OMAHA BEACH : American Troops



 
 
 
 

 



NCDG/A4-3                                         WESTERN NAVAL TASK FORCE
Serial: 001                                       ASSAULT FORCE "O"
                                                  (TASK FORCE ONE TWO FOUR)
TOP SECRET -- NEPTUNE                             NAVAL COMBAT DEMOLITION GROUP
 No. 1 - 44                                       31 May 1944; 1200

TASK ORGANIZATION

(a)    Naval Combat Demolition Section No. ONE - Lt.(jg) Heideman, USNR,
                                                           (LCM 25)
       NCDU No. 11  - LCM 1
       NCDU No. 24  - LCM 2
       NCDU No. 27  - LCM 3
       NCDU No. 41  - LCM 4
       NCDU No. 42  - LCM 5
       NCDU No. 43  - LCM 6
       NCDU No. 140 - LCM 7
       NCDU No. 137 - LCM 8
       NCDU No. 133 - LCM 17
       NCDU No. 130 - LCM 18
       NCDU No. 128 - LCM 20

       LCMs 25, 28, 29 30, 31

(b)    Naval Combat Demolition Section No. TWO -  Lt.(jg) V. Cooper, USNR,
                                                             (LCM 26)
       NCDU No. 44. - LCM 9
       NCDU No. 45  - LCM 10
       NCDU No. 46  - LCM 11
       NCDU No. 22  - LCM 12
       NCDU No. 231 - LCM 13
       NCDU No. 141 - LCM 14
       NCDU No. 138 - LCM 15
       NCDU No. 142 - LCM 16
       NCDU No. 131 - LCM 21
       NCDU No. 129 - LCM 24

       LCMs 26, 32, 33, 34, 36

        1.   Information as in Naval Commander Western Task Force
             NEPTUNE MONOGRAPH, and Commander Assault Force 'O'
             Operation Order No. BB-44.

             The Naval Combat Demolition Group is associated and working
             with an Army demolition group consisting of two battalions
             of Combat Engineers attached to the V Corps.
             One NCDU together with one Army combat demolition unit forms
             a Gap Assault Team.
             Tankdozers embarked in LCT(')s will land at H hour and
             proceed against obstacles as directed by the Army combat
             demolition unit officers.

             All paths cleared through minefields will be marked by
             personnel of the Army demolition units with a standard
             minefield gap marker, five feet high. Individual mines
             which have not been removed will be marked by an eighteen
             inch probing wire with a six inch by six inch piece of
             rod muslin attached to the top.

             NCD Sections TWO and ONE will form part of Group O-1
             and O-2, respectively, of Force 'O' and will function under
             the commanders of those assault groups.

        2.   This Group will: (1) Clear and mark sixteen gaps, fifty yards
             wide, through the seaward band. of obstacles on the OMAHA Beaches;
             two on FOX GREEN, six on EASY RED, two on EASY GREEN, two on
             DOG RED, two on DOG WHITE and two on DOG GREEN.
             (2) Widen the gaps in the seaward band of obstacles until
             the entire band is cleared.
             (3) Assist the special Army Engineer Demolition Group in
             clearing gaps through other bands of obstacles and removing
             all obstacles from the OMAHA Beaches.

        3.   (a) NCD Section No. ONE land as directed by Commander
             Assault Group O-2, and clear eight gaps through the seaward
             band of obstacles on Beaches DOG GREEN, DOG WHITE, DOG RED,
             and EASY GREEN in accordance with the table set forth
             below.
                     I - Assault Units
__________________________________________________________________
Serial No. of Gap
  & Coordinates        Beach        Team       Craft No.    NCDU
 (Eastings only)                     No.        (LCM)        No.
__________________________________________________________________
1. (6522 - 6526)   DOG GREEN         1           1           11
2. (6545 - 6549)   DOG GREEN         2           2           24
3. (6568 - 6572)   DOG WHITE         3           3           27
4. (6588 - 6592)   DOG WHITE         4           4           41
5. (6615 - 6619)   DOG RED           5           5           42
6. (6635 - 6639)   DOG RED           6           6           43
7. (6655 - 6659)   EASY GREEN        7           7          140
8. (6675 - 6679)   EASY GREEN        8           8          137

