LST (491) - Naval Cruise Book

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T A T F '5 1 ,..,.o-.r l I Y The LST 493 - The Enemy Scores - She was There 'roo.' ,M - Saipan D-Day, Normandie, France ,ysxzlwlg ' , , X f fs:438'Z': ,Q . 1 X. X t. , , .QW A ! 1 2 'Q ff . Q,-go'-.,: X . 'j '- , -. s 4 T W, I La, :-2s,,igf,1.1 f4::,z315..1.':f.-.w 1,,?qp6s,5Q ,A Normandie Beach is ours, D-Day, June 6, 1944 4 Q aww.-

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THE OL' DOUBLE TROUBLE some of our troops and equipment had to be put ashore in that vicinity. This beach we fOl1f1Cl YO be II1UCh more active and the Battle-wagons fthe Nevada and Arkan- sasj, were throwing big shells inland to destroy the Nazis as they retreated from the beach areas. We succeeded in oil-loading the remainder of our vehicles and troops and proceeded to the transport area to await orders. We had not been anchored long when two Coast Guard cutters moored alongside, each loaded with casualties from the Destroyer Escort, USS Rich. The Rich had sunk after striking a mine, and all of the casualties were in serious condition. We also received survivors from the SS Susan B. Anthony, which had been sunk as part of the new breakwater operation which was be- ing constructed to protect the beach. We received about 115 glider pilots who were part of the pre-H Airborne assault forces. They had made their way back to the beach area from the interior of France after accomplish- ing their mission. There were also numerous merchant ship crews taken aboard, as they had scuttled their ships to helps build the port of Mullberry and Gooseberry. Late in the afternoon on June 8, 1944, we sailed for Portland, England. It was good to see the shores of England again. We all rested more comfortably, know- ing that D-Day had come and gone, and that we were still all well and very much alive. We had several pa- tients though on the tank deck who were seriously wounded and in severe pain. One Naval Officer and one enlisted man from the Destroyer Escort Rich died during the night on the way back to England. Our Doc- tors did all they possibly could to try to save the lives 24 , 1 A v, . fb , -. v , , .g 1 , .

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