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
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(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
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(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.
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 AMOVEMENT, APPROACH, DEPLOYMENT, & LANDING PLANTASK 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