Chapter I. General

  1. Transports and cargo ships.--

    1. In this pamphlet naval vessels which have been specially converted for transportation and landing of assault troops (Army or Marine Corps) will be referred to as "combat unit loaded transports" in order to differentiate them from other naval transports.

    2. Combat unit loaded transports (APA's) and combat unit loaded cargo ships (AKA's) are normally assigned to the Amphibious Forces, United States Fleet.

  2. Purpose.--APA's and AKA's are designed to furnish transportation to assault troops and their equipment and to disembark them on hostile shores in the face of enemy resistance in the least possible time.

  3. Troop personnel usually assigned to combat unit loaded transports.--

    1. Troop personnel usually assigned to a combat unit loaded transport will consist of a battalion of infantry with reinforcing units suitable for the accomplishment of a given task. Reinforcing units usually consist of artillery, tanks, antiaircraft weapons, antitank weapons, shore party, medical unit, motor transport unit.

    2. The transport division of several APA's and one or two AKA's should normally carry a reinforced regiment plus a proportion of division troops.

  4. Landing boats.--As used herein, the term "landing boats" includes all craft designed for landing operations which are ship-borne. The term "landing craft" is used for all craft designed for landing operations which are less than 200 feet in length and not ship-borne.

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Chapter II. Characteristics of Landing Boats

  1. Characteristics table.--A table of characteristics will be found on the following pages. Paragraph 202 contains data on fuel consumption.

TABLE OF CHARACTERISTICS
Notes: "Speed" is with normal load, average sea.
"Endurance" is at full speed.
"Weight" is light unless otherwise noted.
"Length" is O.A. unless otherwise noted.

Type
A
Desig.
letter
B
Capacity
C
Draft
D
Weight
E
Armor
F
Arma-
ment
G
Speed
(miles
per hour)
H
Endur-
ance
(miles)
I
Length
J
Beam
K
Crew
L
        Pounds              
1. Landing craft, rubber (small) LCR(S) 7 troops   210 None None     12 feet, 5 inches 5 feet, 8 inches None
2. Landing craft, rubber (large) LCR(L) 10 troops   1320 None 1 .30 caliber machine gun 4-5 with 91/2 horsepower outboard motor.   16 feet 8 feet Do.
3. Landing craft, personnel (plastic) LCP(P) 13 troops 10 inches 1,400 None None 20   32 feet 7 feet, 10 inches  
4. Landing craft personnel (large) LCP(L) 30-36 troops; or 6,700-8,100 pounds cargo (depending on fuel load) 3 feet 12,500 3 transverse bulkheads, 1/4-inch 2 .30 caliber machine guns 10 80 or 200 36 feet 10 feet, 8 inches 3
5. Landing craft, personnel (ramp) LCP(R) 30-36 troops; or 6,700-8,100 pounds cargo (depending on fuel load). 3 feet 12,500 3 transverse bulkheads, 1/4-inch 2 .30 caliber machine guns 10 80 or 200 36 feet 10 feet, 8 inches 3
6. Landing craft, vehicle-personnel LCVP 36 troops or 1 1-ton truck or 8,100 pounds cargo (hold 18 feet, 3 inches x 6 feet, 3 inches) 3 feet, 2 inches 17,850 1/4 sides and ramp 2 .30 caliber machine guns 10 100 36 feet, 4 inches 10 feet, 9 inches 4
7. Landing craft, vehicle LCV 36 troops or, 1 1-ton truck, or, 10,000 pounds cargo (hold 18 feet, 5 inches x 6 feet 3 inches) 3 feet 13,000 None None 10 80 or 200 36 feet, 4 inches 10 feet 91/2 inches 3
8. Landing craft control LCC Crew only 4 feet 50,000 1/4 inch bridge 3 twin .50 caliber machine guns 15 knots 500 56 feet 15 feet  
9. Landing craft support (small) LSC(S) 3 or 4 persons in addition to crew and gunners 3 feet 20,000 1/4 inch 2 .50 caliber, 3 .30 caliber machine guns 16 60 36 feet 6 inches 10 feet 9 inches 6
        Long
tons
             
10. Landing craft mechanized, Mark II LCM(2) 1 light (131/2-ton tank; or, 30,000-pound cargo; or 100 troops 3 feet 25 Control station, 1/2 inch 2 .50 caliber machine guns 8.5 75 45 feet 14 feet 4

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11. Landing craft,2 mechanized, Mark III LCM(3) 1 medium (30-ton) tank; or 60,000-pound cargo or 120 troops. (Cargo area 32 feet x 9 feet 7 inches, average) 3 feet 6 inches 22 Control station, 1/4 inch 2 .50 caliber machine guns 10 125 50 feet 14 feet 4
12. Landing craft tank, Mark V LCT(5) 3 heavy (50-ton) tanks; or 5 medium (30-ton) tanks 3 feet 1 inch fwd., 3 feet 9 inches aft 124 Control station, 1/4 inch 2 20-mm. guns 10 500 108 feet, O.A.; 105 B.P. 32 feet 1 officer, 10 enlisted
13. Landing craft, infantry (large) LCI(L) 192 troops or 75 tons cargo 2 feet 6 inches fwd., 4 feet 6 inches aft 216 1/4 inch sides fwd., 3/8 bridge shield 4 20-mm. guns 17 knots 4,000 (ocean) (500 landing) 158 feet 4 inches O.A. 23 feet 3 inches 2 officers, 21 enlisted
14. Landing ship, dock LSD 195 troops and 14 LCM(3) loaded (or 3 LCT(5) loaded) and 10 trucks on deck; or 1,500 long tons cargo 14 feet 6 inches 5,850 Splinter 1 3"/.50 gun; 8 20-mm. guns 16 knots 8,000 at 15 knots 457 feet 9 inches 72 feet 200
15. Landing ship, tank LST 186 troops and 10 heavy (50-ton) or 20 medium (30-ton) tanks or 39 light tanks (13-ton) 3 feet fwd., 9 feet 4 inches aft 1,412    do    6 20-mm. guns 11 knots 5,000 328 feet 50 feet 7 officers, 57 enlisted
1. Without motor.
2. Higgins Type.

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  1. Fuel consumption.--Gallons per hour (top speed)

      Hall-Scott Gray Superior Chrysler
    LCP(L); LCP(R); LCV 24.5 15.6 7.6 11.3
    LCS(S) 24.5      
    LCM(3) (note 3)   31.2    
    LCC (note 4)        

    Gallons per miles (top speed)
      Hall-Scott Gray Superior Chrysler
    LCP(L); LCP(R); LCV 1.76 1.26 0.73 1.08
    LCS(S) 2.82 1.73    
    LCM(3) (note 3)   2.52    

    Note 1.--Speed Maximum:

        Miles per hour
      Hall-Scott 14.0
      Gray 12.5
      Superior 10.5
      Chrysler 10.5
      Speed of boats equipped with Superior Diesel estimated. Other speeds taken from actual tests with full power and full load.

    Note 2.--Radius loaded:

      Fuel capacity, 300 gallons Engine Fuel capacity, 180 gallons
      206 miles Hall-Scott 100 miles +.
      242 miles Gray 100 miles +.
      417 miles Superior 100 miles +.
      333 miles Chrysler 100 miles +.

    Note 3.--Powered with Gray Diesel engine. These tank lighters will probably be powered with other types of engines in immediate future.

    Note 4.--No information as to fuel consumption--maximum speed, at least 15 knots.

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Chapter III. Debarkation

  1. General.--The ship-to-shore movement covering the planning and execution of the movement of troops from the beginning of their debarkation from transports until they are landed on the beach is well covered in chapter IV of FTP 167. This chapter is concerned with the task organization composed of the landing boats in which the landing force is to move ashore in assault. The following instructions are intended to supplement FTP 167, with which all persons connected with the ship-to-shore movement must be familiar.

