UTAH BEACH : Les Américains



 
 
 
 

 


TOP SECRET - BIGOT - NEPTUNE                                15 May 1944
APPENDIX THREE TO ANNEX "GEORGE" to
OPERATION ORDER
   No. 3-44

Serial: 00010

DEMOLITION PLAN

      TASK ORGANIZATION

         (b)    125.2.3 Naval Demolition group Lt. Comdr. Peterson

                (1) Green Beach Demolition Party - Lt.(jg) E. P. Clayton

                    Unit #25       Lt.(jg) Clayton
                    Unit #26       Lt.(jg) Jeter
                    Unit #127      Ensign Padgett
                    Unit #136      Ensign Roloff

                (2) Red Beach Demolition Party - Lt. R. C. Smith

                    Unit #28       Lt. R. C. Smith
                    Unit #29       Ensign L. H. Bohne
                    Unit #30       Lt. (jg) Hagansen
                    Unit #132      Carp. Noyes

                (3) Reserve Demolition Units

                    Unit #134      Ensign Phillips
                    Unit #135      Carp. Sprouse
                    Unit #139      Ensign Itzkowitz

    1. Information. The Intelligence Plan, Annex "ABLE" contains
latest data available on beach obstacles at the time of Its preparation.
There are positive indications that the number and/or type
of obstacles in UTAH beaches is being increased. Additional information
on beaches obstacles can be expected as data from later reconnaissance
becomes available.

                At the present time, it is contemplated that
all obstacles will be broached above water. As above water demolition
is primarily an Army Function, the Naval Demolition Units are
coordinated with the Army Demolition Units under the supervision of
the Commander of the Army Units.

                Eight Engineer Demolition Units consisting of
one officer and 25 men will embark on LCT(4)s and will transfer to
LCM(3)s upon arrival in Transport Area. LCT(4)s tow LCM(3)s as
follows:
________________________________________________________________
                Red Beach                        Green Beach
           LCT 797 tow LCM 91                LCT 518 tow LCM 95
           LCT 691 tow LCM 92                LCT 837 tow LCM 96
           LCT 836 tow LCM 93                LCT 1050 tow LCM 109
           LCT 801 tow LCM 94                LCT 646 tow LCM 110

    "LCM(3)s towed by LCT(4)s will be preloaded with two tons of
    explosives prior to departure from near shore. In the event
    LCM is inoperative upon arrival in transport Area, LCT(4) furnishing
    tow signal flagship for replacement LCM. Demolitions personnel
    embarked on LCT(4) will each carry an additional explosive pack
    for a reserve in the event an LCM is lost.

    Reserve engineer demolition personnel will be embarked on U.S.S.
    DICKMAN and are to be landed when lift becomes available. Then
    reserves will embark on transport with only individual explosive
    packs. Reserve explosives are available on LCMs towed by LCT(4)s.

        Assumptions:

            (1) The Assault will be so timed that all beach obstacles
                will be above water.

            (2) The attack on obstacles will be made after the initial
                assault infantry have infiltrated the obstacles and
                proceeded toward the seawall.

            (3) Naval Demolition Units will assist the Army Demolition
                Units in the broaching of above water obstacles.

     2.         The force will breach and destroy above water obstacles on
            UTAH BEACH in order to permit the unimpeded landing of personnel
            vehicles, and equipment of the VII Corps, U. S. Army.

     3. (a) Naval Demolition Units are embarked with their Demolitions
            material for passage to the Transport Area as follows:

                 READ BEACH                    GREEN BEACH
             Unit          LST             Unit           LST
            28,29          282             25,26          48
            30,132,135     230             127,136        47
                                           134,139        281

        (b) Upon anchoring of LSTs in transport area each demolition unit
            will embark personnel and material in an LCVP assigned from
            LST in, which they are embarked. When loaded in LCVPs, proceed
            to rendezvous area and proceed with designated assault
            wave in accordance with Attack Landing Plan, Appendix Two to
            Annex "George."

