Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE) Libraries HQ Donovan Research Library

Armor Research Library Fort Benning, Georgia

Report date: 18-20 February 1943 Title: Observer’s Report – Southwest Pacific Theater Appendix Author: Headquarters Army Ground Forces, Army War College, Office,

Washington, D.C. Abstract: Appendixes for the Historical combat information report on

the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team in the Southwest Pacific Theater

Number of pages: 24 p. Notes: From the MCoE HQ Donovan Research Library, Fort Benning, GA. Documents collection. Call #: UB263 .P2_Appendix_ (2-18-43) Classification: Unclassified; Approved for public release

#

Unit

... An C·o.

Morn:ing

Afternoon

Night

Fri. 30 Oct.

serie.TT­Lecture He.ll

n

It

3 - "x" Beach ·

2 - "A" \..Jetty Beach

- . -· .. C.OMBINED TRAINING SCHOOL - TOORBUL POINT

schedule .for 1st 13n,. It:i3, .c.T. - 3o oct .,.; 5 Nov. ·· 1942

sun. 1 Nov. Sot. 31 Oct

seria1 4 Bench

- · · 1 serrai o- ."R" Pohtoon 0830

brs

tt 5 -Beach

Serial 5 & 6 -A 1 Beach

~on. 2 Nov. serial 7 - "R*

Pontoon

n

TUes 3 Nov.

!serial 9

" 10 - Leotur~" 3 ~ I serial 4 "R" tt

t:ed 4 Nov. 1Thurs 5 -No~ I ~I

Hall nxn Beach Ponto on brs ; Orders for 1 "B" co a ' · ···· ···r: · e· · .,~""' · · · • I - - ser 8 " ··- ··' . _ J.:.~· . ~-..0 I

Lectlt.re Hall Ponto on 0835 wi: .l be is sued · Morning

Afternoon

Night

Morning

Afternoon

Night

nnn co.

Morning

Af'ternoon

Night

2 - "A" · hrs lat:er. Jetty Beach Exercise will

3 - ttxn ' " serial 5 & 6 _ · n be followed by " tt

~...,.Beach A 2 Beach a ori tique in " 10 - Lecture" serial 4 - "L" " l Lecture Hall for •

Hall Pontoon jail Officers at er~a - - time to be

Lecture Hall Bench notified. n

" n

2 - ttA" . Jetty Beach

4 - Bench I 11

10 - Lecturen Hall

5 -Bench

l 4 -Beach

S e-ri_o_I -I -Lecture Hall

2- "A" .

serial 5 -Beach

tl

" n

Jetty Beach 4 - Beoch· In 3 -

"X" Beach

" 5 & 6 -A 3 Beach

" 3 - "X" Bench

s er 101"' -6~;;;---vr;n­POntoon 0845

hrs

1 10 - Lectur!" 4 -~all Beach • .~...~-~-·· .

Seria.l 7 - "R" POntoon

" 6 • "R" POntoon 2010 hrs

seriaT 7 -- -.r:r;1r

Pontoon

Training in HMAS 11 KOOPA"IReserved

2.

-unit Fri. 30 Oct sot 31 oct. sun. 1 Nov. Mon. 2 Nov. TUes. 3 NOVe v ed. 4 Nov. Thurs 5 NOT

Bn Hqs & serial 1 - Lecture serial 5 - serial 6 - "L" serial 7 - "L" serial·9. T!'Dining Reserved Hqs co & Hall Beach Ponto on 0855 pOntoon Orders far in Shore Party hi's this Exercise HMAS

tt 2 - "Au will be issued "KOOPAn :r..forning Jetty Beach later. J fternoon n 4 - Beach It

3 -n 5 & 6 It 12 1500 hi's Exercise wil

"X" Beach Houseboat be followed by Beach a critique in

Night . tf 10 - Lecture tt 4 -

It 6 - "L" 1t 3 - "x" Lecture Hall Hall Beach pOntoon Beach .f£r ~fll ~ffts. a t red 0 e

-- -- ----- -~-- ~ - -~ - - - ~~ - - -· - · - - ----------- no e •

NOTES: (1) Training hours will normally be 0830 - 1230 hrs, 1400 - 1630 and 2000 - 2130 hrs.

(ii) C.T.S. Instructors are assigned as under:

"A" Co Capt. MocKenzie . "B" Co Lieut. Watson "c" co Capt. Williams

"D" Co Capt. Cawlfield Bn Hqs & Hqs co & Shore party - Capt. showman and Sgt. Nea~

(iii) The second serial to be done on the morning of 30 oct will commence ot 0930 hrs.

(iv) Timings & details for Serial~ issued separately.

\

COMBINED. TRA.Dillll, SCHOOL _t.. . TO<RBUL POINT ...,.....~ .... ........,._,. _ _...__.. snt·rro-oo · tit :k: ••• . .. ....

. SgiA.L ljO• l

OPENJNG REMtl.RKS & Gl3N:BRJ1.L D:E3c1ttiTION GH TRAINING

All Officers in Bn should attend, & if Bn Conmander desires it he mny include NeG• Ot s.

PLLWE : Lecture Hall.