  2. Battle condition.--

    1. Upon approaching the transport area all APA's and AKA's will go to general quarters. When the transport area is reached, set Condition One ABLE for the debarkation.

    2. Condition One ABLE (1A) is that condition of readiness in APA's and AKA's when all stations are fully manned for debarkation and unloading while at the same time the vessel is maintained in Condition One, insofar as available personnel permit. Services of the embarked troops will be made available to augment the ship's company, not to interfere with debarkation schedules.

  3. Transport area positions.--A position in the transport area is assigned each transport and cargo vessel. Upon arrival at designated positions, transports and cargo vessels will anchor or lie to underway depending on wind and sea conditions prevailing at the time. See articles 142, 219-233 of FTP 167.

  4. Boat assignments.--

    1. It is the duty of the commander of the transports in a task group to furnish his corresponding troop commander with a boat availability table. This should indicated clearly which boats can be rail-loaded.

    2. If it can be accomplished, the dispatching of boats to another transport should be limited to an adjacent vessel under conditions of reduced visibility.

    3. If it can be accomplished, it is sound practice for a transport carrying a reserve battalion, to retain its boats for instant use by that battalion, augmented as required from the transport carrying the regimental headquarters.

    4. Experience has indicated that the average APA and AKA paired have sufficient boats for landing a reinforced battalion in assault. After providing for two assault battalions in this manner, the normal transport division would therefore rely on the two remaining APA's for prompt landing of the reserve battalion.

  5. Lowering boats.--

    1. Upon arrival at designated points in the transport area, APA's are stopped and, when directed, all boats are put over as expeditiously as possible. Sea conditions permitting, this should be by simultaneous lowering on both sides. If sea conditions are such as to require a lee, port boats will be lowered first. As a matter of policy, vessels which can lower tank lighters and heavy equipment from but one side will use the starboard side for this operation.

    2. Those vessels equipped with suitable davits and landing craft approved for lowering in loaded condition will habitually debark troops by lowering loaded from the rail.

    3. The purpose of loading at the rail and lowering loaded is to shorten the debarkation time. This purpose will be defeated unless all measures for coordination and speed are carefully undertaken. Troops and equipment of the first boats to be lowered from the multiple bank davits may, when desirable, be loaded while the transports are still underway so that the lowering of this group may commence immediately on arrival in the transport area. Troops in the first boats so lowered should include, if possible, all those intended for the first wave. Subsequent boats lowered from the multiple bank davits should likewise be preloaded and include troops and equipment which follow in normal sequence the order of landing. Arrival in the transport area should be so timed as to ensure the minimum interval between the commencement of lowering

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      boats and arrival at the beach at the prescribed H-hour, in accordance with the landing force commander's plan of attack. These are matters of arrangement between the appropriate naval and military commanders but smart execution by transport personnel of the loading and lowering is essential in order to meet the agreed time schedule with the minimum interval. Attention is directed to the necessity for troop units to be on station and in all respects prepared for immediate debarkation when assigned landing boats are ready. In some cases it may be desirable to retard the unloading of the troops (as, for instance, while heavy equipment is being unloaded to accompany the assault troops) in order to shorten the time spent in boats on the water.

    1. Stations for rail-loaded davit boats.--

      1. Troops assigned to a davit boat will assemble inboard of the boat, when possible.

      2. Ladders or gangplanks must be provided as necessary to expedite the loading of boats.

    2. Immediately on being lowered, loaded boats will proceed to the rendezvous area where they will join up by boat divisions and form the landing waves.

    3. Lowering details.--Each APA and AKA will organize permanent details for lowering all landing craft. See paragraphs 426 and 429(a) of FTP 167.

  1. Loading alongside.--

    1. Boat assembly areas.--As soon as unloaded boats are in the water, they proceed to the boat assembly areas. The location of these areas is as follows:

      1. When debarking simultaneously from both sides.--For LCP, LCV, and LCVP, two boat assembly areas, one on each quarter at 250 yards distance. These boats take station in the area corresponding to the side from which they were lowered, either from the parent or another vessel. For LCM and any larger craft assigned, astern, clear of the quarter assembly areas but within effective visual signal distance.

      2. When debarking from one side only.--For LCP, LCV and LCVP, one assembly area 250 yards distant on the starboard quarter. For LCM, one assembly area on the starboard beam. Any larger craft assigned, astern.

    2. Boats will circle at reduced speed in the following directions:

      1. Boats on starboard quarter and astern will circle in a clockwise direction while waiting to be called alongside.

      2. Boats on the port quarter will circle in a counterclockwise direction while waiting to be called alongside.

      3. Boats on the starboard beam will circle in a counterclockwise direction.

    3. An officer will be designated to take charge of the assembly circles. He will see that assembly circles are properly formed and maintained and that signals received from the ship's debarkation officer are promptly obeyed.

    4. All boats in the assembly areas will maintain a sharp watch on the after signal station for signals to come alongside.

    5. When boats from other vessels are assigned to an APA, they will join the appropriate assembly areas and assume automatically the status of the parent transport's own boats. Any boat officer from other vessels will act only as assistants to the assault wave commanders.

    6. Debarkation stations.--Troops (other than those lowered in boats) debark by debarkation nets over the side of the ship at debarkation stations. Each APA should have not less than four debarkation stations on each side. Each AKA should have not less than two per side. Debarkation stations are designated by number and color from forward to aft as follows:

        Starboard Port Color
      Debarkation station No. 1 No. 2 Red.
           Do No. 3 No. 4 White.
           Do No. 5 No. 6 Blue.
           Do No. 7 No. 8 Yellow.
           Do No. 9 No. 10 Green.

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    1. The following considerations govern the location and rigging of debarkation stations.

      1. Deck adjacent to station as spacious and free of obstructions as possible to facilitate standing-by and passage of troops over the side.

      2. Ship's side to be approximately vertical and without excessive flare such as exists under the bow or counter.

      3. Stations should be separated as necessary in order that routes for troops moving from "boat load" assembling places below decks do not cross.

      4. Afford proper securings for the nets.

      5. Provide handrail for the troops to grasp when climbing on the net.

      6. Sea painters and boat lines should be provided for each station.

      7. The foot of the cargo net should extend to one foot below the load water line.

      8. The head of the debarkation net should be neatly secured at the edge of the deck without bulkiness, doubling or folding.

      9. Nets should be held spread by 4x4 beams lashed in place between the net and the side of the ship. The lowest spreader should be about seven feet above the foot of the net. Additional spreaders should be inserted as necessary to maintain the net at uniform width throughout its length.

      10. Two lines to the lower corners of the debarkation net, tended on deck, will facilitate debarkation and prevent the fouling of boat's propellers. This is accomplished by raising the bottom of nets prior to arrival and departure of boats.

    2. The location of stations for the unloading of vehicles and cargo will be governed by the following factors:

      1. Station must be located adjacent to hatches.

      2. The radius of the cargo booms.

      3. Vehicles crews must debark at their loading stations.

    3. Loading boats.--

      1. As long as any man is on the net, either debarking or embarking, the bottom end of the net will be tended in the boat by the boat crew or troops and the net be kept free of slack as the boat rises or falls with the sea, in order to form a ladder direct from the ship's deck to the bottom of the boat.

      2. In addition to the nets rigged at the debarkation stations, a net or ladder will be rigged abeam of each hatch from which troop equipment and supplies are to be discharged. This net or ladder will provide a means of debarkation for working parties handling equipment or supplies in the boat.

  1. Debarkation stations operating instructions.--

    1. Special details.--

      1. A ship's officer, trained as debarkation officer, will be stationed on the bridge. He will be in general charge of the unloading and his primary task is to have the proper type of boat at a debarkation station ready for loading of boat when required. He is furnished by the commanding officer of the embarked battalion, a debarkation schedule, which indicates what type boat is to be at debarkation station at any time. He also keeps a check-off list of boats loaded and dispatched.

