Tallahatchie County (AVB 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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First to leave the ship is the bull- dozer. If by chance the ship didn't reach dry land, the 'dozer' will push dirt down the beach and create a road for the other vehicles to use during the offloading operation. Within minutes after the ship slides up on the north shore of Souda Bay, the great bow doors open and the bow ramp is lowered onto dry land. After the road is completed, the vehicles are unchained and readied to roll off the Tank Deck. Well over 200 tons of rolling stock will leave the ship in the next few minutes. I l 1 1 f 1 F Y w 1 1 l 9. tl F r I l I I 8 5

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Lighter vehicles, such as jeeps, panel trucks, cars, and evenasmall bus, are carried on the main deck to the beaching site. From there they are loaded into the 'Mike' boat and floated to shore. V The large trucks, vans, generators, and other 'heavy rolling equipment depart the ship via the bow ramp. Soon the beach is cluttered with aviation support equipment of every description, literally an entire air- base on Wheels.