Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
i~:Hi
: . .~~~
~'iC' 1~'~"*b.
j ~~
,,,i,
~iil[iiilliill8li BEr~~;I~i~'n
";la~~~
~:B~E nc~r 'I~Y"~~~:. O.~.~.....1.. .-::i..-~.:..ilr:lvi
i:i ..
*.I ''"'):'"':~:"'8'"
i.,. ""il" ....
I:- ~r ~~:,: ~~:.!:~ lo~ ,~i : : ~li.l:~l~l
~n i~""
"~
p ~~ .i";ii""l.~~~:~F
I":
~;
,~ r
:n :LAS SIF,1 El '~"~;,EIIII~IPiZ -'I ;;";I a; ~
~:~ii~~i~~ iw
II
s~;,~p
~;~711.
;
""~ ";': :: . -iii,
:'"",:6i:18 8;s';
,R I"....L, i~c~,ip, "'~
;~il~il~llP~H i~:~ :'~"""";
aj I1;I
'""~~~""~
~ ~~ ~~pE~ :
.B si~" I~
~~
iii i~ii 98 i!i'*r
a .::ne
jrC 1~I :~I~
,, r~
I
as ,~1~~~~ .,,,,r~ ~I~Ei
~~~ i?~All l.i
Ic .,,,,
.~,.,
~.~o~
-~-*,V;
' ~I~a8~:
~ ~" ,#.r(~r.:i:
~
iii
:i: ii !"'
:
8::H
Te hs .i.
. -,
8
.ili~
~~ni:
1~
:1 111~;
I,
;sn;:
,,:
~~'"il~~ i~l~ig~~ .
6fi
~.i ~~~11
:* ~~~l:ri~~
,, ,E;,aa
ii~-da~i
"I
I"
-;?? :w~
:ri~: :
~,,i ::,,sn:.,n~:,,::'
i ;BIE'I:
.,:E iiii ,,,,. ii:B~
,, ,i ~ i~:
IIP' II~A~ii~
-iiiii-:ii
~ ;:;~
~~~ i .~~ ~
; ~.~
,,,, ~lllw~.~~
",i" B,~CIII
I! ~riiiiiiliillljiilliliiiliiii;~
Ilii;/ii~iii'llll
I~
.'I""~"~liB:
:~
""~ ,, ; ::Y~~
r,:
P: sr-
~~::~nvi :a~" "
~"""'lll:iiiiiiiiiIE.
~:.!iil,;l
liil:i:yii;i!i
illi;ll::,il:.!li..;'I
i~j~~ eli J
~I .Iii. ,,,
,,...
~iun -
~~1. .;;;,; cf~~ ~
,,;,,~,,
._.,~~:,:~R
~.,..... ~iga;:~rE
l~ ~:~.i~i~s:~~ ~~:li~~~
;;
1.U ;:L
".I l"i ~ rs"p~
1~'1;
:~'" "'""'"
:i~E~
ii ,iiiii*-ll
~i~~lll:
::;~:.
":P"i ~~~"i.~.T .:' i; ;:::6;
ul r
91:8~
: ~'llilil.l[
l ;,ll//::/l:i;l
l I!II;IIII::
(I!II
1I._11111_
1I!
F',, ;:'i~~w
i;ii: I"ii~~~~ ~i~l~i~Qlii
"AWul.. ~ Ei ;~;
;
~;~~llj~
;V~ " "' ':',~;,:
'::I
""""i ~8'
I '~~i::
: i~:~:'
i~:
8:U
::
IE~ ;'"::'i.
i 1:1' .,~r.
lsl" c ': .ii ,I..,
r,
:':~
;: i~l:l:li
'":lnl :8.
.,::~
*((~*"~~~ ~a
111~
I~ iii I-i _~I . . ..i...l:ll:'s:: ::":
: ~
i~lE
ssr
f.~l, ,ns
;, ~~~~ ~l.i~l 'I' -I;
- .." '"''""~~~ ;I I" ~:".::
~'' : ''!'g.ll:"lill~.~i::::~:
I. .~~::~l;~
:j~::~...:l..~.~,~
';'~~~" ~ EB;~~I
C~ Q..-i~:.i
ia-i
.~i
~~l"i~D~~"I """~
:";
1 i~~'~~ ;I ili:a;!all
:,~:
I ~~"" i;ii ""'' 1" 1~~Bp
i.liE)*.i: .::~i .. '"
~~~g
a~
I~r~i~
;r . . ar~*au:~ I~ a,.