      2. A ship's officer will be stationed at the after signal station which is so located as to be clearly visible to all boats in the assembly areas. His duty is to order boats from the assembly areas to debarkation stations.

      3. A ship's officer or qualified petty officer and a troop officer will be stationed at each debarkation station. In addition to the duties given in paragraph 429d(1) of FTP 167, the ship's officer or petty officer is responsible for keeping the debarkation officer informed of the following:

          When ready for a boat.
          When boat is almost loaded.
          When the loaded boat departs and its number.

      4. An enlisted man trained in debarkation signals will be stationed at each debarkation station, and a signalman at the after signal station.

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      1. A radioman who is in communication with the boat group commander and assistant boat group commander will be stationed with the debarkation officer.

      2. The debarkation officer will maintain direct communication with the after signal station and with each debarkation station.

    1. Calling alongside.--The following designating letters and numbers shall be used for calling the various types of boats alongside:

      LCP(L)   Love.
      LCP(R)   Roger.
      LCV   Victor.
      LCVP   Peter.
      LCS(S)   Sugar.
      LCC   Charlie.
      LCM(2)   Two flag.
      LCM(3)   Three flag.
      LCT and LVT(A)   Zebra.

    2. Equipment.--

      1. At each debarkation station:

        1. A flag (semaphore size) and a flashlight of the color assigned to the debarkation station.

        2. A sound-powered telephone connected with the debarkation officer and the after signal station.

      2. At the after signal station:

        1. A set of flags corresponding to the flags designating types of landing boats (should be size No. 6 or larger).

        2. A set of flags with colors corresponding to the colors of the debarkation stations (size No. 6 or larger).

        3. A set of colored lights with colors corresponding to the colors of the debarkation stations.

        4. A sound-powered telephone connected with the debarkation officer and each debarkation station.

        5. When debarking from both sides two sets of signaling apparatus will be provided.

      3. At the debarkation officer's station:

        1. A portable loud speaker with which to communicate directly with boats alongside or lying to close aboard.

        2. Sound-powered telephone connected with the after signal station and with each debarkation station.

      4. The intensity of lights will be the minimum necessary to accomplish their purpose.

    3. Debarkation system in operation.--

      1. By day, landing boats are called alongside by the after signal station on orders from the debarkation officer by the use of flags. For example: Station No. 5 informs the debarkation officer that the boat alongside that station is almost loaded. The debarkation officer looks at his list and sees that the next boat required at Station No. 5 is an LCP(R). He then directs the after signal station to send and LCP(R) to No. 5 (Blue) debarkation station. The after Signal Station displays a ROGER flag and a BLUE flag on the starboard side. The nearest LCP(R) in the corresponding assembly area leaves the circle and goes alongside No. 5 debarkation station when clear.

      2. During darkness, the after signal station calls boats alongside by making on the appropriate side the Morse symbol corresponding to the type of boat desired, using the colored light corresponding to the color of the station at which the craft is desired. For example: In the case cited in the above paragraph, the after signal station would make ROGER with a blue colored light on the starboard side indication that an LCP(R) was desired at No. 5 (BLUE) station.

      3. Larger vessels, such as LST's, LCI(L) and LCT(5), will be ordered to debarkation stations by flashing light. These craft will be called individually.

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  1. Boat identification.-- A designated member of each boat load of debarking troops carries with him into the boat a board, provided by the APA, on which has been painted the designated number of the boat. This board will be displayed prominently during the loading and while in the boat. The number indicates two things, the boat division and the boat number in that boat division. The first digit or digits indicates the boat division and the last digit the boat number within the boat division. The lowest numbered boat within the boat division indicates the boat division commander. Each coxswain is also furnished a copy of the landing diagram showing the number of the wave in which he belongs and his position in that wave.

  2. Stadiameter.--In order to ensure proper distances between landing craft are maintained during ship to shore movements, each boat will be provided with a stadiameter of design as indicated in figure 19, FTP 167.

    See paragraphs 405, 406, 420, 421, 426, 428, 429, 430 of FTP 167.

  3. Unloading vehicles and equipment.--

    1. Equipment.--

      1. Troop equipment, other than individual equipment, will be loaded in the rail-loaded boats before arrival in the transport area.

      2. In loading boats in the water, equipment will be loaded in the boat before the troops embark. The boat crew, and such troops as necessary, will be in the boat to handle equipment as it is lowered into the boat.

    2. Vehicles.--

      1. Vehicles must be loaded with great care to insure that they are headed toward the bow of the boat.

      2. Crews of vehicles will embark in the boats immediately before the vehicles are loaded. These crews, with the aid of the boat crew, will insure proper loading.

        If possible, a vehicle that is not self-propelled will be loaded with the vehicle furnishing its motive power.

      See paragraphs 429, 430, 804 to 810, 821, 823, 824, 930, 935, 937 of FTP 167.

  4. Rendezvous areas.--

    1. Immediatelyb on being loaded, boats will proceed to the rendezvous area.

    2. Definition.--A rendezvous area is an area designated for the assembly of loaded boat waves preparatory to their departure for the line of departure.

    3. Location.--

      1. The rendezvous area is located between 500 and 1,500 yards (depending upon the visibility) from the APA on the line between the APA and the center of the line of departure. The rendezvous area is a fixed position.

      2. The rendezvous area is marked by the presence of the control vessel which is responsible for the correct location of this area.

      3. The control vessel will, if possible, stay on the line between the APA and the center of the line of departure with its bow headed toward the center of the line of departure. By observing the control vessel, boats in the rendezvous area can determine the direction to the center of the line of departure and can also check the compass course.

      4. The formation of waves in the rendezvous area will be prescribed by commander transport group according to the attending circumstances. (See par. 427, FTP 167.)

    4. Operating instructions.--

      1. Coxswains of loaded boats will obtain the position of the control vessel from the debarkation station while being loaded.

      2. Waves will assemble in the rendezvous area under the direction of the wave commanders. Odd numbered waves will circle slowly in a clockwise direction while even numbered waves will circle in a counterclockwise direction.

      3. See subparagraph 411(b) for identification.

  5. Movement from the rendezvous area to the line of departure.--

    1. During daylight in good visibility.--

      1. The first wave follows the control vessel when that vessel leaves the rendezvous area for the line of departure. A deployed formation should be used.

      2. The second and succeeding waves follow at the intervals between their designated times of landing on the beach.

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      1. Wave commanders are responsible for leading their waves from the rendezvous area at the correct time interval behind the wave preceding them.

      2. A distance of at least 50 yards shall be kept between boats in a wave.

      3. See paragraphs 419, 424, 428(5), and 431

    1. During darkness or poor visibility.--

      1. Boat waves must proceed to the line of departure in a group, leading wave following closely the control vessel, in a formation suitable to conditions of visibility. Waves will follow each other in their numerical order. See paragraph 445 of FTP 167.

      2. Wave commanders are responsible for their waves and will not lose sight of the control vessel or the wave ahead, if not in the first wave.

      3. The interval between waves will be determined by the visibility. The maximum interval practicable will be maintained. See paragraph 412 of FTP 167.

      4. Distances between individual boats in a wave will be determined by the visibility but all units will keep closed up enough to insure their seeing the unit ahead of them at all times.

    2. Movements on arrival at the line of departure.--

      1. During daylight, waves will take assault formation just prior to arrival at the line of departure and will start for the beach on signal by the control vessel.

      2. During darkness, waves will form circles on a line to seaward of the control vessel on the beach-control vessel axis. The first waves takes the assault formation and proceeds to the beach on signal from the control vessel. As the first wave departs for the beach, the second wave moves in close to the control vessel. As the second wave leaves, the third wave moves up and so on.