If th~ co·u.rse Syllabus & Se~io.ls have not al~eady' been 1$sued they will be i ssued & ampl.e opportunity will be given to those 1n attendance to ask questions.

. l

SERIL\T NO. 2

BOfl.T DRILL WITH FOID ING BOliT ER1HeME:NT I ·~~

l. : .. ss IGNMENT OF B Ol'1o.TS

(1) The assignment of boats ::.. s based UP.On the T/Ots o.r an .intallt!'7 battalion and is shown 111 boat dingrnm.s u.s appendiees to this se:rial us under:

(ii) The personnel and nllter1.al of the 0 .f;.ssuuJ;t Echelon" are assigned to boats in •Bout Tenms" o In the orgnnisat i on of t he ".i SSQ.llt Echelon" into Boat Tenms .:.> ·k ey personnel n!ld equipment are distributed tl:l.roughout sevornl boots.

(iii)

(iv)

(v)

Compnn-;

Headqunrt crs nnd Hendqun :r t ers co Rifle Co (each of three) Henvy Weapons Co

1'7 I

? 7

'~ ..1.0

1 '?' 18

Boat Divisions: l l boat division cona :i.2ts of two or m<.)l,e boats used to curry n Co or porti on of a co. .:;. sugg est ed grouping or boats in boat division is Dlso given i n tho Gopcnd-:..ces to this . serial.

The Senior Officer or N. c .., o. in a bon t vdll normally be tho Commander of that boat.

Tho Senior Officer in a boat division will n ormally be tho Commander of thot boat divi. sion.

2. OPENING .LND CLOSING F.B.E.

The folding bout is opened and closed in a few seconds by a team o-r l2 men. The detail is given here but opening a nd closing will not be practised owing to breakages in s pr eaders.

(i}

(ii)

OPENING -Five men on each side f c.c:tng inwards o No tracti .JZl to bo ;Klaecd on tho boat beyond tho rop•:: .-carryi~ handle&:;-~ TWo men rn t e 13oa'€ at the holding d.own c1. fPs and ncing'"CUC'h other. Il.ll act nn directed on the command 71 Open".

CI10SING · Clonr inside of bout of s_!;oros{ grave:·~.~<:t.E:. -that ma y j_njuro

the boat. On tho comnonPcTose', c·loe .:; iJ1o 'bout i n reverse order of procedure for opening~

3. CARRYDTG

It requires at lcnst twelve r.J.e!l to cor ry the l~ out ~ enrriod by tho rope currying hundlos, tho dis engngc d on the . shoulder of the man in fr·on ·':; .,

The bon t LlUS t not be clrnggec1 u~ .. ol~~ grour:~~.::.

4. Itt. UNCHING

The boat :l s ha nd being ploeed

The bout 1s carried into . tho wn·vur until the ~ · c is suff:l.cl ont wutor to support it ond then launchcdc

5. EMBll. RKL'~ TI ON .t'.i.ND DER~RKD.T ION

(i) FROM BELCH. -:\ s Bout roaches suf.fici'Jn i:.; wutor to s u uport it t :C10 men will enter in poirs from each s i d e, coi!JI:'lencing fr om tho s oawnrcl end. Tho remaining r.1en will ke ep the bow of th~ b out; directed sea­words until ours or pncldlcs hove boon shi ;~ d~

{11) In c1.ebnrknti on, oars or p,, t'.dles will b G shl pp3 d LG the bout approaches the bench. The f o-ur men neu:"cs t !;he bov.' wilJ. jutlp into the wuter and steady t h o bout, kee ping : t s etor n dir ected scnwnrds while the romainc"'.er· disenborks from tho b ow .

Note. During nll bench prnctie·ds nnd cxoreises nen will be loft nt the rate or nt lonst two non per bout to secure the ernf't rrom tho effects of wind nnd tide.

6, . 51iQE0Wt,ON fiND cqN'rROL OF BOI.Ta.

(i} 'n.le norl!lfil ncthod ot propulsion will be by pndcUes. ·

(i1)

· '1, DRESS.

STEERING. Boat co~~cnder will tell ott n mnn to steer the b~nt.

Stoe:r-ing is by means · of nn our over tho stern. It is very important thn t one or two t1on per bon t be

thoroughly trained in the ttnnngenent ~f the sweep.

Dress f~r this Serinl will be ns light & ns sioplo a.s poss1blo, Henvy nrns & equipment nrc introduced in lntcr s c.rinls. ·

Note: ~l.t nll times while b ~o.t is being pr~pellod personnel, MUST keep low in craft to roduee the silhouette.

t

\

Boat. Tonns of Bn Hq nne Hq Co.

Bont Tcnm No. 32 iBn Hqs.

6 2, inciuc:ipg :

Bn mcir. (1) Cnptnin 8.3. (1)

iBn Hqs . Sec. 6. inclu~~ stnff Sgt., Sgt Mhjo.r ·(

Cpl, Gas. (1) ClOl'k, Hqs. (1)

Scouts, Observers & Int. (3) i Cot:~nn Plnt~ 11, 1ncluc1it16:

Plltt mdl_, • ( 1 } Sgt, Message Center Chief (1).

