Montrose (APA 212) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 10 text:

- acf. , , . An Si -o ton LCVP hangs in space waiting for the word Awav All Boats. BOATS TO THE RAIL! With the passing of this word: the whir of deck winches, the grinding of the davits, and the cry Hold that from a Boatswain ' s Mate somewhere on deck commence to- gether, and the actual operation has begun. With the word to Land the Troops begins the long and dangerous climb down the debark not into the boat wait- ing alongside.

Page 9 text:

. . . 4w iA 6uM an ine Till ' lii]) |ii( -paiL ' s for IJi-Larkatii ' ii — ■ The complicated process of debarking troops requires a knowledge of boat team composition, available boats, troop cargo and priority, time schedules, and capabilities. ' . HlUJ BMii lfHS . vMr y ' Teamwork — Each man aboard ship has a key position in the .Am- phibious Operation. He must be trained with his shipmates at hi assigncfl statinn --ii llial nti D-dav. ihe (ipfratiiJii uili run smoothly. Boating — All 2 ' bi)al iiiu-1 hr c lircki ' d fcir anv small discrepancy so that when |iut in tin- water cadi i reaily to fulfill its task. One boat out of commission while in llie water could mean ■ )() troops or ina l)e even a lailin jeep will not lia e a wav ashore. Safety- Each davit, hook, sling, and winch must he inspected before D-day to ensure that no defect is present. The fail- ure of a boom brake or a boat sling would mean the loss of lives.

Page 11 text:

. . . - acct -v, J iimN |iiih ' cccI I( iimkIczxous area Boats circle in rendezvous area awaiting; time to go to lieacli il- litiir Im hit till ' Ixaili. a f Commander forms liis wave in line abreast for run to the beach. 1000 yards to go. Time for battle speed.