                       II - Support Units

                   DOG GREEN         A          17          133
                   DOG WHITE         B          18          130
                   DOG RED           C          19          Army
                   EASY GREEN        D          20          128

                       III - Reserve Craft

                   DOG GREEN                    28
                   DOG WHITE                    29
                   DOG RED                      30
                   EASY GREEN                   31
__________________________________________________________________

(b) NCDU Section No. TWO land as directed by Commander
Assault Group O-1, and clear eight gaps through the
seaward band of obstacles on Beaches EASY RED and FOX
GREEN in accordance with the table set forth below.
                     I - Assault Units
__________________________________________________________________
Serial No. of Gap
  & Coordinates        Beach        Team       Craft No.    NCDU
 (Easting only)                      No.        (LCM)        No.
__________________________________________________________________

9.  (6740 - 6743)    EASY RED         9            9         44
10. (6760 - 6764)    EASY RED        10           10         45
11. (6790 - 6794)    EASY RED        11           11         46
12. (6811 - 6815)    EASY RED        12           12         22
13. (6830 - 6835)    EASY RED        13           13         23
14. (6851 - 6856)    EASY RED        14           14        141
15. (6872 - 6876)    FOX GREEN       15           15        138
16. (6893 - 6898)    FOX GREEN       16           16        142

                       II - Support Units

                     EASY RED        E            21        Army
                     EASY RED        F            22        131
                     EASY RED        G            23        Army
                     FOX GREEN       H            24        129

                       III - Reserve Craft

                     EASY RED                     32
                     EASY RED                     33
                     EASY RED                     34
                     FOX GREEN                    35
                     FOX GREEN                    36
__________________________________________________________________
  (x) (1) Land at H plus three minutes, each unit clearing a
      gap fifty yards or more in width through the seaward band
      of obstacles. Upon completion of clearing the initial gap,
      each unit widen and extend the gap as time permits until
      the entire seaward band of obstacles is removed. If the
      seaward band of obstacles is Element "C", ten men from the
      Army section of the Gap Team will reinforce the NCDU to
      assist in removal of the obstacle. The two powder men
      of each NCDU launch the rubber boat with reserve explosives
      from the LCM at the time of debarking and tow it ashore.
      One man remain with the boat while the other proceeds
      inshore to the highwater mark with a white, triangular
      range marker, two feet wide at the base, and eight feet
      high. The man proceeding inshore with the marker, place
      it on the beach above the highwater mark on the center
      line of the gap cleared by the combined Army and Navy team.
      (2) When the depth of water prevents further clearance
      of the seaward band of obstacles, mark the extremities
      of the cleared gaps by green flags mounted on buoys, then
      assist the Army team clearing obstacles in the inshore
      bands.
      (3) Support NCDUs land as directed by NCD Section Commanders
      to assist, or augment the assault NCDUs. Unload reserve
      explosives from the support craft. Retract and remain
      on call, to be unloaded as directed by NCD Section
      Commanders.
      (4) Reserve craft remain afloat on call, to be unloaded
      as directed by NCD Section Commander.
      (5) Indicate intention to explode charges by a violet
      smoke grenade lighted when the fuze to the charge is
      ignited.
      (6) Unless otherwise directed use a two minute delay
      fuze for all charges.

4.  Logistics
    (a) Rations. Each individual will land with one type "K"
    and one type "D" rations.
    (b) Water. All individuals land with one full canteen.
    Canteens will be refilled only from supplies of Allied troops.
    (c) Arms and equipment. Each man will carry arms and
    ammunition and equipment as separately indicated.
    (d) Life belts. Life belts will be worn high up under the arms.
    (e) Additional equipment of NCDUs will be brought forward in
     LCMs of Convoy O-5, arriving in the Assault Area D plus 1 day.

5.  Communications as outlined in Communication Plan, Annex H, to
    Commander Assault Force "O" Operation Order No. BB-44.
    Use Zone minus Two Time.
    All units synchronize watches with ships time prior to
    embarking in LCMs.
    Commander Naval Combat Demolition Group initially in
    LCT(R) 464.
    During the assault he will be embarked in LCM 27.