Linemen (2) Messengers (2)

Radio Operators (2) Switchboard Operators (1)

Clerks, Record (2) Medic~! lfrinclucing

Go. i l cl .IDn. (1)

Total 20.

Boat Tenl!l No. 34 t co liqs 1 4 I 1nc!uc~1)'3:

I I . i I

Boat Tonti No~ 3:5 i Bn Hqs ; '2 ~ fncTu7ti:f1J

. EXecutive Officer ( ...

II Intelligence Officer (1) iBn. Hqs Sec, 4~ incluci~:

1 starr Sgt., oporUl;ions ( Scouts, Ob~orvors & Intelligence . i comrnn Plat0 12, inclu~i~

Stnff Sgt, omnn Chief ( ·sgt, Wire Chief {1)

Sgt, Radio & Vinua1 Chief (1) Lionncn {2)

Moss onge:r"s (2 ), Rncio Operators (2)

Switchboard Operators {2) Clerk, Record (1)

~.1ec~ics ~ 1, incluc:.ing: co. ;,ic. Mnn (1)

Total 19.

Boat Tean Noo 35 ~ Co Hq~ 41 incluC:.ing:

First Sgt (1) Supply Sgt (1)

, Orderly (1)

Ac1jt & Co Cmc1r. (1 Cpl Clerk (1) Bugler (1)

Orderly (1) ~rnmn & Pioneer Plnt~ Hqs 1, 1ncluc'1j_ng

Pliit Cmur. (1}

I .1\rl!l.orer - J;.rtificer (1) ! .lt rn:m & Pioneer Plnt,Hqs 1,

inc!uc".ing Staf~~' Pint {1)

J

(3.) I

2 Ilmrm & Pioneer Squncls, ench or 8, 1nc!ucli~:

Cpls, Sqund !/r} ~~n bearers (14)

1 fn:nn &,1 Pi one~~ S~ua. c:. f 8, inclur":.i'ng

Cp __ , squ._.c_ II r. I)

Bn :Medics~ 4, incluc"'-ing Me !cs (4)

Total 25.

J

.t~.. rll:ln bearers (7) Bn T,1ec"' .. ic::, 10~ inclucl_ing

T!lec~ical Uff1c er (!} Other nedicul pers onnel (9)

Total 23 ..

t .ppunc:.ix """ ... ... . ( C ontinuec1)

Note:

The fQ1l8wing porsQnncl ore onittcd frob the "~ssnu1t Echc18nn:-

C8. Hqs, 16, including:

Trunspo.rt Officer Stuff Sgt 1 !'Joss Sgt. Hot~ Chnuffcrs Cooks C :)Qk' s Helpers Nochunics 1 :Mo t or Bnsics

(1) (1) (1) (2) (3) (2) (2) ( 4)

Bn Hqs. Sec. 5 1 including;

Chouffors (3) Basics (2)

Corrm. P1u t ,6inc1uc1_ing :. Chnuffcrs (5) Bnsic (l)

L.rmn & Pioneer Plat. 3, incluc1_ing : Chnuffors {2) Busic (1)

"t~ss nult Echelon" in Folc!.ing Bouts 108

31

139

Moc!.ic.s:

Omitted from ~ssuult.

Total as per T/0. 7 - 16

co .l'!.icl non Hq. Co Boots.

10 14

24 =

Unns.s1gnccl. 1 Officer nnc1 16 non

{ I

l~Jzp,endiX ~~}· t,cont~nucc1)

Tho Lnti-tunk plnt.

L. Training in Bout Work

(i) This plnt will be assigned two Folcing Bouts. These bouts will be used for instruction in Serinls 2 o.nc-:. 4 during the first two days of training.

(ii) During this pori~,_ of training, it will ~~c convenient to organise tho plat into two bout tco.ns, ench of one section, the bout Connnndors being tho plnt concT und pln.t Sorgoo.nt.

2. Training with vehicle craft.

(i) on tho third dny of training, u vehicle lnnding crn:ft will be assigned :for the usc of ~his plat.

(ii) Details of the training to be ccrried out with tho vehicle lancing cru:ft nrc given in 3orinl 12.

RPPENDDC "B"

Boat Teams· or' Rifle Co.

Tho Co is carried in twq Bout Divisions, gnch of four boats' Totn! ns: per T(O. '1=171 198 less 30 - 1~8

Bont Division 1 (2 Rifle Plnts.).

Boo. t Team No. 1 2 Rifle Squads onch of 12 nen

1ric!uct!rg Sgts , Squn cl. IICh-s • Cpls, Sqund Lc1rs)

.&'.ssi3tants) .i'..1:t:111 Bearers Riflenen Rif lomon, .Aut onn tic Riflemen, ~uto~tic

(2)

· ~)

{2) (14)

[2)

Assistants {2) Plat Hqs. 1£ 1nolU4~1ng: starr sgt, ?!a • (1)

Total 25.

Boat Team No. 3 1 Rlfle squna, 12.

1ncluc11np : Sgt, Squnc1 LC~. (l) Cpl, Squc.cl Irlr ilss1stant (l) Arm:m. bearer (l) Rif·l enen · (7) Rifleman, Lutornntic (l) Riflennn, ~'lut~atic

· Lssistant (l) Plat Hqs, 4, inolucing:

Flat Cmdit. (l) Sgt, Plnt Guice (1) Uossongers (2)

Total 16.

