found necessary
to meet special naval problems in the
situation.
B. Coordination In Training With U.S. Army Formations
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During the whole period of training and organizing,
the 11th Amphibious Force acted in the closest coordination
with the Army formations of parallel echelons of command.
The American Army formation, scheduled to execute the initial
phases of the invasion, was the FIRST U.S. ARMY under the
command of Lt. General Omar N. Bradley, U.S.A. The First
Army was composed of the following elements.
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FIRST U.S. ARMY
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U.S. Army V Corps. Attack on OMAHA
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28th U.S. Inf.Div. (early Build-up division).
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29th U.S. Inf.Div. (OMAHA assault and follow-up division)
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1st U.S. Inf.Div. (OMAHA assault division)
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U.S. Army VII Corps. (Attack on UTAH)
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4th U.S. Inf.Div. (assault UTAH beach)
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2nd U.S. Inf.Div. (UTAH follow-up and early build-up)
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9th U.S. Inf.Div. (UTAH build-up)
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82nd U.S. Airborne Div. (Airborne assault behind UTAH)
-
101st U.S. Airborne Div. (Airborne assault and follow-up behind UTAH).
-
XIX U.S. ARMY CORPS Build-up.
-
2nd U.S. Armored Div. (Build-up)
-
3rd U.S. Armored Div. "
-
30th U.S. Inf.Div. "
-
Army Troops including two Ranger Battalions.
-
Early in June 1943, the 29th Division of the V
Corps U.S. Army had established itself in Tavistock (a
suburb of Plymouth). Between then and April 1944, the
following formations took up their positions in close
proximity to the naval bases:
Bristol
Taunton
Tenby
Tavistock
Blandford
Bremore
Tiverton
|
1st U.S. Army H.Q.
V Corps H.Q.
28th Inf.Div.
29th Inf.Div.
1st Inf.Div.
VII Corps H.Q.
4th Inf.Div.
|
Lt.Gen. Bradley
Maj.Gen. Gerow
Maj.Gen. [left blank]
Maj.Gen. Gerhardt
Maj.Gen. Heubuer
Maj.Gen. Woodruff
Maj.Gen. Barton
|
C. Amphibious Training Exercises - 1944
-
These Army formations engaged in specialized
amphibious training and experimenting in conjuntion with
the navy. Prolonged and large-scale experimentation was
carried out at the Advanced Amphibious Training Base at
Appledore, Devon.1
Many problems in connection with landings
on a hostile beach were investigated, and projects
--360--
tried out and solutions found. The experimental work was
carried out on the beaches at Instow and Westward Ho! Some
of the principal experiments and trials were:
-
Waterproofing of vehicles and tanks, and wading
trials to ascertain maximum depth vehicles could
wade ashore;
-
Design of and trials with LCT ramp extension.
-
Rhino ferry trials.
-
LCT beaching trials.
-
Trials with minor landing craft in surf.
-
Trials for suitability of LST as a Hospital ship.
-
Most efficient means of discharging stores from
a Coaster.
-
Methods for clearing beach obstacles.
-
The quickest way to refloat stranded landing
craft.
-
Parties of U.S. troops were taken on special
trips at sea aboard escorts, minesweepers, destroyers, and
other ships engaged in routine naval duties. Constant practice
in driving army vehicles on and off landing vessels
was held. All army personnel, engaged in working army
equipment while being loaded onto, carried in, or discharged
from naval vessels, were given sound practice over many
months. Conversely, naval personnel, required to handle
army equipment during operation were given specialized
practice in doing so. Strictly naval training in boat
operation, beaching and retracting, discharging cargo into
"ferry craft" from large ships, and all other aspects of
amphibious duties was also carried out during the pre-assault
period.
-
In addition to training of a purely "practice"
type, a series of exercises and rehearsals were executed.
The first large-scale amphibious exercise took place on
31 December - 2nd January 1944, with Rear-Admiral Hall,
USN, in the U.S.S. Ancon (H.Q.Ship) commanding Force "O".
--361--
This exercise (Operation DUCK1)
was mounted at Falmouth.
The assault was made on Slapton beach by part of the 29th
Infantry Division of the Vth Corps with Major General
Gerhardt, U.S. Army in command. Naval bombardment was
carried out by 4 HUNT class destroyers who, together with
trawlers and minesweepers, acted as escort during the
passage and while the assault forces were in the area. In
this and in later exercises, all bombarding ships and
escorts were placed under the direct operational control
of the Assault Force commander, while covering forces of
destroyers and coastal craft remained under the operational
control of Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth.
-
Exercise DUCK marked the beginning of the process
of assigning vessels and amphibious parties their assault
organization. Rear-Admiral Hall followed the policy of
"marrying-up" the naval and army units as early as possible
so that the army-naval personnel and commanders on all
echelons would be able to work and train together for as
long as possible. This could not be done all at one time,
since not all the army formations nor all the navy vessels
were available at so early a date, while those that were
available had to be inter-changed so as to give training to
all. Despite these handicaps the process of making definite
assignments began early and proceeded as rapidly as the
arrival of forces would allow.
D. Organization and Training of U.S. Naval Assault Forces
-
When the CCS authorized the increased scale of
assault in March 1944, the U.S. Navy was required to provide
a second assault force. CominCh designated Rear-Admiral
D.P. Moon to act as commander of the new force.2
During the
period of the Basic planning for OVERLORD and ANVIL, Captain
Moon had served in the Atlantic Section of the C.N.O.
Operational Plans Division. When Admiral Hall was transferred
from the Mediterranean to England, another Assault
--362--
Force Commander was required for operation ANVIL, then
scheduled to take place concurrently with OVERLORD.