~~li~~~~l
sw
~.i,
,
li'~l;~15~1
Slf~ ,1: I;~
Iri:;:
ba.,~ ~;"il
:l,,,
,;~" ;.II
"; I
;i~iR~;a * ;~i
~ ~Ir
1;
i;%ix,~8p
ri,
~al
~2~riP"
il~l "";" B?~~II:~~i~~~.. txi.~i~~, pi~~~~~~i~i ~r~1~111
d~
I;,i ii ~
1:I ,. o,~l
, .:i::~I
~~ ~ i ue:~~;
a6~,i~:::~~:~n~c
~~~~~'"
"~~ ?,- ~:i; ~
I.i i~ il~ ~ 111
FOREWORD
units.
meet an urgent need for such a document and unit commanders are in-
that the Tables of Organization and the doctrine are under constant
development. Many of the figures and charts given here will change
presently being written. They will deal with all phases of the tech-
DANIEL NOCE
Brigadier General, U.S.A.
Engineer Amphibian Command, Commanding.
Camp Edwards, Massachusetts,
February, 1943.
CONTENTS
Foreword
Symbols iii
I introduction
H Basic Facts 3
I Landing Craft 9
Marine Maintenance 31
3 Organization 41
Annex I 91
Insignia of Combined Operations- worn
as a shoulder patch in blue and gold by
engineer amphibian troops. A patch
of the same design, in black and red,
is worn by British combined operation
troops.
SYMBOLS USED IN THIS GUIDE
Clearing Station
Distributing point:
Water w dp
LCM(3) 50'
LCVP 36'
Machine gun,
Motor Pool ,
Observation post
Prisoners of war PW
iii
TENTATIVE TRAINING GUIDE NO. 1
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER II
BASIC FACTS
The size of the fuel load, the weight of the cargo and the weath-
er are decisive factors in amphibian crossings. In bad weather, the
seaworthiness of the craft employed and the hardship on the troops
transported become vital considerations.
The premium that such varied missions put upon the maintenance
of equipment and the self-sufficiency of units of the command is
self-evident.
FIRST PHASE
SECOND PHASE
1/
~x~?
Fig. 2-- One Engineer Amphibian Regiment now supports one regimental
landing force in a flank attack to enlarge the beachhead.
Two Engineer Amphibian Regiments re-supply from near shore
to far shore,
THIRD PHASE
Fig. 3-- One Engineer Amphibian Regiment then transports one regimen-
tal landing force by water to attack enemy in rear. The
other two Engineer Amphibian Regiments have begun bringing
up supplies from the nearest useable port, and are return-
ing prisoners and wounded. They have organised and are de-
fending the harbor.
ENGINEER AMPHIBIAJN TROOPS
"FULL THROTTLE"
TENTATIVE TRAINING GUIDE NO 1
CHAPTER III
LANDING CRAFT
Long before this war began, the United States Marine Corps had
perfected the technique of landing in standard design life boats, put
over off the enemy coast and rowed or power-driven onto the beach. If
the life boats could be retracted to make a second trip, so much the
better; if they could not, they were no great loss, Once the Marines
"had the situation well in hand", their supplies would be landed at
the nearest port facilities -- or their engineers would run a make-
shift pier out into deeper water.
So expert did the Marines become in the use of the life boat
that they even invented what was called "Boat Rig A", by means of
which they balanced light field pieces and weapons carriers on tracks
laid along the boat's gunwales. When the water was very calm and the
beach favorable, this equipment could unload itself by rolling down
an improvised wooden ramp from the boat to the beach
Early in this war, however, the need for a more effective way to
assist assault troops in establishing beachheads on hostile shores
made itself felt. It is probable that the frustrated plans of the
Germans to cross the English Channel in 1940 gave the first impetus
to the creation of specialized craft for transporting landing troops,
Also, our desire to get back on the Continent made the designing and
building of boats that could do the job a problem to be tackled at
once.
ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN TROOPS
What was needed for crossing water to land on enemy beaches was
a boat which would be:
The last requirement was the most important of all, for without
a way to get the vitally needed rolling stock on shore quickly, the
whole idea of delivering a mechanized attack on an enemy beach fell
to pieces. The Marines' "A Rig" was all right if one had perfect
weather and perfect beach conditions and plenty of time to set it up
on a hostile beach, But with aerial reconnaissance, highly mobile
reserves and radio communication all at the enemy's command, the
likelihood of having such leisure to unload grew less and less.