Bont Tean No. 2 2 Rifle S~uncls,ach or 12 non.

§:nct;nt __ s or 1 nnn.

:ts per dingran on loft

Total 25.

Boat Toam No., 4 l Rif'lo Squa c1 or 1~ tton anc1 Plat H9s o£ 4 mon.

l~s per d1n5ran on left. ·

Total 16.

A;[?pencl1.x "B1t (Continued) Boat Division 2 (Co Hqs., 1 R!fic Piilt 8G Weapons Plnt)

Boo.t Tenm No. 5 l, Rifle Squad, 12, 1ne1uding:

Sgt, sqund Ldl'~ {~) Cpl,. w " J.~.ssista.nt 1) ~rnmn beo.rer 1) Riflemen 17) Rifleman, Lutomntic (1} r.- _ f~utomntic ) (l)

1";.ssistant · } 1 L.,M.G. Sqund, 5 1 incluc1ing:

CpT;Sqund !i"'-r. . (1) Amr.m bearers (2) Gunner (1) Gunnir' s. f11~sistant . (1)

2 Co. Bqs, 6,. including: Firs'"t-Lieu'c. (1) Sgt, Cornnn. (1) Sgt, Supply (1) Messcnger·s. (2)

Boat Tenm No. 6 l Mortar Sq'UEC!, 51 1nc1uc'1.ing:

Pin Gi11Cl.r. Staff Sgt., Pl.D.t Messengers

Rifle Plat Hqs, 5, Plot Cmc'T. Starr Sgt, Plnt. Sgt. Pln t Guide

(1) (1)

1nc1uc:.i ng :

ineluc1ing:

(1) (1) (2)

MessenGers i Qo. Hqs., 8, inclucling

(1) (1) (1) (2)

Medics _, 1, incluc1inc;1., Co :. i d Mnn (1)

·I Co cmc!r. Pirst Sgt. ~rmoror t~tifice~

(1) (1) (1) (1) (2) {1)

Total 23.

l

Boat Team No. 7 r 1 Rifl,e Squa.~,12, inclucing:

Sgt, Squa.C. :UU:)o . . . . : _ ·_ (1) ' Cpl, " n Lssistnnt (1) ;· .. r1r:1n, bon."t'er {l) Riflc~cn {7} Riflema.n, f,ut 0r10. tic (1)

n .J.\utor1ntic) Assistant) (1)

1 mortar Sqund, 5,.~ including: .... -cp-:rsquo c.1 I2Ii~ o ( 1 ) ., li.r:u:m bcnrers. (2)

Gunner {1) j· Gunne:i ... 's .Lssista.nt {1)

1 L .. ~:ToGo Squnc1, 5 2 including: cpr s q un c1 Lclr o ( 1) ~tmn bearers (2) Gunner (1) Gunnerrs f.ssistnnt (1)

Total 22 .. 1 ----------------------------------

Bugler Messengord Orderly

Medics, )., inclur~ine :t Co .L'.ic1 nan (1)

Totnl. 24. ____________ __

Boo.t Teo.m No. 8 1 Ri~1c squad, 12A Including:

set I Squnci fil.r. Cpl. 11

" i~ssiatnnt 1\ mrm b corer Riflenen Ri~lemnn, Aut oro tic ft D

1 l!Iortnr Squnc1., 5, Cpl Sqund Lcl.r. ' Atn:".n beo.rers Gunner

Lssisto.nt incluC.irl£5

(1) (1) (1) (7)

<l> I (1)

(1) {2) (1) (1) Gunner's ~ssistnnt

L.l1.G. Secti~n Jiqs, S3t, sccti~n ter. 1/IeSSOUGOr

2, includi,: 1)

(1)

Toto.l l9.

1

Boat Div:tsi::m 1 {2

B::>at Tco.o No.

.. '.s per ]joo.t Team No. 1.

Bent Tenn No.

l~s per Boat Teo.r.1 Nb. 3.

Appendix nBn (Co Bout Tenms of R

Rirle Plats.).

9~

ll

nt1nuec1 ).

iflo Co.

-

Boat Too.n No. 10

ll.s per Boat Tentl No . 2.

l

Boa t Team No. l2

! .. per noat ......... . T'ennt .. No . 4.

Boat Division 2. (Co Hqs., l R1f lo Plo. t & W oo.l' ons l'lnt l•

Do at Toatt uo. l~

.' .. s pOl' :Soc. t Toatt No. 5.

Doo.t Too.tt No. 15. . .

L.s per Doo. t Too.n No. 7.

.......

B ~at Teo.tlS ~r B Boc.t Divi~1on l (2 llitlc Plots}.

Boat Tcan No. 17.

:.s pol:' Don t Tcan No. 1.

Dont Too.~ No. 19.

!. s pel:' Doat Tco.n No. 3.

Doat Division 2 (Co Hqs, 1 nirlo Pl ~

Boat Tean N·:::>. 21.

t-..s per Doc. t Too.n No. 5.