To fill this requirement Captain Moon was promoted to
Rear-Admiral and reported to Com 8th FLEET for duty as
Commander of a Task Group of 8th Amphibious Force, at
the end of January. When ANVIL was postponed, he was
transferred to England. On 4 March, 1944, he reported
for duty to COM 12th Fleet, and was assigned to CTF 122,
who in turn assigned him to Commander 11th Amphibious
Force. The latter designated him Commander Group II, 11th
PHIB, and second in Command.
-
The 11th Amphibious Force thus became the
reservoir containing all the components from which the
four separate forces were to be built. The Commander of
this Force was, therefore, reponsible for allocating
vessels to each force, as required by the Naval Plan, and
for directing the process of training and preparing of all
the Forces to be used in the assault. This now included:
-
FORCE B, which, under the new arrangement
was to bring up the follow-up formations to
both assault forces;
-
LANDCRAB, which was to support all three
forces;
-
FORCE U, under Rear-Admiral Moon; and,
-
FORCE O, under command of the Amphibious
Force Commander himself - Rear-Admiral
Hall.
-
With the arrival of Rear-Admiral Moon in early
March, Rear-Admiral Hall re-oriented the program of
training and organizing to fit the new requirements. As
added vessels arrived and training progressed, the four
parts of the 11th Amphibious Force gradually assumed their
assault organization. Rear-Admiral Moon had a difficult
task ahead of him as he had only two months to bring his
force into being, to organize it, and to train it with the
associated Army formations. The large program of successive
exercises to be arranged with concurrent planning of Operation
NEPTUNE, this force, working against time, had a formidable
task to accomplish. Operation orders for exercises were
often finished just prior to the sailing of the participanting
forces. The next exercise had to be planned before the
previous one had even commenced.
--363--
-
The Amphibious exercise "Fox" was carried out by
Force "O" soon after the arrival of Admiral Moon, while
organization of Force "U" was being made. The troops
embarked consisted of part of the V Corps with Major General
Gerow, U.S. Army, in command. They were loaded at Weymouth
and Portland, the ports which Force "O" was to use for
Operation NEPTUNE. In the Operation "FOX", APA's were used
for the first time. The bombarding force consisted of two
cruisers and eight destroyers, the latter, with additional
destroyers and trawlers, forming the escorts. As in DUCK,
no attempt was made by the Germans to attack the assault
forces by sea or air, either during the sea passage or
while off the Slapton beach. Seldom can there have been
more tempting targets for E-boats than this vast concourse
of ships streaming across Lyme Bay at night with escorts of
necessity not as numerous as desired. On conclusion of the
exercise, the APA's were sailed to the Clyde to safeguard
them from any possibility of air attacks.
-
Force "U" commenced intensive training with two
medium sized exercises, MUSKRAT (24-27 March) and BEAVER
(29-31 March). MUSKRAT I1
carried out in the Clyde, consisted
of ship to shore training from APA of the 12th
Regimental Combat Team of the 4th Division, U.S. Army. The
APA's then sailed to the Slapton area. MUSKRAT II2
concluded this exercise with a landing and assault on the beach. Two
cruisers bombarded and escorts were provided by destroyers,
corvettes, and trawlers. Rear-Admiral Moon sailed with the
Assault Forces in his flagship, USS Bayfield - a converted
APA - but as a spectator only. Captain Maynard, USN,
commanding the APA's of Force "U", was the Task Force Commander.
The difficulties in planning with which Force "U" had to contend
were illustrated by the fact that the operation orders
of MUSKRAT II were written by officers lent from Force "O"
without consultation with the Task Force Commander, who was
then witnessing MUSKRAT I, and so out of telephonic communication.
These same officers, assigned to Admiral Moon's staff,
were working night and day preparing for exercise BEAVER,
which was to take place shortly.
--364--
-
In exercise BEAVER (29th-31st March)1
the 8th R.C.T. of the 4th Division (Major General Barton) and
attached units were loaded and sailed from Plymouth,
Dartmouth, and Brixham, in LST's and LCI(L)'s. In order
to make a good approach to the Slapton beach, the assault
forces took a circular route around the western half of
Lyme bay. Bombardment was carried out by two cruisers and
four destroyers while all other available ships were used
as escorts and covering forces. Two minesweeping flotillas
swept ahead of the assault forces.
-
The last exercise in which Force "U" participated
before NEPTUNE, was exercise TIGER2
(26th-28th April).
Though conforming in principle to BEAVER, it was on a larger
scale and was carried on, as far as possible, with those
landing craft to be used in the actual operation. Army units
embarked consisted of part of the 4th Infantry Division, VII
Corps, and attached units with Major Generals Collin and
Barton in command. The route of the assault force was taken
well into the middle of Lyme Bay, so as to give a longer sea
passage. The actual approach was marked by lighted dan
buoys laid by the minesweeping units. Two cruisers and seven
destroyers carried out both bombardment direct and indirect.
As in the other exercises, the maximum number of destroyers,
corvettes and trawlers available formed the escort group and
covering force. The assault took place in the early morning
of April 27th. The night before, while the follow-up convoys
of LST was crossing Lyme Bay, E-boats succeeded in attacking
this convoy. Two LST were torpedoed and sunk, and a third
badly damaged, casualties were high. Survivors were landed
at Portland.3
-
The last major exercise before NEPTUNE was
FABIUS4
(3rd-6th May). This was a full-scale dress rehearsal,
involving U.S. Assault Force "O" (FABIUS I) and
British Assault Force "J" and "S" (FABIUS II and IV). ANCXF
temporarily assumed operational control of the forces
--365--
involved and of the Channel during these exercises.
NCETF and NCWTF took temporary command of their respective
Task Forces, while command of Assault Forces was exercised
by the Assault Force Commanders. D-day was considered to
be 4 May, after a postponement of 24 hours for bad weather.
Force "O", under Rear-Admiral Hall, executed FABIUS I. The
landing force consisted of elements of the 1st U.S. Infantry
Division commanded by Major Geberal Huebner. As in FOX, the
exercise was mounted in the Portland area with the landing
at Slapton. The bombarding force was composed of H.M.S.