      3. To minimize the danger for aerial bombing or strafing, shell fire from the beach or from enemy surface craft, waves and boats in waves, must be kept separated and staggered as much as possible. This is particularly important during periods of good visibility when the boat group is extremely vulnerable.

    3. See paragraphs 412, 413, 419, 424, 427, 428, and 431 of FTP 167.

  1. From the line of departure to the beach.--

    1. Wave commanders will be particularly vigilant in keeping boats at the proper distances. There exists a very strong tendency to bunch and this must be overcome. Use the stadiameter.

    2. Best speed consistent with maintaining the assault formation will be used in the dash to the beach.

    3. Over the last 1,000 yards, individual boats use full speed.

    4. See paragraphs 412 to 418; 420 (2), (3); 422 to 425; 428; 432 to 434 of FTP 167.

  2. Movements of landing craft subsequent to initial landing.--

    1. Retraction.--Each boat must retract immediately after its load is on the beach.

    2. Return to the ship.--

      1. After retracting all boats will return to their assigned vessel unless otherwise directed.

      2. At night, landing boats should take advantage of the control vessel, the traffic control boat, incoming waves and individual beach-bound boats, to find their way back to their ships.

      3. Wave commanders will aid boats returning to their ships as much as possible but no attempt will be made to reform waves.

    3. See paragraph 435, FTP 167.

  3. Rules of the road for landing boats.--

    1. All coxswains of boats will have a working knowledge of the Rules of the Road as they apply to their boats.

    2. The following general rules will be observed to avoid collisions between boats during an operation.

      1. Boats will keep to the right in meeting.

      2. Empty boats will keep clear of loaded boats by moving to the nearest flank except in the following instances when it becomes the loaded boat's duty to keep clear:

          While an empty boat in retraction still has its bow toward the beach.
          While an empty boat is towing another boat.

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      1. A beach-bound assault wave shall have the right of way over all other boats which will be careful not to interfere in any manner.

  1. Transport identification.--If the attack force commander prescribes transport identification, the following system will be used. When debarkation commences, each transport (APA) will display its transport number in the form of a colored panel and a colored signal light will be used in conjunction with the panel display. This panel may be a sectional wooden panel, if deck space permits, or colored fabric rigged awning-fashion. Colored oilcloth should be used if available because of its light-reflecting properties. Transports on which an initial assault battalion of infantry is embarked will display the number of the ship in color of the beach on which the embarked battalion is to land. All transports not landing an initial assault battalion will display white numbers. Colored numbers will be on a white background, white numbers on a black background.

  2. Boat group identification for aviation.--Each boat group will display, in each boat of its leading wave, a panel of the color of the beach at which the boat group has been ordered to land. A signal light of the same color will be used in conjunction with the panel display. The panel will be of rectangular form 8 feet long and 4 feet wide. The panel will be made of fabric and will be displayed over the engine hood or other conspicuous part of the boat, and the heads of troops so as to be clearly visible to aircraft. Colored oilcloth is recommended for the reasons stated in paragraph 316. This panel will be furnished by the troops embarked in the boats of the leading wave. In the event that troops are to be landed on two or more beaches of the same color the boat group will identify itself to the aircraft by indicating the number of the beach by signaling with appropriate colored signal light.

  3. Guide plane identification.--Each guide plane and boat group will be provided by the Navy with a colored signal lamp. To establish and maintain communication with the boat group, the guide plane will employ the color of the beach toward which it is to guide the designated boat group.

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Chapter IV. Landing Boat Organization--
Duties of Landing Boat Commanders--
Tactical Control of Troops

  1. General.--The organization and command of boats and duties of the boat unit commanders, are covered in chapter IV of FTP 167. The following instructions are intended to supplement the instructions of FTP 167, with which all landing craft unit commanders should be familiar.

  2. Task organization.--

    1. The boat flotilla.
    2. The boat group.
    3. The boat division.
    4. The boat wave.

  3. Tasks.--

    1. To move the landing group from ship to shore in order that it may initiate the fight.

    2. To move equipment, stores, and material required by the landing group from ship to shore.

    3. To reembark the landing group if so directed.

    4. To evacuate casualties from shore to ship.

  4. The boat flotilla.--

    1. The boat flotilla is a task organization consisting of two or more boat groups.

    2. The boat flotilla will be used only when the operation of two or more boat groups in a restricted area demands the actual presence of a commander.

    3. The senior naval officer of the transport group will appoint the boat flotilla commander who should be of suitable rank and experience.

    4. The boat flotilla commander is embarked in a fast boat and proceeds so as best to exercise command during the movement from ship to shore.

      See paragraph 405a(4) FTP 167.

  5. The boat group.--The boat group is a basic organization of boats used for transporting a reinforced battalion from ship to shore. It is divided into boat divisions which land in boat waves. The landing boats of a boat group are the boats carried on the transport on which the battalion is embarked supplemented as required by additional boats from other ships. See paragraph 405a(2), FTP 167.

  6. The boat division.--

    1. The boat division is an organization of two or more boats within a boat group. The boat division operates as a unit commanded by a boat division commander.

    2. The boat division is used to land a small tactical unit.

    3. Deployment within the boat division will be carried out by odd numbered boats deploying to the right and even numbered boats to the left, guiding on the boat division commander.

    4. See paragraph 405a(3), FTP 167.

  7. The boat wave.--The boat wave consists of one or more boat divisions which land simultaneously. Boat waves are designated by number in the order of their landing. The senior boat division commander of each wave is the wave commander. Provision should be made to insure that the senior troop commander of the tactical unit comprising the wave is embarked in the same boat as the wave commander.

  8. The boat group commander and his duties.--

    1. The boat group commander is in command of all boats of his boat group from the time the boats are lowered until the last organized wave of his boat group has landed.

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    1. When his boat group has landed the boat group commander becomes the traffic control officer at the beach where the boats of his group have landed.

    2. The boat group commander will be embarked in a fast boat equipped with navigational aids, communication equipment, and necessary personnel. The equipment carried should include the following items:

        Portable radio equipment.
        Semaphore flags.
        Portable signal lamp.
        Electric hand lanterns and flashlights.
        Electric and hand megaphones.
        Zero flag.
        Binoculars.
        best compass available.

    3. Combat troops will not be embarked in the boat group commander's boat except in an emergency.

    4. The communication equipment in the boat group commanders' boat must provide for communication with the commanding officer of the parent transport, the control officer, the assistant boat group commanders, the wave commanders of his boat group, and with the beachmaster after the latter is established ashore.

    5. In the event troops are reembarked, he assumes command of the landing boats of his group during the return to the transports.

    6. He displays the Zero flag in his boat at all times when by such a display he does not invite hostile fire.

    7. He is responsible for the organization of the boat group and the boat assembly areas, and insures that division and wave commanders organize their units and take proper stations in the rendezvous area.

    8. He supervises landing boats going alongside, loading, and clearing the debarkation stations.

    9. He locates the control vessel, insures that the control officer is provided with approach schedule and landing diagrams, keeps the waves properly stationed in the rendezvous area and acts as liaison between the transports, the boat group and the control vessel.

    10. He assists the wave commanders in maintaining their stations during movement from the rendezvous area to the line of departure and in the dash to the beach.

    11. He assists the control officer in forming waves at the line of departure and dispatching them for the beach at the proper time.

    12. The boat group commander may be assisted by one or more assistant boat group commanders.

  1. Assistant boat group commander and his duties.--

    1. The assistant boat group commander is embarked in a fast boat equipped with salvage gear, fire-fighting equipment, first-aid kit and communication equipment. His boat flies the Mike flag when it will not attract hostile fire.

    2. He assists in organizing the trailing boat waves and in conducting them to the beach. He then acts as a patrol between the transport and the beach speeding traffic and standing by for salvage and rescue.