Doo.t Tenn No. 23.

L a per Boat Too.n No. FT. ,,

.t

Boat Tco.n No .. 1·:

: .. a· per Boat Tenn N.o~ 6.·

Boat TOO.M No. 16.

l~s pol:' Bent Team No. a.

\

itle Co.

Dont Too.n No. 18.

: il S per Boa t Tcan No. 2.

.. . .

Boat Too.M No. 20.

.: .. s per Boat Team No. 4.

& V,feo.p:>no Plat l•

noat Too.n No . 22.

.. ~s per Dont Toan N:::>. 6.

Dont Team No. 24

.. l.s per noa t Tean No. 8.

~

...

• ..

Apponc11x .•B• (C~ntinuod)

Note:

Tho following porsonnol arc omitted from the 8Assault Echolon.u:-

I

co. Hqs, 9, inelucl.igg.: E:Lch Rif'le Plat, 5, inclucin,e;: ',

Staff Sgt. Mess. (1) Basic (5) Cooks. (4} Cook's Helpers (3) vveapons Pl:;l. t, 6, including : Cpl, Co. Clerk {1) Cpl. Trnns port

Chauffcrs Basic

S'\ll:llXlry : . .

n~ssault Echelon" in FoldinG Boots Omitted froo ~ssault

Total as per T/O 7 - l?

168 30

198 --

(1) (2) (3)

~at _ Touns o~ tho Heavy ~capons co. Tho Co$ is cur~iod in one or €Wo Doat Divisions

·-~ota1_,as .· po:P T/o, . 1M ioss 49 - 134.

Doot Team No. 25. Mortar Soc. Hqs, 1, Incl~~ Sgt 1 Soc Lc'T - -------rr) 2 Mqp~ar Squads e..l9:_~h-o~ 7 lncfun1ng: Cp!S 1 Squad Lclrs. (2) A~ bearers (8) Gunners (2) Gunner's Assistants {2)

Plat Hqs., 31 incluo.infs. staff sc;t, Plat. {1) Cp1s Instrunont (1) Moss onc;or (1)

Total 18 ..

Doat Team No. 26 ~1orto.r sod Hqs, I, 1ncluc11,: Sgt, Soc t(~. 1

2 Mortar Squads, each o~ 7. Cpl~ 7 squad Ldrs. (2r .L"._mrm bearers (8) Gunners {2) Gunner's tl:..s.sistants (2)

Plnt Hqs .. . , 3, incluc11ng: F'E't". dmcl.r. ( 1) Cpl, ... '\c;ont (1). Mossonc;er (1) · co Eqs., -3, inclucine: Firs~ Sgt. (l) Ness cnl}er (l) Sc;to 1 Supply (l)

Total 21.

Doat Team No. 27 ~rtar Soc Hqs, I, 1ncludinc:

·sgt., Soco Lc~. (1) 2 Mortar squnc'ls! each of' 7 · incluc~ t?g :

Cpls, Squad !£~so {2) JJ..rnmn boo.rors {8) Gunners (2) Gunner's .Assistants (2)

Co~ Hq_s .. t. 5, inc1udit1£lj: co. cmcr. (1) Sgt., Rocco & Signal {1) Duc;ler (l) Mosscnc;or {1) Orderly. (1}

Modic~, 1nc1udi11f-,! Co Aid rnnno (1)

Total 2lo

; Co. Hgs. & M.G. l;'lnts • ' i a , t

Dout Team No. 28 M.G~ soc. Hqf!: 1 1, inc1u~1~: . Sgt. soc. tc~. 1) 2 H.G. Squnc1s, ot:tch of 7. · !ric!uc~1ng : dp!S, squad u~rs. (2) A~ boarors. ~8) Gunners 2) Gunner's ~ssistunts 2) Plot H~s~ 3~ incluc.~ilJ$: Staif g ,tlo.t. fl) Cpl, In::ot runont 1) Mooscngor l) co. Hqs., 3 1 inolu~inyt

Fi~st Lieut. !l) Cpl, Clerk, co,

11)

Mess anger · ) Uedics, 11 · ~~lud.ina:

Co Lid ben. . · (l)

Total 22.

Boo.t Teo.n No. 3 0

l II ) .

lti.G. seo. Hqs. I 1, ·Inoludinit ~ct, Seo. Ildr. . ( ) ·

2 M.G. Squt\ds, ooch of 7. · inc!ud!np:

Cpls, Sqund Ldrs. t~tnttn. bearers. Gunners · Gunn~r 'a Lssistc.nts Plot Hqs., idainoludinc ~tO££ sgt, t. Cpl, Instr'Ur.lent l:!es s enGer

Total 18.

Note:

~~l (2 (2

!l) 1) . 1)

Bout Team No. ~ 29. M~G•· Sec, Hqs, 1:, 1nc!Ud1t¥$:

. S5t 1 Soc. Ldi'. (1}

,, I

2 M.G. · Squads, each of 7.

cpi~~1s~~g~'··~s. l2} ~mon bearers. 8} Gunners 2) Gunner's ~ssisto.nts (2)

Plat Hqs, 3, includinG Plat a~ar. (l} Cp1, Agent {l) Mess en~cr (l)

Total 18.

