LCT1008 at Juno Beach

[JCW]

On behalf of my wife's grandfather, Roy 'Bunts' Warren of Westcliff on Sea, Essex (UK), I would be very grateful for some help in finding anyone who has any memory, photographs, anything relating to LCT 1008's service in and around D Day.
I understand LCT1008 was part of P Squadron of the 37th Flotilla and was assigned in support of the 9th Infantry Brigade (reserve) of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division in and around of Bernieres and St Aubin Sur Mer on Juno's eastern flank.

Thanks to Tony Chapman of the LCT and Landing Craft Association (Royal Navy) and Geoff for their assistance.

[MicS]

So far I found only one picture of LCT(4) 1008. This is IWM D 18179, showing just a tiny bit of LCT 1008's bow:

http://www.iwmcollections.org.uk/dbt...&BG=0&FG=0&QS=

However, if you have to opportunity to go to IWM and check the pictures next to this one in the film roll (shot by the same photographer) I'm quite sure you will find more views of this particular LCT.

Other than that, I unfortunately have no information on LCT 1008.

Good luck in your search and keep us posted!

Michel

[JCW]

Many thanks Michel, apologies for the delayed reply.
I will certainly follow this up.

Best regards

[JCW]

An apology to everyone who has assisted me in searching for information regarding LCT1008 and especially to Michel.
I haven't forgotten, unfortunately I have not been able to spare the time...which is a real shame as this subject is very close to my heart.

I will resume once things return to 'normal'.

Regards to all.

[MicS]

Hello,

It seems that LCT 1008 was given a new lease of life as a car ferry named "Gustave Perreau" (former mayor of La Rochelle), between La Pallice and the Isle of Ré:

http://forum.netmarine.net/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=2434

http://maitres-du-vent.blogspot.fr/2...ile-de-re.html

A search for images with ' bac "Gustave Perreau" ' will yield many similar photos as those shown on the links above, many from the excellent postcard website Delcampe.net, from which the photos below were downloaded, and where you can buy one of them if you wish:

http://www.delcampe.fr/items?languag...archOptionForm[searchMode]=extended&searchOptionForm[termsToExclude]=&searchOptionForm[searchTldCountry]=fr&searchOptionForm[searchInDescription]=N&page=1&useAsDefault=N&layoutForm[listitemsperpage]=250

Cheers,

Michel

[MicS]

Still from Delcampe.net

Plus some info on the construction of LCT 1008 here:
http://www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/18641.html

Michel

[MicS]

Ooops, I forgot perhaps the most interesting, which I only recently came across:

LCT(4) 1008 was alloted the Landing Table Index Number (or Serial No.) 1715. According to the Landing Table for 9 Cdn Inf Bde Gp (which may have undergone minor changes but was generally adhered to), LTIN 1715 was to carry the following (from fore to aft):

2 Sherman Tanks Mk Vc
4 Sherman Tanks Mk.III
with 28 men vehicle party [crew]
and 4 Porpoises with Am. in tow.
of 27 Cdn Armd Regt [Sherbrooke Fusiliers], Unit Mobilisation Serial 1044/1

2 Carrier Towing
2 6 Pdr Guns
8 men vehicle party [crew]
of S.D.& G Highrs [Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders], Unit Mobilisation Serial 752/1

1 Humber Scout Car
2 Car 5cwt
6 men vehicle party
of 27 Cdn Armd Regt

1 Car 5cwt
3 men vehicle party
of 1 Corps Sigs, Unit Mobilisation Serial 1707

1 Car 5cwt
3 men vehicle party
of 1 Corps Def Coy, Unit Mobilisation Serial 32643

Officers of 27 CAR on board were Maj E.W.L. Arnold (OC 'A' Sqn) and Capt B.M. Veilleux - see this post:
http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...9&postcount=15

The plan called her to load the above at Southampton G.1 Hard at 0500 on D Minus 2, which would translate to 0730 local time (because the plan used "Zone minus two" time) on 3 June (since D Day was first planned for 5 June). She was part of Assault Group 331(c) which comprised a total of ten LCT(4) (including 1008) of 37th LCT Flotilla, P LCT Squadron.

She was to disembark her load at NAN WHITE Beach at H+180.

Michel

[charlie fitton]

I'm interested in the 9'th Bge reserve. The HLIofC regimental padre tells an interesting story about how he actually got ashore from the LCT on dDay.

I'm following this post with interest

[charlie fitton]

Originally Posted by MicS

Ooops, I forgot perhaps the most interesting, which I only recently came across:

LCT(4) 1008 was alloted the Landing Table Index Number (or Serial No.) 1715. According to the Landing Table for 9 Cdn Inf Bde Gp (which may have undergone minor changes but was generally adhered to), LTIN 1715 was to carry the following (from fore to aft):

Mike _ Where did you dig this stuff up from? Could you tell me of the HLIofC's vehicles?

f

[MicS]

Originally Posted by charlie fitton

Mike _ Where did you dig this stuff up from? Could you tell me of the HLIofC's vehicles?