    3. He may carry troops in his boat provided they do not restrict him in the performance of his primary duties.

    4. The assistant boat group commander is responsible, under the direction of the boat group commander, for:

      1. Keeping boat assembly areas organized and in their proper location.

      2. Expediting boats leaving assembly areas when called and going alongside, loading, and clearing transport debarkation stations.

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      1. Checking up on stragglers from the assembly areas.

      2. Towing disabled boats back to the ship.

      3. Acting as a fire-fighting boat.

      4. Acting as a first aid and rescue boat.

      5. Assuming boat group commander's duties if required.

  1. The boat division commander and his duties.--

    1. The duties of the boat division commander are set forth in chapter IV, FTP 167. Particular attention is called to paragraph 405a(3) and 414-417.

    2. Sufficient officers are not usually available on transports to provide an officer for each boat division. In view of the fact that a boat division commander is usually needed only during the initial trip from the transport area to the beach, this duty may be performed by personnel attached to the naval platoon of the shore party and by naval enlisted personnel. Regardless of the rank of the officer detailed as boat division commander, and in view of his temporary status as such, the boat group commander will command the boat group during the entire operation.

  2. The boat wave commander and his duties.--

    1. General duties.--

      1. He organizes his wave in the rendezvous area.

      2. He leads his wave to the line of departure and thence to the beach.

      3. He controls the speed of his wave in order that it may keep in contact with the control vessel, or the lower numbered wave ahead, and arrive at the beach at the exact time designated.

      4. He speeds the debarkation of troops from the boats and the withdrawal of boats from the beach and return to the transport.

    2. Identification duties.--

      1. During daylight he displays the numeral flag or flags corresponding to the wave number.

      2. At night he displays shaded lights intermittently as follows:

        First wave--Red.
        Second wave--White.
        Third wave--Blue.
        Fourth wave--Yellow.
          Fifth wave--Green.
        Sixth wave--2 Red.
        Seventh wave--2 White.
        Eighth wave--2 Blue.

        Additional waves will employ a continuation of the above system of lights.

    3. Communication duties.--

      1. Communication equipment in the boat wave commander's boat will provide for communication with the commanding officer of the parent transport, the boat group commander and assistant boat group commanders, control officer, other wave commanders, and, as the operation progresses, the beach.

      2. He directs the boats of his wave by hand semaphore, screened blinker and voice (see System of Signals, sec. VII, ch. IV, FTP 167.)

    4. Formation duties.--

      1. The boat wave commander and his communication team should embark in the first boat of his wave to be loaded. In the approach to the beach, his boat should be the leading boat. See section III, chapter IV, FTP 167.

  3. Training of boat crews.--Training of landing boat crews should include the following:

    1. Proper technique in preparation for and being lowered or hoisted aboard.

    2. The general instructions for coxswains as outlined in chapter XI of this pamphlet.

    3. Methods of calling boats alongside and loaded them with troops and material.

    4. Location and purpose of the boat assembly area and rendezvous area.

    5. Maintenance and operation of standard landing boat armament including both surface and antiaircraft gunnery.

    6. The various signals used for maneuvering boats as outlined in section VII, chapter IV, FTP 167.

    7. Recognition of hydrographic and beach markings (ch. IX, this pamphlet).

    8. First aid.

    9. Salvage procedure.

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  1. Tactical control of troops.--

    1. Responsibilities defined.--Tactical control of troops in the ship to shore movement is the responsibility of troop commanders. The primary responsibility of naval personnel attached to transports is to land troops and their equipment and supplies in accordance with the tactical plans of embarked troops.

    2. Guiding rules.--Naval personnel concerned will be guided by the following rules during the ship to shore movement:

      1. Original plans or orders prescribing boat formations and times and places for the landing of troops will be strictly complied with, unless cancelled or modified by competent authority.

      2. Competent authority to cancel or modify such plans or orders shall be one of the following only:

        1. The task force commander.

        2. The troop commander who originated the plan or order concerned.

        3. A troop commander senior in the regular chain of command to the originator of the plane or order concerned.

        4. The senior troop commander present.

        5. The above is subject to the general rule that the commander of any unit of troops is the final authority as to where and when his unit shall land.

    3. Tactical control of troops in the ship to shore movement is executed according to plans prescribing boat formations which correspond to the tactical dispositions of troop units; and by prescribing times and places at which these units shall land. These plans constitute the essence of landing force tactics, and are contained in the following annexes which are issued prior to beginning the ship to shore movement:

      1. Landing schedule.
        Boat assignment table.
        Landing diagram.
        Deployment diagram.
        debarkation and approach schedule.

      2. Naval personnel concerned will thoroughly familiarize themselves with the plans contained in the above annexes for each landing, and will exercise vigilant care to insure compliance therewith.

    4. Troop reserves are normally landed "on order" at times and places depending on the development of the tactical situation. Again, because of unforeseen circumstances, a troop commander may be compelled to change his orders on his own initiative.

    5. A representative of the landing force commander with authority to make tactical decisions may be embarked in the control vessel to assist in matters involving tactical situations.

    6. The above instructions are designed to insure tactical control of troops to the landing force during the ship to shore movement. They shall not be interpreted as impairing the authority of boat officers or coxswains concerned in the purely naval function of proper operation of their boats.

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Chapter V. Control Vessels

  1. General.--The tasks of control vessels in the movement from ship to shore are covered in paragraphs 208, and 427 to 433, inclusive, of FTP 167. The following instructions are intended to supplement the above references.

  2. Tasks.--

    1. Control the movement of landing boats from the rendezvous area to the beach through the line of departure.

    2. Protect the landing boats from attack.

    3. Assist the control of naval gunfire.

    4. Act as a fire support group if armament permits.

    5. Act as communication relay vessel to boat group commanders and beaches.

  3. Composition.--

    1. Control vessels should be equipped with efficient navigational equipment, including reliable gyrocompass and range-finding (both optical and radar) equipment; sufficient radio and visual signaling equipment, either permanently installed or portable, for guarding all communication channels assigned to the control vessel for the operation; reliable sonic or supersonic depth finder; suitable armament to afford additional protection to landing boats from minor vessels and aircraft; dead-reckoning tracer for overnight or point to point voyages of landing boats not carried by APA's or AKA's. Control vessels should be of shallow draft, possess low silhouette, and have good speed regulation characteristics.

    2. There should be at least one control vessel for each beach on which landings are to be made. In addition, it is desirable that there be assigned a vessel of lesser type to assist each control vessel. This latter type should be a support boat or landing boat depending on availability.

  4. Communications.--Each control vessel must be equipped to communicate directly or with relay with attack force commander, transport group commander, assault transport, boat group, wave and boat division commanders, beachmaster, fire support groups, and other control vessels. It should also have a loudspeaker announcing system with one of the speakers located on the stern of the vessel and a screened light signal apparatus.

  5. Duties of control vessels.--

    1. Take station in boat rendezvous area approximately 1,000 yards from the assault transport to which assigned on a line between that transport and the center of the line of departure, as soon as the transport stops in the transport area and begins lowering boats.

    2. Display panel of beach designation color where it can be seen by aircraft. By day, hoist guide flag (Zero) over flag of the same color as the designated beach. By night, show screened light of beach designation color toward the boat group.

    3. Act as a marker vessel in the boat rendezvous area on which the loaded boats can assemble by waves preparatory to leaving for the line of departure.

    4. Receive reports from the boat group commander as to the state of readiness of the group for departure from the rendezvous area.

    5. Report to the attack force commander if the state of readiness of the boat group is such as to make a change of H-hour practical or necessary.

    6. Depart from the rendezvous area at scheduled time or at time designated, leading the boat group to the line of departure, at such speed as to meet the landing schedule but slow enough to permit leading waves to keep in touch.