Boot Tonm No. 31. 14~G • . soo. tfq~. 1 11 1noludit11f

S3~ 1 sac. tar. I) 2 M.G. Squads 1 ec.ch of 7. fnoiud!~: -

Cpia 1 §q uir Ldr·s. ( 2 ) ~'\.mm bearers. ' {8) Gunners. (2) Gunnar's ~ssisto.nts (2) : t:J.atJ§s• 1 3, 1ncluc:1.1n& Plot d. • (1). Cpl, A~ont. (1) Mcsscnecr. (1)

rrotnl 18.

Tho followil,'l6 personnel nro or.littcd fron the "L.ssuult Echelon". .

co. Hqs., 20, includipf,c inclUding:-

Mortnr Plate, 11, 1nc1udinc: :tholuc11nc:-

(1) (7) (3)

Sta.f':f' Sr;t 1 Moss llrmoror - .Lrtific or

. S5t, r:t:ro.ns port Chquffers Cooks Cook's Hcl:"Jcro Mechanic Busies

sunno.rz:

(l) (l)

I(~~

il 7)

Cpl, Transport Chauffors Bnsics 2 lii.G. Flo. ts 1 co.ch.t 9, dpls, 'l'i'ansport Chnutrors Busies

"Lsoo.ul.t Echelon" in Fold:tng Boats . · 134 Onitted frOtJ. L.ssnu1t 49

Total o.s por T/ oi 7 - 18 183

includi~: (~

(10) (6)

S~RIAL NO. 3

. . .. Tru..INING HITH SHIP'S SIDZ MOCK u"l' & Lt .. !DING CR~.FT MOCK UP.

E~UIPivlli"'NT.

The B!Jitish L.C. J.. . Mock up • .

(i) Description.

(ii)

Represents to full scale the British Landing Craft Assault. ~lock up has accomodation for ·35 fully equipped men and a crew of · five. In practice , space i$ o.llott~d to 30 m~n ·of a plat and to 5 men of recce, beach & u the r p ar~tei. ·

The mock craft e.re ubea ched 11 at in~ervals of about 50 yds, · a s in an actual landing.

Practices The men ''vill be practiced in debe.rkc.tion, going

and pushing inland. . 0 COVAr,

2. RIGGIN'S BOAT (L.C .P. (L))

(if The mock up r 0present a Higgins boat to full· s cale , & has QCcomoda tion for 25 fully equipped men of a rifle plat.

(ii)

This model is the ns:poonn bow r anpless type.

Practices The men -v.,rill be prc..cticed in debarkation over the side of

the craft & subse quently going to cova. r or pushing in land'•

Note. When the men have been tra ined i n both L.C .J .. ' s & Higgihs bo e:.ts, the Co Commander will organise his Co into a BD of ··;p..iggin·s boats & a BD division of L.C .A's & carry out a Co exerc.ise· in deba.rke.tion of the . Co and penetreti..o.n. to. :an

· objective about a mile inland under his comma nd.

SHIP'S SID:?. MOCK UP.

3. DESCRIPTION.

The mock-up repre s ents a section of c ship's side 20 feet long and 22 f eet to the "wat 0r-lineli.

~quipment includes ship' s-sido l e.dders in sections of 7 fe e t each, rop e l a dders and rope netting.

4. · ·PRACTIC~:

All r anks will be pra cticed in t:oing over the tv ship's-side", using the equipment provided~

. 5 ., . DRESS

Full battle. dress with ar ms. & e 11 uip:ment vlill be carried by . all ranks in this seric..l.

S~RIAL NO. 4

CONTROL OF BOATS !N BOAT DIVISIONS

1. INTRODUCTORY.

(i) When personnel are sufficiently trained in the propulsion & management of the individ~al ·boet, they will be practiced · in k8eping boats under contvol in boat divisions.

(ii) Difficulties of control under varying conditions of wind and tide vlill be met· end must be overcome.

2 • FORMATIONS.

(i) A Bn, Co or ple.t used in the aosault 1 ~ 'ould normally be c.o.rried in SAlf ... propelled boats o~ the Higgins type during thP, approach to· the shore. B.Ds of these craft normally adopt th~ 11V11 formation. Hith F.B.~s, the approach f~om laur'l.ch to beach is too short to allow of the "~ being adopted and it n~ad not· therefore be gAnerally pr~ctised.

. . .

{ ii) A compromise will be met betwe(:1n towir..g :(or:m,ations a:n:d t actical r, ~uiremnnts end the following formations will be adopted: · '

B.D. of 2 boats (plat)

"Line ahead"

B.D. of 4 . boats (Co Comdr & 2 plats)

QOQ<b ·~ Column

~.,~ ~()

-Column o.t Two•&

3 • . PRACTIC~S.

(.1)

(2) (3)

{i) First practice in B.Ds of 2 boats, changing from 11Line ahead'.' to :'linen and vice versa,_ to the front and to l;>oth flanks~

(ii) - Then practice _in B.Ds of 4 t

general manner. boats in the same

(iii) In preparat:i.on for Serial · 6 ¥;here-. B .D's are towed by . launche·s, pe.rt of the practice of this Serial will be to link the individual boats within the B.D. in diff p, r ent formations in readiness for towing .