Glasgow, U.S.S. AUGUSTA, and nine U.S. destroyers. Escorts
were particularly strong. The weather was not good, and,
on the evening of D-day, the smaller landing craft sheltered
in Dartmouth and Brixham. Further landings on the beaches
were cancelled and when the wind and sea had moderated on
the 6th May, forces were dispersed to their ports of final
assembly.
-
In the middle of April, U.S. Rangers embarked
in LSI(H) and LSI(S) carried out training off Woolacombe,
North Devon. They took part in FABIUS I and after more
training at Falmouth sailed to Portland for attachment to
Force "O". On completion of the last exercises, the three
forces returned to the ports in which they would be loaded
and assembled for the final cross-channel operation. During
the last month before D-day, U.S. Destroyers, Cruisers, and
Battleships, arrived. Many of them took part in the last
exercises and then were based either at Plymouth or at
Belfast. They were to sail from these ports on the eve
of D-day to keep their appointed rendezvous with the rest of the
invasion forces.
--366--
PART 4
READINESS OF THE U.S. NAVAL NEPTUNE FORCES
-
The task of maintaining the vessels of the
11th Amphibious Force (approximately 2500 vessels) was
executed by Commander Landing Craft and Bases.1
During February, the Admiralty set up a combined British-U.S.
committee styled COREP (Coordination of Repairs) to coordinate
the activities of all agencies, civilian as well as naval,
engaged in repair and upkeep of vessels. The agreed policy
was that all work on U.S. ships and craft would be performed
by U.S. personnel, using U.S. Base facilities, except in
cases requiring dry-docking, when work would be performed
by the joint efforts of personnel of the U.S.N., R.N., and
British private firms.
--367--
[Footnote, continued from previous page.]
--368--
-
COMLANDCRAB arranged for a detailed inspection
of all amphibious vessels upon their arrival in the U.K.
Thereafter regular inspections were made and engine
repairs were effected at regular intervals. In addition
to this, a major program of alterations was completed.1
--369--
-
Engine overhaul for LCI(L), LCT, and LCVP
engines was accomplished at the U.S. Army overhaul depot
at Tidworth under supervision of a Navy inspection staff.
A salvage and recovery depot for spare parts was also set
up. To avoid complete loss of repair facilities, in case
of bomb damage to Tidworth, small engine overhaul shops
were maintained at Falmouth, Plymouth, and Dartmouth.
Adequate supplies of fuels and lubricants were made available
at all times, in the quantity and of the quality required,
and at the places where it would be needed. Necessary
facilities and necessary stocks of lubricants were made
available at all points where U.S. craft and ships were
loaded. British lubricants and diesel fuels were carefully
studied so that satisfactory substitutes for the U.S. standard
fuels and lubricants could be determined. A careful check
was maintained on the work of the various bases by reports
and by frequent inspections and maintenance memoranda.
-
On D-day, 6 June, 1944, all ships and craft of
the 2,493 assigned to the command of COMLANCRAB had been
fully prepared for operation, with the exception of
one destroyer recently damaged in collision, of one LST
torpedoed off Dartmouth, and of twelve minor craft damaged
during the last day of loading but quickly repaired. All
bases were clear of repair work and all had been provided
with necessary spare parts and materials. Repair establishments,
recently set up, installed at Portland, Weymouth,
Poole, Southampton, Deptford, and Newhaven, had been
brought up to full strength and were ready for post action
repairs. Organizations for supplying fuel lubricants and
emergency repairs were ready at the loading yards.
-
As a result of these efforts, U.S. Naval forces
were 99.3% operational on D-day. This compares to 97.6%
for home-based British forces. For purposes of planning,
ANCXF had estimated that 90% L.S.T.'s and 85% LCI(L)s and
LCT's would be operational on D-day.1
--370--
PART 5
BRIEF REVIEW OF ROYAL NAVY PREPARATIONS
-
Royal Naval Commands employed so far as possible,
their existing home organization for assembling, training,
organizing and supporting their forces. The general plan
was to organize the British assault and follow-up forces
in the Home Commands, one Naval Command area to each force.
Each assault force and the follow-up force was so organized
as:
-
to lift one assault division, plus such
additional army formations as the army
commander required.
-
to contain necessary fire support craft,
communication sections, beach commander, and
bombardment units.
-
to permit sub-division into assault groups,
each group being sufficient to lift one
Brigade Group.
-
Craft required for the Build-up, but not
required for the assault, were also to be
attached to the assault and follow-up
forces.
-
The Admiralty designated the force commanders,
their sub-commanders and staffs, and provided the naval
units to be built up into assault forces. Landing craft
were supplied as organized flotillas; other vessels and
forces being supplied as individual units. These component
elements as they became available were assigned to the
command of the respective assault force commanders. The
CinC of the Home Command, within which each assault force
was stationed, provided accommodation, administration,
discipline, fuel, stores, ammunition, repairs, maintenance,
anchorages, berth, and general "logistic and administrative
support". The assault force commanders exercised naval
command over their forces, under command of the C's in C,
Home Command, for day to day operations. At the same time
they were responsible to ANCXF regarding broad policy.
--371--
During the assault, CinC Portsmouth, principally, and to
a lesser degree CinC Plymouth, CinC Nore, and V.A.Dover,
provided maintenance, repair, and also logistic and
administrative support for the R.N. Assault Forces.
1
-
An Admiralty narrative has described the
formation and preparation of the Royal Navy assault
forces as follows:
"Of the five Assault Forces, Force "J" started
its training with a decided advantage over the
other four, its nucleus having been formed as
far back as October, 1942, under Captain Hughes-Hallett,
with headquarters at Cowes. In 1943
it took part in the landing in Sicily, after which
it returned to the Isle of Wight, and was built
up to lift a division. In November 1943, Rear-Admiral
Sir Philip Vian was appointed to command
Force "J" and training with the 3rd Canadian Division,
which had started in September, was carried out during
the winter. This included twelve assault and three
ferry exercises, as well as several beach reconnaisances -
the latter in the actual NEPTUNE area.