This comes from the Landing Table and the Naval Orders for JUNO Area.
All HLI of C vehs I could find are as follows. I omitted all other units embarked. All ships & craft are HM:


H.L.I. of C. (Unit Mobilisation Serial 754/1)

Group 331(d) Ten LCT(4) of 35 LCT Flotilla, 'P' LCT Squadron - Embark Southampton G.2 Hard, Land Nan Red H+180
(add 2 1/2 hours for local time)

LCT(4) 667 (Serial 1724) Embark 0500 D Minus 2
1x 3 ton Lorry GS, 4 Vehicle Party

LCT(4) 679 (Serial 1725) Embark 0500 D Minus 2
3x Carrier Mortar
3x Carrier Univ
1x 15cwt GS 4x4
2x Carrier Towing
2x 6 Pdr Guns
3x 3 Ton Lorry GS, 6 M/C loaded
51 Vehicle Party

LCT(4) 632 (Serial 1726) Embark 0600 D Minus 2
2x Carrier Mortar, 8 Vehicle Party

4x Carrier Univ, 2 M/C loaded
1x Carrier Towing
1x 6 Pdr Gun
3x Carrier Univ, 4 M/C loaded
1x 15cwt GS 4x4
1x Carrier Towing
1x 6 Pdr Gun
33 Vehicle Party

LCT(4) 669 (Serial 1727) Embark 0600 D Minus 2
1x Car 5cwt
6x Carrier Univ, 4 M/C loaded
2x Carrier Mortar
1x 15cwt GS 4x4
38 Vehicle Party

2x Carrier Towing
2x 6 Pdr Guns
1x 3 Ton Lorry GS
12 Vehicle Party


Group 332 Twelve LCT(2) plus one spare of 4 & 9 LST(2) Flotillas plus twelve Rhinos

LST(2) 8 (Serial 1740) Embark Southampton S One Hard (Inside) 2000 D-3, Land Nan Sector H+7hrs
TANK DECK
1x 3 Ton Lorry GS, 2 Vehicle Party
UPPER DECK
1x 15cwt Water
1x 3 Ton GS
4 Vehicle Party

LST(2) 159 (Serial 1741) Embark Southampton S One Hard (Outside) 2000 D-3, Land Nan Sector H+7hrs
TANK DECK
1x 3 Ton Med, 5 Vehicle Party
UPPER DECK
3x 3 Ton GS, 12 Vehicle Party


Group 333 Ten LCT(2) plus one spare of 2 & 9 LST(2) Flotillas plus three Rhinos

LST(2) 401 (Serial 1743) Embark Southampton S Two Hard (East) 0430 D-2, Land Nan Sector H+16hrs
UPPER DECK
2x Carrier Univ, 8 Vehicle Party

I attach the only photo I have that shows one of the above craft. Regarding LST, see the excellent navsource website:
http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/160008.htm
http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/160159.htm
http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/160401.htm

HTH,

Michel

[charlie fitton]

That's brilliant.

Interesting to note that there are no jeeps...any Idea when they would have joined the unit or been issued?

Padre Jock Anderson (MC and bar) stated that his LC grounded on a wreck and he and his truck had to be ferried ashore by a Rhino. They ended up being lost and spent the night hiding behind enemy lines, rejoining the unit on the next morning.

My carrier is dressed up as the Mortar Pl Comd'rs carrier driven ashore by Nels Hillborn, one of our last living BURON vets. He was delighted by the project when he first saw it. He climbed aboard with a big grin on his face, looked around and said 'where's the tarp?"

Funny about the glimpses you get into these old buggers lives...

It hit me like a bat that , while his infantry buddies only had a shelter half for cover, he could stretch his tarp out and live in relative luxury...

[MicS]

Originally Posted by charlie fitton

Interesting to note that there are no jeeps...

"Car 5cwt" is one of the many official designations for Jeep. Landing Tables for SWORD would say "car 5 cwt 4 x 4".

Michel

[MicS]

Attached are two photos of LST 159. The first is at Anzio, the second shows LST 159 loading at Southampton S One Hard (Outside) in the evening of 2 Jun 44. The M10s on the left are from 105 A/Tk Bty(SP), 3 Cdn A/Tk Rgt, while the two M14 halftracks are from H Sec Sigs and 2 Cdn Armd Bde Sigs Sqn. respectively.

Michel

[JCW]

Hello Michel
I am extremely grateful for your research.
Unfortunately Roy passed just over two years ago but I'm certain his family will be very interested in what you have found.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[MicS]

Originally Posted by JCW

Hello Michel
Unfortunately Roy passed just over two years ago but I'm certain his family will be very interested in what you have found.

Hello Jon,

Sorry to hear the sad news about Roy. He might have appreciated that his old craft wasn't scrapped at the end of the war like many others but continued to serve during more peaceful times.

Happy Christmas to you and your family too.

Michel

[Marc Montgomery]

I like the story of LST 325
Served in Sicily and D-day landings, lots of post war activity, given to Greek navy in 1964.
In the late 70;s some US vets heard about it still surviving and set about to acquire and save it as a floating museum and memorial.. 1980 they organized, and in 2000 they had the ship and against all health and strong Coast Guard warning that the crew were too old, and the ship was too old to safely make the trip back across the Atlantic,, the old guys said, (average age of crew was 72 at the time) they would damn well die trying..

The ship is now in Alabama as a tangible memorial.

http://www.cargolaw.com/presentations_lst325.html#Dec8

[hrpearce]

Great read thanks Marc.