In this .. work the f olJ.owJ:ng signals will be · ·used & acknowl edged .

BY DAY BY NIGHT

Link boats · Arms extended upwq.rd s & waved to & fro

' Boats secured Right arm extend ed upvrards Arms extended full l ength downv1-ards & wave d be.ckwards & f orwards in front of the boqy

Unlink

(iv)

4. DR~S.

§>ignals: For the purpose of control & command ·a Connander of th0·

B.D. vrill at~ro. ct the ntt ention .of the Com.mand t?. rs of the boats of his B.D. by whistlG & by using some convenient form of nr.m signal by day, & lamp signal by night.

Dress for this Serial will be as light & a s s imple as possible. ·Heavy arms & e,,.uipment ar.e i ntroduced in l ater Serials.

SERIAL NO. 6

THE LANDI:OO CF THE COMPANY

1. The Rifle Co

. (ii}

(iii}

(iv)

Wave l

Wa.vo 2

Notes:

(1)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

{v)

The Assault Co will be landed, as far as possible, to suit the requirements of varying tactical conditions. These will vary very little f'rom ordinary land fie;htine; •

The Co will normally be organised in two B.Ds, one B.D. to consist of 2 rifle plats {4 boats) and the other to contain Co Hqs, onc .riflc plat and weapons plat (4 boats).

The composition of' B.Da given in (ii) above may be varied to suit different tactical conditions so lone; a.s the sot-up complies with naval requirements for towing.

Diar,rams show tactical formations in tho landing:

Tho boats of' a Co in a wave should beach 40 to 50 yards o.part to allow of' plata and Cos bcine; sufficiently dispersed.

Tho 2 plato abreast will be regc.rdcd a s normal but tho othor formations will bo practised if time permits.

All plots of tho Co cbreast will be found usefu1 in rostrictod waters like rivers and croolG. It is open to tho objection of leaving nothing in support or res erve~

A formt"·tion not f'eo.t'urod in di o.p;rams is colunm of plats . This involves lo.ndine on c. nnrrow front with great depth and woulc1 seldom be usec1.

The wave numbers become i mportant ~nly in Bn landings.

2. Bn Hqs ~nd Hqs Co

3.

Tho four b ~nts in this. B.D. will usually l and c.br cnst and mie;ht constitute o. wave in tho bn assault.

- ._. Boac:b: .. --- - -wnvo 1 ~ @ ® ® 34

Hea!I WoaEons co.

(i) It is not possible, in the short period of traini~, to assie;n sees of rn.orto.rs end r.;uns to rifle Cos. Tho hcdvy weapons Co will thcrof'oro be l anced ns n co.

(ii) Tho Co is orgnni sod into two B.Ds, one of ·which contains tho four boats of the M.G. plats ·und the ather tho Co Eqs boat and throe mortar Plo.t boats.

. - . ...

·sERIAL NO. ·5 { Cont • )

3. Heavy Wen£0ns Co. (Cont)

(iii} Tho Co mie;ht be lnndec1. in two wn vcs ns under:

Bench

Wave ? ® @ ® ' .

® ®' ® ® DT 30 : . 29 8 Wove ?

(i)

(ii)

SE.qiA TJ N Oo 5 ~Z\~~""::v:~~---~c>

"Ont:tl. ~uch time o.s pre>pcr Assault Cra..ft nre nvnilnble, lnnd:!.ne; excrciE os nrc !;encticed by nccomodnting the

' I

.1\.ssnult:':..nc; troops :tn folc1J. ng bon·ts which nrc towed by lnunchcs p!'ovJ.ded & nnnnocl_ by tho Hoyo.J. Austr r llnn Nnvy ..

Fron th5. ~ ~ .Jrlo.l f'oldinc; bout equipment pusses to the cont-re>l of' the senior r.rn wl Of'f:i..cCl" who provides it for i.U"T!:ry us o on c1_ onnnd,.

(iii) In this Sor:inl co-oporntie>n with the Nnvy is n nost ioportnnt; fnctor 51 & both Nnvy & Ju-:_:y must nssist by enc"!.c:l 'Faur1.ne; to fully u .. 11.C.ers t;o.nd tho c.ii'ficulties of tho othc:t:•C)

2. .ASSIGNMENT OF BOJ~~PS TO BOti 'l1 DIVIS IONS e ~--r:w:·~·-~~-··--~~

Tho S f;N => 0" will c f'!s :i.cn foldi r.i.G bon:~s to BDfs in o.ccorc"!.nnce with o.ppen.c".ic:i.o :-1 in s or:i.aJ. 2 8c w::.:~ n s s:te; n s ch towine.; crnft ns no:y be noccs sc..:;:oy,.

3. PRli.CTICE3 ,. F"Q "W'''"~;A-~

(i)

Lc.u.nch Launch

F B

DOUBLE LINE IiliECill .

Note~ Tho nunbcr e>i' F· , Bs t ow cc:. will bo c"'..oponcl..nnt on the nssie.;nmcnt oi"""'"P.Bc to n Bont Dlvisie>n.