During this training period there was another
change in the command, Commodore G.N. Oliver
relieving Rear-Admiral Vian on the appointment of
the latter in February 1944, as Naval Commander,
Eastern Task Force.
Force "S", commanded by Rear-Admiral A.G.
Talbot, was based in Scotland for its training.
Headquarters were set up in October 1943 at
Inverness, and training with the 3rd British
Infantry Division commenced in December.
--372--
The training of this Force was seriously
handicapped by the restriction in its assault
training areas; not until the final exercise at
the end of March, for example, could close support
fire and the assault be practised at the same beach.
Another great difficulty was the stormy winter
weather of the Moray Firth, but this Rear-Admiral
Talbot subsequently considered "a blessing in disguise".
Putting aside the cancellation of exercises and losses
of craft
1
and personnel, the experience gained under
these conditions stood them in good stead in actual
operations.
Five full-scale exercises were carried out at
Burghead, which from a hydrographical point of view,
closely resembled the beach which was to be assaulted
in Normandy.
During most of this period the entire staffs of
Force S, and the 3rd British Division were working
together at Combined Force Headquarters in Cameron
Barracks, Inverness, but the routine work in connection
with the training was so intense that it was
decided to seek a more peaceful atmosphere for the
detailed planning of the operation, and from the month
of March the Combined Planning Staff moved to Aberlour
House on Speyside. The Rear-Admiral subsequently
expressed the opinion that the results fully justified
this step.
At the beginning of April, 1944, Force S
commenced to move south to the Assembly Area (Portsmouth),
an operation completed without incident by the end of
the month. (Operation DOWNSTREAM)"
--373--
"Force G started at a considerable disadvantage to
the other two Forces, as it was not formed until
1 March 1944. Its task was to land the 50th
(Northumberland) Division.
Commodore Douglas-Pennant established his
headquarters (H.M.S. Purbeck) at the Royal Hotel,
Weymouth, on 14 March
1
and during the ensuing
six weeks four Brigade exercises were carried
out in the Studland area. In this connection, the
Commodore subsequently remarked that the Army
possessed an advantage over the Navy in that its
Training Staff was almost entirely separate from
its operational staff, thus allowing the latter to
concentrate on planning the actual operation. "it
is hardly an exaggeration", he wrote, "to say that
my staff were so occupied in planning the five major exercises
("SMASH 1 to 4, and "FABIUS") that
they could devote little time to the operation until
the beginning of May".
2
The disadvantage due to the shortness of the
working up period was accentuated by the fact that
the Headquarters Ship, H.M.S. Bulolo did not arrive
in the United Kingdom till 17th April, and then
required the fitting of extra communications. She
was thus only available for the final exercise
("FABIUS"). The Commodore remarked that the
collaboration of a Force Staff and the officers
of the Headquarters Ship can contribute greatly
to the success of an operation and regretted that
the two did not have the opportunity of working
together during the earlier exercises.
3
The Force was transferred from the Portland-Poole
area to the Southampton - Solent area on 28
April."
--374--
PART 6
LOADING AND ASSEMBLY1: NEPTUNE FORCES
-
The Assault and Follow-up Forces and the first
Build-up divisions loaded and assembled as follows:-
| Force | Military | Leading Points | Assembly Points |
| First Br. | Build-up Div. | Thames | Thames |
| L |
3 Brigades (including 22 Armored Brigade) |
Tilbury Felixstow |
Southend Harwich |
| L |
3 Brigades of 3rd Division of 1st Corps British Army |
Portsmouth Newhaven Shoreham |
Newhaven and Shoreham Portsmouth |
| J | 3 Brigades of 3rd Canadian Division of 1st Corps, Br.Army Commandos |
Southampton Portsmouth | Southampton and Solent Portsmouth |
| G |
3 Brigades of 50th Division of 30th Corps British Army |
Southampton |
Southampton and Solent Spithead |
| O |
2 R.C.T. of 1st Div., 2 R.C.T. of 29th Div. both of 5th Corps U.S. Army |
Portland and Weymouth |
Portland and Weymouth Poole |
| U |
3 R.C.T. of 4th Div. of VIIth Corps, U.S. Army. |
Torquay, Brixham, Dartmouth and Plymouth |
Torbay, Brixham Dartmouth and Salcombe |
| B |
1 R.C.T. of 1st and 2 R.C.T. of 29th U.S. Div. |
Plymouth Falmouth and Fowey |
Plymouth and Falmouth and Fowey |
| First U.A. |
Build-up Division |
Bristol Channel Ports |
Bristol Channel Ports |
--375--
-
The loading and assembly of assault convoys was
primarily an administrative job. Responsibilities were
divided as follows:
-
The C's-in-C Home Commands were responsible
for providing the wharves, piers, and other
port facilities required to load the ships.1
--376--
-
The Naval Assault Force commanders and the
army Landing Force commanders were jointly
responsible for determining the army
formations to be loaded in each vessel.1
--377--
-
Assault Force Commanders, Landing Force
Commanders, and C's in C Home Commands were
jointly responsible for working out detailed
loading schedules.1
-
The army was responsible for delivering its
men and equipment to the right piers at the
right time.
-
The C's-in-C Home Commands were responsible
in accordance with the wishes of Assault
Force Commanders, for assuring port
availability, and for moving vessels so
as to be ready to load and clear at the
required times and places.
--378--
-
The M.W.T. and the W.S.A. were responsible
for loading the numerous merchant ships, in
the first Build-up convoys, but were required
to make their ships available at the proper
wharves and piers, at the time required by
the movement plan.
