Chapter VI
Landing Boat, LVT and DUKW, Plans, Diagrams and Schedules

Index

Section 1. The Function and Scope of Standard Forms
Section 2. The Landing Boat Availability Table
Section 3. The Master Landing Boat Employment Plan
Section 4. The Master LVT and DUKW Availability Table and Employment Plan
Section 5. The Landing Boat Assignment Table
Section 6. The LVT and DUKW Assignment Table
Section 7. The Landing Diagram
Section 8. The Approach Schedule
Section 9. Master LCT-Pontoon Barge Availability Table and Employment Plan

Section 1. The Function and Scope of Standard Forms

  1. Upon compilation and study of intelligence information, the tactical plans for the assault are made. The standardization of forms is necessary to bring about the close coordination of the various elements involved in the execution of the landing attack. FTP 167, Section IV, paragraph 419 to 428, sets for the basic standard forms, tables, plans, diagrams and schedules. The development of new equipment and the evolution of amphibious procedure has made supplementation of the provisions of the basic doctrine necessary. The following forms are of vital importance to landing craft, the landing boat group, LVT and DUKW units, as they outline, in effect, the Ship to Shore Movement, and supply necessary information for the conduct of assault operations. The officers of landing craft, the landing boat group, LVT and DUKW units must become familiar with these forms. The information contained in them will be used in the actual planning and execution of the operation.

  2. The Standard Forms used by the landing craft, the landing boat group, LVTs and DUKWs are:

    1. The Landing Boat Availability Table.

    2. The Master Landing Boat Employment Plan.

    3. The Master LVT and DUKW Availability Table and Employment Plan.

    4. The Landing Boat Assignment Table.

    5. The LVT and DUKW Assignment Table.

    6. The Landing Diagram.

    7. The Approach Schedule.

    8. Master LCT-Pontoon Barge Availability Table and Employment Plan.

Section 2. Landing Boat Availability Table

  1. The Landing Boat Availability Table is used to tabulate the numbers of the various types of landing boats available among vessels of the Transport Group preparatory to working out their assignment, as required, to embark and transport the troops of the assault waves.

»VI-1«

  1. In a landing operation, the form is prepared by the Transport Group or Division Commander and is a part of his Landing Attack Order.

  2. In port, when preliminary loading plans are being prepared by the troops, the Landing Boat Availability Table, is provided to troop units for planning purposes. See page VI-3 for form.

Section 3. The Master Landing Boat Employment Plan

  1. Ordinarily, one vessel does not carry sufficient landing boats to embark an entire Battalion Landing Team. The additional landing boats required to land the assault battalion in one trip must therefore be provided from other vessels of the Transport Group or Division.

  2. The Master Landing Boat employment Plan is the plan for the assignment and movement of landing boats from the various vessels, to meet the requirements of the assault Transports. It is prepared jointly by the Regimental Combat Team Commander and his respective Transport Division Commander or Transport group Commander and is based on the landing requirements of the individual assault battalions. The Troop Commanders of the Regimental Combat Team fill in all information on the form except information concerning vessels from which the landing boats are to come. This is specified by the Transport Division Commander or Transport Group Commander in accordance with the landing boat availability table and the tactical plan for placing his vessels in the Transport Area.

  3. When additional landing boats have to be obtained from outside of the Transport Group and Transport Division, the Master Landing Boat Employment Plan is executed jointly by the Troop Commander, as the vessel supplying such boats must be specified by the Transport Group Commander or the Transport Division Commander.

  4. Information as to the numbers and type of landing boats required for the assault battalions is supplied by the Battalion Landing Team Commander in his request to the Regimental Team Commander for additional landing boats.

  5. The "Arrival Time" (Column 5) is necessary to assure landing boats being available when needed for loading.

  6. The "Period Attached" (Column 6) is important to assure a properly scheduled return of landing boats to the designated vessels. See VI-4 for form.

Section 4. The Master LVT-DUKW Availability Table and Employment Plan

  1. LVTs and DUKWs are transported by LSTs, LSDs, or LSVs, directly to an area as close to the Line of Departure as practicable, where they are discharged with personnel and equipment and assigned to assault waves.

»VI-2«

LANDING BOAT AVAILABILITY TABLE

Landing Boat Availability Table

»VI-3«

MASTER LANDING BOAT EMPLOYMENT PLAN

Master Landing Boat Employment Plan

»VI-4«

  1. The Master LVT-DUKW Availability Table and Employment Plan sets forth a list of the LVT and DUKW carriers, the type of LVTs and DUKWs available; the employment of LVTs and DUKWs by wave, setting forth type and number, and the designated carrier vessel. (See page VI-6 for form).

Section 5. The Landing Boat Assignment Table

  1. The Landing Boat Assignment Table is executed simultaneously with the Landing Diagram. This form gives in detail the personnel and material to be embarked in each landing boat. It is a guide with respect to the type of landing boats needed, and the time and place required, in order that loading will progress logically in accordance with the tactical formation charted by the Landing Diagram.

  2. It must be noted that:

    1. The Landing Boat Assignment Table is an annex to the field order of the Battalion Landing Team Commander.

    2. Column 1 "Team No." and column 2 "Type" correspond with the Landing Diagram.

    3. Column 3 "Debarkation Station" indicates the point at which the landing boat will come alongside the vessel to receive its indicated load and the point at which personnel and cargo will be placed for debarkation and loading into landing boats.

    4. Column 4 "Time" will give the expected time of calling the landing boat alongside. This will be expressed as H(minus) or actual time if H-Hour is known at the time the table is completed.