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    1. Make such signals to the boat group as are necessary to indicate:

      1. Leaving the rendezvous area.

      2. Speed.

      3. Arrival at the line of departure.

      4. Identity.

      Supplement these signals by voice over the loudspeaker announcing system.

    2. Dispatch waves from the line of departure in accordance with the landing schedule.

    3. Prior to arrival at the line of departure, by day, hoist the ONE flag at the yardarm toward the leading boat wave as signal for this wave to take station in attack formation abeam of the control vessel. By night, make single short dashes on colored light mentioned in (b) above.

    4. Dispatch leading wave by day by hauling down the ONE flag; by night, by making "space sign" and 10-second dash on colored light.

    5. Call succeeding waves to the line of departure by day by hoisting numeral flag corresponding to the wave number; by night, by making short dashes on colored light equal to wave number.

    6. Dispatch succeeding waves in a manner similar to (j) above.

    7. If communication security in effect permits, notify attack force commander when the first wave leaves the line of departure, and, if practicable, when the first wave lands.

    8. Modify the landing schedule as directed by competent authority. (See par. 413).

    9. Maintain communications by visual, radio or messenger boat with the boat group commander.

    10. Protect landing boats.

    11. Assist in the control of naval gunfire support.

    12. Provide naval gunfire support.

    13. Drop marker buoy at the far end of the line of departure if no assistant control vessel is available to mark that point, if required.

  1. Remarks.--

    1. The landing schedule is contained in the landing attack order.

    2. Boat landing schedules and diagrams are supplied by the assault transport.

    3. It is not practical for each boat or boat division to report to the control vessel when it is loaded and in the rendezvous area especially during night operations. Reports of boat divisions and waves arriving and forming up in the rendezvous area must be transmitted by boat group and assistant boat group commanders to the control vessel.

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Chapter VI. Traffic Control During Landing Operations

  1. Designation.--As stated in paragraph 408 (b) the boat group commander becomes the traffic control officer after his group has landed.

  2. Duties.--The duties of the traffic control officer are:

    1. To regulate traffic to and from the beach to which his boat group is assigned.

    2. To provide an emergency boat for the beachmaster in charge of the beach whose traffic he is controlling.

    3. To assist in the salvage of boats.

  3. Personnel.--

    1. The traffic control party will consist of the following personnel:

        Traffic control officer.
        Radioman.
        Signalman.
        Boat crew.

    2. Each transport landing an assault battalion will furnish a traffic control party. If more than one party is present off any particular beach, the senior traffic control officer present will take charge.

    3. After the initial landing, the ships to furnish the traffic control party will be designated by commander transport group.

  4. Station.--The traffic control officer will take station in the most advantageous position from which to control traffic. He should stay outside of the first line of breakers. If the depth of water permits, the boat may be anchored.

  5. Equipment.--Equipment will be that listed in paragraph 408 (c).

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Chapter VII. Naval Platoon of the Shore Party

  1. General.--The basic organization and tasks of the shore party are defined in section II, chapter 2, of FTP 167. The following paragraphs are intended to supplement the provisions of that section.

  2. Organization of shore party.--In an amphibious operation, to handle the supplies and equipment during the ship-to-shore movement, a shore party unit is furnished for each reinforced battalion of infantry. This unit consists of a headquarters, shore platoon, service platoon, ship platoon, attached naval platoon (beach party), and communications section. The personnel of these platoons and section are as follows:

    Headquarters 2 officers, 41 enlisted men.
    Shore platoon 1 officers, 45 enlisted men.
    Service platoon 1 officers, 45 enlisted men.
    Ship platoon 1 officers, 45 enlisted men.
    Naval platoon (beach party) 3 officers, 43 enlisted men.
    Communication section 1 officers, 19 enlisted men.

  3. General duties.--The general duties of these platoons and sections are given below:

    1. The headquarters furnishes the command section, as well as various specialists needed for the work on the beach.

    2. The shore platoon furnishes the weapons section, responsible for local security, and the road, demolition, and other necessary details for operation of the beach.

    3. The service platoon furnishes the carrying parties and is responsible for unloading boats and moving supplies to dumps inland of the beach.

    4. The ship platoon furnishes the details for unloading the transport. This platoon does not land until the ship is entirely unloaded.

    5. The naval platoon or beach party directs boat traffic, salvages boats, provides emergency medical treatment for the shore party, evacuates casualties and repairs broken down and damaged boats. It also provides shore-to-ship communications.

    6. The communication section (military) provides lateral communication between beaches and communication with combat troops ahead.

  4. Specific tasks of shore party.--The specific tasks of the military and naval components of the shore party are listed in paragraph 212(a) of FTP 167.

  5. Training.--The military components of the shore party will be organized, trained, and operated by the military authorities. The naval platoon of the shore party will be organized, trained, and operated by the naval authorities. Combined training of both components of the shore party will be conducted as directed by higher authority. The remainder of this chapter will concern the organization, training, and operation of the naval platoon of the shore party.

  6. The beach party.--The responsibility for the execution of the various tasks given in paragraph 212(a), FTP 167, is defined therein.

    1. It must not be inferred that these are the only duties, or that at some time the military and naval components do not assist each other in their particular tasks. All must bear in mind that the success of any operation depends upon the maximum use of all available boats.

    2. The primary mission of a combat unit loaded transport is to put combat troops ashore, over a beach, with their supplies and equipment, in the face of opposition. From the naval standpoint the landing boats may be considered as the main battery of the ship, and the troops and their supplies as the ammunition for that battery. Every effort must be made to increase the amount of work that each individual boat performs. The beach party is the agency, on the

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      beach, to carry this out. It is its mission to reduce the time it is necessary for a boat to be on the beach. All the duties of the beach party, with the exception of the evacuation of wounded, directly or indirectly contribute to this.

    1. The military component accomplishes its part of the mission by unloading boats and moving supplies and equipment off the beach so that more may be landed.

    2. Instructions for the beach party.--

      1. The beach must be organized for traffic as soon as possible.

      2. Only the minimum reconnaissance necessary for beaching the early waves of boats must be attempted.

      3. The beach party's primary duty is the control and continued operation of landing boats and nothing must interfere with this duty.

  1. Beach party sections.--To carry out its tasks properly, the beach party is divided into various sections, namely: Command, hydrographic, boat repair, communication, and medical. The names of these sections are descriptive of their duties. They are composed as follows:

    1. Command section.--
      Two commissioned line officers--senior will be designated beachmaster.
      One medical officer.
      One chief boatswain's mate, assistant to the beachmaster.

    2. Hydrographic section.--
      One boatswain's mate, first or second class, in charge of section.
      One boatswain's mate, second or coxswain, assistant in charge of section.
      Eight seamen, first class: Various duties including emergency boat crews.
      Eight seamen, second class: Various duties including emergency boat crews.

    3. Boat repair section.--
      Two carpenter's mates, first class, in charge and assistant.
      One shipfitter, first class, repair boats.
      Two motor machinist's mates, first class, repair boats.
      On electrician's mate, third class, repair boats.
      One fireman, first class: Assist repair boats and enginemen for emergency crews.
      One fireman, second class: Assist repair boats and enginemen for emergency crews.

    4. Communication section.--
      One signalman, second class, in charge; man beach signal light.
      Two signalmen, third class; one man beach signal flags; one with beachmaster.
      One radioman, second class, man beach radio.
      Four radiomen, third class, three man beach radio; one man portable radio with beachmaster.

    5. Medical section.--
      One pharmacist's mate, first class, in charge evacuation station.
      One pharmacist's mate, second class, assist in charge evacuation station.
      Six hospital apprentices, first or second class, evacuation station.