-
A combined agency called Movement Control
(MOVCO) was established, with representatives
of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Merchant
Shipping Authorities, to coordinate movements
by producing and executing the overall loading
plan.
-
The Naval Assault Force commanders were
responsible for developing the assembly plan for
their own force.
-
The C's-in-C Home Commands, were responsible
for providing suitable assembly areas and
for moving vessels from their loading points
into the appropriate assembly areas as required.
-
All ships were required to fill up with fuel,
water, and lubricants before sailing to the
loading and assembly areas, and to "top up"
before sailing, the C's-in-C Home Commands
being responsible for providing the fuel,
water, and lubricants at appropriate points.
-
The defense of the areas in which NEPTUNE
forces were berthed, loaded, and assembled, was
the joint responsibility of local Army, Navy
and Air authorities, who provided anti-aircraft
defense and protection from enemy
surface vessels and U-boats, while the
Commanding Officer of each ship was required
to use the armament of his own ship for its
defense.1
--379--
-
CTF 122 assigned to CTF 127 (ComLanCrabEu) the
task of staging and mounting the operation of the
Western Task Force.1
CTF 127, working in conjunction
with the local R.N. Home Command organization and the
appropriate Army authority, drew up a detailed loading
schedule, assigning all ships and craft a time and a
place to be loaded.2
He also assigned a U.S. Naval
team under a "Loading Control Officer" to each pier,
wharf, and hard, to control the loading of vessels. The
Loading Control Officer had the responsibility for
arranging that vessels were at the right loading point
at the right time, that they were loaded in the time prescribed,
and that they were sent to their assigned
assembly areas at the time required. The loading and
assembly of all ships was uneventful and proceeded
basically according to plan.3
--380--
Table of Contents
Previous Section **
Next Section
Footnotes:
p.338 #1 See Note 1; Part 6.
p.338 #2 CNO letter of
instructions to Vice Admiral R. L. Ghormley, USN,
Special Naval Observer, London, defined the functions
of this post. In paragraph 3, it was stated:
"3. It is suggested that you officially inform the
American Ambassador and the Chiefs-of-Staff Committee
that, if and when the United States enters the war,
you may expect orders as the Naval member of the
United States Military Mission in London, and as the
Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Naval Forces in North
Europe. In the latter office, you will have administrative
responsibility for the United States Naval Forces
in the United Kingdom and British Home Waters, as defined
in Annex III of the Report of United States - British
Staff Conference (ABC-1)".
p.339 #1 SecNav Despatch to SPENAVO 172019 March 1942.
p.339 #2
See letter from the President of the United States dated
18 March 1942. This established U.S. Naval Forces Europe
and designated Admiral Stark, COMNAVEU. See also orders
from the Secretary of the Navy 17 March 1942, SecNav.
p.339 #3 COMINCH Serial 00650 of 15 July 1942.
p.339 #4 COMINCH Secret Despatch 221650 September 1942.
p.340 #1 COMINCH Despatch 221645 of September 45;
COMINCH Serial 001068 of 25 September 42; COMNAVEU Despatch 232031 of
September 45; COMADGRAMPHIBANT Despatch 011415 of 15
October 42.
p.340 #2 COMINCH Despatch 192200 of 19 February 43;
COMINCH Paper of 15 March 43 entitled "Revision of Task Force Numbers".
p.340 #3 IBID
p.340 #4 COMINCH Despatch 111312/12 of 9 August 43.
p.340 #5 V.C.N.O. Serial 0141812 of 21 September 1943; V.C.N.O.
Despatch 161627 September 1943.
p.341 #1 COMINCH Serial 001915 of 9 September 1943.
p.342 #1 See Part 6; Note 2.
p.342 #2 COMINCH Despatch 111902 of 12 August 1943.
p.342 #3 Admiral Cooke's Memo to Admiral King of 7 October 1943.
p.342 #4 CTF 122 Op plan 1-43 Serial 0043 of 11 December 1943
CTF Op Plan 1-44 Serial 00164 of 18 March 1944.
p.343 #1 COMINCH Serial 001423 of 15 July 1943
p.343 #2 COMINCH Despatch 111902 of 12 August 1943.
p.343 #3 See Part 6; Note 3.
p.343 #4 V.C.N.O. Serial 0140212 of 25 June 1942; COMINCH
Serial 001423 of 15 July 1943.
p.344 #1 VCNO Serial 0140212 of 25 June 43; and COMINCH Serial
001423 of 15 July 1943.
p.344 #2 Base II, Milford Haven, Appledore, Falmouth, Plymouth,
Dartmouth, Salcombe, Fowey, and Teignmouth (see ComNavEu
Letter to COMINCH dated 28 July 43 and Landcrab History
Page 5).
p.345 #1
The northern shores of the Severn ----- the coast of South
Wales --- was normally in the C-in-C Western Approaches Home
Command. But in order to allow U.S. Naval authorities to
deal with a single Home Command, the Plymouth area was
temporarily extended to the latitude of Milford Haven.
p.345 #2
COMNAVEU Letter to COMINCH of 28 July 1943, see also
LANCRAB History Page 5.
p.345 #3 COMINCH Serial 001423 of 15 July 1943.
p.347 #1 Bupers - 3-ARF,F915 - 28895 of August 1943 and Endorsement.
p.348 #1
Plans for SLEDGEHAMMER and ROUNDUP were based on the
principle of Americans in the West, British in the East,
(see Chapter II, Section 1, for discussions and references).
