Action Report - Invasion of Southern France

USS LST 173 Action Report
Prepared by: Broughton J. Barber, Lt.
Commanding Officer - USS LST 173
15 August 1944

Report of Amphibious Operations conducted against the enemy by this ship in Southern France 15 August 1944.

1. On the morning of August 15, 1944 this ship as a unit of Attack Force 84 under Rear Admiral Frank Jacob Lowry, USN, and Assault Group 84.1 under command of Commander Orville F. Gregor, USN, and LST Unit Two (BLT left) under command of Lieut. Comdr. C. H. Johnson, USN, participated in an Amphibious Operation conducted against the enemy in Southern France. A successful landing was made on beach number 259 in the Baie De Cavalaire, Lat. 43° 11' 30"N., Long. 06° 34' 00"E.

2. This ship as an Assault Troop Carrier with 5 LCVP's, and 1 LCS(Scout) and 2 sections of causeway pontoons, landed troops and vehicles of various units of the Third U.S. Army Infantry Division.

3. With exception of LCS(Scout) and LCVP's carrying assault troops of first wave (see enclosure (A) and (B)) no enemy opposition was encountered. Assault troops were landed on designated beach under moderate to light opposition from enemy shore batteries and machine gun emplacements. No casualties were suffered among boat crews or troops. All boats returned to ship without damage.

4. The following is a chronological order of events up to time of first leaving Assault Area. For similar record of ship's LCS(Scout) and LCVP's see enclosure (A) and (B):

0456:	Entered outer transport area and lowered LCS(Scout).
0457:	LCS cleared side with scouts.
0540:	Lowered all LCVP's.
0550:	All LCVP's loaded with assault troops.
0705:	Proceeding to inner transport area.
0805:	Received word that first wave had landed.
0858:	Received pontoons from LST 32 delivered by tug EVEA.
0915:	Proceeding to rendezvous position with pontoons preparatory of beaching.
1000:	Arrived at rendezvous position and awaiting order from Beachmaster to position pontoons.
1010:	Our #4 LCVP came alongside with one casualty from the U.S.S LCI(L) 595.
1014:	Our #3 LCVP came alongside with two casualties from U.S.S. LCI(L) 42.
1015:	Our #5 LCVP came alongside with two casualties from U.S.S. LCI(L) 42. The most seriously injured suffering compound fracture of both legs and shattered right foot. All casualties treated by ship's doctor and retained on board for transfer to first base hospital.
1324:	Proceeding to position pontoons as ordered by Beachmaster.
1350:	Proceeding at 8 knots headed for beach. When only 400 yds. off and with only tow line to pontoons, received signal from Beachmaster, "beach not clear". By this time ship was within 300 yards of beach - seeing distance too short to retract with pontoons - stern anchor was let go, engines reversed full and pontoons tripped. When about 250 feet from beach, gained sternway and retracted. Pontoons made excellent momentum beaching without damage.
1359:	Received orders to stand off while beach was being cleared.
1430:	Received signal from Beachmaster that beach was ready and to make landing at pontoons.
1445:	Beached close aboard pontoons.
1540:	Pontoons placed and commenced unloading. (Reference pictures #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5. Reference film footage.)
1730:	All vehicles and troops unloaded.
1740:	Received 150 prisoners - 12 being minor casualties. Wounds inspected and dressed by ship's doctor.
1753:	Retracted from beach.
1843:	Received 43 prisoners from LCI(L) 666, Naval personnel from Ille De Levant.
2030:	Received orders to join return convoy off Cape Camarat. Proceeding independently.
2032:	Received "Red Alert". Observed heavy "AA" fire off port bow and in vicinity of beachhead at St. Tropez. Two enemy planes (tentatively) identified as Dorniers were observed flying about 2,000 feet above "flak". Commenced laying smoke screen.
2111:	Concealed ship in smoke screen when two enemy planes coming from direction of beachead were sighted. Planes passed overhead at about 15,000 feet and headed seaward.
2134:	"Yellow Alert" received - ceased making smoke and proceeded to rendezvous with follow up convoy.
2215:	Amputation of right foot performed on Navy casualty previously mentioned.
2243:	Made rendezvous with Ajaccio-bound convoy.

5. The conduct of officers and crew throughout day was commendable and revealed the point of efficiency reached through the excellent training received in the various Amphibious exercises conducted by LST Flotilla ONE while under command of Lieutenant Commander Harry F. Holmshaw, USN. Experience gained at Anzio beachhead contributed noticeably in the quite efficient manner all hands carried out their duties.