    5. Column 5 "Personnel and Material" should be given in sufficient detail to enable a complete check to be made of load as it is loaded.

    6. Columns 6, 7, and 8, give the spaces occupied in each landing boat by personnel, arms, ammunition and special equipment.

    7. A copy of the Landing Boat Assignment Table must be furnished the Transport Quartermaster as soon as practicable. The data on the employment of landing boats, troops, equipment, and supplies must necessarily be incorporated into the Master Debarkation Table. (See page VI-7 for form).

Section 6. The LVT and DUKW Assignment Table

  1. The LVT and DUKW Assignment Table is executed simultaneously with the Landing Boat Assignment Table and with the Landing Diagram. This form gives in detail the personnel and material to be embarked in each LVT and DUKW. It is a guide to the type of LVTs and DUKWs needed, and the personnel and cargo to be embarked and loaded, in order that the discharge of loaded LVTs and DUKWs and formation of waves can develop in accordance with the tactical formation charted by the Landing Diagram.

»VI-5«

MASTER LVT AND DUKW AVAILABILITY TABLE AND EMPLOYMENT PLAN

TRACTOR UNIT __________

Master LVT and DUKW Availability Table and Employment Plan

»VI-6«

THE LANDING BOAT ASSIGNMENT TABLE

____________________
Unit

Date: __________

Landing Boat Assignment Table

»VI-7«

  1. It must be noted that:

    1. The LVT and DUKW Assignment Table is an annex to the field order of the Battalion Landing Team Commander.

    2. Column 1 "Team No." and column 2 "Type" correspond with the Landing Diagram.

    3. Column 3 "Time" will give the expected time of calling the LVT or DUKW alongside. This will be expressed as H-(minus) or as actual time if H-Hour is known at the time the table is completed.

    4. Column 4 "Personnel and Material", should be given in sufficient detail to enable a complete check to be made of the load as it is loaded.

    5. Columns 5, 6 and 7 give the spaces occupied in each LVT and DUKW by personnel, arms, ammunition and special equipment.

    6. A copy of the LVT and DUKW Availability Table and Assignment Plan must be furnished the Transport Quartermaster as soon as practicable. The data on the employment of LVTs and DUKWs, troops, equipment, and supplies must necessarily be incorporated. See Page VI-9 for Form.

Section 7. The Landing Diagram

  1. The Landing Diagram is a part of the field order of the Battalion Landing Team Commander. It is used to inform the Transport Division Commander and subordinate commands of the Battalion Landing Team of the Troops Commanders desires for the tactical formation of the Battalion Landing Team in the attack.

  2. It must be noted that:

    1. The Landing Diagram is made an annex to the Battalion Landing Team Field Order.

    2. H-Hour is given, as this diagram will serve as a time guide for each wave.

    3. Waves are numbered from front to rear.

    4. Separation of the waves is given in time rather than distance and this time is indicated between waves.

  3. "Each boat team is assigned a team number in accordance with the tactical plan. This number determines which wave the boat, LVT or DUKW containing the boat team will join and the position it will occupy in the wave. This numbering corresponds with that on the Landing Boat, LVT, and DUKW assignment plan".

»VI-8«

LVT AND DUKW ASSIGNMENT TABLE

____________________
Unit

Date: __________

LVT and DUKW Assignment Table

»VI-9«

    1. Landing Boats, LVTs, and DUKWs in each wave, will be numbered beginning with the lead boat for each wave, the even numbers following on the left, and the odd numbers on the right. A two figure number will be used, the first digit indicating the wave number and the second digit indicating the landing boat within the wave.

    2. The interval between landing boats, LVTs and DUKWs waves and the distance between landing boats and LVTs is given. Normally, the minimum beaching distance between landing boats will be 50 yards; the usual distance 75 yards. Unless otherwise directed by the Landing Force Commander, the 75 yard distance shall be used. A standard distance of 40 yards will be used as the LVT beaching distance unless otherwise directed by the Landing Force Commander.

    3. The type of landing boat, LVT or DUKW is indicated by a prefix to the number. (See Page VI-11 for Form).

Section 8. The Approach Schedule

  1. The Approach Schedule shows for each wave, the time of departure from the rendezvous area and line of departure, the time of arrival at the beach, the course from the Rendezvous Area to the Line of Departure and from the line of departure to the beach.

  2. The schedule indicates the course from the LST Area to the line of departure, the distance from the LST Area to the line of departure and the distance between the line of departure and the line of transfer.

  3. This schedule is arranged so that the assault waves arrive at the beach at the prescribed H-Hour. Its preparation is the responsibility of Transport Group Commander. See Page VI-12 for form.

Section 9. Master LCT-Pontoon Barge Availability Table and Employment Plan

  1. Subsequent to the beaching of the assault waves, LCTs and Pontoon Barges are launched and may be available for unloading operations. The tremendous capacity of LCTs and Pontoon Barges make their use necessary to expedite unloading as required by the tactical plan.

  2. The Master LCT or Pontoon Barge Availability Table and Employment Plan sets forth a list of the LCT or Pontoon Barges Carriers, the LCTs or Pontoon Barges available, the vessel to which dispatched and the scheduled time of reporting. (See form on Page VI-13.)

»VI-10«

LANDING DIAGRAM

Landing Diagram

»VI-11«

APPROACH SCHEDULE

Approach Schedule

»VI-12«

Master LCT or Pontoon-Barge Availability and Employment Plan

Master LCT or Pontoon-Barge Availability and Employment Plan

»VI-13«

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