At the RATTLE conference the COSSAC planners agreed that
this would be the best policy for OVERLORD (see Chapter
II, Section 3, for details and references). The proposal
was incorporated into the COSSAC plan (Cos (43) 416 (O)
of 30 July 1943 Part II Paragraph 40, pages 10 and 11) and
was given the final stamp of approval when the President,
Prime Minister and CCS approved the plan (2nd Citadal
meeting, Quebec Conference of ... August 1943).
p.348 #2
"Provisional Assessment of Naval Implications of ROUNDUP,
1943" Enclosure 3 entitled "Preliminary Forecast of Assault
Stations for Naval Forces and Shipping Admiralty M.05404/42
of 16 July 1942.
p.348 #3
The following account of the preparation of bases and
shore establishments generally has been taken in general
from the NEPTUNE Report of C-in-C Plymouth and from "A
History of the U.S. Naval Bases in the U.K." (COMPHISUKAY
Serial 00385).
p.349 #1
Milford Haven
Penarth
Appledore
Instow
Falmouth
St. Marwes
Bugle
|
Fowey
Saltash
Calstock
Launceton
Plymouth
Heathfield
Dartmouth
|
Salcombe
Brixham
Teignmouth
Newton Abbott
Exeter
Hawkerland Valley
Tiverton
|
p.350 #1
Londonderry
Rosneath
Portland
Weymouth
Poole
|
Lymington
Southampton
Calshot
Portsmouth
Hedge End
|
New Haven
Tilbury
Deptford (Nore)
Staines
London
|
A full and excellent account of the U.S. Naval Bases
and other establishments in the United Kingdom will
be found in a History of the United States Naval Bases in the
United Kingdom issued by Commander Amphibious Bases United
Kingdom, Serial 00385.
p.350 #2
One requirement for shore accommodation was met when the
Combined Operations Naval Training Establishment housed in
the R.N. College at Dartmouth, was moved to the East Coast
in December, together with its attached landing craft, and
the college buildings turned over to the Americans for the
accommodation of their personnel on 1st January.
p.352 #1
A Hard was a hard surfaced sloping causeway leading
from a road ashore down the beach to a point well below
the low water mark, and so arranged that a landing
vessel could run its bows onto the Hard at any stage of
the tide, open its ramp and load or unload vehicles by
the simple process of driving them on or off. (It was
in fact a simplified ferry slip.) The Hards were equipped
with:
-
a pipeline for supplying vessels with fuel and water,
-
personnel for operating the Hards and their
accommodation,
-
supplies, equipment, ammunition and light repair
facilities for vessels at the Hards.
Hards were constructed at the following ports:
| L.C.T. HARDS | | L.C.T. HARDS |
| Brixham |
1 |
4 |
Berths |
|
Torquay |
1 |
4 |
Berths |
| Dartmouth |
1 |
2 |
Berths |
|
Dartmouth |
2 |
6 |
" |
| Plymouth |
2 |
6 |
" |
|
Plymouth |
4 |
14 |
" |
| Falmouth |
2 |
6 |
" |
|
Falmouth |
2 |
6 |
" |
| Helford River |
1 |
2 |
" |
The army proposed using open beaches which looked
attractive to them on a sunny day, and saw little use
for sheltered Hards.
p.353 #1
The table below shows the number of craft for which
mooring were provided at the ports in the channel.
| Ports | A.P.A. | L.S.T. | Major Landing Craft | Minor Landing Craft |
| Falmouth | 5 | 26 | 99 | 128 |
| Fowey | 1 | 7 | 64 | 82 |
| Plymouth | | 21 | 79 | 141 |
| Salcombe | | 12 | 55 | |
| Dartmouth | 1 | 14 | 96 | 166 |
| Brixham | | 2 | 48 | |
| Torquay | | | 12 | |
| Teignmouth | | | | 48 |
p.354 #1
-
LCT Slips were built at the following ports:
Plymouth ---
Dartmouth --
Salcombe --
Falmouth --
|
Slips at Queene Ann's Battery
Slips at Waddeton
Slips at Millbay
Slips at Silley Cox Yard.
|
-
Grids for major landing craft were constructed at
Appledore, Falmouth, Fowey, Plymouth and Dartmouth in
order to expedite repair work and hull examination which
would not warrant slipping the craft at a maintenance
base. The grids were operated principally by private
firms, employing their own labor and equipment.
-
Maintenance bases for minor landing craft were
established at Plymouth, (Calstock and Saltash), Falmouth,
Dartmouth and Teignmouth. Suitable L.C.M. Slips or
Trolleys were also constructed. L.C.M. Slipways were
constructed at Plymouth, Falmouth and Teignmouth. At
Dartmouth minor landing craft were placed on trolleys
at the Hards and taken to the maintenance base Coronation
Park nearby,
-
By invasion day maintenance facilities capable of
dealing with 20% of the amphibious force (viz. some 300
vessels) at one time had been prepared.
p.355 #1
The only failure in the performance of these duties occurred
at 0220 28 April when, as a result of C-in-C Plymouth
having neglected to sail an escort (HMS Scimitar), an
inadequately protected convoy of LST's engaged in an exercise
were attacked by three German E-boats. Two were sunk
(LST's 507 and 531) while a third (LST 289) was damaged.
The casualties were 638 killed and 89 wounded. (See ANCXF
War Diary of 28 April 1944.)
p.356 #1
COMINCH Serial 03303 of 24 September 1943. This directs
COM 12th Fleet to make assignments of vessels not coming
from the U.S. Com 12th Fleet delegated this responsibility
to CTF 122 who delegated it to COM 11th PHIB. (See COM 12th
Fleet Serial 03450 of 12 November 43 and CTF 122 of 13
December 1943.
p.357 #1
See Section 5 of this Chapter for details of (1) numbers
of U.S. Naval vessels present in the U.K. by months,
(2) The overall disposal of U.S. Naval OVERLORD Vessels
before, during and after NEPTUNE, and (3) a case history
of the movements and assignments of vessels.
p.358 #1
For the reasons for having Admiral Hall act as both
Amphibious Force Commander and as assault force commander
see Admiral Cooke's memo to Admiral King; subject -
Naval Command Set-Up in U.K. for Cross-Channel Operations,
dated 7 October 1943. See also CominCh serial 03683 of
24 October 1943 and BuPers despatch 281439 of October 1943.
p.358 #2
See note at end of Chapter.