                                                    JOSEPH H. GIBBONS,
ANNEXES                                       Lieutenant Commander, U.S.N.R.
 A. LCM Movement and Approach Plan       Commander Naval Combat Demolition Group
                                                         Force "O"
 B. Deployment and Landing Plan.

DISTRIBUTION

Commander Assault Force O-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
Commander Assault Force O-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
Commander Assault Force O-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
Commander Assault Force O-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
Comdr. LST Flotilla TWELVE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
Comdr. LCI(L) Flotilla TEN  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
Comdr. LCT Flotilla TWELVE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
Comdr. LCT Flotilla EIGHTEEN  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
Comdr. LCT Flotilla NINETEEN  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
Comdr. Gunfire Support Craft  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (45)
Demolition Units & LCMs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (40)
Princess Maud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1)
CG V. Corps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (5)
CG 1st Inf. Div . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (5)
Col. Comdg. 16th R.C.T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
Col. Comdg. 18th R.C.T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
Col. Comdg. 115th R.C.T.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
Col. Comdg. 116th R.C.T.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
Prov. Eng. Spec. Brig. Grp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (5)
5th Eng. Spec. Brig.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
6th Eng. Spec. Brig.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
CO 6th Beach Battalion  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
CO 7th Beach battalion  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
Comdr. Far Shore Service Group (OMAHA). . . . . . . . . . (3)
Col. Comdg. Army Eng. Demolition Group  . . . . . . . . . (30)
N.C.W.T.F.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (5)
ComLanCrab 11th Phib  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (5)
COUSNAAB POOLE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
COUSNAAB PORTLAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
File  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1)


NCDG/A4-3                                         WESTERN NAVAL TASK FORCE
Serial: 001                                       ASSAULT FORCE "O"
                                                  (TASK FORCE ONE TWO FOUR)
TOP SECRET -- NEPTUNE                             NAVAL COMBAT DEMOLITION GROUP
                                                  PORTLAND DORSET
OPERATION ORDER                                   31 May 1944: 1200
    No. 1-44

                                          ANNEX A
                       MOVEMENT, APPROACH, DEPLOYMENT, & LANDING PLAN

TASK ORGANIZATION

(a)    Assault and Command Craft - Lt(jg) Orr, USNR. (LCM 27).
       LCMs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,   19 LCMs
            16, 25, 26, 27.

(b)    Support Craft - Ens. Williams, USNR. (LCM 17).
       LCMs 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.                       8 LCMs

(c)    Reserve Craft - Ens. Edelfelt, USNR. (LCM 30).
       LCMs 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36.                   9 LCMs

       1. (a) This plan provides for orderly departure of the LCMs of the
          Naval Combat Demolition Group from assembly ports,  for their
          movement to the Assault Area; their approach, deployment, and landing,
          and for replacement of LCMs which become casualties during the
          movement.
          (b) Detailed information concerning the convoy in which the LCMs
          proceed, is to be found in Annex C to Commander Assault Force 'O'
          Operation Order No. BB-44.
          (c) Appendix 3 to this Annex shows the location of the Transport
          Area and the vessels therein relative to the landing beaches and
          the courses and destinations thereto.

       2. LCMs proceed in Convoy Group TWO, arriving off the OMAHA
          Beaches in time to perform the tasks assigned in the Operation
          Order and in the Field Order of Army Engineer Demolition Group

       3. (a) Assault and Command Craft - LCMs  1 - 16, and 25 - 27 inclusive,
          proceed from PORTLAND or POOLE as appropriate to the Assault Area
          in tow of LCT(A)s and LCT(HE)s in Convoy Group TWO as set forth in
          Appendix 1 to this Annex.

