|
Operation Neptune
FORCES TAKING PART:
The Western Naval Task Force under Rear Admiral
A. G. Kirk, U.S.N., with elements of the 1st U.S. Army under Lt.
General O.N. Bradley, U.S.A., was to attack the western beaches
of the Seine Bay as follows:
- Assault Force U, with the 4th division
of the VIIth Corps, was to assault UTAH beach at Varreville.
- Assault Force O, with two R.C.T. of the
1st and two R.C.T of the 29th divisions of the Vth Corps, was
to attack OMAHA beach at St. Laurent.
- Follow-up Force B, with 1 R.C.T of the
1st and 1 R.C.T of the 29th division and overheads, was to arrive
in the OMAHA area on the second tide of D-day.
The Eastern Naval Task Force under Rear Admiral
Sir Philip Vian, R.N., with elements of the 2nd British Army (under
Lt. General Sir Miles Dempsey), was to attack the eastern beaches
of the Seine Bay as follows:
- Assault Force G, with the 50th division
of the XXth Corps, was to assault GOLD beach at Asnelles.
- Assault Force J, with the 3rd Canadian
Division of 1st Corps, was to assault JUNO beach at Courseulles.
- Assault Force S, with the 3rd Division
of the 1st Corps, was to assault SWORD beach at Ouistreham.
- Follow-up Force L, with the 22nd Armoured
Brigade of the 30th Corps, was to arrive in the British area on
the second tide of D-day.
- In addition, seven Commando battalions
of Force J and two Ranger battalions of Force O were also to assault
selected points along the beaches.
LOADING AND ASSEMBLY :
- Assault and Follow-up
forces :
|
Force
|
Units
|
Assembly Ports
|
Assault Beaches
|
|
Western Task Force (American)
|
|
Assault
Force 'U'
|
3 R.C.T.
|
Torquay, Brixham,
Dartmouth, Salcombe
|
Tare Green
Uncle Red |
|
Assault
Force 'O'
|
4 R.C.T.
Rangers
|
Weymouth, Portland,
Poole
|
Dog Green, White, Red
Easy Green, Red
Fox Green |
|
Follow-up
Force 'B'
|
2 R.C.T.
|
Plymouth, Falmouth,
Helford river, Fowey
|
US area |
|
First U.S
|
Build up
Divisions
|
Bristol Channel ports
|
--------
|
|
Eastern Task Force (British)
|
|
Assault
Force 'G'
|
3 Brigades
|
Southampton, Solent,
Spithead
|
Jig Green
King Green, Red |
|
Assault
Force 'J'
|
3 Brigades
Commandos
|
Southampton, Solent,
Portsmouth
|
Mike Green, Red
Nan Green, White, Red |
|
Assault
Force 'S'
|
3 Brigades
Commandos
|
Portsmouth, Spithead,
Newhaven, Shoreham
|
Queen White, Red |
|
Follow-up
Force 'L'
|
3 Brigades
|
The Nore and Harwich
|
British area |
|
First
British
|
Build up
Divisions
|
Thames
|
---------
|
- Attached Forces :
|
Force
|
Assembly Ports
|
| Naval Covering Forces
of Destroyer |
Plymouth and Portsmouth
|
| Naval Covering Forces
of Coastal For. |
Dartmouth; Portland; Newhaven; Dover
|
| Landing Craft of the
Ferry Service |
Chichester; Langstone; Harbor; Poole
|
| Tugs; Salvage Vessels;
Accommodation Ships; Maintenance Vessels. |
Ports between Flamouth and Southend
|
| Escorts and Minesweepers |
With their convoys
|
| Western Task Force Bombarding
Ships |
Clyde
|
| Eastern Task Force Bombarding
Ships |
Belfast
|
| Blockships (CORNCOBS) |
Oban
|
Mulberry Units:- |
| PHOENIX |
Selsey; Dungeness and a reserve in the
Thames
|
| BOMBARDON |
Portland
|
| WHALE |
Solent and Selsey
|
| Tugs |
Portland and Spithead
|
Assault Timetable :
H-10 hours. The leading minesweepers were to cross the latitude
of 50°05' North and precede each Assault Force across the
suspected enemy minefield to the transport areas which were
7 - 11 miles from the beaches. Ten channels would be swept and
danned, two being allocated to each assault force.
| HOURS
: |
|
H-6 to H-4
|
Minesweepers to pass
the transport areas. |
|
H-4½
|
U.S. Landing and Bombarding
Ships to reach transport areas. |
|
H-3½
|
U.S. L.S.T. to arrive
as transport areas. |
|
H-2
|
First British L.C.T.
to arrive at lowering positions (transport area). |
|
H-2
|
U.S. L.C.A. (Wave 1)
to depart from transport area. |
MINUTES : |
|
H-103 to H-78
|
U.S. Waves 2 to 5 to
depart from transport area. |
|
H-100
|
British Landing Ships
to reach lowering positions. |
|
H-45
|
D.D. Tanks leave departure
line (4000 yards from beach). |
|
H-30 to H
|
Bombardment by warships,
and gunfire support craft to begin. |
|
H-5
|
D.D. Tanks to beach. |
|
H to H plus 50
|
L.C.V.P. and L.C.A.
carrying infantry and obstacle clearing parties to beach.
(preceded by L.C.A. (H.R). |
|
H plus 45
|
First L.C.I. (L) to
beach. |
|
H plus 60
|
First L.C.T. (Vehicles
and Self-propelled artillery) land. |
|
H plus 60 to H plus 3½ hours
|
L.C.T. and L.C.I. (L)
beach. |
BOMBARDING SHIPS :
|
Assault Force
|
Bombardment Force
|
Ships
|
Eastern Task Force |
|
S
|
D
|
Warspite
Ramillies
Mauritius(C.S.2.)
Arethusa
10 Fleets |
Frobisher
Dragon
Danae
Roberts
3 Hunts |
|
J
|
E
|
Belfast
7 Fleets |
Diadem
4 Hunts |
|
G
|
K
|
ORION
AJAX
D.S.FLORES
9 Fleets |
ARGONAUT
EMERALD
4 Hunts |
|
E.T.F Reserve
|
|
Rodney |
Sirius |
|
Western Task Force
|
|
O
|
C
|
Texas (R.A.Bryant)
Arkansas
GLASGOW
9 U.S. Destroyers |
F.S.Montcalm(Flag)
F.S.Georges Leygues
3 Hunts |
|
U
|
A
|
NEVADA
Erebus
Tuscaloosa(R.A.DEYO)
Enterprise
8 U.S. Destroyers |
QUINCY
Hawkins
Black Prince
D.S.Soemba |
|
W.T.F Reserve
|
|
Augusta (NCWTF Flag)
5 U.S. Destroyers |
Bellona |
|