The shallow draft, ramp loading boat cut through this problem
with a single stroke of design. With its development, the landing
craft as we know it today became a fact -- a soon-to-be established
standard piece of military equipment the world over.
10
TENTATIVE TRAINING GUIDE NO. 1
Curiously enough, the Japanese, who were the first to win major
victories by the employment of amphibian troops, were less ingenious
in the design of their equipment. Although accounts of the Kra Isth-
mus campaign refer to "specially built knocked-down landing craft
which were assembled at the point of embarkation",the Japanese equi-
valent of engineer amphibian troops are remarkable for the thorough-
ness of their training rather than for the mechanical aids with which
they are equipped. It remained for English and American engineers to
give us the basic designs for the landing craft with which we won
back the beachhead at Guadalcanal and established our forces in
Africa.
The second need was for a vehicle carrier of about this same
length, but designed to load any of the light vehicles used by the
landing forces. For this craft, a ramp bow became a necessity.
The third need was for a lighter -- a craft big enough to carry
a medium tank, heavy vehicles, or artillery: length around fifty
feet, twin-screwed.
The fourth need was for still bigger craft -- lighters over one
hundred feet long, of slightly greater draft and less maneuverabil-
ity, but capable of going longer distances and able to carry several
tanks or trucks, or large quantities of equipment and supplies.
11. The Engineer Amphibian Fleet. The United States Navy-- in con-
sultation with the Engineer Amphibian Command-- has consolidated two
of the above types into one. It was decided that the vehicle carrier
could also serve as a personnel boat. Slight changes in design af-
forded coxswain and troops more adequate protection,and the ramp was
widened to allow loading of the 3/4 ton weapons carrier. This type
is called the LOVP.
ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN TROOPS
The fifty foot lighter had proved its worth and was retained.
As standardized, it is known as the LCM(3).
These two vessels, which are now the basic engineer amphibian
landing craft, are pictured and described on the following pages.
c.) LCT(5) boats-- one hundred and five foot ramp loading,
triple-screwed, landing craft, manned by the Navy.
14. The 36' LCVP. The LCVP is the currently standardized craft used
to carry and land assault troops. She also may be employed to trans-
port vehicles up to and including the 3/4 ton weapons carrier.
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
14
TENTATIVE TRAINING GUIDE NO, 1
Fig. 7-- LCVP profile sketch showing lines of hull. The boat is
beached and the ramp lowered.
ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN TROOPS
Fig. 9-- How an LCVP transports 3/4 ton weapons carrier. The two
scarfings just aft the engine hatch are manned bythe LCVP's
own crew when other personnel is not available.
TENTATIVE TRAINING GUIDE NO. 1
Fig. i0- The LCVP carrying its maximum personnel load of 36 troops
including machine gunnrers.
17
ENGINEER AMPHIIBIAN TROOPS
Fig. 15--
Fig. 16--
18
TENTATIVE TRAINING GUIDE NO, 1
-4LO A.50
Fig. 18-- LCM(3) profile sketch showing lines of hull and star-
board machine gun mounted.
ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN TROOPS
Fig. 22-- LCM Foreign Model Fig. 23-- LCM(3) Obsolete Type
Fig. 24-- LCM(3) Bureau Type Fig. 25-- LCM(3) Bureau Type
ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN TROOPS
16. The LCT(5. The largest craft used in engineer amphibian oper-
ations Is the
LCT(5) shown below. She is operated by Navy personnel
and is normally attached to the engineer amphibian fleet.
17. The Amphibian Truck. True amphibian craft are capable of self-
propulsion on land or water. Three models have already been standard-
ized:
All three are shown and described on this and the following pages.
Only one of these three-- the 2 1/2 ton amphibian truck-- is cur-
rently employed by engineer amphibian units. This is the vehicle
shown in Figures 30 through 34, on this and the two following pages.
Its official designation is Truck, Amphibian, 6 X 6. From its manu-
facturer's designation "DUXW-353" it gets the name by which it is
commonly called: The DUCK.
24
TENTATIVE TRAINING GUIDE NO. 1
L.O.A. 31'
HATCH
SURF COAMING
PLAN
Fig. 32-- The Truck, Amphibian under way carrying a light load.
ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN TROOPS
The DUCK has single sand tires rather than dual tires, but in
all other respects is operated and handled almost exactly like the
conventional 6 X 6 truck. This is an important factor in speeding
the training of DUCK operators.