p.360 #1
Before this base was taken over by U.S. Forces, it was a
British Combined Opererations Experimental Establishment.
p.362 #1
11th Phib. Serial 0023 of 26 December 1943, Op-Order
A-43. 11th Phib. Serial 001 and 002 of 5 February 1943,
Op-Order 1-44.
p.362 #2
Note on Admiral Moon at the end of Chapter.
p.364 #1
11th Phib Serial 00276 of 12 March 1944, Training Order R-44
p.364 #2
11th Phib Serial 00277 of 12 March 1944, Training Order S-44
p.365 #1
11th Phib (Group 2) Serial 0039 of 21 March 1944, Training
Order 1-44.
p.365 #2
WNTF Force "U" Serial 0075 of 15 April 1944, Training Order
2-44.
p.365 #3
See ANCXF Report Vol.1, Appx.2.
p.365 #4
WNTF Assault Force "O", Serial 00556 of 24 April 1944,
Op.Order 2-44.
p.367 #1
The following table shows the U.S.N. units egaged in the work:
| Unit | Arrived | Base | Transferred to: |
| E6 #1 | November | Falmouth | - |
| E6 #3 | November | Plymouth | - |
| E6 #5 | February | Penarth | Mediterrean 4 July 1944 |
| E6 #6 | January | Dartmouth | - |
| *E6 #8 | January | Exeter | Le Havre 10 October 1944 |
| E6 #21 | April |
(Broken up. Personnel and material
divided between Falmouth, Plymouth, and
Dartmouth, as Build-up).
|
| **E6 #(Murk East) | December |
(Broken up. Personnel transferred to
Appledore, Falmouth, Fowey, and
Salcombe. No equipment received with
this Unit.)
|
| ***E6 #(Murk West) | December | Base II |
Deptford 3 Feb., Base II
10 August for further
transfer to France.
|
| E9 # A | August '43 | Appledore |
Poole, 13 May 1944,
Portland 6 June 1944,
Southampton 19 June 1944,
France 26 June 1944.
|
| E9 #B | October '43 | Fowey | Brixham 8 March 1944
Portland-Weymouth for
transfer to France
5 October 1944 |
| E9 #6 | 7 March 1944 | Dartmouth | Exeter 4 October 1944 for
transfer to France. |
| E9 #8 | December '43 | Salcombe | Lymington 10 May 1944,
Calshott 6 June 1944,
Lymington 17 August. |
| E9 #15 | 16 Oct '43 | Falmouth | France 6 June 1944 |
| E9 #16 | November '43 | Milford Haven |
Poole 10 May 1944,
Exeter 31 July 1944,
Deptford 2 August 1944
Southampton 16 August 1944 |
| E9 #17 | November '43 | Plymouth | France 6 June 1944 |
| E9 #18 | November '43 | Dartmouth | Newhaven 21 May 1944
Portland-Weymouth 30 August 1944 |
| E9 #31 | 1 April '44 | Exeter | France 6 June 1944 |
| E9 #32 | 1 April '44 | Exeter | France 6 June 1944 |
| E10 #2 | October '43 | Fowey | Broken up in June by
transfer to other units,
remaining personnel to
Salcombe 5 July 1944 |
| E10 #3 | September '43 | St. Mawes | Southampton 8 May 1944 |
| E10 #4 | December '43 | Salcombe | October 1944 packed-
waiting assignment to
base in France. |
| E10 #6 | November '43 | Teignmouth | Weymouth 28 April 1944 |
| E10 #8 | November '43 | Milford
Haven | Penarth 27 March 1944
to France 10 June 1944 |
| E10 Mu31 | August '43 | Appledore | Portland 28 April 1944 |
| Repair Ships |
Arrived |
Place |
Transferred |
| USS Melville (Repair Ship) |
23 Mar '44 |
Base II |
Portland 18 April 1944 |
| USS Adonis (ARL) |
1 Feb '44 |
Milford Haven |
Plymouth 3 Feb 1944
France 8 June 1944 |
| USS Atlas (ARL) |
29 Mar '44 |
Falmouth |
Plymouth 28 May '44
France 7 June 1944 |
NOTES:
* E6 #8 - held in reserve for transfer to LeHavre;
personnel was transferred in groups to various
bases for temporary duty.
** One of two maintenance units of approximate E6
size that were transferred from Mediterranean in
accordance with agreement noted in Para.II (b);
equipment was received equal to that for one E6
only.
*** One of two units received from Mediterranean.
Held in reserve at Base II until Base at Deptford
was established.
p.369 #1
The principal work accomplished was as follows:
| LST | Number of Craft |
| Rearmament | 59 |
| Modification of Welin Davits | 60 |
| Installation for Casualty Evacuation | All LST's |
| Fit Rhino Mooring Pads | All LST's |
| Install Balloon Winches | All LST's |
| Modification of Guard Rails | 120 |
| Installation of Fair leads for
Vehicle Loading | All LST's |
| Modification of Bow Doors | All LST's |
| Installation of Radio and Radar | All LST's |
| LCI(L) |
| Alteration of steering gear | All LCI(L) |
| Installation of Radio and Radar | 6 |
| Modification of Heating Facilities | All LCI(L) |
| LCT |
| Longitudinal strengthening | All LCT(5) |
| Fitting Bulwark Doors for Side Loading | All LCT(5) |
| Modification for Fore and Aft Loading | All LCT(6) |
| Install Mulock Extensions to Ramps | All LCT |
| Install Radio and Radar | All LCT |
| Install DD Ramp Extensions | 30 |
p.370 #1
ANCXF Report Vol.1, p.8.
p.372 #1
ANCXF Report, Vol. 1, p.7, Admiral Ramsay concurred with
the opinion expressed by Rear-Admiral Vian that 5 to 6
months is the ideal period for a force to work up in".