  2. The beachmaster.--

    1. The commander of the naval platoon (beach party) of a shore party is known as the beachmaster. He acts as assistant to the shore party commander, commands naval personnel in the performance of strictly naval tasks, and acts as advisor on naval matters. He succeeds to command in the shore party as a whole in accordance with seniority.

    2. The beachmaster exercises control and supervision over all beach party activities. He controls boat traffic in vicinity of beaches. He issues instructions to the coxswains, either directly or through the traffic control officer, with regard to destination, changes in supply plans effective beaches and landing points for particular classes of supply, etc. He directs the salvage boats in the performance of their duties.

    3. He signals boats to come in or lie to off the beach. At night, a light moved in a vertical line means boats should land at the point the light is displayed. A light moved in a horizontal line means boats should stop and lie to off the beach.

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    1. He directs boat traffic off the beach to insure that no more boats are on the beach than can be unloaded simultaneously. When no more boats can be unloaded at one time, other boats should be directed to lie to off the beach until directed to come in. To assist him at this task, the beachmaster uses the traffic control boat.

    2. He will make recommendations to the shore party commander for location of beach limits and landing points within the beach.

    3. During the early phase of a landing operation, the movement of troops to and across the beach is of primary importance. To facilitate this movement, he will see that the beach is kept as clear as possible so that subsequent waves of landing boats will have sufficient space to land. Landing boats will and must be unloaded promptly and retracted immediately from the beach. During this phase, efforts should not be wasted on hopelessly stranded or damaged boats. Pull off first the boat which appears easiest to refloat. To assist in clearing the beach of damaged and stranded landing boats each beachmaster has at his disposal one or more salvage boats. When necessary he may use any boat at or near his beach for this purpose.

    4. He will insure that as soon as possible after landing a reconnaissance is made to locate hazards to navigation in the seaward approaches to the beach and that all such hazards are marked. See ch. IX.) As further hazards develop, they will be marked.

    5. As soon as possible after landing, he will direct that a detailed reconnaissance be made to determine the location of all suitable landing points. Due consideration must be given to the effect of the tide. Upon completion of this reconnaissance, he will advise the shore party commander who can then establish unloading points for the various classes of equipment and supply.

    6. He will direct the replacement of boat crew casualties from crews of damaged boats or from his beach party.

    7. He will secure from the shore party commander suitable bivouac areas and command post locations.

    8. Prior the drawing up of the boat assignment table, the beachmaster should confer with his shore party commander as to the boat spaces to be allocated to the several members of his beach party. Normally no members of the beach party will be landed prior to the third assault wave and it should be so arranged that the entire party will be landed a soon as practicable thereafter. The beachmaster and the shore party commander should be landed in the same wave but not in the same boat.

    9. The beachmaster must arrange for the collection, stowage, and transportation to the beach of all equipment to be provided for the use of his beach party.

    10. The beachmaster must insure that by thorough indoctrination and training the members of his beach party carry out most effectively their assigned tasks. This can be accomplished by having a full knowledge of his task and by the closest cooperation and understanding with his shore party commander and the military component. An orderly procedure is vital and this must be integrated with a keen cognizance of the attending situation with regard to priorities of effort.

  1. Hydrographic section.--

    1. The hydrographic section has the following duties:

      1. Keep beach clear of boats.
      2. Make hydrographic reconnaissance.
      3. Assist in removing underwater obstructions.
      4. Act as stretcher bearers.
      5. Furnish relief boat crews.

    2. Members of the hydrographic section will be landed with the initial group of the beach party.

    3. Because the most important factor in the success of a landing is with the continued operation of the maximum number of boats, this section will subordinate all other duties to maintaining a clear beach and minimum damage to boats. Under some circumstances of wind,

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      tide, and sea, it will be necessary to tend every boat landing on the beach. Normally, only those broaching, stranding, or breaking down will require assistance.

    1. As soon as conditions permit they should make a reconnaissance to locate and mark hazards to navigation in the seaward approaches to the beach. If a channel through a bar or reef is found it should be marked at this time. Otherwise, channel marking is accomplished later.

    2. The first members of this section to land will carry with them the necessary markers and equipment to execute the task described in the preceding subparagraph.

    3. This section will remove any casualties found on the beach and deliver them to the beach evacuation station. If possible, every casualty should be examined and treated by a Hospital Corps man before being moved.

  1. Boat repair section.--

    1. The boat repair section has the following duties:

      1. Repair broken down and damaged boats and boat motors on the beach.

      2. Assist the hydrographic section in retracting boats.

      3. Assist the hydrographic section in the evacuation of casualties from the beach to the evacuation station.

      4. Strip abandoned boats of guns and equipment.

    2. The repair of boats is the paramount duty of this section but timely assistance in the retraction of a temporarily stranded boat will in all probability reduce the aggregate subsequent repair work necessary.

    3. The artificer ratings of this section shall be given every opportunity on board ship to familiarize themselves thoroughly with the maintenance and repair of the boats and their appurtenances.

    4. Upon landing, this section will immediately locate its equipment under cover and when this is accomplished it will be available to other sections of the beach party until its services in boat repair are required.

    5. Designated members of this section will be landed with the initial group of the beach party and will carry only such selected tools as will not retard their freedom of action.

  2. The communication section.--

    1. This section has the following duties:

      1. Maintain necessary communication channels for the beachmaster.

      2. Repair and maintain equipment.

      3. Assist the troop communication center as required.

      4. Provide the beachmaster with local security.

    2. Immediately upon landing the communication section will seek cover with its equipment and set up the communication center as soon as a suitable site is selected.

    3. In general the beachmaster must have continuous radio and visual communication with the parent transport and with the traffic control officer.

    4. Normally, one signalman and one radioman accompany the beachmaster at all times. The radioman carries a portable radio set for communication with the traffic control officer and the command post, and the signalman carries necessary signaling equipment plus a carbine or other suitable weapon for local security.

    5. The main radio and signal stations for the beach party are set up in conjunction with and as an integral part of the shore party station unless special considerations render this procedure inadvisable.

    6. In the conduct of its duties, the communication section will be guided by the provisions of chapter VIII of this publication and by the standard communication publications and annexes to operation orders for the particular operation.

  3. The medical section.--

    1. The medical section has the following duties:

      1. Establish beach evacuation station (temporary facilities to care for casualties awaiting transportation to ships).

      2. Operate beach emergency stations on all beaches to care for all beach casualties.

      3. Transportation of all casualties from the beach evacuation station to the boats.

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      1. Maintain liaison with the senior medical officer of the unit responsible for supply and evacuation.

      2. Keep the senior medical officer of the unit responsible for supply and evacuation ashore informed of the rate that casualties can be evacuated to ships, in order to maintain the flow of casualties to ships at the maximum rate while at the same time preventing congestion at beach evacuation stations.

    1. The medical section is charged with the evacuation of all casualties to ships. The actual evacuation is carried out under the direction of the beachmaster. The medical plan of any operation will give directions as to detailed procedure.

    2. This section provides emergency treatment to any casualties on the beach.

    3. The following instructions govern the medical section:

      1. Upon landing remove equipment to a location under cover and be available to carry out task prescribed in subparagaph (c) above.

      2. Set up the beach evacuation station. Selection of the site for this station should provide that it--
          Be near a road where vehicles return to the beach.
          Be near a dump where sand sleds are operating.
          Take maximum advantage of natural protection.
          Has the maximum dispersion possible.

    4. Casualties occurring inland which are to be evacuated to the ships will be delivered to the breach evacuation station by the troops.

    5. Casualties occurring on the beach will be taken care of by this section.

    6. Present doctrine states that no casualties will be evacuated from the beach until the assault troops have landed. However, casualties which have occurred in the boats will remain in the boats and be returned to the parent vessel.

    7. The beachmaster must be kept informed of the number of casualties on hand for evacuation and the location of the evacuation station.