Fig. 34-- Perspective showing fore and aft decks and cargo area.
TENTATIVE TRAINING GUIDE NO. 1
18. The Amphibian Tractor, The Amphibian Tractor, called the n"Al-
ligator", is shown below. This caterpillar type vehicle is particu-
larly adapted for landings on difficult beaches and for moving over
swampy, sandy, or rough terrain.
- :
::
19. The Amphibian Ford. The baby of the Amphibian vehicles is the
Ford Amphibian 1/4 ton 4 X 4, pictured below. Its main use is trans-
porting personnel over land or water.
Its width overall is 5'4", and length overall 15'2". The wheel-
base is 7' and its maximum pay load is 800 lbs.
CHAPTER IV
MARINE MAINTENANCE
In the first place, landing craft are something new under the
sun. Only a few years ago there were no such things. Many of their
features are crude and new,
With such equipment as this, many parts for hull and engine re-
pair can be manufactured or refinished. Propeller nuts, pistons,
etc., are examples.
Fig. 46--
In the field, this fourth echelon service is not available; all
units are mobile and must do their own work. Many a task done by
the Base Shop Battalion during training will have to be done under
combat conditions by the men of the lower echelons. It cannot be
repeated too often-- maintenance men in the field are on their own.
ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN TROOPS
CHAPTER V
ORGANIZATION
A: COMBAT
UNIT
OF THE A: COMBAT B: ENGINEER
GROUND UNIT AMPHIBIAN
FORCES OF THE TROOPS
GROUND IN SUPPORT
B: ENGINEER FORCES
AMPHIBIAN
TROOPS
ATTACHED
Fig. 47
Fig. 49
ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN TROOPS
26. The Boat Company. The basic boat unit of the Engineer Amphibian
Brigade is the Boat Company. (T/O and T/BA are subject to change)
OPERATIONS SECTION
THE OPERATIONS SECTION-NAVIGATES
2 OFFICERS 15 EM
z
0
0 COMMAND & NAVIGATION BOATS PATROL BOATS
_J /
G1Mct) BOAT CONTROL SECTION
SALVAGE BOAT I OFFICER 24 E.M.
0
z -.
O
3/4 TON 4X4 CARGO
ON FAR
PUTS
CRAFT
EQUIPMENT
SHORE
IN TWO REGULAR LANDING
AND LANDS IN 3RD OR 4TH WAVE.
c> *
1/4 TON 4X4
DIRECTS
ON
TRAFFIC
NEAR
ON AND OFF BEACHES.
SHORE
DOES SECOND ECHELON MAINTENANCE.
0 COMMUNICATIONS
I OFFICER 24 E.M.
SECTION'
0
0 " P' z// f I' 64 '# fT #
2 RADIO
20 RADIO SETS FOR DISTRIBUTION SETS FOR
AMONGST LANDING CRAFT C & N BOATS.
0)
0 3 OFFICERS 83 E.M.
z "' IR
0 LCVP
F7 [ 7
EZ'C=
__
• c p7i) I it
: / r
Fig. 50
46
TENTATIVE TRAINING GUIDE NO. 1
27. The Shore Company. The basic shore unit of the Engineer Amphib-
ian Brigade is the Shore Company. (T/0 and T/BA are subject tochange).
FORWARD ECHELON
LANDS ON FAR SHORE EARLY IN ATTACK
CO. 2ND IN COMMAND & ONE RECON. OFFICER
OPERATIONS SECTION COMMUNICATIONS a
21 EM MESSAGE CENTER
REAR ECHELON
I OFFICER
LU 16 EM
DOES COMPANY'S
www ^ HOUSEKEEPING
itttt ^ 1-2 1/2 TON 6X6
WITH I TON TRAILER
4 I OFFICER
2f 0 DEMOLITION
OBSTACLE
SECTIONCHELO
DECONTAMINATION
CONST. SECT. CONST SECT.
ROAD ROAD
REMOVAL TEAM BUILDING BUILDING
Uzi 1REAR TEAM TEAM TEAM
w 0
- 14 EM 14 EM 13 EM 13 EM
w
I 00asd
C, 6 TON 6X6 ANGLEDOZER
PRIME MOVER
WITH WINCH ANGLEDOZERS
4n
16 TONS
I- CRANE TRAILER FLAT BED
Z I OFFICER
o 48 EM
_,a.
