War Diary - LST Flotilla ONE, period 1 December 1944 to 31 December 1944

War Diary
LST Flotilla ONE, period 1 December 1944 to 31 December 1944
Prepared by: L. R. Herring
6 January 1945

This Task Group arrived at Palermo at 1130 on 10 December, where Commander LST Flotilla ONE assumed the duties of Senior Officer Present Afloat. In accordance with Force orders, ships present devoted the week of 10 December - 17 December to upkeep and recreation, taking advantage of the excellent facilities and cooperation of N.O.B. Palermo. During this period five LSTs received routine dry-docking.

On 12 December Commander LST Group TWO was ordered to assume command of Task Unit 81.15 consisting of ten LSTs to be turned over to the Royal Navy. He departed Palermo on the LST 265 which was to act as Mother Ship, and the following LSTs of Flotilla ONE to be transferred, LSTs 3, 4, 76, 77, 173, 178 and 358. On 14 December LST Flotilla ONE was reconstituted by transfer of LST from LST Flotilla ONE as set forth in reference (b).

On 15 December LSTs 551, 664, and 692 arrived Palermo. On 18 December LST 907 arrived. During the week of 18 December - 24 December, Commander LST Flotilla ONE, as Commander Assault Group TWO, held training exercises underway, consisting of two night cruses and two assaults on Mondello Beach, the following craft taking part; ten LSTs, seventeen LCI(L)s, twenty three LCTs and eight PCs. On 19 December Task Group 81.13 was dissolved, less Task Unit 81.13.6.

On 23 December LST 263 departed for Naples to relieve LST 140. On 25 December, C.T.U. 81.13.6 arrived with LSTs 603, 525 and 526, at which time T.U. 81.13.6 was dissolved.

On 26 December Commander LST Division FOUR with LSTs 177, 210 and 551 departed for Naples, Leghorn and Marseilles lift. On 27 December LSTs 265 and 140 returned Palermo. On 30 December LST 907 departed for Bizerte.

Throughout the month, all attempts to float LST 906 from the rocks at Leghorn Italy had been unsuccessful, but at the year's end attempt at salvage was continuing. The remainder of ships of Flotilla, present at Palermo were undergoing upkeep and liberty in preparation for a month of intense training to commence on 2 January 1945.

Landing Zone Chart Showing German Defences