(il) Plcki11..r, up toY's.. h hon tows hnvo bo on linked ·within BD tho~rJ.inncci~- of ~no ED will Gtvo tho npp:"opric.tc si~no.l to the lnU-'1.ch eldppo~o T~o launch will tho:~ approach tho honcl. of tho ED & pc.e u th::J ·L· ow :r.··.nc or• l:!.noq (J Comr.mndor ED will c;ivc tho lo.u:~c~1 s1ctpp..:;1' t: l .. ~,J nppropr :.o.to f!:..r;;nn1 when the tow rope o:- r opes h n o bco~l nnc1c :fo.sto

(ili) Cns 't; inr, of rr·o;vs o In operations it i2 the ro eponsibility 8:": nlo .. 1iO.vy-"Go orc"..o:T' tho c o. st inc e>f the towo This will be c'!..onc by s it..~ no.l fr :.mr lou.t1ch t o ED Corrr:J.D.nc'1_er o

ol

2.

(iv) Signa ls. It is necess ary that there should be complete understanding between Launch Skippers and BD Commanders. Where posribl e the S . IJ .O. will assign the same l aunch to t he seme BD for the duration of the Course. Tho signals shown hereunder are understood by all skippers end must be adhered to.

All signals will be acknowledged by re petition of the eignal.

TABLE OF SIGNl\ LS

---------·-.,..--------------------·

( i) 11 Cas t off tow 11

(ii) 11 Slow dovm11

(iii) "stop'1

(iv) "Pick up towe 11

(v) "Tow rope secured11

BY D.~Y

Arms extended at full length downwards and weved bacbverds and forwards in' front of the body

.4.s for veluc le driving

Arms extendeQ outwards

.Ar•ms extended upwards and wa~red to and fro

Right ar m extended upwards

BY NIGHT

• •

• • •

(v/s by lamp or torch •

DRESS : B8ttle Order with Arms & Equipment.

l.

2.

3.

4.

tl}WJJ\.J;, yq~ .7

O.OJMW!Y .~c.mm

VJh~nevor possib1o db EXo~ei~os wii~ ~ ~p p~opnrod by ur~neement ~~t~~~h. ~h~ Bn Commnntlcr nnd tho Chief tnstruetor, c.T.s., in a on june t1 on•

Exorcises for Rifle Co's present no rpecinl difficulties.

The Honvy Weapons co tlnY be exoreiaocl by o.ssi~ninc its Plats to Rifle Co's in their exorciaos.

Special nrrnn3crncnts will be. oado for tho exorcisine of Hqs. Co in this Serial.

SERit .. L NO. 8

Lo.n~nq of tho Assault Bn,

~ diagro.mnt1o representation of tho bn. in o.aso.ult us it oo.n be pro.otisod hore, is ~1vcn horour.K~ors

Vlo.vo l.

Wove 2.

. WAVE 3.

WI\ VE 4.

¥L"...VE 5.

®(!)~~ ® ®®@ ~9@ ~@

•i ....___ " I Ill t

,..

1 I I •

Serial No. 9

Bn. EXERCISE

This exe:re1.so will be prepared by arrnngcmont between tho Bn Commnndcr nnd the Chief Instructor, C.T.s.

Sorinl NO. 10

LECTURE ON JODiT OVERSEtlS OPER:>.TIONS

Pers Ol'U).ol to n ttcncl

Plnco

All Officers & N.c.ors

Lecture Hnll, C .• T.S.

Serial No. ll

LEJTURETTE ON JOD~T OVERS&S OlE Rll. TIONS .

Th~ lecturotto will be c;iven to each co of en.J.iste~ personnel.

Plnce Lecture Ha.n·. c.T.s.

Serio.J. .No. l2

Trnininc; with Vehicle Lanc11ne Craf't.

Scpo.ratc Shoot.

.--

SERI!L 12.

Training with Vehicle LandiQg Craft. \!.

1. In order to exercise plats equipped Vlith M.'l: Weapons, the C.T.s. has a self-propelled vehicle pu retractable ramp. The punt is used to represent an _ maximum tonnage which can be loaded is 15 tons.

2o EQUIPMENT.

Description

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

ffi.ACTIC~.

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(v)

(vi}

(vii)

The dimensions of the craft are as follows:• Length 50 feet, Beam 19 feet with a retractat.

10 feet long and 11 feet wide. The following spac available for loading, 25 feet X 18 feet.

As part of the essential gear on the craft there is a quantity of Army Track which is for use in assisting vehicles across soft or spongy beacheso

A vehicle loading jetty exists for the purpose of loading the L.C.M.

Organisation of Vehicles & Loads.

Embarkation and Loading.

Unloading on beaches of various typeso

Laying and use of ~r~ Track for crossing beach.

Clearance of vehicles from beach.

Re-embarkation of vehicles from beach.

Debarkation at Vehicle Jetty.

NOTE: No vehicle with a height exceeding 8 feet can be loaded on the L.C.M. owing to ramp hoisting braces.

~. The LoCoMo can be used in Bn Assault Landings if the Bn Cmd so desires. The craft will land its vehicles at the later in the assauJ.t.