LST (491) - Naval Cruise Book

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g . THE OL, DOUBLE TROUBLE L We all waited anxiously for the first word about opera- tions on the beach and, about 0900, we received the following message from the Beach: FROM THE BEACHMASTER GREEN BEACH X ALL BOATS B E A C H E D SUCCESSFULLY X RESISTANCE LIGHT X PRCGRESSING ACCORDING. TO SCHEDULE. This was good news to hear and in an- other hour four of our boats returned, two staying at the beach to assist the beachmaster. We spent the day awaiting orders to beach, we couldn't anchor as the water was very deep in this particular area. About fl 800 we received orders from the beachmaster to beach and unload our cargo. We had just completed the un- loading when one German plane, a MM 209, came roaring out of nowhere, dropped one bomb which un- fortunately hit the LST 282 amidships as she was ap- proaching the beach to off-load her cargo. The bomb struck the main deck just forward of the deck house, and immediately the ship started to burn. The LST 282 was loaded as were all of the LST's with troops and vehicles, but she also had a large quantity of l55MM ammunition. We were ordered to retract and assist if possible. It was difficult for us to retract from the beach as we were stuck. Two bull-dozers were pushing on the bow to help but to no avail. We had already dispatched our landing boats to pick up survivors, who were float- ing in the water. In a matter of a few moments it was unsafe to go near the ship as it was completely engulfed in flames. By the time we were able to retract from the beach it was dark and thus quite diflicult to navigate. We remained in the area overnight maintaining our 32

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MEDITERRANEAN ADVENTURE the historic Isle of Capri, Pozzuoli, Nissida and Caste- lellamare. The following day we passed through the Straits of Bonifacio running between the islands of Corsica and Sardinia. This area had recently been swept for mines and the LST 491 was the first ship to enter. It was reported that the Nazis were again laying mines, but the entire convoy proceeded through safely. We arrived off the Southern Coast of France just before dawn. Everybody was tense with excitement, realizing that in two hours the fireworks would begin. We could see through our glasses the silhouettes of other arriving convoys and the battleships, Cruisers, and Destroyers taking their assigned positions for the bom- bardment. Our assignment was to send the first Assault Boat wave to Green Beach, which was located just West of Cap De Drammont. The soldiers were a bit nervous and tight lipped as they hurried down the rope ladders to the boats waiting below. They were well equipped and quite certain that Green Beach would be theirs in a short time. The naval and air bombardment started at sunrise. It was a thrilling spectacle to watch. Never before had we been so close to the beach during the bombardment phase of an operation. We all watched with interest the shelling of a large radio and radar station by the Cruiser Marblehead. On the third salvo the tower crumbled. At 0800, H hour, the boats started in, past tiny Ile D'Or they roared, all hitting the right sec- tor of Green Beach and discharging their assault troops. ' 31

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NIEDITERRANEAN ADVENTURE position by taking bearings on the burning LST 282, which was now aground on the beach, and the land tangents that we could see through our glasses. As the water was quite deep in the area off the invasion beaches we could not anchor but had to maintain our position by using the engines and the rudder to maneuver. On August 16 we sailed in convoy for Adjaccio, Corsica and from there to the port of Ille Rouse, a small village in Northern Corsica. We made two trips from Ille Rouse, carrying Air Corps personnel and equip- ment. Our next trip was made from Naples, Italy, on August 26, to St. Tropez in Southern France. On Aug- ust 30 we made another trip from Corsica, this time loading at Calvi, and again going to St. Tropez. On September 2 we were back again at Ille Rouse for an- other load. We all will remember the beautiful swim- ming beach at Ille Rouse. All who liked to swim had an opportunity to do so. This time we loaded a unit of the Royal Air Force and sailed, on September 3, for St. Rapheal. On September 4 Commander W. S. Blair our Group Commander fGroup 29, Flotilla Tenj, was relieved and ordered to Naples, Italy, to assume com- mand of Flotilla Ten. We all regretted to see the Com- mander leave us as he was well liked and respected by all aboard. On September 5 we returned to Calvi, Cor- sica. We sailed on September 10 with a load of French Colonial troops. French Officers were in charge of this unit, but all of the soldiers were native Africans. On September 14, we were back in Calvi, Corsica and left the following day for Cagliari, Sardinia. We loaded on 33