    8. Casualties to be evacuated to different ships should not be evacuated in the same boat.

    9. An accurate record of the casualties evacuated will be kept.

  1. Cover for the beach party.--

    1. The nature of the duties of the beach party requires that they operate in positions exposed to strafing attack from airplanes, to the fire of snipers, and to the effects of bombs or heavy artillery. It is mandatory that when not actively engaged in their duties they remain under cover.

    2. Provision must be made for instant cover in case of sudden or unexpected attack. The best cover yet devised on an open beach is a foxhole or a slit trench. Every man must provide himself with such cover as early in the operation as his duties permit.

    3. Foxholes and slit trenches provide concealment, protection from small arms fire, reduce exposure to fire from aircraft, and reduce the effects of concussion from heavy shells or bombs. The foxhole is better than the slit trench in sand, due to less tendency for the sides to cave in.

    4. Foxholes should be dug deep enough to give the necessary protection, but not so deep as to impair visibility. The waste earth if piled on the land side will help protect against the greatest danger.

    5. Slit trenches should be deep enough to conceal a prone man and normal to the expected line of advance of any tanks. They may be rendered nearly invisible by carefully spreading the waste earth.

  2. Weapons.--The beach party must be proficient in the use of all the standard Army and Navy small arms, including bayonet and trench knife.

  3. Casualties on the beach.--

    1. The hydrographic section of the beach party assisted by any other available personnel provides litter bearers and moves casualties from the beach to the evacuation station.

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    1. In handling casualties the following principles apply:

      1. In placing a wounded man on a litter, avoid changing his position more than necessary.

      2. A wounded man should not be moved until he has been examined by a Hospital Corps man provided a Hospital Corps man is available.

      3. Most boats are fitted as ambulance boats to increase their capacities for carrying litters, but casualties may be evacuated in any boat up to its capacity.

      4. Troop and Navy litters should be standard and should be interchanged as necessary.

      A casualty should never be moved from one litter to another.

  1. Organization of the beach party.--

      Officer Enlisted
    Men
    Rifle
    or
    Carbine
    Pistol Sub
    M.G.
    Boat spaces Total
    Pers-
    onnel
    Equip-
    ment
    Command and traffic control:                
               Beachmaster 1     1   1 1 2
               Assistant beachmaster 1   1     1 1 2
               Medical officer 1         1 1 2
               Chief boatswain's mate   1     1 1   1
    Hydrographic section:                
               Boatswain's mate, first or second class   1 1     1   1
               Boatswain's mate, second class or coxswain   1 1     1 5 6
               Seaman first class   8 8     8   8
               Seaman second class   8 8     8   8
    Boat repair section:                
               Carpenter's mate, first class   2 1   1 2 1 3
               Shipfitter, first class   1 1     1   1
               Motor machinist's mate, first class   2 2     2 1 3
               Electrician's mate, third class   1 1     1 1 2
               Fireman, first class   1 1     1   1
               Fireman, second class   1 1     1   1
    Communication section:                
               Signalman, second class   1       1 3 4
               Signalman, third class   2 1   1 2   2
               Radioman, second class   1     1 1   1
               Radioman, third class   4 4     4   4
    Medical section:                
               Pharmacist's mate, first class   1       1 4 5
               Pharmacist's mate, second class   1       1   1
               Hospital apprentice, first or second class   6       6   6
    Totals 3 43 31 1 4 46 18 64

  2. Individual equipment of beach party.--

    Bag, canvas, field, OD, M-1936   1 per officer.
    Bar, mosquito, OD             Do.
        1 per each 2 individuals.
    Belt, cartridge, Caliber .30 dismounted M-1923   1 per individual armed with rifle M-1903.
    Belt, pistol or revolver, M-1936   1 per individual armed with pistol, revolver, submachine gun, or carbine.
    Belt, life, pneumatic, dual tube   1 per individual.
    Blankets, wool, OD   2 per individual.
    Carrier, pack, M-1928   1 per enlisted man.
    Carrier, pickmattock, intrenching   1 per pickmattock intrenching.
    Carrier, shovel, intrenching   1 per shovel, intrenching.
    Can, meat, M-1923   1 per individual.
    Canteen, M-1910   2 per individual.
     
     

--24--

    Case, dispatch, canvas   1 per officer.
    Case, web, for 30-round magazine, submachine gun   3 per submachine gun.
    Cover, canteen, dismounted, M-1910   2 per individual.
    Cup, M-1910             Do.
    Fork, M-01926             Do.
    Haversack, M-1926   1 per enlisted man.
    Headnet, mosquito   1 per individual.
    Helmet, steel M-1             Do.
    Holster, pistol   1 per individual armed with pistol.
    Jacket, field, OD   1 per individual
    Knife, M-1926             Do.
    Knife, trench M-1             Do.
    Mask, gas, service             Do.
    Packet, first-aid             Do.
    Pickmattock, intrenching   1 per each 6 enlisted men.
    Pin, tent, shelter, wood   5 per tent shelter half.
    Pocket, magazine, double web, EM M-1923   1 per individual armed with pistol.
    Pocket, magazine, for carbine   2 per individual armed with carbine.
    Pouch, first-aid packet, M-1924   1 per individual.
    Pole, tent, shelter   1 per tent shelter half.
    Shovel, intrenching, M-1910   5 per 6 enlisted men.
    Roll, bedding, waterproof, M-1935 complete   1 per officer.
    Shoes, field   1 per individual.
    Slicker             Do.
    Spoon, M-1926             Do.
    Suit, 1-piece herringbone             Do.
    Tent, shelter-half   1 per enlisted man; 2 per officer.
    Waders, rubber   1 per member Hydrographic and boat repair section.

  1. Organization equipment, beach party.--

    Item Number
    Required
    Remarks
    First aid kit, complete 1 Subpar. (a).
    Boat repair kit, consisting of--    
           Electrician's mate's kit 1 Subpar. (b).
           Carpenter's mate's and shipfitter's kit 1 Subpar. (c).
           Motor machinist's mate's kit 1 Subpar. (d).
    Communication equipment 1 Subpar. (e).
    Drag rope 1 Fig. 1.
    Flashlights 6  
    Hydrographic marking pennants:    
           Obstruction 6 See ch. 9.
           Red channel marker 6           Do.
           Black channel marker 6           Do.

    1. Aid kit, complete.--

      80 triangular bandages.   8 cotton, quarter pound.
      120 battle dressings, large.   96 cotton applicators.
      120 battle dressings, small.   16 tourniquets.
      40 head dressings.   96 tongue depressors.
      160 4x4 gauze flats.   10 yards muslin, in strips, 6 inches by 6 feet.
      30 band-aids.   8 yards muslin in 4 pieces of 6 feet each.
      96 2-inch gauze bandages.   56 litters, army type.
      48 3-inch gauze bandages.   8 flashlights.
      8 2 inches by 5 yards spool adhesive.   24 flashlight cells.
      24 basswood splints.   1 package Dixie cups.
      8 3-inch elastic bandages.   2 rubber sheets.

--25--

      4 pairs surgeons gloves, size 8.   2 pints tincture merthiolate.
      4 5-cc. syringes.   8 pints alcohol
      2 20-cc. syringes.   16 ampoules sterile water (10 cc.).
      8 Thomas splints, with footrests, bars and ankle-straps.   40 tubes tannic acid jelly or equivalent.
      4 Thomas arm splints.   20 units plasma
      2 bandage shears.   8 water canteens.
      2 handbrushes.   48 blankets.
      2 emesis basins.   24 mosquito bars.
      2 empty pocket kits, for medical officer, with total of 8 hemostats.   1,000 tablets atobrine.
      24 threaded sutures, No. 1 chromic.   100 cc. Tetanus toxoid.
      2 surgical scissors.   8 hypo needles
      2 pairs rat tooth forceps.   8 intramuscular needles.