          When towing craft lie to about 1,000 yards inshore from Point KING
          LCMs go alongside the LCTs and embark Demolition teams.
          Then Demolition Teams are loaded, LCM's of each section assemble on
          the section commander and proceed to line of departure via the
          route prescribed by the Commanders, Assault Groups O-1 and O-2
          respectively. Upon arrival at the line of departure, deploy as
          indicated in Appendix 2 to this Annex. Leave line of departure
          when despatched by control vessels, about H - 10 minutes, and land
          on assigned beaches at H + 3 minutes. After arrival at the line of
          departure, LCMs 25 and 26 proceed as directed by NCD Section
          commanders.
     (b) Support Craft.- LCMs 17 - 24 inclusive, proceed from POOLE to
         the Assault Area in tow of Gunfire Support Craft in Convoy
         Group TWO in accordance with Appendix 1 to this Annex. Upon
         arrival of the towing craft at Point KING, LCMs cast off lines,
         assemble by sections on the senior boat division officer of
         their section, and proceed to LSI(S) Princess Maude to embark
         support demolition teams. When demolition teams are embarked,
         Support Craft of each section proceed via route prescribed by
         the Commanders of Assault Groups O-1 and O-2 respectively, to
         the line of departure, and deploy as indicated in Appendix 2
         to this Annex. Leave line of departure when despatched by
         control vessels about H - 5 minutes and land on assigned beaches
         at H + 8.

     (c) Reserve Craft -  LCMs 28 - 36 inclusive, proceed from POOLE
         to the Assault Area in tow of Gunfire Support Craft as set
         forth in Appendix 2 of this Annex. Upon arrival of towing
         craft at point KING, LCM cast off tow line. Assemble by sections
         on the senior boat division commander of each section
         and proceed to the point about 1,000 yards inshore from Point
         KING where assault demolition teams are embarking in assault
         craft. Replace any missing assault craft with LCMs from the
         Reserve Group. From this point, proceed to LSI(S), Princess
         Maud, and embark any Support demolition teams whose LCMs did
         not arrive. From Princess Maud, remaining Reserve Craft proceed
         toward line of departure via route prescribed by their
         respective Assault Group commanders and deploy as indicated in
         Appendix 2 to this Annex. Leave line of departure when despatched
         by control vessels in time to arrive approximately
         1,000 yards off their assigned beaches at H + 20 minutes. Lie
         to in these positions on call.

      3. (x)(1) LCMs berth alongside their respective towing craft when
         directed by the Commander Convoy Group TWO.
         (2) LCMs nominally in tow enroute to the Assault Area will
         run engines at sufficient speed to preserve a slack tow line.
         See that the tow line is tended carefully, however, in order
         to prevent it fouling the screws of the towing vessel.
         (3) In the event of engine failure or other casualty while
         on passage during daylight, adjacent LCM take necessary
         action to take the casualty in two and place it in tow of
         an LCT of low priority at the rear of the convoy. In the
         event of casualties during darkness, LCM crews embark on
         towing craft and set the LCM adrift to leeward, if necessary
         to maintain convoy speed.

      4. Use reserve fuel to replenish tanks prior to arrival at the
         Assault Area.

      5. LCMs when released by Naval Combat Demolition Group Commanders,
         report for duty to Ferry Control Subordinate Command Number ONE
         in LCI(L) __, one mile off Beach CHARLIE, displaying International
         flag hoist FOX EASY ROGER, Numeral ONE.


                                                 JOSEPH E. GIBBONS
                                            Lieutenant Commander, U.S.N.R.
                                      Commander Naval Combat Demolition Group
                                                     Force "O"

APPENDICES
1.  Loading and Towing assignments.
2.  Deployment Diagram.
3.  Assault Area Diagram.

NCDG/A4-3                                           WESTERN NAVAL TASK FORCE
Serial: 001                                         ASSAULT FORCE "0"
                                                    TASK FORCE ONE TWO FOUR
TOP SECRET - NEPTUNE                                NAVAL COMBAT DEMOLITION GROUP
                                                    PORTLAND, D0RSET
                                                    _____________________________

