Enclosure A

Enclosure A
Prepared by: John A. Smith, Lt. (jg)
Senior Assault Boat Officer, USS LST 173
15 August 1944

Report of Ship's Assault Boat Unit in Amphibious Operations conducted against the enemy in Southern France 15 August 1944.

1. This ship's unit of five LCVP's under my charge landed company "K", 7th Infantry of the Third United States Army Division on the left flank of Red Beach in Baie De Cavalaire as part of the first assault wave. Landing was made at 0800, 15 August 1944.

2. Resistance from enemy shore batteries and machine gun emplacements ranged from moderate to slight. Very effective bombing and shelling from our forces was observed during approach to beach. On nearing beach "tumbling" rockets fired by our LCT(R) were observed falling among boats of first wave. No hits from such fire was observed. No mines or underwater obstacles were encountered by this unit. Boats 30 calibre machine guns were used in raking beach prior to landing. Assault troops landed without casualty. No casualties were suffered among boat crews. All boats returned to ship without damage.

3. The following is a chronological record of events during period of day that boats were absent from ship:

0540:	Boats lowered.
0550:	All boats loaded and clear of ship.
0615:	Passed "Queen Red" reference vessel.
0705:	Passed "Charlie Red" reference vessel.
0740:	Passed "Able Red" reference vessel.
0800:	Boats landed without difficulties.
0805:	Boats retracted and standing by to off load LCI's. Note: Beaches found suitable for LCI beaching.

The boats were employed during remaining time in the following manner:
Boat 1	-Layed smoke screen on left flank of beach. -Off loaded and beached Naval Photographers and Staff from AM 341.
Boat 2	-Layed smoke screen on left flank of beach.
Boat 3	-Off loaded and beached troops from ~~damaged~~ U.S.S. LCI(L) 44. -Off loaded five enemy prisoners from U.S. RPC 25. These prisoners were taken from small boat off Levant Island. Prisoners landed on Red Beach and turned over to Beachmaster. -Off loaded casualties from U.S.S. LCI(L) 42.
Boat 4	-Off loaded casualties from U.S.S. LCI(L) 595. -Off loaded and landed troops from ~~damaged~~ LCI(L) 44.
Boat 5	-Off loaded casualties from LCI(L) 595. -Off loaded and landed troops from ~~damaged~~ LCI 44.

4. All members of boat crews displayed exceptional courage and skill. As most of the crew members participated in landings at Sicily, Salerno, and Anzio, it is believed their cool efficiency under fire can be credited to these landings.

[WebMaster Note: The word "~~damaged~~" was crossed out in the original report.]