Support Craft.
The following would provide close support for 7 Brigade.
LCG 831, 1007 and 1062. Landing Craft Gun each with two 4.7” guns.
LCF(2) 1. Landing Craft Flak.
Close support for 8 Brigade.
LCG 764, 681, 680 and 939. Landing Craft Gun each with two 4.7” guns.
All were to cover the launch of DD tanks. If the tanks were fired on by shore batteries then they should return fire, otherwise LCG would engage beach defences from H-30 minutes.
LCG 831 and LCF 1 were to engage beach defences on Mike.
LCG 1062 and 1007 were to engage beach defences on Nan Green.
LCG 939 and 680 were to engage beach defences on Nan White.
LCG 681 and 764 were to engage beach defences on Nan Red.
LCT(R). Landing Craft Tank (Rocket).
LCT(R) operated in pairs. In each pair one would fire a pattern of rockets at H-8 minutes and the second would fire at H-5 minutes. Both would aim at the same area which would extend across the beach to be assaulted and be 300 yards deep. From their assigned position they would need to aim the entire craft.
LCT(R) 367 and 359 would fire on Mike on bearing 184 degrees.
LCT(R) 437 and 405 would fire on Nan Green on bearing 180 degrees.
LCT(R) 378 and 398 would fire on Nan White on bearing 180 degrees.
LCT(R) 363 and 337 would fire on Nan Red on bearing 175 degrees.
LCS(L) (Landing Craft Support (Large)) would provide smoke and close support as ordered by SOAGs. Six smoke laying LCP(L) were to meet the cruisers and destroyers.
The LCG and LCF were to accompany the assault waves, giving close support as necessary. When no longer required for close support the Naval Force Commander was to informed and he would attach them to FOBs for indirect bombardment. They were to concentrate in flotillas on the flanks and keep clear of incoming craft.
'The rockets were fired in ten salvos of 120 - 1200 in all. Within each salvo they were fired in rapid sequence to reduce the risk of the downward force damaging the structure of the craft. Each rocket had the blast power of a 6 inch shell but without the penetrative power. All the rockets were fired in less than 1 min 30 seconds. They obliterated an area of approximately 400 yards x 100 yards deep.
The rocket craft came under small arms and mortar fire but with little effect. Their job was done and the CO pulled out to a safer distance, where the rocket racks were refilled with the help of the Royal Marines. It took about 22 hours. During this time, the Germans released small radio controlled boats fitted with explosive war heads. These damaged several ships until gunners destroyed or disabled them before they could do any more damage. It was a great relief to the crews of the Rocket craft, as they were particularly vulnerable. Any explosion had the potential to detonate the rockets they carried with disastrous consequences.'
Stoker Frank Woods, DSM, who served on LCT (R) 363. (Combined Operations Org)
References/ Further Reading:
WWW2 Talk - Juno Beach Thread
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