                                APPENDIX I TO ANNEX A
                               TO OPERATION ORDER 1-44

                           LOADING AND TOWING ASSIGNMENTS

                ASSAULT AND COMMAND CRAFT - DEPART PORTLAND AND POOLE


LCM No.:TEAM No.:NCDU No.: No. of  :   C.0. NCDU    : Towed By  :Beach  :Asslt.
       :        :        :Personnel:                :           :       :Grp.
______________________________________________________________________________
       :        :        :         :                :           :       :
   1   :   1    :  11    :    40   : Freeman C.G.M. :   2124(A) :Dog G  : O-2
   2   :   2    :  24    :    40   : Culver Lt(jg)  :   2227(A) :Dog G  : O-2
   3   :   3    :  27    :    40   : Holtman Lt(jg) :   2273(A) :Dog W  : O-2
   4   :   4    :  41    :    40   : Nichols Lt(jg) :   2275( ) :Dog    : O-2
   5   :   5    :  42    :    40   : Thompson Carp. :   2050(HE):Dog R  : O-2
   6   :   6    :  43    :    40   : Jenkins Lt(jg) :   2075(HE):Dog R  : O-2
   7   :   7    : 140    :    40   : Hill Carp.     :   2229(HE):Easy G : O-2
   8   :   8    : 137    :    40   : Blein Ens.     :   2307(HE):Easy G : O-2
   9   :   9    :  44    :    40   : Reymer Carp.   :   2339(HE):Easy R : O-1
  10   :  10    :  45    :    40   : Karnowski Ens. :   2425(HE):Easy R : O-1
  11   :  11    :  46    :    40   : Bassell Ens.   :   2049(HE):Easy R : O-1
  12   :  12    :  22    :    40   : Barbour AC0M   :   2287(HE):Easy R : O-1
  13   :  13    :  23    :    40   : Vetter Lt(jg)  :   2037(A) :Easy R : O-1
  14   :  14    : 141    :    40   : Guinlock Ens   :   2228(A) :Easy R : O-1
  15   :  15    : 138    :    40   : Allen Ens.     :   2043(A) :Fox G  : O-1
  16   :  16    : 142    :    40   : Stocking Ens.  :   2008(A) :Fox G  : O-1
______________________________________________________________________________



                               DEPART POOLE
______________________________________________________________________________
       :        :        :         :                :           :       :
  25   :Command :        :         : Heideman,Lt(jg):           :       :
       :Section1:        :    27   : Isaly, Major   : LCT(R) 450:       : O-2
  26   :Command :        :         : Cooper, Lt(jg) :      .    :       :
       :Section2:        :    27   : Jewett, Major  : LCT(R) 452:       : O-1
  27   :Command :        :         : Gibbons, Lt Cdr:           :       :
       :Group   :        :    28   : O'Neill, Lt Col: LCT(R) 464:       : O-1-2
______________________________________________________________________________



                        SUPPORT CRAFT - DEPART POOLE
______________________________________________________________________________
       :        :        :         :                :           :       :
  17   :   A    :  133   :    40   : Mitchell, Ens. : LCG(L) 424:Dog G  : O-2
  18   :   B    :  130   :    40   : Cheney, Ens.   : LCG(L) 426:Dog W  : O-2
  19   :   C    :  Army  :    35   :                : LCG(L) 449:Dog R  : O-2
  20   :   D    :  128   :    40   : Duquette, Ens  : LCT(L) 687:Easy G : O-2
  21   :   E    :  Army  :    37   :                : LCT(L) 811:Easy R : O-1
  22   :   F    :  131   :    40   : Inman, Ens.    : LCT(R) 366:Easy R : O-1
  23   :   G    :  Army  :    37   :                : LCT(R) 423:Easy R : O-1
  24   :   H    :  129   :    40   : Peterson, Ens  : LCT(R) 447:Fox G  : O-1
______________________________________________________________________________




                        RESERVE CRAFT - DEPART POOLE

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

                         LCM No.   Towed by     Assault Group    Beach

                           28      LCT(R) 473        O-2       DOG GREEN
                           29      LCT(R) 482        O-2       DOG WHITE
                           30      LCF 3             O-2       DOG RED
                           31      LCF 5             O-2       EASY GREEN
                           32      LCP 6             O-1       EASY RED
                           33      LCF 7             O-1       EASY RED
                           34      LCF 9             O-1       EASY RED
                           35      LCF 11            O-1       FOX GREEN
                           36      LCF 12            O-1       FOX GREEN