        (c) Navy Combat Demolition Units clear four gaps 50 yards wide
            at 250 yard intervals through the seaward band of obstacles
            on each beach. Widen gaps to the left until entire band of
            obstacles is cleared. Clear gaps in obstacles as follows:

                (1) Green Beach Demolition Party.
                    Unit #25 clear gap a right flank of beach.
                    Unit #26 clear cap at 250 yards from right flank.
                    Unit #127 clear gap at 500 yards from right flank.
                    Unit #136 clear gap at 750 yards from right flank.

                (2) Red Beach Demolition Party.
                    Unit #28 clear gap at right flank of beach
                    Unit #29 clear gap 250 yards from right flank.
                    Unit #30 clear gap 500 yards from right flank.
                    Unit #132 clear gap 750 yards from right flank.

                (3) Reserve Demolition Units are assigned to demolition
                    parties as follows:

                         Units #139 and #134 are to assigned to Green
                         Beach Demolition Party.

                         Unit #135 is assigned to Red Beach Demolition
                         Party.

                         "Naval Combat Demolition Units assigned as
                         Red and Green Beach demolition parties in
                         task organization land with wave 2 at H + 5
                         minutes. Reserve NCDU's land with wave 4 at
                         H + 17 minutes on beaches designated In para-
                         3(c(3).

        (X)    (1) Each man will carry a 50 pound pack of prepared explosives
                   ashore. After landing demolition units, LCM(3) and
                   LCVPs return to the line 1000 yards beyond the line of
                   departure, keeping clear of other waves, reform into
                   wave formation as in first landing, and again proceed
                   to beach to arrive at H + 65 minutes unless directed to do
                   so earlier, or otherwise directed. On second beaching,
                   demolition units unload all explosives remaining in
                   landing craft. Landing craft remain under control of Senior
                   Demolition Officer for use as directed. Landing craft will
                   be released on order of Senior Demolition Officer when no
                   longer needed.

               (2) Tow by tank dozers or bull dozers obstacles which cannot be
                   completely destroyed. Concentrate into piles on beach. Naval
                   Beach Parties will buoy, as navigational hazards, piles of
                   obstacles and scrap if within tidal area. If water approaches
                   obstacles before arrival of beach party, demolition parties will
                   buoy existing channels.

               (3) Close coordination must be exercised between Naval and Engineer
                   Demolition teams to insure alignment of gaps in the various
                   bands of obstacles. Engineer and Naval Demolition Teams will be
                   mutually supporting as necessary.

               (4) Naval Demolition teams are entirely responsible for clearing any
                   underwater obstacles which may be encountered.

               (5) Naval Demolition Units report to Commander 2nd Beach Battalion
                   after initial demolitions have been effected."

           4.  LSTs embark demolition units with their demolition material as
               indicated in paragraph 5(a). Upon anchoring in transport area,
               lower one LCVP for each demolition unit embarked. Assist demolition
               units in loading material and men into LCVP.

               THIS MUST BE ACCOMPLISHED AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE

                    LCT 522 and LCT 524 each embark six (6) tons of reserve
               explosives for Green Beach Units. LCT 810 and LCT 855 each embark
               five (5) tons of reserve explosives for Red Beach Units.

                    In the event that either LCT is lost, the other will serve as a
               common source of supply for all units of its beach. LCT's designated
               to carry Navy Demolition explosives fly "ANSWERING" pennant "BAKER"
               flag for quick identification. LCT's carrying reserve explosives
               beach as scheduled in Attack Landing Plan, Appendix Two to Annex
               "George", unless otherwise directed. (It is quite likely that
               reserve explosives will be required before regular beaching time.)

                    Navy Demolition explosives will be unloaded and placed
               in beach dumps. Senior Demolitions Officer delegate an
               Officer to supervise unloading of explosives belonging to
               Naval Demolition Group and note Location of beach dump in
               which explosives are placed.

                   Demolition Units diving gear for use in emergency
               Units take rations and water for 24 hours ashore. Further,
               billeting and supply will be from Shore Party Sources.

           5.  The Senior Demolitions Officer will be embarked on LST 281 and
               will proceed to beach with Unit #134.

                   Communications between units by SCR 536; between
               demolition parties on Red and Green Beaches and Flagship by
               SCR 609. (See Report Plan, Appendix One, Annex Able.)

                   Communications will be in accordance with Communication
               Plan Annex "Love"; use Zone BAKER time.