ANCXF Report, Vol.1, page 56.
p.373 #1
For the first three months there were no slipways or
docks in the area to enable underwater repairs to be
carried out to the craft and the weather prevented
their being sent further afield. Rear-Admiral Talbot
paid tribute to the Repair Staffs of the Northern
bases under Captain J.I. Hallett, C.B.E., R.N., who
"worked marvels by beaching the craft and working on
them at low water".
p.374 #1
Commodore Douglas-Pennant arrived in London from India
on 17 February and took over the Naval planning staff
which was already carrying out preliminary planning
with the Advanced Headquarters of the 30th Corps and
50th Division in a Combined Force H.Q. in London. The
Advanced H.Q. of the 50th Division accompanied the Naval
Headquarters to H.M.S. Purbeck.
p.374 #2
ANCXF Report, Vol. II, Report by Naval Commander, Force G,
p.5.
p.374 #3
H.M.S. Bulolo had, however, already carried out the
duties of Force Headquarters Ship at Oran, Sicily, and
Anzio, and Commodore Douglas-Pennant subsequently stated
that the experience gained by her ship's company in these
operations was of great value.
p.375 #1
Except where otherwise noted the materials in this section
have been taken from ON-4.
p.376 #1
It will be seen from sketch ______ that all the Assault
Forces except form "U" were loaded within the confines
of the Portsmouth Home Command. Force "U", follow-up
Force "B", and the 1st U.S. Build-up Force were loaded
within the confines of Plymouth Home Command, British
Follow-up Force "L", and the 1st British Build-up
convoys in Nore command.
p.377 #1
As between the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy, responsibilities
for loading were divided as follows:
-
"The movement of personnel, vehicles, and supplies
to ports (points) of embarkation as required by
the Landing Force commander is the responsibility
of the S.O.S. ETOUSA.
-
Personnel (1) the allocation of Army Units to
ship and craft is the responsibility of the Army.
The allocation should be made in consultation with
the Navy to insure that the desired load and the
loading schedules are practicable, and the craft
suitable from a naval point of view. (2) The
allocation to troop space aboard ship is the
responsibility of the Army. The allocation should
be worked out in consultation with the Navy to
insure that it is within the capacity of the ship
and that the troops are distributed to facilitate
debarkation. (3) The embarkation of troops is
the responsibility of the S.O.S. ETOUSA with agreement
of the Naval representative.
-
Cargo-Vehicles. (1) The allocation of vehicles
and supplies to ships for the Assault is the
responsibility of the Army. The allocation should
be worked out in agreement with the Navy in order
to insure that the required capacity and battle trim
of the ships is not exceeded and that safety precautions
are complied with. (2) Priority for discharge
of vehicles and cargo is established by the
Army. (3) The stowage plan of cargo and vehicles
is the responsibility of the Army. The stowage
should be worked out in agreement with the Navy in
order to insure that the capacity and battle trim
of the ship is not exceeded and that safety precautions
are complied with. (4) Loading is the
responsibility of the Army, subject to overall supervision
by the Navy and approval of the vessel's
Commanding Officer, in order to insure that the
capacity and required battle trim of the vessel is
not exceeded and that safety precautions are complied
with. (5) Stowage and securing of all vehicles and
cargo is the responsibility of the Army, as directed
by the Commanding Officer of the vessel. (6) The
loading of cargo ships and/or craft is the
responsibility of the S.O.S. ETOUSA.
-
Movement of vessels to and from berths,
quays, or hards, is the responsibility of
the navy.
-
Subsequent movement of vessels is the
responsibility of the Navy." (See Kirk-Bradley
Agreement, CTF 122 Serial 0066 of
23 February 1944.)
p.378 #1
The production of loading schedules was a very intricate
job. In view of the large number of vessels which had to be
loaded from a comparatively few loading points, it was
necessary that these schedules should be worked out to a
high degree of detail. After they had been prepared on an
Assault Force basis they were combined into an overall
'Master Plan' covering the entire invasion force. The
initial draft of this 'Master Plan' was set out ON 4,
Appendix I. The final detailed loading plan for British
Forces was set out in the War Office NEPTUNE Outline
Movement Plan Q.M. (6) 101, of 24 April 1944, and for
U.S. Forces in Hq. Southern Base Section S.O.S. ETOUSA
Administrative Order No. 6 and 7 of 10 April 1944. SEE
ALSO "Landing Tables NEPTUNE FORCE "U" by VII Corps
U.S. Army, "Landing Tables NEPTUNE Force "O" by V-Corps,
U.S. Army, "Landing Tables NEPTUNE Force "B" by V-Corps,
U.S. Army.
p.379 #1
Details of loading and assembly areas of each force
are given in ON-4, Appx.1, and II.
p.380 #1
CTF 122 Op.Plan 2-44 Serial 00144 of 21 April 1944.
p.380 #2
CTF 127 Op.Plan 1-44 Serial 000847 of 15 May 1944.
These loading and assembly tables were incorporated
in the CTF Op.Plan 2-44 Annex E.
p.380 #3
The only major hitch which developed was that the Army
found it hard to resist the temptation of overloading ships
and craft. The planned loading schedules were carefully
worked out on the basis of what each ship could carry and
what the Army would require, but when the Army arrived on
board it brought along considerably more weight than the
agreed allowance tables permitted. The Allied Naval
Commander in Chief thereupon issued a directive prohibiting
this practice. (See ANCXF Report P.42 Para.69 and P.44 par.
89. The unwisdom of overloading was indicated in the case
of LCT 2498 of Group U.2.A. which capsized and sank at 2300
4 June 1944, with 1e [sic: "13"?] vehicles and 70 men aboard. The
allotted load was 11 vehicles and 55 men. ANCXF Report
P.45 Par. 96.
6 July 2005