. ' RO 7i RT 2RUCKS (DUCKS)
- ~----~
T/O 8 TBA are subject to change SYMBOLS NOI IT SGALE
Fig. 51
ENGINEER AAPHIBIAN TROOPS
28. The Boat Battalio. , Three boat companies are grouped together
to form a Boat Battalion. There is one Boat Battalion in each Engi-
neer Amphibian Regiment.
E.A.R.
COMPANY
HEADQUARTERS
Fig. 52
ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN TROOPS
29. The Shore Battalion. The most vital zone of any landing oper-
ation is the beach. It presents an exceptionally difficult problem
in transportation. Sand, mund or rocky beaches are all treacherous
under foot or wheel. Beyond the beach itself lie dunes with still
lighter sand, irregular contours, patches of swamp, boulders-- all
manner of obstacles. And yet it is directly across the beach, at
rigt angles to it, that assault troops must move to their first a-
vailable cover on shore and to the road net beyond.
E.A.R.
SHORE BATTALION
HQ. a HQ. CO.
BN. HQ.
HQ. CO.
CO. HQ.
z O o W d 0 C
FORWARD z z
o
ECHELON
I- a Z
w
o W
o z z
0 ow a O CO CO
o 0 0
Fig. 53
ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN TROOPS
30. The Engineer Amphibian Regiment. One Boat Battalion and one
Shore attalion plus a Headquarters and Headquarters Company-- and
attached Medical and Chaplain-- are grouped together to form an En-
gineer Amphibian Regiment.
Regimental unit and special staff sections are normal with the
exception of the inclusion on the special staff of a navigation of-
ficer. He works with the operations section to solve the more dif-
ficult navigational problems of the regiment.
Fig. 54
ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN TROOPS
E.A.B.
I# %% I A i /%A. APIA P. Iv
Fig. 55
ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN TROOPS
E.A.B
Fig. 56
ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN TROOPS
E.A.B.~
Fig. 57
ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN TROOPS
E.A.B.
HQ. & HQ. CO.
BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS
--
4
HEADQUARTERS CO.
HEADQUARTERS SECT.
CO. H Q.
ADMINISTRATIVE SECT 1--
TRANSPORTATION PLAT.
INTELLIGENCE SECT
PLATOON HEADQUARTERS
OPERATIONS SECT 1
TRANSPORTATION SECT
SUPPLY SECT
MOTOR MAINT. SECT.
z L
-J z
W
w
,) WZ
_o wzU z
o
J_z
0
w 4 0
I- z F°- o I-
0 w w c z w w
0
w
U, C9 wo z W w
U
C.)
0C- _,
C, J
C,- N
w
w 4 a w 0 J
> z <
z
4
Q.
0
U Wl
I 5I,
OO 4 z
Z
z V)
Z w
V
0.
C') Sw z CD
0
u. 04 V)
z On
0
Fig. 58
61
ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN TROOPS
CHAPTER VI
Under ideal conditions the attack itself will have been prepared
for by the landing of parachute troops-- and dive bombers will be
available to reduce enemy strong points.
This zone is bounded on the near shore by the limits of the bri-
gade's DISERSAL AREAS, which in turn must be accessible to the Em-
barkation Areas, On the far shore, the engineer amphibian units' re-
sponsibility ends when they have facilitated the movement of the as-
sault troops with their equipment and supplies to "nearest available
cover" inland from the beach.
The embarkation may take many hours, no matter how well arranged.
There will be not dozens but hundreds of boats to load. It takes
over six hundred landing craft to transport a reinforced division.
Troops and boats may have to remain dispersed until the last possible
second. This is not only a security measure but is essential in
maintaining the element of surprise.
For all these reasons, embarkation will begin at the last pos-
sible hour which will still permit the first wave to reach the en-
e 's beaches at H-Hour on D-Day.
TFENTATIVE TRAIN1ING GUIDE NO. 1
67
ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN TROOPS
39. The Crossing From Near Shore To Far Shore, There are three prob-
lems involved:
68
TENTATIVE TRAINING GUIDE NO. 1
Ii RENDEZVOUS AREA
r
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0
I
0
0 0 0 00 0E 0 0
0 0 0 0 0000 0 0
0 0 0 O 0 0
0
i
GROUPS OF COLUMNS,
CROSSING
1
0
I
0 0
0 0
00
0
0
0 0
0
00
0 0
0
0 0
o
0
0
0
I
0 0
00
0
o
40. The Attack Itself. Landing craft attack in WAVES. The number
of waves and the composition of each wave-- as well as the place and
time of the attack-- are the problems of the tactical commander. The
engineer amphibian unit executes his orders. It is he who must de-
cide what troops to carry, what arms and supplies to land, where,
and in what order. It is the problem of the engineer amphibian com-
mander to furnish the bottoms which will carry the load, without
regard to his own administrative organization. In other words,
waves of landing craft of different types from different platoons
and possibly even from different companies, may be required to move
together across the Line of Departure. This is important to remem-
ber in training boat units.
For its final run, the boats in each wave are staggered, as in a
skirmish line.
The successive waves will hit the beach at varying time intervals.
41. Recapitulation. Boats are never seen spread out as they are on
the opposite page, which shows a schematic diagram of three phases
of an engineer amphibian shore-to-shore operation. I. EMBARKATION,
2. CROSSING, and 3. LANDING IN WAVES. (The fourth phase, the organ-
ization of the beach, is the subject of a succession of charwts hi
follow later in this chapter. The fifth phase, retracting and re-
grouping,is not shown).
Landing craft will not be seen this way because the embarkation
phase will probably be over long before the first boats reach the
far shore. But if it is not literally accurate, this diagram sug-
gests what is true: that all the steps in an amphibian orossing
are a part of one continuous operation.
When this demand will cease will depend on the attack's success
and the port facilities on the far shore. If port facilities are
non-existent, but a definite superiority in the air has been attain-
ed, landing craft may still be used as lighters to bring cargoes a-
shore from the transports which will now be able to stand close in.
TENTATIVE TRAINING GUIDE NO. 1
2. The Boat Assignment Table-- which shows which men and what
equipment go in which boats.
5. The Track Chart-- which maps the courses from the Assembly
Areas to the far shore-- and back.
The ASSEMBLY CHART and TABLE may be combined with the TRACK CHART
and the BOAT MOVEMENT TABLE when desirable.
Model forms for field orders of amphibian units and the annexes
will be shown in TRAINING GUIDE No. 6 of this series. (Continued on
page 76).
_____ TENTATIVE TRAINING GUIDE NO 1__
1. Combat unit.
2. Boat unit.
3. Embarkation Areas with time of loading and remarks.
4. Debarkation Areas with time of arrival and remarks.
1. Embarkation Points.
2. Assembly Areas off the near shore.
3. The Track to the far shore.
4. The Rendezvous Area.
5. The Line of Departure.
6. Any navigational aids or regulating points that are
to be installed along the way.
7. True courses.
8. Magnetic courses.
The Assembly Table and the Boat Movement Table may be com-
bined into one table where the amount of detail in the two
together is not too great.
TENTATIVE TRAINING GUIDE NO. 1
1. Line of Departure.
2. Hazards and obstacles to far shore.
3. Magnetic courses.
4. Formations.
44a. Beach Roads. Having completed their primary duties, the Ob-
stacle Removal and Gas Decontaminating Teams assist the Road Build-
ing Teams in constructing beach roads.
A beach exit road is a road leading from the surf line to solid
terrain. It may be required simply to cross the beach itself--or it
may be needed to cross dunes of marshland inland from the beach. If
possible, it will connect with any existing road net. The essen-
tial thing is that it furnish an avenue of exit for vehicles-- ei-
ther to a road net, to cover or concealment, or to open country a-
cross which the vehicles may disperse.
All this has taken place during the very early stages of the
operation. The immediate objective is to organize the beach area to
receive the heavier vehicles, equipment and supplies which will fol-
low the initial assault waves.
44b. Dumps. As supplies are landed, the following dumps are organ-
ized at points previously selected by the reconnaissance officer:
A. Ammunition dumps.
C. Water dumps.
D. Ration dumps.
ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN TROOPS
Dumps should be laid out not farther than 500 yards inland. At
greater distances, contact with the beach is lost and the problem of
beach defense is greatly increased.
44c. Clearing the Beach. From the beginning to the end of the attack
the primary objective of all concerned-- of both engineer amphibian
and assault troops-- is to keep the beach clear. Congestion must be
avoided; lateral movement must be limited.
By the time the waves carrying heavy wheeled equipment arrive,
at least two roads have been prepared by the engineer amphibian shore
troops and are marked and ready for use. Sighting the beach markers
from several hundred yards off shore, *he coxswains of the heavier
vehicle-carrying boats proceed direct to the beach exit roads. There,
detachments of shore troops stand by to facilitate unloading.
The engineer amphibian unit commander and his staff simply func-
tion as advisers to the tactical commander in making these decisions.
Thus, the engineer amphibian shore troops that will organize the beach
will cross to it as the tactical commander directs. The assumptions
in the preceding paragraphs-- as to whic. elements cross in which
waves-- are arbitrary. Tactical considerations may dictate a wholly
different pattern.
C. Dump sites must be located before and not after the beach
is flooded with supplies.
The boat space which these elements will occupy is easily com-
puted. From such considerations it can be assumed that the elements
of the Engineer Amphibian Shore Compeny may be assigned to boats and
waves in something not unlike the pattern shown on the opposite page.
84
TENTATIVE TRAINING GUIDE NO. 1
"1 "'
/FIRST WAVE
2 Members B.C.S.
I SECOND
NoneWAVE
LINE OF DEPARTURE
THIRD WAVE POSSIBLE DISPOSITION
62 EM.' of
Beach Marking & B.C.S. equip. ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN
2 radios
/2 telephone sets SHORE PERSONNEL
(Equally divided between 2 boats) and
EQUIPMENT
in FIRST SEVEN WAVES
Shown in shaded area of landing craft.)
(Command a Navigation, Shore Company will
Patrol,& Salvage cross as soon
FOURTH WAVE Boats not shown.) as required
34 E.M. Loadings will be
I Angledozer as directed by
I Toboggan Task Force
Road Building Equip. . Commander
incL 4 rolls Mat.
Iw
a FIFTH WAVE
51 E.M.
07 2 Angledozers
2 Toboggans
Road Building Equip. ,>
N inci. 8 rolls Mat.
W Medical Equip. 0
Z Signal Equip.
(Const. equip. equally
divided between
two boats. SIXTH WAVE
Iw
49 E.M.
2 2 1/2 tonTrucks (Indifferent boats)
SEVENTH WAVE 1 1/4ton Truck
19 E.M. Signal Equipment
1 2 1/2 ton Truck
mO
WEAPONS NOT SHOWN
/
Th- S bveDara'
RENDEZVOUS
SCEAICOl aREa
Dictances not to scale
The Above Diagram Is SCHEMATIC .Only
(see opposite poge)
46. The Shore Coman on the Far Shore. Paragraph 44 describes the
organization of a beach by engineer amphibian shore troops. Four
steps in the development of a beach are shown diagramatically on fol-
lowing pages-- in Figures 66, 67, 68, 69. These sketches consti-
tute a recapitulation of the material in paragraph 44. After study-
ing these diagrams, paragraph 44 should be re-read in order to un-
derstand thoroughly the many and interrelated responsibilities of
beach organization. (See also paragraph 27, organization, Shore Com-
pany)
Fig. 66
FIRST STAGE
THE FIRST ASSAULT WAVE HAS LANDED
Two men-. from the Boat Control Section attached to the Shore
Company-- land with the first wave of assault troops. Their first
mission is simply to set up range markers-- on the center line of
the beach-- by which the coxswains in subsequent waves may check
their bearings. Then from the water's edge they signal these waves
in. Shielded lights are used if the attack has been made in darkness.
ENGINEER AMPHIBIAN TROOPS
Fig. 67.
SECOND STAGE
THE THIRD WAVE HAS LANDED AT H PLUS V
Fig. 68
THIRD STAGE
THE FOURTH WAVE IS ABOUT TO LAND AT H PLUS W
A good many minutes have elapsed since the third wave landed the
forward echelon of the Shore Company and the attached Boat Control
Section. During this time, preliminary reconnaissance has been
made. First objective: to locate suitable landing sites for vehi-
cles.
Fig. 69
FOURTH STAGE
THE OPERATION IS NOW WELL ALONG
ANNEX I
C.; On the far shore, units of the Shore engineers execute all engi-
neering work necessary to facilitate the landing of personnel and
supplies, and their movement over the beach inland. However, since
working details of shore engineer units do not land in the initial
assault waves, certain duties must be performed by elements of divi-
sion engineers which land with assault troops in the initial waves.
These duties are:
released from required engineer tasks in the beach area, and to per-
mit division engineer units to advance inland with combat troops to
perform their normal mission.
Lithographed by
Drafting and Reproduction
Headquarters Co. E.A.C.